Goa car hire

It’s relatively straightforward to hire a car in Goa. Once you’ve familiarised yourself with the local driving standards, a rental car is the key to escaping the tourist trail and seeing the lesser-visited sights in this palm-dotted paradise.

Language: Konkani | Currency: Indian Rupee | Avg. Flight time: 14 hrs

Most tourists head straight for famous beaches such as Baga, Anjuna and Calangute, leaving the rest of the coastline almost untouched. A rental car will give you the freedom to reach little-known gems such as Kakolem Beach, a pristine stretch of deserted sand north-east from Cola village, or turtle nesting site Galjibag Beach.

Exploring the 16th and 17th-century Portuguese forts strategically located on Goa’s coastline is also much easier with your own wheels. Check out Betul Beach, 18 kilometres from Margao, with its pretty lagoon and overgrown fort.

Independent travel with a rental car also affords ample opportunities to discover a lush paradise of coconut plantations and ancient forests.

Less than a two-hour drive inland from the airport is the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, with its thundering waterfalls and echoing canyons. Spot jungle cats, leopards and giant squirrels on its shady trails before stripping off for a swim below Dudhsagar Falls. Further south is the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, where crested eagles nest and monkeys chatter from the treetops.

Twitchers should head to the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, a short drive and ferry ride from Panaji, to spot a plethora of rare species among the rich mangrove swamps.

Goa might be famous for its New Age associations but it also has a more conventional religious past. The state is scattered with ornate Hindu temples, many of which are impossible to reach without hiring a car or going on a paid tour.

For instance, you could discover the Manguesh Temple, 9 kilometres north of Ponda, with its spectacular fusion of Muslim and Christian architecture. Another gem is the partially ruined 12th-century Mahadeva Temple, which is one of the oldest and most atmospheric in Goa.

With only a few international car hire agencies operating out of Goa, finding a vehicle can be more challenging than for some other destinations. Bear in mind that many outfits may not be properly licenced which could invalidate your insurance, so we recommended you book your rental car on TravelSupermarket prior to travelling.

Motorbike hire is popular and much more readily available, with everything from gearless scooters to 500cc Enfield Bullets. The upmarket alternative is to hire a driver with chauffeur services; this option is actually more reasonable than you might expect.

1. You will need an International Drivers’ Permit (IDP) to hire a car – this will be valid for 12 months after the date of issue. Remember to apply for the permit before leaving the UK.

2. Look out for surprising hazards in the road, including cows, dogs, tractors, potholes and triple speed-bumps.

3. If you are travelling through an area with no petrol pumps then stores will often sell petrol by the litre in recycled water bottles. Sellers will occasionally dilute this with water, so try to obtain your fuel from a reputable source.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.