Aurangabad first-trip guide: Ellora, Ajanta & the Taj of the Deccan

The full guide

Aurangabad Travel Guide: Ellora, Ajanta and Bibi Ka Maqbara

By BuzzyTrip · Updated October 29, 2026

Aurangabad at a glance

Aurangabad, officially renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2023, is the largest city in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region and the base for two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Ellora Caves, about 30 km away, and the Ajanta Caves, about 100 km away. Most people come for those two, but the city has plenty of its own: Bibi Ka Maqbara, the “Taj of the Deccan”, the Buddhist Aurangabad Caves on the hill behind the university, the Panchakki water mill, Soneri Mahal and the old city gates that gave Aurangabad the nickname “City of Gates”.

We think it is one of the easiest heritage trips in India to plan. Flights and trains come in from the big metros, a hired car covers the sights, and the food, from naan qalia to Marathwada thalis, is reason enough to stay an extra night. History lovers, families with older children and couples will all find enough for three or four days. It is not a beach or nightlife destination; if you want the sea too, pair it with Mumbai or Alibag on the coast.

Why go now

Late October is the start of Aurangabad’s best season. The monsoon has ended, the hills around Ellora and Ajanta are still green, and the long-term averages for October are around 32 °C by day and 19 °C at night, with much less rain than in September. From November to February the days are cooler still, with nights dropping to 12–16 °C, which makes long days of walking at the caves very comfortable. Deepavali falls on 8 November in 2026, and the markets get busy in the run-up, so book rooms and trains early for that week.

History and culture

This part of the Deccan has a long history. Paithan, about 50 km south, was the capital of the Satavahana dynasty two thousand years ago, and the hill fortress of Devagiri, later Daulatabad, was the seat of the Yadava kings. In 1327 Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq famously moved the capital of the Delhi Sultanate to Daulatabad, ordering much of Delhi’s population to follow, then reversed the decision a few years later.

The city itself was founded in 1610 as Khadki by Malik Ambar, the Ethiopian-born prime minister of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, who also built Bhadkal Gate in 1612. His son renamed it Fatehnagar, and in 1653 Aurangzeb, then Mughal viceroy of the Deccan, made it his capital and named it Aurangabad. His son Azam Shah commissioned Bibi Ka Maqbara in 1660 in memory of his mother, Dilras Banu Begum. In 1724 the Nizam of Hyderabad made Aurangabad the first capital of his new state, before moving to Hyderabad in 1763; the city stayed part of Hyderabad State until 1956 and joined Maharashtra in 1960. The textile crafts of the Mughal period, Himroo and Mashru weaving, are still made here.

Best time to visit

October to March is the best window. November to February has the most comfortable weather for sightseeing, with warm, dry days and cool mornings and evenings. The southwest monsoon, from June to September, brings almost all the year’s rain; it is the greenest time at Ellora and Ajanta, when waterfalls run in the gorges, but some days are wet and roads slow down. March to May is hot, with average highs close to 40 °C in May, so start early and rest in the afternoon if you go then.

How to reach Aurangabad

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport (IXU) is at Chikalthana on Jalna Road, roughly 10 km east of the centre and 15–20 minutes by taxi. As of October 2026 IndiGo and Air India fly nonstop from Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad, and IndiGo also flies from Bengaluru on some days of the week; check current schedules. The main railway station, renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2025 (code CPSN, formerly AWB), is on the line between Manmad and Hyderabad, close to the city centre. MSRTC buses link the city with Pune, Mumbai, Nashik, Shirdi and most of Maharashtra.

Road trips from nearby metros

From Mumbai, the fastest route is the Samruddhi Mahamarg, the Mumbai–Nagpur expressway, which passes close to the city; the older route runs via Nashik. Our routing estimate is about 330 km, and four to six hours is realistic depending on traffic leaving Mumbai. From Pune the drive is about 235 km via Ahmednagar (Ahilyanagar), roughly four to five hours. Both routes have plenty of fuel stops and highway restaurants. Once in the city, a car makes it easy to combine Daulatabad (about 17 km), Khuldabad and Ellora (about 30 km) in one day; Ajanta, about 100 km away, needs a day of its own.

Train options

Mumbai is the best-connected city by rail. The Mumbai CSMT–Hazur Sahib Nanded Vande Bharat Express is the fastest train, and several daily express trains, including the Janshatabdi, Tapovan and Devagiri, also run between Mumbai and Aurangabad. Hyderabad and Secunderabad have direct trains, and the Sachkhand Express links the city with New Delhi, a journey of close to 24 hours, so most Delhi travellers fly. There is no direct rail line from Pune, so the road is easier from there. Book ahead for weekends, long weekends and the Deepavali week.

Getting around

Autos are everywhere in the city; agree the fare or ask for the meter before you set off, and app cabs also work. For the caves, a car with a driver for the day is the practical choice, and hotels and travel desks can arrange one. MSRTC buses run from the central bus stand to Ellora and to Ajanta, which works if you are on a budget and do not mind a slower day. At Ajanta, private vehicles stop at the T-junction parking area and shuttle buses take visitors the last few kilometres to the caves.

Top things to do

Ellora Caves

Thirty-four rock-cut monasteries and temples, Buddhist, Hindu and Jain, carved between about AD 600 and 1000 along a 2 km stretch of cliff. The highlight is the Kailasa temple (Cave 16), a whole temple cut downwards out of a single rock. Give it a full morning at least.

Ajanta Caves

A horseshoe of Buddhist caves cut into a gorge above the Waghur river, with the finest surviving ancient paintings in India. Go early on a weekday and keep the whole day for it.

Bibi Ka Maqbara

Commissioned in 1660 by Azam Shah for his mother, it was designed by Ataullah, son of the Taj Mahal’s chief architect, and is often called the Taj of the Deccan. Late afternoon light on the white dome is lovely.

Aurangabad Caves

Twelve Buddhist caves from the 6th and 7th centuries on the hill north of the city, with fine sculpture and wide views. They are rarely crowded.

Daulatabad Fort

The old Devagiri fortress on a steep hill, with moats, a dark tunnel passage and the tall Chand Minar. The climb to the top is long, so wear good shoes and carry water.

Panchakki

A 17th-century water mill beside the dargah of Baba Shah Musafir, fed by an underground channel from the hills. A short, pleasant stop in the old city.

Soneri Mahal

A palace built in the 1650s by the Bundela chief Pahad Singh, now home to a state museum, near the university.

Grishneshwar and Khuldabad

Grishneshwar temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is right next to Ellora. On the way, the town of Khuldabad has the simple open-air grave of Aurangzeb.

What not to miss

If time is short, we would do three things: a full morning at Ellora with time to walk around the Kailasa temple from above, a separate day for the paintings at Ajanta, and an evening at Bibi Ka Maqbara followed by naan qalia in the old city.

Lesser-known corners worth your time

Himayat Bagh

A large Mughal-era garden opposite Salim Ali Lake, now used for fruit research; a quiet place for a morning walk.

Salim Ali Lake

Known in Mughal times as Khiziri Talab and renamed after the ornithologist, it has a small bird sanctuary near Delhi Gate.

The city gates

Several of Aurangabad’s old gates still stand, from Bhadkal Gate to Delhi Gate. Spotting them is a good way to see the old city.

Paithan

About 50 km south, the old Satavahana capital is where Paithani silk saris take their name; it makes an easy half-day trip from the city.

Aurangabad itineraries: pick your trip

Where to stay

Most visitors stay along or near Jalna Road and around the railway station. Jalna Road has the larger hotels and is handy for the airport; the station area and the central bus stand have budget and mid-range hotels, convenient if you arrive by train or bus. The old city is more atmospheric but has fewer places to stay. There is very little accommodation at the caves themselves, so it makes sense to base yourself in the city and day-trip. For Ajanta, starting early from the city works fine.

Where to eat and what to order

Aurangabad’s signature dish is naan qalia, a spiced mutton curry served with tandoori naan, best found in the old city. Mughlai biryani and kebabs are easy to find too. For vegetarians, look for Marathwada home-style food: jowar or bajra bhakri, pithla, thalipeeth, varan-bhaat and spicy shev bhaji, served at thali restaurants across the city. Street stalls do misal pav, poha and fresh jalebi in the mornings. Near the caves, stick to the canteens and dhabas close to the entrances and carry water and snacks.

Local festivals and events

Deepavali, on 8 November in 2026, is the big festival of the season, with busy markets and lights across the city. The Ellora-Ajanta festival of classical music and dance has been held in winter in some years, organised by the state tourism department; check MTDC announcements for current dates. Ganeshotsav and Navratri, in late summer and early autumn, are also celebrated widely.

What to shop and where

Look for Himroo shawls and fabrics, a woven cotton-silk tradition from the Mughal period, and Paithani silk saris, made in Paithan and sold in the city. Small soapstone and stone carvings of cave sculptures are sold near the caves. Bargaining is normal at stalls, less so in fixed-price showrooms.

Permits and entry rules

No permits are needed for Indian travellers. Ellora and Ajanta are run by the Archaeological Survey of India, and as of October 2026 tickets for Indian, SAARC and BIMSTEC citizens cost ₹40 at the counter or ₹35 online, with children under 15 free; other foreign visitors pay ₹600, or ₹550 online. Ajanta is open 9 am to 5 pm and closed on Mondays; Ellora is open sunrise to sunset and closed on Tuesdays. Bibi Ka Maqbara, the Aurangabad Caves and Daulatabad Fort have their own smaller ASI tickets. Flash photography is not allowed inside the painted caves.

Budget breakdown

Here is a rough idea of daily costs per person in October 2026. These are our estimates, not quotes, so check current rates when you book.

Transport costs are highest on cave days, when a car for the day is the biggest expense; sharing it brings the cost down a lot.

Local etiquette

Dress modestly for temples, mosques and dargahs, and take your shoes off where asked; carry a scarf for covering your head at Muslim shrines. At the caves, do not touch the paintings or sculptures and keep your voice down in the prayer halls. Ask before photographing people.

Myths vs facts

Myth: You can see Ajanta and Ellora in one day. Fact: They are about 100 km apart, close on different days and each deserves most of a day.

Myth: Aurangabad is only a gateway to the caves. Fact: Bibi Ka Maqbara, the Aurangabad Caves, Daulatabad and Panchakki easily fill a day of their own.

Myth: It is too hot to visit. Fact: From November to February nights are cool and days are pleasant for walking.

Do’s and don’ts

• Do check the closing days: Ajanta on Monday, Ellora on Tuesday.
• Do start early, especially for Ajanta and the climb at Daulatabad.
• Do carry water, a hat and comfortable shoes for the caves.

• Don’t use flash inside the painted caves.
• Don’t climb on sculptures or lean on painted walls.
• Don’t leave litter for the monkeys at the caves and forts to find.

What to avoid: scams and safety

Aurangabad is generally safe for visitors. At the big sites, buy tickets only at the ASI counter or online and ignore anyone offering special passes; if you want a guide, choose an approved guide at the entrance and agree the fee first. Monkeys at the caves and forts will grab food and bags. The steps and passages at Daulatabad and the paths at Ajanta can be steep and slippery, so take care with children and older travellers. Keep an eye on your phone and wallet in crowded markets. The national emergency number is 112.

Packing list

• Clothing: light cotton for the day, a light jacket or shawl for winter evenings, and modest clothes for temples and mosques.
• Shoes: comfortable walking shoes that slip on and off easily for shrines.
• Sun: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for open sites like Ellora and Daulatabad.
• Essentials: a refillable water bottle, a small torch for the darker caves, ID, and some cash for small stalls.

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