Compare Goa flights

Goa doesn’t attract the same volume of UK visitors as many closer-to-home beach locations, but it has been firmly on the radar of backpackers for decades, and package tourism is now catching up.

As a result, you’ll have a decent choice of Goa flights from the UK, and while most are indirect, there are also seasonal direct flights from October to January; TUI is a major player in this market. Dry and pleasant, these months bring perfect beach weather and lively nightlife – though note that authorities have now called time on the all-night beach raves Goa was once famous for.

During the dry season – which is when you want to go – Goa flight prices peak in December. The cheapest Goa flights come either side of that. November flights are a good buy, and prices dip again in January, remaining pretty flat until the monsoon season begins in June. Odd as it may seem, Goa usually sees prices rise during the monsoon, as fewer airlines are flying from the UK. Fly in, say, August, and you'll have no choice but to take an expensive indirect flight, which could come in hundreds of pounds more expensive than a flight in the dry season.

You can save a bit more in peak season by accepting indirect flights – though this sometimes means a 15-plus hour travel time for savings of £20-£40, so it's over to you to decide whether the disruption is worth it.

The length of your flight to Goa will vary depending on your UK departure point and the route you're taking. Direct flights generally take between 9 and 10 hours, with journeys that involve one stopover taking 12 to 14 hours, and sometimes more. Popular stopover locations include Delhi and Mumbai, as well as Middle Eastern cities such as Doha and Dubai. You will usually stop in the home country of your airline.

If you fly in low season or are travelling from anywhere other than London, Manchester or Birmingham, you’ll have no choice but to stop over. Even if you do have the option to fly direct, adding a stop to your route can sometimes save you money, so it's worth shopping around to see what is available.

Popular stopover locations for Goa include:

• Mumbai: Jet Airways routes to Goa have a stop in this bustling Indian city. You’ll fly for around 9 hours 35 minutes to reach Mumbai, then for just over an hour to reach Goa. If you’re interested in seeing urban India at its most energetic, you can always choose to interrupt your journey with a night or two in a Mumbai hotel.
• Doha: If you fly with Qatar Airways, you’ll stop in the Qatari capital of Doha. This route is more evenly split, with the first flight taking just under 7 hours and the second around 4 hours. If you're keen on shopping, Doha can be a good place to spend a couple of days. Get lost in the winding streets of the souks (markets) or browse upscale brands in the gleaming malls.

Goa's coastline is a thing of beauty, offering everything from purpose-built all-inclusive resorts to rough-and-ready retreats for the backpacking set. Generations ago it was a hippy favourite, and those vibes are still there if you know where to look – for every booming nightclub there is yoga session or a healing class (and many travellers indulge in both).

When you're not sunbathing or sipping a cold beer under a palm tree, you'll find some superb watersports at more developed resorts, from scuba diving in the Arabian Sea to kayaking through mangroves. Culturally, rich fish curries and ultra-local produce make the cuisine a major highlight, and the calendar of colourful events gives plenty of reason to visit too.

The area takes on a whole new energy during the Goa Carnival in February, and Diwali in October. Visit our Goa holidays page for more inspiration, and to search for flight and hotel package deals.