Getting there 5 min readChecked September 2026

Mopa or Dabolim: which Goa airport should you fly into?

Goa has two working airports: Mopa in the far north and Dabolim in the centre-south. Landing at the wrong end adds a long drive to both ends of your trip.

Manohar International Airport, MopaPhoto: Arunpnair 787, CC BY-SA 4.0

Staying in North Goa, fly into Mopa (GOX). Staying in South Goa, fly into Dabolim (GOI). If the flight you need only goes to the other one, take the flight and plan the drive.

Check the code on your ticket

Booking sites often list both as simply "Goa", so look at the three-letter code. GOX is Manohar International Airport at Mopa, in Pernem taluka in North Goa. GOI is Dabolim Airport, near Vasco da Gama in South Goa. The two are about 50 km apart, and a taxi driver waiting at the wrong one cannot help you.

Airlines have moved routes between the two since Mopa opened, and some still do. Do not assume the airport from last year's trip; check the code on this booking.

If you are staying in the north

Mopa is in Pernem taluka, near the northern border, so it suits stays on the far north coast: Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim and Ashwem. It is the newer airport, and most of the international carriers that used to fly into Dabolim have moved there.

For Calangute, Baga, Candolim or Panaji, which sit between the two airports, compare flight times first and then check the drive with your host.

If you are staying in the south

Dabolim is the obvious choice for Vasco, Bogmalo, Colva, Benaulim, Cavelossim and further south. Palolem is still a fair drive from Dabolim, but a much shorter one than from Mopa. Dabolim sits inside an Indian Navy air station and runs as a civilian enclave; the government confirmed in January 2026 that it will stay open to civilian flights.

“The government is committed to improving air connectivity while ensuring that both airports continue to function and grow.”

Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, speaking in the Goa Legislative Assembly · O Heraldo, 17 January 2026

Getting from the airport to your stay

Both airports have prepaid taxi counters in the arrivals area: you pay at the counter for your destination and are given a car. This avoids any haggling at the kerb.

At Dabolim you can also book GoaMiles, the app-based taxi service backed by the state tourism department. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Ola have not been available at Mopa, so do not count on one. Ask at the arrivals hall what is running on the day.

The state bus company, Kadamba (KTCL), runs air-conditioned electric buses from Mopa to Mapusa, Panaji, Calangute and Margao, and from Dabolim to Panaji and Calangute. They run only a few times a day, so check the current timings on the KTCL website before relying on one after a late landing.

If your host offers an airport pickup, it is usually the least stressful option. Tell them the airport code as well as the flight number.

Once you know where you land, pick the area to stay with where to stay in Goa, or have an airport transfer from Mopa waiting.

1
Manohar International Airport, Mopa (GOX)
North Goa · Mopa, Pernem taluka, North Goa
Goa's newer airport, inaugurated in December 2022, with commercial flights from 5 January 2023. It is the better landing point for stays in the north.
- IATA code: GOX
- Location: Mopa, Pernem taluka, in the far north of Goa
- To Dabolim: About 50 km apart
- Ground transport: Prepaid taxi counters, including the Blue Cab counter opened in 2024; KTCL electric buses to Mapusa, Panaji, Calangute and Margao
- Nearest railway station: Pernem, on the Konkan Railway
“Since the time of our inauguration, various airlines, connected destinations, and services for our esteemed travellers have been added, but one thing remains the same – our commitment to the comfort and safety of passengers.”
R V Sheshan, CEO of GGIAL (GMR Goa International Airport Ltd) · Gomantak Times, 18 June 2025
Good to know
Uber and Ola have not operated here, so book a pickup or use the prepaid counter.
Open in Maps
Source: The Tribune: PM inaugurates first phase of Mopa airport, The Goan: Blue Cab prepaid taxi counter at Mopa, KTCL: Mopa bus timings, Wikipedia: Manohar International Airport
2
Dabolim Airport (GOI)
South Goa · Dabolim, near Vasco da Gama, South Goa
Goa's original airport, run by the Airports Authority of India as a civil enclave at the Indian Navy's INS Hansa air station. It is the better landing point for stays in the south.
- IATA code: GOI
- Location: Dabolim, a few kilometres from Vasco da Gama
- To Panjim: Roughly 26 to 30 km
- To Palolem: Around 67 km
- Ground transport: Government prepaid taxi counter; GoaMiles app taxis; KTCL electric buses to Panaji and Calangute
- Nearest railway station: Vasco da Gama
Good to know
Staying in Palolem or Agonda? This is still the nearer airport, but allow for the drive south.
Open in Maps
Source: Airports Authority of India: Dabolim Airport, Goa Tourism (GTDC): Getting here, KTCL: Dabolim bus timings, Wikipedia: Palolem Beach

Frequently asked questions

Can I land at one airport and stay at the other end of Goa?

Yes, and many people do when the flight times suit them better. Just plan the drive in advance. The airports are about 50 km apart, and a drive from the far north to the far south can take around three hours in traffic. Book a pickup rather than hunting for a taxi after a late landing.

How long is the drive from Mopa to South Goa?

It is long. Mopa is about 50 km from Dabolim, and Palolem is around another 67 km south of Dabolim. Driving the length of the state can take around three hours in traffic. If you are staying in the far south, Dabolim is the better choice when a suitable flight exists.

Is there a train option?

Goa's main stations are Thivim, Karmali, Madgaon and Vasco da Gama. The station nearest Mopa is Pernem on the Konkan Railway, and the nearest to Dabolim is Vasco da Gama. Trains suit people arriving from elsewhere in India more than as an airport transfer, since you still need a taxi at both ends.

Which airport handles international flights?

Both can. Since Mopa opened, most international carriers have moved there, and Dabolim's international traffic has dropped sharply, though it still has some. Routes change often, so go by the airport code on your ticket rather than any list.

The Cocosnest team · facts checked September 2026. Timings, fees and venues change without notice, so confirm before a long drive. Sources: Airports Authority of India: Dabolim Airport, Goa Tourism (GTDC): Getting here, All India Radio News: Dabolim to remain fully operational for civilian traffic (January 2026), The Tribune: PM inaugurates first phase of Mopa international airport (December 2022), ThePrint: PM inaugurates first phase of Mopa international airport, The Goan: Blue Cab prepaid taxi counter at Mopa (February 2024), The Goan: GoaMiles returns to Dabolim airport, The Goan: Dabolim airport eyes revival as airlines plan to circle back, Goemkarponn: Dabolim's flight exodus after Mopa launch (September 2026), KTCL: Mopa bus timings, KTCL: Dabolim bus timings, Wikipedia: Manohar International Airport, Wikipedia: Dabolim Airport, Wikipedia: Palolem Beach.