How to Reach the Grape Escapade Festival
Getting to the Goa Grape Escapade — held in Panaji (Goa) — is easy thanks to Goa’s excellent connectivity by air, rail, and road. Whether you’re coming from within India or abroad, you’ll find multiple ways to reach the festival grounds comfortably.
By Air – Fly Into Goa
The closest airport to the festival is Goa International Airport (Dabolim Airport), located about 30 km from Panaji, the state capital. This airport is well-connected with regular domestic flights from major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Kolkata. International charter flights from Europe and other regions also land here during peak seasons.
Once you land at Dabolim Airport, you can take a taxi, prepaid cab, or rideshare to reach Panaji. The scenic coastal drive takes around 45–60 minutes depending on traffic and weather.
Tip: Booking airport transfers in advance during the festival season makes your arrival smoother.
By Train – Scenic Rail Journey
If you prefer railway travel, Goa has good train connections that bring you closer to the festival location:
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Vasco-da-Gama Railway Station: Situated around 30 km from Panaji, this station connects Goa with cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and New Delhi.
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Madgaon (Margao) Railway Station: A major Konkan Railway hub in South Goa, providing excellent connectivity from throughout India — including long-distance trains from Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.
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Thivim Railway Station: Ideal for travellers coming to North Goa; many scenic routes and passenger trains stop here, and Panaji is a short drive away.
From these stations, you can take taxis, app-based cabs, buses or rental vehicles to reach Panaji and the festival venue.
By Road – Drive or Bus
Goa is well-connected to neighbouring states like Maharashtra and Karnataka through a network of national highways, especially NH66 (formerly NH17), making it easy to reach by road.
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State Transport and Private Buses: Regular services operate from major cities to Goa. Once in Goa, buses and local shuttles travel frequently between towns and Panaji.
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Car or Self-Drive: Many visitors enjoy driving into Goa from nearby states, enjoying the scenic routes along the coast.
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Taxi or Rideshare: Taxis and app-based services like GoaMiles are available from neighbouring cities and within Goa.
Local Connectivity – Around Panaji
Once you’re in Panaji, getting to the festival area in Campal / GMC Courtyards is straightforward:
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Auto-rickshaws and local taxis are widely available across the city.
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Rental scooters and bikes are convenient and popular with tourists for short distances.
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Hotel shuttles and tour buses often offer transport to major festival sites during event days.
Best Travel Tips
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Book in advance: Flights, trains and taxis during the festival period can fill up quickly.
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Plan local transport: Renting a scooter or bike in Panaji gives you freedom to explore nearby beaches, markets, and festival zones.
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Check timings: If arriving late at night, pre-book your taxi or shuttle to avoid long waits.