------------------------------------------------------- CONVENTION OF THE GOAN DIASPORA FROM GOA INTO THE WORLD Lisbon, Portugal June 15-17, 2007 Details at: http://www.casadegoa.org -------------------------------------------------------
Cheapest and quickest travel: Goa-London-Goa etc Ok, now that there are no charter flights direct from Goa to London, what next option do we have? Lets talk about direct flights only from Bombay. What are the direct flights operating from Bombay? Air India, Jet Airways. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, British Midland I was requested (one of my close friends) to find out two cheap tickets London Rtn ex Goa but direct from Mumbai i.e. non-stop for his parents. Cheap but willing to pay more for good connections or minimum stay at Mumbai (no hotel stay). I gave him the following options: BA: Buy BOM-LHR-BOM and get Goa-Bom-Goa Free Free means you still have to pay the fees & taxes which come to about Rs.2500 Rtn Cheapeast so far available was about Rs.39,000 Ex-Goa (about 480 pounds) But Leaving Goa at 7am by IndianAirline, arriving Bombay 8am and connecting flight 13.15 or 02.15 next early morning Leaving LHR 11.15 arriving Bom 00.15 Goa Connecting around 05.30 Or 21.50 ARR Mumbai 11.15 Free ticket offer limited period only after than total may come to Rs.43,000 (about 537pounds ex Goa) Jet Airways: Rs.44,650 Rs.46,650 ex Goa Rtn (depending upon various flt timings) Leaving Goa 8am Leaving BOM 12.45 Arriving LHR 17.55 Leaving LHR 21.55, ARRV BOM 10.50 Leaving BOM 12.30 Arrv Goa 13.30 Air India: It was around Rs.39,000 ex Goa Plus time in Bombay transit http://www.srilankan.aero/aboutus/aircraft_gallery.shtml Srilankan Airways: via Colombo 3 time a week Mon/Fri/Sat Leaving Goa 9.30 Arrv CMB 11.30 LEAVE CMB 13.15 or 07.05 next day Arriv LHR 20.15 or 1400 LHR All customs & Immigration formalities in Goa It looks like Srilankan also fly to Manchester & Birmingham etc If in transit for more than 8 hrs but upto 24hrs, one may be entitled to free accommodation/meals/transfers etc No date change charges etc Find out more http://wwi.srilankan.aero/ Oh, I forgot to quote the fare Its Rs.32,500 (about 400 pounds) ex Goa rtn What option did he go for finally? Its Srilankan Airways, and they are now leaving on 18th June. Note: One may still get cheaper via a indirect flights ex Mumbai e.g. Turkish was offering Rs.28,000 plus Goa/bom/Goa about Rs. 5000 (Total would 32,000 plus Bombay stay etc). Ethihad was offering for Rs.34,000 ex Bom etc (all Web fare) Hope this info is of some use to at least some of you. Other things you may like to know about traveling with Srilankan Airways (UL) It is safe to travel with UL because of the Jafna problem? I guess it is. Its seems Jafna is in the north and far away. Check this map http://www.manrecap.com/images/map-of-srilanka.jpg see map below (rich text readers only, others click above) Did I ever travel with UL? Yes I did, about 3-4 years ago from LHR-CMB-BOM rtn. We were given hotel outside the airport but there was too much of security check even before entering the Airport. Very young armed uniformed boys were constantly checking our passport etc and they could not understand a word of English nor Hindi. How was the flight like? Good, there were two armed police sitting onboard one at the rare and the other in the front. Inflight service was good too. I like the drinking part of it and meals. And crew was very polite and helful. Will I ever travel with UL again? Yes, I like the flight connection timing, lot of time saving if gone via Bom and offcourse, saving money. I am also (soon) thinking to go to Srilanka on a pilgrimage tour to Blessed Jose Vaz. I think Srilankan is a part of Emirates Airlines It also flies to New York and other European destination Check route map here http://wwi.srilankan.aero/travelplanner/routemap.asp Finally, ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you do book ticket on Srilankan Airways (I am sure you will during European school summer holidays) please don't forget to avail of the usual 5% discount. Just mention you heard it from JoeGoaUK. And please don't forget to share your experience with us both good and bad. Thank you. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There are some pic provided above like AI/BA/9W/UL plus the maps but n/a to plain text readers. one may try here http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/message/2492 [EMAIL PROTECTED] for Goa & NRI related info... http://in.groups.yahoo.com/group/GOAN-NRI/ For Goan Video Clips http://thisisgoa.com/ ___________________________________________________________ Inbox full of unwanted email? Get leading protection and 1GB storage with All New Yahoo! Mail. http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html ------------------------------------------------------- Goanet recommends, and is proud to be associated with, 'Domnic's Goa' - A nostalgic romp through a bygone era. This book is the perfect gift for any Goan, or anyone wanting to understand Goa. Distributed locally by Broadway, near Caculo Island, Panjim & internationally by OtherIndiaBookStore.Com. 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