Ellora Caves

How to Reach Ellora Caves

Ashish Thapliyal

Ellora Caves in Maharashtra are famous for their old rock cut architecture and religious importance. They are UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many ways to reach Ellora Caves like by flight, train bus or taxi. This guide will help you choose best option by covering distance, convenience and other important details

How to Reach Ellora Caves

Reaching Ellora Caves by Flights

The nearest airport to Ellora Caves is the Aurangabad Airport ( Chikkalthana Airport ) around 30 kilometers away. Travelers can reach Aurangabad by direct flights or connecting flights from major cities in India. Here’s a detailed guide on reaching Ellora Caves by flights –

Domestic Flights

  • Major Cities- Direct flights to Aurangabad are available from major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore.
  • Airlines- Airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and GoAir operate regular flights to Aurangabad.

International Flights

  • Connecting Hubs- People traveling from abroad can land in Mumbai or Delhi and then take a connecting flight to Aurangabad.
  • Airlines- Major airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and British Airways.

Airport Facilities

  • Facilities – Aurangabad Airport has simple facilities like lounges, baggage services, and transport options.
  • Taxi Services – You can easily find taxis at airport to reach Ellora Caves.

Distance

  • Airport to Ellora Caves- Approximately 30 kilometers

Reaching Ellora Caves by Trains

Aurangabad’s railway station is well connected train travel is a great option for those who enjoy scenic and comfortable journeys. Here is a simple guide to reaching Ellora Caves by train

Railway Connectivity

  • Major Cities – Trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad and Bangalore regularly connect to Aurangabad.
  • Train Types- Express trains, superfast trains and passenger trains operate on these routes.

Popular Trains

  • Jan Shatabdi Express (Aurangabad → Pune) – Useful for travelers from Pune.
  • Devagiri Express (Aurangabad ↔ Mumbai) – Best for those coming from Mumbai.
  • Nandigram Express (Aurangabad → Nagpur) – Connects to Central India.

Train Facilities

  • Class Options – Trains have many options like Sleeper Class, AC Three Tier, AC Two Tier and AC First Class.
  • Booking – Tickets are available online through the Indian Railways website.

Distance

  • From Aurangabad Railway Station to Ellora Caves- Approximately 30 kilometers.

Reaching Ellora Caves by Buses

Buses are budget friendly and convenient way to go Ellora Caves. Both government and private buses connect Aurangabad to many cities. Here is a guide to reaching Ellora Caves by bus-

Bus Options

State Transport Buses- MSRTC operates ordinary, semi-luxury (Asiad), luxury (Shivneri), and sleeper buses to Aurangabad from major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, and nearby towns.

  • Private Operators- Apart from this there are lots of private buses that travel to Aurangabad.
  • Advantages- Affordable, reliable and frequent services.

Routes

  • Mumbai to Aurangabad- Buses run between Mumbai and Aurangabad throughout the day and night.
  • Pune to Aurangabad – There are regular bus services connecting Pune and Aurangabad.

Bus Facilities

  • Bus Types – Options include non-AC, semi sleeper and sleeper buses.
  • Online Booking- There are many websites where you can book tickets online
  • From Aurangabad Bus Stand to Ellora Caves – Approximately 30 kilometers.

Reaching Ellora Caves by Taxi

For a smooth and direct trip to Ellora Caves taking a taxi is a good option. Here’s all you need to know about traveling by taxi.

Taxi Services

  • Local Taxis- Local taxis are available in Aurangabad for a round trip to Ellora Caves.
  • App-Based Taxis – In Aurangabad you can easily get an Uber or Ola

Taxi Fare

  • Local Taxis – Talk to local taxi drivers to agree on a fare or use prepaid services at airport and railway station.
  • App-Based Taxis- Fare depends on how far you travel.

Travel Time

  • From Aurangabad to Ellora Caves- Around 1 hour by taxi.

Distance Chart to Ellora Caves

  1. Mumbai ( Bombay )- Approximately 328 kilometers (208 miles) away.
  2. Pune- Approximately 247 kilometers (193 miles) away.
  3. Nagpur- Approximately 485 kilometers (302 miles) away.
  4. Delhi- Approximately 1,130 kilometers (768 miles) away.
  5. Hyderabad- Approximately 567 kilometers (357 miles) away.
  6. Bangalore – Approximately 941 kilometers ( 621 miles ) away.
  7. Chennai – Approximately 1,128 kilometers ( 808 miles ) away.
  8. Kolkata- Approximately 1,437 kilometers ( 995 miles ) away.

Conclusion

It is simple to reach Ellora Caves with many travel choices available. You can fly, ride a train, take a bus or book a taxi. The journey will be memorable as you discover the rich history and architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Posted by Ashish Thapliyal

Ashish Thapliyal is a Senior Tour Manager at Pilgrimage Tour India and one of India's most experienced pilgrimage travel specialists, with 18 years of dedicated service in sacred tourism. A proud native of Uttarakhand — the Devbhoomi — he grew up surrounded by the Garhwal Himalayas and has undertaken the Char Dham Yatra personally multiple times, giving him rare first-hand knowledge of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri that goes far beyond guidebooks.

Ashish holds the title of Acharya from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi — one of India's most prestigious centres of Vedic scholarship — with deep grounding in Hindu scripture, ritual traditions, and pilgrimage philosophy. This academic foundation, combined with nearly two decades of practical tour management, makes him uniquely qualified to guide pilgrims both spiritually and logistically.

Over his 18-year career at Pilgrimage Tour India, Ashish has personally planned and managed 200+ pilgrimage tours covering Char Dham Yatra, 12 Jyotirlinga circuits, Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Varanasi & Kashi Vishwanath, Puri Jagannath, Rameshwaram, and international pilgrimages to Nepal and Sri Lanka. He has helped thousands of pilgrims — from first-time travellers and senior citizens to NRI families visiting from the USA, UK, UAE, Canada, and Australia — complete their sacred journeys safely and meaningfully.

His writing on the Pilgrimage Tour blog focuses on making India's ancient pilgrimage traditions accessible to modern travellers. He covers temple history, Char Dham opening and closing dates, trekking conditions, altitude health advice, puja rituals, VIP darshan tips, packing guides, and practical planning advice based on real on-ground experience. He writes in both English and Hindi.

Ashish is based at the Pilgrimage Tour India head office in New Delhi and is reachable via WhatsApp at +91 8826094899.

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