Aurangabad to Ajanta Caves: Complete Travel & Car Rental Guide
Published July 12, 2026
Ajanta Caves is further from Aurangabad than Ellora, and it needs a bit more planning — but ask anyone who's made the trip and they'll tell you it's worth every extra kilometre. This is the site with the paintings, not just the carvings: ancient murals depicting the life of the Buddha, painted roughly 2,000 years ago in colours that, in places, still hold. Nothing else on the Aurangabad circuit looks quite like it.
Distance and Travel Time
Ajanta Caves is roughly 100 km from Aurangabad, about a 2 to 2.5 hour drive each way. Because of the distance, this is best planned as a dedicated full-day trip rather than squeezed in alongside other stops — give the day to Ajanta alone and you won't regret it.
The Setting Is Half the Experience
The 30 caves are carved into a dramatic horseshoe-shaped cliff face above the Waghora River gorge — you'll want a few minutes just to take in the setting from the viewpoint before heading down. Caves 1, 2, 16 and 17 hold the best-preserved paintings and are unmissable; Cave 26, with its large reclining Buddha sculpture, is another highlight worth budgeting time for.
Car Rental Tips for This Route
An AC vehicle is strongly recommended for this route given the total driving time — you'll appreciate it on the way back after a full day of walking. Starting early, ideally by 7:00-7:30 AM, gives you a comfortable full day at the caves with time to spare for the return drive before evening traffic builds up.
Best Time to Visit
Ajanta Caves is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and closed on Mondays — double-check your dates before booking, since this is an easy mix-up with Ellora's Tuesday closure. The cave paintings are best viewed in good natural light, so a mid-morning arrival, once the sun is higher, works better than a very first-thing start.
A Few Practical Tips
From the main parking area, a shuttle bus takes you the final stretch to the caves themselves — factor that transfer time into your day. Photography rules apply inside some caves to protect the fragile paintings, so check signage as you go. Comfortable shoes and a hat are worth packing; there's a fair amount of walking between caves along the cliff path.
Plan Your Trip
Check available car rentals in Aurangabad for your Ajanta Caves day trip, or call us right now for a fare estimate — we'll also flag the best departure time based on the day of your visit.