In short
- Ajanta and Ellora are located 100 kilometers apart.
- Driving between them takes hours, leaving little time to explore.
- A 2-day itinerary from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is highly recommended.
In this article
Many travelers try to squeeze both UNESCO World Heritage sites into a single trip. While a few tours offer this option, the extreme rush limits your time at the monuments. Here is why you should dedicate a full day to each cave complex.
How far is it between Ajanta and Ellora?
The two cave complexes are approximately 100 kilometers apart.
Ajanta is located about 100 kilometers from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). Ellora is located in a different direction. If you try to see both in one day, you will spend at least five to six hours just driving. This cuts deeply into the time you need to explore.
How much time do you actually need for the caves?
You need at least three hours for Ajanta and three hours for Ellora.
At Ajanta, exploring the 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves and taking the mandatory eco-shuttle takes half a day. Ellora requires just as much time to see the massive monolithic Kailasa Temple and the Buddhist and Jain groups.
Are there tours that do both in one day?
Yes, 1-day combo tours exist, but they are heavily rushed.
Tours like the 1-day combo depart from Aurangabad and attempt to cover both sites. Reviews frequently mention rushing through the caves and arriving late to Ellora. You will likely have less than an hour at some attractions before they close at 5:00 PM.
How should I plan a 2-day itinerary instead?
Use Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar as your base and take a separate day trip to each site.
Dedicate day one to Ajanta Caves. You can leave early, take the 3-hour drive, and view the ancient murals when they open at 9:00 AM. Dedicate day two to Ellora Caves. This leaves you enough time in the afternoons to see local spots like the Bibi Ka Maqbara or Daulatabad Fort.
What does the timeline look like for 1-day vs 2-day plans?
A 1-day plan is mostly driving, while a 2-day plan gives you relaxed exploration time.
Review this breakdown to see why spreading the visits out makes sense.
How do you travel between the sites?
You must hire a private taxi or book a tour package with a car.
Public MSRTC buses connect Aurangabad to both sites separately. However, there is no direct bus route connecting Ajanta directly to Ellora. If you are determined to do both in one day, a private car is your only option. Taxis cost between ₹2,500 and ₹3,500 for a round trip to Ajanta alone.
Questions travellers ask
Are the Ajanta Caves open every day?
No, the Ajanta Caves are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day except Mondays.
Can I enter Ajanta and Ellora with the same ticket?
No. You must purchase separate tickets for each site. Ajanta entry is ₹600 for foreign tourists (₹550 online) and ₹40 for Indians (₹35 online).
Is it better to do Ajanta or Ellora first?
If you are doing a 2-day trip, the order does not matter. Many visitors start with Ajanta on day one to focus on the oldest paintings first.
