From Aurangabad: 1-Day Taxi Trip to Ajanta and Ellora Caves

Ajanta’s painted Buddhist caves and Ellora’s giant rock-cut Kailasa Temple make a remarkable pair, but they sit in different directions from Aurangabad. This private car trip solves the hard part: you get a dedicated driver and can choose the route that fits your day. I especially like the freedom to explore at your own pace and the easy return to a hotel, railway station, or airport.

I also like the practical extras: bottled water, a torch for the darker cave interiors, and fuel, tolls, parking, and taxes folded into the transport price. Drivers such as Habib and Suleman have been praised for careful driving and friendly local pointers. The catch is the pace: seeing Ajanta and Ellora in one day makes for a long road day, and entrance tickets plus optional guides cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Three routes suit different schedules: Choose Ellora with Daulatabad Fort and Bibi Ka Maqbara, Ajanta with Bibi Ka Maqbara, or both cave sites in one long day.
• Private transport keeps the day simple: A sedan serves one or two people, while an Innova Crysta carries three or four.
• Ajanta and Ellora close on different days: Ajanta is closed Monday, and Ellora is closed Tuesday.
• The two cave groups offer very different experiences: Ajanta centers on Buddhist paintings and sculpture, while Ellora mixes Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments.
• Entry fees are separate: Carry Indian rupees for monument tickets, since cards are not accepted.
• The best value comes from shared transport: At $20.11 per person, the price is attractive, but a guide and entry tickets can raise the final bill.

Why a private car makes sense from Aurangabad

Aurangabad is a useful base, but Ajanta and Ellora are not next door to each other. Ellora is about 30 kilometers away, with a drive of roughly one hour. Ajanta is about 100 kilometers away, taking around two hours each way. Public transport may cost less in theory, but it can eat into the very hours you came to spend at the monuments.

Here, you have the car to yourself. One or two people ride in a Toyota Etios sedan, while groups of three or four use an Innova Crysta SUV. That private setup gives you room to stretch, keeps the schedule in your hands, and avoids figuring out a new bus or taxi at each stop.

I would not confuse this with a fully guided sightseeing tour unless you select and confirm that package. The basic arrangement is private transport with an English and Hindi-speaking driver. Local guides can be hired at many historic sites, which suits people who want explanation at the monument rather than a running commentary all day.

Drivers Habib and Suleman have been singled out for pleasant conversation, careful driving, and pointing out local places along the road. That matters on a full day in a car. A safe, calm driver is worth more than a flashy vehicle when Ajanta is two hours away.

Route one: Ellora, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara

This is the most relaxed of the three choices. Pickup is offered in Aurangabad at either 8:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m., followed by the one-hour drive to Ellora. You get about three to four hours at the cave complex before an optional lunch stop and the return toward the city.

Ellora contains 34 caves connected with Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions. That variety gives the site its special character. You are not looking at one repeated style. The complex changes as you walk, with different religious communities represented in stone.

The major visual prize is the Kailasa Temple, a huge rock-cut Hindu monument. Ellora is also the easier choice if you want a shorter drive and a fuller afternoon in and around Aurangabad. Three to four hours is enough to see the main areas without turning the visit into a frantic checklist.

After lunch, the route continues to Daulatabad Fort. The supplied plan does not give a separate visit length, so you should ask the driver how much time is available before setting out. The fort can add a strong contrast to the caves, shifting from carved religious spaces to a defensive monument.

Bibi Ka Maqbara is the final major stop on this route. Often called the Taj of the Deccan, it gives you a graceful Mughal-era monument after the heavy stone forms of Ellora and Daulatabad. This combination makes route one a good choice if you want three different kinds of sites without the long Ajanta drive.

The drawback is simple: this route does not include Ajanta. If painted Buddhist art is your main reason for coming to Aurangabad, save this plan for another day or choose route three.

Route two: Ajanta and Bibi Ka Maqbara

Route two leaves Aurangabad at about 8:30 a.m. and spends two hours on the road to Ajanta. The cave group contains 29 Buddhist caves, cut into a horseshoe-shaped gorge. You have about three to four hours to explore before an optional lunch stop and the return journey.

Ajanta is the choice for art. Its sculptures and wall paintings give the caves a quieter, more intimate feel than Ellora’s large temple complex. The paintings are among the main reasons to allow a full three or four hours rather than treating the site as a quick stop.

The ride is the price you pay for that setting. Ajanta is around 100 kilometers from Aurangabad, so the round trip takes a large part of the day. I would choose this route if Ajanta matters more to you than checking off two cave groups.

Bibi Ka Maqbara may be added on the way back if time allows. That wording matters. The return stop is not as guaranteed in practical terms as the main Ajanta visit, so ask the driver about the day’s timing before counting on it.

You can also arrange a guide at the cave site. The transport-only format lets you decide if you want that extra cost and explanation. If you prefer to look closely at the art in silence, you can explore independently, using the driver mainly for transport and timing.

Route three: Ajanta and Ellora in one demanding day

The third plan is the big one. Pickup begins at about 7:00 a.m., with a two-hour, 100-kilometer drive to Ajanta. After three to four hours at the caves and an optional lunch, you drive about 95 kilometers to Ellora, taking around one and a half hours. Then you explore Ellora before returning to Aurangabad.

This is the only route that covers both cave groups in a single day. It is also the most tiring. You may spend about three hours in the car before even reaching the second site, then continue through another major monument when your legs and attention are already fading.

Still, the payoff is considerable. Ajanta and Ellora are not interchangeable. Ajanta gives you Buddhist paintings and sculpture in a more focused setting. Ellora gives you a larger mix of Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain architecture, including its famous rock-cut temple. Seeing both helps you understand why Aurangabad is such a strong base for ancient Indian art.

I would pick route three only if your schedule is tight or both sites are essential. Start early, keep lunch brief, and wear shoes you can manage for several hours. The plan is designed to cover a lot, not to provide a slow, meditative day at each place.

The supplied timing says you explore Ajanta first and Ellora second. That order is useful because Ajanta requires the longest first drive, while Ellora is closer to Aurangabad on the return side. Even so, the day can run eight to ten hours, and the actual finish depends on how long you stay at each site.

What the transport price really covers

The advertised price is $20.11 per person. That is strong value for private transport if two to four people share the car, especially since fuel, tolls, parking, taxes, and service charges are included. You are paying to remove the most awkward part of the outing, the long distances and site-to-site transfers.

You also receive bottled mineral water and a torch. The water is a small but useful touch on a warm day. The torch can help inside darker cave areas, though you should still expect to follow the site’s visitor rules.

The price does not include monument entry. The supplied information gives these rates:

• Ajanta: ₹40 for visitors from SAARC countries and ₹600 for visitors from non-SAARC countries
• Ellora: ₹40 for visitors from SAARC countries and ₹600 for visitors from non-SAARC countries
• Bibi Ka Maqbara: ₹30 for visitors from SAARC countries and ₹300 for visitors from non-SAARC countries
• Cave shuttle bus: ₹100 per person where required

One section also lists Ajanta and Ellora at ₹600 per person and Bibi Ka Maqbara at ₹300, so non-SAARC visitors should use those figures when estimating the total. Carry Indian rupees. Cards are not accepted for these monument tickets.

A guide is another possible extra. Some route packages may offer guide services, while the stated inclusions focus on the private car and driver. Confirm the exact package before paying if you want a guide included rather than hiring one locally.

The sites are different, and that matters

I would not choose between Ajanta and Ellora by distance alone. Choose Ajanta if you care most about Buddhist art, paintings, and a more concentrated cave visit. Choose Ellora if you want the broadest mix of religious architecture and the striking Kailasa Temple.

Daulatabad Fort adds another layer, but it is not a cave site. Its appeal is the change of subject and setting. Bibi Ka Maqbara offers yet another contrast, with a Mughal tomb rather than rock-cut sanctuaries or a hill fort.

That variety is why route one works so well for a single day near Aurangabad. It avoids the long Ajanta road trip while still giving you three distinct stops. Route two is more focused, with Ajanta as the clear star. Route three is for ambitious schedules.

Practical preparation for a smoother day

Wear comfortable shoes. You will spend several hours on foot at either cave group, and the full-day route adds more walking after a long drive.

Bring sunglasses, a hat or cap, sunscreen, and an extra water bottle. Bottled water is provided, but it is sensible to carry your own supply for a day that may last eight to ten hours.

Keep cash in Indian rupees for entry tickets and the ₹100 shuttle bus charge where applicable. Do not assume a card will work at the monuments.

Check the closing day before you book:

• Ajanta Caves are closed every Monday.
• Ellora Caves are closed every Tuesday.

If your tour falls on Monday, the plan shifts to Ellora, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara. If it falls on Tuesday, you visit Ajanta and Bibi Ka Maqbara. That change protects the day from a wasted drive, but it also means you cannot see both cave groups on those days.

Pickup and drop-off are offered at your selected location in Aurangabad. You can finish at a hotel, railway station, or airport, which is useful if you are changing cities or catching a later departure. Give the provider your preferred drop-off point when arranging the trip.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this for people who want private transport without paying for a fully escorted luxury tour. Couples, small groups, and people with a limited Aurangabad stay get the most value from the dedicated vehicle.

It also suits independent sightseers. You can explore at your own pace and hire a local guide at the historic sites if you want more background. The driver handles the roads, parking, timing, and return trip, while you decide how much interpretation you need.

Families may appreciate the private car, water, and flexible drop-off. The long route to Ajanta and the full Ajanta-to-Ellora day may still be tiring, so route one is the gentler family option.

I would hesitate if you want a slow, deeply guided visit to every monument. The one-day plan is built around transport and coverage. On route three especially, you trade lingering time for the chance to see both major cave groups.

Should you book this Aurangabad cave trip?

Book it if you value simple transport, a private car, and the freedom to choose between three sensible routes. At $20.11 per person, it is particularly good for two to four people sharing the vehicle, since major driving costs are already covered.

Choose route one for Ellora, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara. Choose route two for a focused Ajanta day. Choose route three only when seeing both Ajanta and Ellora matters more than having a relaxed pace.

Before booking, confirm the guide option, check the weekday closures, and budget separately for monument tickets. With those points clear, this is a practical way to reach two of India’s most important cave complexes without wrestling with public transport or road directions.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The experience lasts approximately eight to ten hours, depending on the route, time spent at each monument, lunch, and traffic.

Can I visit both Ajanta and Ellora in one day?

Yes. Route three leaves Aurangabad at about 7:00 a.m., visits Ajanta first, then Ellora, and returns to Aurangabad.

How far is Ajanta from Aurangabad?

Ajanta is about 100 kilometers from Aurangabad, with an estimated driving time of two hours each way.

How far is Ellora from Aurangabad?

Ellora is about 30 kilometers from Aurangabad, with an estimated drive of one hour.

Which days are Ajanta and Ellora closed?

Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays. Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays.

Is the transport private?

Yes. The vehicle is reserved for your group. One or two people use a Toyota Etios sedan, while three or four people use an Innova Crysta SUV.

Are entrance tickets included?

No. Ajanta, Ellora, Bibi Ka Maqbara, and any required cave shuttle bus tickets are additional costs.

Can I hire a guide?

Guide services may be available depending on the package, and local guides can be hired at many historic sites. Confirm whether a guide is included before booking.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.