Goa Airport

It would seem things have improved here. There are armed security people at the entrance to the airport and prior to the car parking areas and only passengers can enter the departures area after providing their boarding pass. Visitors can enter with a visitor pass but have to remain in a small waiting area near the glass front of the airport. The staff are friendly and the security only took a couple of minutes. After security it was pretty much the boarding gate as others have said it's a small airport. Be warned there are no walkways to the planes and all connections are made by bus across the airfield. One concern I had was from the customs where there was a large sign advising passengers not to pay bribes if requested and to report any incidences by calling a number. Not the sort of thing I'm used to seeing but at least the authorities are starting to wake up and tackle corruption in India as it is about time someone did so. Anyway staff here were polite and seemed efficient enough. I thought the restroom/toilet facilities were of a good standard and kept clean with attendants on hand.

This is a tiny airport where there isn't far to go from getting into the terminal building to getting on the plane. Substandard facilities but they seemed to work better than most Indian airports I have been to. Security is pretty lax as my friend was allowed to travel with a lighter after it had been identified. Security leads to the departure lounge which is one large untidy room full of passengers and out of the way were some filthy washroom facilities. You have to walk onto the tarmac to get to the plane so disabled travellers need to be aware of this. When arriving the bags came off quickly (though it was a small flight).

Travel to Goa twice a year and little changes at Dabolin apart from the number of officials increases each year. Check in and Security takes a minimum of an hour and is usually early in the morning so be prepared and stay cool. Liquids lighters and sharp objects are forbidden in hand luggage as in UK. Dont change any money at the airport going in or out as the rate of exchange is abismal. Keep a couple of hundred rupees for coffee and bottles of water in the airport cafe at 40 pence a lot cheaper than on the plane. Duty free very expensive compared with liquor shops outside in Goa

Can't disagree with anything above but we keep going back year after year so it can't be that bad. As long as you are prepared for what is to come it's a giggle. The lighter smuggling is a nightmare I've never managed to get one through yet but I know many that have and they used the same hiding places as me. I was told they can't find them in a spectacle case - they found mine but a friend I made there got 2 through and slipped one in my bag. There's always someone in the smoking room with a light cos the ones on the wall rarely work.

I have been to Goa 3 times previously. Arrival at the airport has improved since then and is much more user friendly. the first time we were sat on the floor of arrivals filling in immigration cards at least these are now done on the plane ready for landing. The airport experience is all part of the holiday giving a pound for help with cases is no problem. After our 1st experience of going to hotel by coach we now use taxis. On return the first occasion we travelled by coach on our to the airport which was a big mistake we waited outside in the direct sun in a lsow moving queue to get baggage checked in. We learnt from this to take a taxi and make sure you left in time to beat the crowds. Having said that we still had to queue for over an hour before anyone turned up to get you through departures it's a slow laborious process! Think it's a challenge to see how many stamps can be put on a boarding pass and dont forget a label on everything you are carrying! The facilities airside are limited so go prepared. Take it as part of your holiday experience and you won't be disappointed!

I think the airport makes your holiday it is an experience. it is daunting for your first time though but you get an understanding on how Goan people are. Hold on to your luggage when going outside as you will have a number of young boys/men taking them. A £1 coin is accepted if you let them do this but if you dont want to simply say no thankyou and they should leave you. You need to enjoy the experience and take it with a pinch of salt. I can say though the security is mad! It is so hard to get out of the country as well as getting in! And ladies all I say is if you need to use the loo on arrival be prepared to either hand over £1 coin for the loo roll or go all ready prepared. Also upon leaving they are very cleaver in finding hidden lighters/matches so be for warned! There are workers around who have lighters so you can have a cig in departures. Hope you enjoy your visit.

Dabolim airport is the worst one I have ever been to. Security checks are a nightmare far too many chiefs. I could not wait to get on the plane! But having moaned I will be back there this time next year trying to get out of paradise with a lighter in my bag hopefully to have a quick puff before boarding.

Having flown through Dublin Paris and Mumbai to get there I was amazed that I met more security in this tiny airport than the other three combined.

All the above reports are accurate maybe but I have been going to Goa for about 15 years and can say that every year things get a little better - in fact I consider it quite equal to the best of India's airports. Perhaps not great praise but as always in this wonderful country give yourself plenty of time and remember your sense of humour. I always grab a seat in the pretty smart restaurant and knock back a couple of beers.

Back again to Dambolim this year (see review April 2005) nothing has changed at this airport except they seem to be knocking a part of it down. The arrival and departure procedures haven't changes and it still takes at least six people to stamp your boarding card even if they are stood next to each other. The gents loo's in the departure lounge are a disgrace the seats were broken and the smell was terrible. Had the fun of seeing a Russian aircraft board prior to our flight and wondered how the thing got off the ground the amount of hand luggage was amazing some of the passengers could barely carry it and there seemed no check on what they could take. Yet despite these comments I would still travel to Goa as it has to be a great holiday destination.