Goa's railway gateway
For most holidaymakers arriving in Goa by train, Madgaon Junction (code MAO) is the stop. It is in Margao, the commercial capital of South Goa, close to the beaches of Colva, Benaulim and Varca. Unusually, the station is run not by a regular Indian Railways zone but by the Konkan Railway Corporation, as part of its Karwar division.
Where two railways meet
Madgaon is a junction of two very different lines:
| Line | Runs | Operator |
|---|---|---|
| Konkan Railway | North to Ratnagiri and Mumbai; south to Mangaluru | Konkan Railway |
| Hubballi–Vasco da Gama section | East over the Western Ghats to Hubballi; west to Vasco and Mormugao port | South Western Railway |
The older line, built in the late 19th century to carry trade from the Deccan to the port of Mormugao, gave Margao its first trains. The Konkan Railway, opened through the late 1990s along one of the toughest coastlines in India, made Madgaon a stop on a direct route between Mumbai and Kerala.
Konkan classics
- Mandovi Express (10103/10104) from Mumbai CSMT, famous for its pantry food and monsoon views
- Konkan Kanya Express (20111/20112) overnight from Mumbai
- Mumbai CSMT–Madgaon Jan Shatabdi (12051/12052)
- Mumbai CSMT–Madgaon Vande Bharat Express (22229/22230)
- Madgaon–Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express (22413/22414)
- Matsyagandha Express (12619/12620) towards Mangaluru
Long-distance trains also run to New Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. Compare them on the train timings page.
The station
MAO has 6 platforms on 7 tracks, just 9 metres above sea level.
The monsoon ride
Between June and September the Konkan line runs through bright green paddies, past waterfalls and over high viaducts, and many travellers consider it one of the most beautiful train journeys in India. Monsoon timetables on the Konkan route are slower for safety, so check timings before travelling in the rains.
From the station
- Colva and Benaulim beaches are a short taxi ride away.
- Panaji, the state capital, and North Goa's beaches are reached by road; Thivim and Karmali stations are closer for North Goa.