TRAVELERS LOOKING TO FLY into India’s western state of Goa will find only a few real options. Most major flights fly into Mumbai (BOM), where travelers can often find passage to Goa relatively easily. Dabolim International Airport (GOI), India’s 10th-busiest, proves the best option for direct flights into Goa.
Vasco da Gama, the closest city to the airport, lies about 2.5 miles away, but Dabolim’s days as the state’s major airport are numbered. Currently, the airport acts as a civilian airport and military airbase. In 2020 construction on a new airport will begin in Mopa, about 30 miles north of Dabolim. Upon completion of the new airport, GOI will mainly service military operations.
In the meantime, Dabolim International employs two terminals. The first, constructed with the airport in 1983, handles all domestic traffic. The second terminal, built in 1996, handles international travel. As it stands now, no matter where you travel from Goa, security screening takes large amounts of time thanks to the military’s use of the airport. From 2017 to 2018, 7,607,249 passengers used the airport on more than 50,000 flights.
Dabolim International serves 15 regional and international airlines. Air India, Air Asia, Finnair and Qatar Airways list among the most notable airlines operating out of the airport. Seasonally, Thomas Cook Airlines and TUI Airways transport passengers during Goa’s peak tourism season.
The actual infrastructure of the airport is relatively utilitarian. Both terminals offer currency exchange stations, making it easy for arriving or departing travelers to quickly obtain appropriate funds. Duty-free shops, taxi counters and other airport mainstays make travel through Goa a cinch for the well-seasoned traveler.
However, the airport lacks options for meals. Plenty of places sell snacks, coffee, and other small bites, but few serve food to really quell hunger pangs. Passengers who find the experience especially stressful will be happy to learn the airport features a spa, allowing for total relaxation before a flight. Also, keep in mind the strict timing rules the airport enforces. Travelers flying internationally must reach check-in four hours before takeoff, while domestic travelers must reach security with two hours remaining.
The new airport, scheduled for completion in 2021, will span 666,900 square feet and accommodate up to 4 million passengers per year, with the potential to grow in following years. In addition, the new airport will feature state-of-the-art security systems and separate terminals for cargo.
Read This Next
Weathering The Storm
October 2019
Oct 9, 2019
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Sep 22, 2026Cunard’s “Queen Mary 2” to Undergo Stunning Refurbishment
Cunard recently announced a stunning refurbishment of Queen Mary 2; the ship prepares to enter dry dock on March 31, 2027, as the flagship of the Cunard fleet and the only ship in the world offering regularly scheduled trans-Atlantic crossings between Southampton and New York. The refurbishment will introduce new Grill Suites, an elevated wellness offering, enhanced retail spaces and refreshed guest areas, while preserving the ship’s Art Deco identity. The ship will return to service May 9, 2027.
Sponsored Content
What Actually Happens If You Get Sick or Hurt on a Cruise?
You’ve booked your cabin, mapped the ports and packed the sunscreen. Hopefully, you also bought some insurance. But have you ever thought about what actually happens if a medical emergency strikes mid-voyage?
Daily
Sep 22, 2026Santa Barbara, California, Delays Autumn with a Second Summer
Experience Santa Barbara’s second summer, when golden hour sunsets, warm evenings and wine season offer a unique Californian take on fall. The destination’s pre-autumn season is perfect for those not yet ready to let go of warm weather just yet.
Daily
Sep 22, 2026Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music Opens in Long Branch, New Jersey
Earlier this year, COOKFOX Architects announced the opening of Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music at Long Branch, New Jersey’s, Monmouth University. This new cultural landmark is dedicated to telling the story of music in this country while celebrating Bruce Springsteen’s work within that tradition. The 30,000-square-foot building houses exhibits about the music of Bruce Springsteen and of other American musical genres; the Springsteen archives; a 240-seat auditorium for concerts, academic lectures and video screenings; and gallery space for changing exhibits.
Sponsored Content
IHG Business Edge: A Smarter Way for Small- and Mid-Sized Businesses to Travel
IHG Business Edge is a complimentary travel program designed to help small- and mid-sized businesses manage travel more efficiently while saving on hotel stays. Members enjoy access to guaranteed discounts, loyalty benefits, and partner offers across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio of 7,000-plus hotels in more than 100 countries.
Melt into Mediterranean Charm in Barcelona and Costa Brava
Usually regarded for its Modernist architecture, centuries of artistic influence and polarizing football team, Barcelona has come into its own as a growing tech hub. The capital of Catalonia hosts the annual Mobile World Congress each March, and its Poble Nou neighborhood cradles some of the world’s most recognizable startups like TravelPerk and Typeform.
Seven Seas Prestige to Feature New Spaces
September 2026
Sep 19, 2026Destinations
Sep 18, 2026Choose Your Own Island Vibe in French Polynesia
“We are on small, tiny rocks, isolated in the middle of the largest ocean.” On a nature tour on the atoll of Tetiaroa, my naturalist guide, Thierry Sommers, thus reminded me of the oceanic remoteness of our location in the South Pacific. I was staying at The Brando, a luxurious private island resort that sits a mere 30-minute flight from the main island of Tahiti but still feels gloriously far away from regular civilization.
Sponsored Content
The Art of Balance in Seoul: Beyond the Boardroom
The value of a destination is no longer defined solely by infrastructure, efficiency or scale. Increasingly, it is measured by a city’s ability to balance productivity with well-being — creating opportunities for focus, restoration and more meaningful connections.
Daily
Sep 18, 2026Downtown Phoenix Welcomes First Upscale Urban Retreat
This month, in Phoenix, Arizona, Pacific Hospitality Group opens Denū Hotel & Spa, the newest hotel property in The Meritage Collection.
ShareThis