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

Ajanta and Ellora are not quick photo stops. They are vast rock-cut sites with Buddhist paintings, Hindu temples, Jain shrines, steep approaches, and plenty of walking. This private day trip gives you a sensible way to reach them from Aurangabad without wrestling with public transport or local roads. I especially like the private car and flexible route choices, plus the fact that drivers such as Habib and Suleman have been praised for careful driving and useful local pointers.

I also like the freedom to explore at your own pace and hire a guide at the caves if you want more historical detail. The main catch is time: seeing both Ajanta and Ellora in one day means an early start, long drives, and limited breathing room. Monument tickets are not included, and the prices differ sharply for SAARC and non-SAARC visitors.

Key points to know before booking

• Three routes cover different priorities: Ellora with Daulatabad Fort and Bibi Ka Maqbara, Ajanta with Bibi Ka Maqbara, or both cave sites in one demanding day.
• Private transport keeps the day simple: Your group has the car to itself, with an air-conditioned sedan for one or two people or an Innova Crysta for three or four.
• Ajanta and Ellora close on different days: Ajanta is closed Mondays, while Ellora is closed Tuesdays.
• Local guides are optional: You can explore independently or arrange a guide at many historic sites.
• The price is transport-focused: The advertised $20.11 per person covers the vehicle and listed services, but entry tickets and shuttle buses cost extra.
• Bring cash in Indian rupees: Cards are not accepted for the monument entry tickets.

Why a private car makes these caves easier

The chief value here is not luxury. It is control over a long day. Ajanta is about 100 kilometers from Aurangabad, with a drive of roughly two hours each way. Ellora is closer, about 30 kilometers away, and takes around an hour by car.

A private driver removes the need to arrange separate rides, compare local fares, or work out the return journey after several hours on foot. You are the only passengers in the vehicle, so you can sit back, keep your bags with you, and leave at the agreed time. Bottled mineral water is supplied, and a torch is included for darker cave interiors.

For one or two people, transport is listed in a Toyota Etios sedan. Groups of three or four use an Innova Crysta SUV. The driver speaks good Hindi and English. Names connected with the service include Habib and Suleman, both praised for friendly conversation and careful driving.

This is still a transport-led experience. A private driver is not automatically the same as an archaeological guide. You may receive useful local comments along the road, but detailed explanations inside the caves can require a separate local guide. That arrangement suits people who like freedom, but it may frustrate anyone expecting a fully narrated tour from pickup to drop-off.

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

This is the most balanced option for a single day in and around Aurangabad. You can begin at 8:00 or 10:00 in the morning, drive about an hour to Ellora, and spend three to four hours there before returning through Daulatabad Fort and Bibi Ka Maqbara.

Ellora is the strongest stop on this route. Its 34 caves include Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain works carved into the rock. The scale changes from quiet chambers to major temple spaces, so three or four hours gives you time to see the main areas without treating the site as a rushed checklist.

The famous Kailasa Temple is the visual prize, but I would not spend all your time there. The power of Ellora comes from the range of spaces and the way entire architectural forms were cut from living rock. A torch is useful in dim sections, though it will not replace a guide or explain what you are seeing.

Lunch is optional. That gives you some flexibility, but it also means you should clarify the plan with the driver. The day continues to Daulatabad Fort, a major fortified site on the return route. The stop adds variety after the enclosed caves, but it also adds walking and steps to an already active day.

Bibi Ka Maqbara provides a gentler final stop. It is often compared with the Taj Mahal because of its white marble appearance, but this visit works best as a separate monument rather than a substitute for Agra’s larger landmark. The route finishes with drop-off at your hotel, railway station, or airport in Aurangabad.

Choose this itinerary if you want Ellora to receive proper attention and prefer a mix of caves, fortifications, and Mughal-era architecture. It is also the sensible choice on Monday, when Ajanta is closed.

Route Two: Ajanta and Bibi Ka Maqbara

The Ajanta route starts at about 8:30 in the morning. The drive is around two hours and 100 kilometers, so the early departure matters. You then have three to four hours to explore the 29 Buddhist caves before an optional lunch and the return to Aurangabad.

Ajanta feels different from Ellora. The site is known for its Buddhist caves, painted interiors, sculptures, and dramatic setting along a rock face. The paintings are especially important, but you should not expect every detail to be easy to see. Some spaces are dim, and a torch can help you inspect carved surfaces and dark corners without relying only on the available lighting.

Three to four hours is a useful amount of time here. You can see major caves, pause for the artwork, and avoid turning the visit into a frantic march. Still, the drive makes this a full day. If you are tired after Ajanta, the return journey and possible Bibi Ka Maqbara stop can feel long.

The itinerary says Bibi Ka Maqbara may be visited on the way back if time allows. That wording matters. Ajanta should take priority, so the second monument is not guaranteed if the day runs late or you choose to spend extra time at the caves.

Pick this route if Ajanta is your main goal, especially on Tuesday, when Ellora is closed. It is also a good fit if you want one major cave complex rather than trying to see both in a single stretch.

Route Three: Ajanta and Ellora in one very long day

The third plan starts at 7:00 in the morning and covers both cave complexes. You drive about two hours to Ajanta, spend three to four hours there, stop for optional lunch, and then drive about 95 kilometers, or roughly one and a half hours, to Ellora. After exploring Ellora, you return to Aurangabad.

This route delivers the biggest list of sights, but it asks the most from you. You will spend several hours in the car and several more walking through major historic sites. The day can work well if your schedule is tight and seeing both complexes matters more than a leisurely pace.

I would treat this as a highlights day, not a complete study of either site. Ajanta and Ellora each reward patience. Seeing both lets you compare Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions at Ellora with Ajanta’s Buddhist art and painted interiors, but you will have less time to linger at individual caves.

The early start is a real advantage. It gives you the best chance of keeping the timetable intact. Keep lunch short if needed, carry sun protection, and agree on the meeting points before leaving the car. You do not want to waste the limited afternoon searching for the vehicle.

This option suits people with only one full day in Aurangabad, especially those who strongly prefer private transport and accept a packed schedule. It is less suitable if you walk slowly, need frequent rests, or want detailed explanations at every cave.

What the guides and drivers add

The service offers different packages, including transport-only choices and options with guide services. Check exactly what you are booking before paying. A driver who speaks Hindi and English can make the roads and timing much easier, but that does not always mean a licensed guide will accompany you inside each monument.

The independent format has a useful upside. You can stop for photographs, spend longer at a favorite cave, or move on when you have had enough. One useful part of the arrangement is the ability to hire local guides at many historic sites, giving you the choice between a quiet self-guided visit and a more explanatory one.

Drivers such as Habib and Suleman have been singled out for being pleasant, careful, and helpful with local sights. That kind of road companion matters on a day with several hours of driving. It is also worth remembering that driver quality and guide quality are different questions. If the art and religious context are your main reason for coming, budget for a cave guide.

Price, tickets, and the real cost of the day

The advertised price is $20.11 per person, which is attractive for a private-car day, especially when two to four people share the vehicle. It includes private air-conditioned transport, fuel, tolls, parking, taxes, service charges, bottled water, and a torch.

It does not include monument entry. The supplied prices list Ajanta and Ellora at INR 600 each for non-SAARC visitors and INR 40 each for SAARC visitors. Bibi Ka Maqbara is listed at INR 300 for non-SAARC visitors and INR 30 for SAARC visitors.

The information also lists a shuttle bus charge of INR 100 per person at Ajanta and Ellora. Carry Indian rupees because cards are not accepted for monument tickets. Your final cost depends on the route, nationality category, number of people, optional guides, and how many sites you enter.

For two people, the private car can be good value because you are buying convenience as much as mileage. For one person, the price per head is less impressive, though it may still be worthwhile if you value a direct pickup and a private return. The low headline price should not be mistaken for an all-inclusive admission package.

Timing, comfort, and what to pack

Expect an eight to ten-hour day, depending on the route, traffic, time spent at each site, and lunch. The car is air-conditioned, but the monuments themselves require walking and standing. Comfortable shoes are more important than smart clothes.

Bring sunglasses, a hat or cap, sunscreen, and extra water even though bottled water is provided. A small bag is easier to manage than heavy luggage, especially if you choose the route with Daulatabad Fort.

The most important planning detail is the closing schedule. Ajanta is closed every Monday. Ellora is closed every Tuesday. On Monday, the plan changes to Ellora, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara. On Tuesday, the available plan centers on Ajanta and Bibi Ka Maqbara.

The booking confirmation is issued at the time of booking, and 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 should book this experience

I would choose this trip if you want a private ride, a clear day plan, and the freedom to decide how much help you need inside the monuments. It works especially well for couples, families, and small groups of up to four people who would rather avoid crowded public transport.

The Ellora route is the best all-rounder. The Ajanta route is better for a single major cave site and a less ambitious day. The combined route is for people with limited time who accept a fast pace.

I would look elsewhere if you want a fully guided archaeological tour with a guide beside you all day, or if you dislike long car journeys and early starts. I would also avoid the combined route if you want time for careful photography, long pauses, or a relaxed lunch.

Should you book it?

Book it if your priority is reaching Ajanta and Ellora with minimal transport stress and a private vehicle reserved for your group. The service offers a strong practical package: air conditioning, a careful English-speaking driver, bottled water, tolls, fuel, and flexible routes.

Choose the Ellora itinerary for the best balance of sightseeing and comfort. Choose Ajanta alone if its Buddhist art is your main interest. Choose both only when your Aurangabad schedule is tight and you are ready for a long day.

The key decision is simple: are you paying for a guide-led lesson or for easy, private access? This experience is strongest as the second option, with local guides added when you want fuller context.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

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

Can I visit both Ajanta and Ellora in one day?

Yes. The combined itinerary starts at about 7:00 in the morning, visits Ajanta first, then Ellora, and returns to Aurangabad.

What is included in the price?

The price includes private air-conditioned transportation, fuel, tolls, parking, taxes, service charges, bottled mineral water, and a torch.

Are monument entry tickets included?

No. Ajanta, Ellora, and Bibi Ka Maqbara entry tickets are paid separately. Shuttle bus charges at Ajanta and Ellora are also separate.

Which days are Ajanta and Ellora closed?

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

What type of vehicle is used?

One or two people travel in a Toyota Etios sedan. Three or four people travel in an Innova Crysta SUV.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours beforehand are not refunded or accepted.