European charter planes and domestic flights arrive at Goa's Dabolim airport , 29km south of Panjim on the outskirts of Vasco da Gama, Goa's second city. Prepaid taxis into town (45min; Rs475), booked at the counter in the forecourt, can be shared by up to four people.

 

Long-distance and local buses pull into Panjim at the town's busy Kadamba bus terminal , 1km east of the centre in the district of Pato. Ten minutes' walk from here, across Ourem Creek to Fontainhas, brings you to several budget hotels. If you plan to stay in the more modern west end of town, flag down a motorcycle taxi or jump into an auto-rickshaw at the rank outside the station concourse.

GTDC's information counter, inside the concourse at the main Kadamba bus stand (daily 9.30am-1pm & 2-5pm; tel 0832/225620) is useful for checking train and bus timings, but little else. The more efficient India Government Tourist Office is across town on Church Square (Mon-Fri 9.30am-6pm, Sat 9.30am-1pm; tel 0832/223412).

The most convenient way of getting around Panjim is by auto-rickshaw ; flag one down at the roadside or head for one of the ranks around the city. The only city buses likely to be of use to visitors run to Dona Paula from the main bus stand via several stops along the esplanade (including the Secretariat), and Miramar beach-front. If you feel up to taking on Panjim's anarchic traffic, bicycles can be rented (Mon-Sat only; Rs3/hr) from a stall up the lane opposite the Head Post Office.