Getting here
Goa Airport to Honavar by road
180 km and about 3.5 hours down the NH66 coast road from Dabolim. Scroll the animated drive below, then read the practical guide.
Goa Airport → Honavar · NH66
Drive it now: scroll down
Scroll to drive it. You'll cross three rivers, enter a new state and arrive just as the sun sets over the Sharavathi River.
Goa Airport (Dabolim)
Wheels down at Dabolim.
The route
From Dabolim airport take NH66 south via Verna and the Margao bypass, through Cuncolim and Canacona and cross into Karnataka at Polem–Majali. The highway then runs through Karwar (crossing the Kali river), Ankola, past the Gokarna turn-off at Madangeri, over the Aghanashini, through Kumta and on to Honavar. NH66 is a good four-lane highway for most of the way.
Distance & time
Dabolim (GOI): 180 km, about 3.5 hours in normal traffic. Add time for tolls, lunch and the Karwar town stretch.
Stops worth making
Palolem beach (Canacona) for lunch; the Kali bridge and Karwar's Rabindranath Tagore beach; Gokarna (a 15-minute detour) and Mirjan Fort near Kumta.
Taxi, bus or train?
A pre-booked taxi from Goa airport is the easiest (see local cab contacts, who also do airport pickups). KSRTC and private buses run Margao–Karwar–Honavar. By rail, Konkan Railway trains from Madgaon to Honavar (HNA) take about 3 hours.
Driving tips
Avoid night driving on the ghat-edge stretches near Karwar, watch for cattle and two-wheelers in villages and fill up before you leave Goa.
Quick facts
| Distance | 180 km from Dabolim airport (GOI) |
|---|---|
| By road | About 3.5 hours on NH66 |
| By train | Madgaon to Honavar (HNA) in about 3 hours |
| Best for | Flights from most Indian cities |
Arriving in Honavar
Honavar railway station (code HNA) is at Karki, about 5 km from town. Autos and cabs wait outside. Overnight buses and trains often arrive early in the morning while most stays check in around 2 pm, so ask your stay about early check-in, or spend the first morning at the mangrove boardwalk (from 9 am) or Eco Beach.
Getting around once you're here
Use auto-rickshaws for short trips in town and hire a local cab for half or full days to reach the waterfalls, temples and day trips. See all transport options in Honavar.
When to travel
October to February is the best time to visit, with dry days and calm seas. March to May is the summer beach season. From June to October the monsoon brings roaring waterfalls but heavy rain, so plan to cross the Western Ghats in daylight. Read more on the best time to visit Honavar.
Plan your stay
We recommend three to four days. Start with our Honavar itineraries, pick a place to stay and browse the best things to do in Honavar.
Plan your trip
Ready for the river and the sea?
Pick a stay, choose an itinerary and book online on the property's site or a booking platform.