From Aurangabad to Ajanta Ellora Taxi – Best 2-Day Cab Tour

This is an interesting two-day trip because you get to hit Ajanta and Ellora in one smooth plan, without playing taxi-chauffeur yourself. I like that you start with hotel pickup and a dedicated professional driver with good Hindi and English, plus bottled water and a torch for cave time. I also like the small-group feel, private transport, and the option to add a guide if you want the stories along the way. One consideration: your budget needs extra cash for entry tickets, and the caves have weekly closures (Ajanta on Monday, Ellora on Tuesday).

The itinerary is built for pacing. Day 1 focuses on Ajanta, and Day 2 strings together Ellora with a few strong cultural stops, so you see more than just caves and you get a real Aurangabad area overview. The trip also has an 8:00 am start, which is great for avoiding the worst crowds, but it means you should be ready to move early.

If you hate logistics, you’ll appreciate the structure. If you hate early mornings, plan snacks and hydrate the night before, because this is not a sleep-in kind of tour.

Key things to know before you go

• Pickup plus private transport: start from your chosen pickup point, then drive between sites without reorganizing anything.
• UNESCO Ajanta and Ellora as the core: two of India’s oldest heritage sites, visited across 2 days.
• Optional guide, not a must: you can choose transport-only or add a guide for more context.
• Cave cave safety basics included: bottles of mineral water and a torch come with the tour.
• Entry fees are extra: tickets for Ajanta, Ellora, and Bibi Ka Maqbara are not included.
• Weekly closures affect timing: Ajanta closes Mondays, Ellora closes Tuesdays.

Why Ajanta and Ellora via a 2-day cab is such a smart setup

Ajanta and Ellora are the kind of stops that look amazing in photos, but feel totally different when you’re actually standing there, moving through the caves and rock-cut spaces. The main value of this tour is that it turns a tough logistics day into a simple routine: you get picked up, you drive, you park, you go in, you repeat.

A good driver matters more than people expect. In the service experiences tied to this tour, punctual pick-ups and flexibility show up again and again. One schedule detail that stood out: a guide named Samad shared contact information in advance and handled a timing adjustment when the traveler’s flight landed around 7 am, so the plan still started at 8:00 am. That kind of coordination is exactly what saves energy.

You also get a built-in cave toolkit. Mineral water and a torch are included, so you’re not scrambling for a flashlight or buying tiny bottles just to get through the walkways. It’s a small line item that can make the day feel easier.

Price and value: what the $47.75 per person really covers

At $47.75 per person, the headline price looks like a deal, but the real question is what you get for that money. This is not just a taxi. You’re paying for private transportation, a professional driver, and all the “in-between” costs like fuel, tolls, parking, and taxes.

What’s not covered is the biggest variable cost: cave and monument entry tickets, plus meals and lodging. The tour explicitly lists monument ticket prices. For Ajanta and Ellora, ticket pricing is INR 40 for SAARC countries and INR 600 for non-SAARC countries. For Bibi Ka Maqbara, it’s INR 30 for SAARC countries and INR 300 for non-SAARC countries. If you’re budgeting, plan to add those amounts on top of the tour price.

The value also depends on your group size and comfort preference. You can select a sedan (for 1 to 2 passengers), SUV (for 1 to 5 passengers), or a mini van (for 6 to 12 passengers). If you’re traveling as a couple, sedan usually feels easiest. For families or small groups, SUV can keep things comfortable without feeling like a bus ride.

Day 1: Ajanta Caves from Aurangabad, an 8-hour heritage morning

Day 1 is the Ajanta block, and the schedule is straightforward. You meet at 8:00 am, then you’re driven from Aurangabad to Ajanta. Ajanta is about 100 kilometers from Aurangabad, so you should expect a proper travel segment before you start cave time.

Ajanta is UNESCO listed, and the tour frames it as one of India’s oldest heritage sites. That matters because Ajanta is not a quick photo stop. You’ll want time to slow down. Even if you don’t hire a guide, a torch helps and water keeps you steady. The tour sets aside about 8 hours total on day 1, which is a realistic window for driving plus entry plus exploring.

Important practical heads-up: Ajanta caves close every Monday. If your dates land on a Monday, don’t assume the tour magically swaps it. This closure note is clearly stated, so your booking decision should match the calendar.

If you choose to travel with a guide, you’ll likely get more out of the paintings and rock-cut details than you could on your own. If you prefer self-guided pacing, you can keep things flexible and use the tour vehicle support to focus on enjoying the site rather than wrestling transportation.

Day 2: Ellora early, then temples and fort views you can actually walk

Day 2 starts earlier in spirit, and the emphasis is on Ellora. Ellora is also UNESCO listed and famous for rock-cut caves. The schedule gives you about 4 hours at Ellora, then continues with nearby cultural highlights.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple

After Ellora, the tour heads to Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple. You get about 1 hour for darshan (worship) and exploring the temple area. This is a nice change of pace after cave walking. It also keeps the day rooted in living religious practice, not only historical sightseeing.

If you want a calm moment to recharge, plan to use this stop for a slower walk and a breather. The tour includes a lunch break window right after, set aside for about 1 hour, though meals themselves are not included.

Daulatabad Fort

Next comes Daulatabad Fort, with about 1 to 2 hours to explore. This stop is useful because it adds a different kind of heritage to the trip. Caves are all about carved rock and artistic detail; forts are about defense and architecture. Daulatabad Fort is known for formidable defense architecture and historical significance, so it gives your brain a new lens.

Bibi Ka Maqbara

To end, you visit Bibi Ka Maqbara, often called the Taj of the Deccan. You get about 1 hour to appreciate the architecture and gardens. This ending works well because it’s visually lighter than the caves and fort. It’s also a good last stop when you want a “finish line” with a bit of beauty and space to breathe.

One big timing note: Ellora caves close every Tuesday. If you’re visiting on a Tuesday, that closure affects your entire day plan, since Ellora is the main day 2 anchor.

Pace, comfort, and why the driver experience matters

This is a private tour. That changes the feel right away. You’re not waiting for a crowd. You’re not negotiating space in a shared vehicle. The tour is designed for groups up to five people, and the vehicle options still make sense for small groups and families.

The practical comfort pieces are worth calling out:

• Bottled mineral water is included.
• A torch is included for cave exploring.
• The driver speaks good Hindi and English.
• All tolls, fuel, taxes, and service charges are handled.

In the service stories connected to this tour, the driver flexibility and comfort come up often. One example: a driver picked people up from accommodation right on schedule and adjusted based on the group’s requirements. Another example: a driver was praised for safety and a comfortable drive, plus good manners without being pushy. Those details sound small, but on a 2-day route with long road time, they matter.

Also, because the tour can be transport-only or guided, you can choose your pace. If you want maximum efficiency, a transport-only option keeps the day running. If you want context, add an optional guide so you’re not just looking, you’re understanding.

Tickets, closures, and the planning checklist that saves stress

Here’s the part that trips people up, because it’s never the same as “tour price” on its own. Entry tickets for Ajanta, Ellora, and Bibi Ka Maqbara are not included.

Plan for these ticket costs:

• Ajanta Caves: INR 40 (SAARC) or INR 600 (Non-SAARC)
• Ellora Caves: INR 40 (SAARC) or INR 600 (Non-SAARC)
• Bibi Ka Maqbara: INR 30 (SAARC) or INR 300 (Non-SAARC)

Then line up your calendar with the closure days:

• Ajanta caves closed every Monday
• Ellora caves closed every Tuesday

If you’re traveling around those days, you’ll want to confirm the plan works for your schedule before you lock it in.

Finally, meals are not included. A lunch break is scheduled, but you’ll pay for your own lunch. This is normal for these types of private heritage tours, but it means you should carry water, basic snacks if you like, and wear something comfortable for uneven cave floors.

When an optional guide is worth it, and when it isn’t

An optional guide is offered, and you should treat that choice as a question of how you want to experience the caves.

If you care about why things are the way they are, a guide can turn your visit into a story you can remember. One guide name that comes through in the service notes here is Suleman. When Suleman is involved, the experience is described as professional and helpful, with explanations covering history, culture, and even living information. That kind of guidance can make the cave experience feel less like a checklist and more like a journey.

If you prefer independence, you can still enjoy the sites. The tour includes a torch and water, so you can focus on walking at your own pace. Just recognize that cave sites can feel visually similar unless someone helps you spot patterns.

Who this tour fits best (and who should rethink it)

This tour fits best if you want:

• Private transport so you can relax during the road time
• A structured plan for two major UNESCO sites
• A day 2 route that includes temples, a fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara, not only caves
• The option for an optional guide if you want context

It might be less ideal if:

• You’re traveling on a Monday for Ajanta or a Tuesday for Ellora, because those sites are closed on those days.
• You have strict limits on extra spend, since entry tickets plus meals are separate from the tour price.
• You dislike early starts. The start time is 8:00 am, and day 2 is designed to keep you moving.

Should you book this Ajanta and Ellora cab tour?

I think this is a strong choice if you want to see Ajanta and Ellora with minimal logistics stress. The included driver, private vehicle options, and practical add-ons like water and a torch make the route feel “ready-made.” The fact that you can choose transport-only or an optional guide is also a smart way to match your budget to your preferred style.

Book it if your dates avoid Monday for Ajanta and Tuesday for Ellora, and if you’re comfortable adding entry tickets and meals to your overall budget. If you want the day to run smoothly and you’d rather spend your energy on the sites, not on transport planning, this 2-day cab tour is the kind of plan that tends to pay off fast.

If you’re still deciding, compare your comfort level with self-organizing versus the value of having everything timed for you, especially the long drive segments and the early start.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 8:00 am.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from your selected pickup point.

Are entry tickets included in the tour price?

No. Tickets for Ajanta, Ellora, and Bibi Ka Maqbara are not included, and you’ll need to pay the monument ticket prices on your own.

How long is the tour?

It’s a 2-day tour. Day 1 is scheduled for about 8 hours, and day 2 includes multiple stops with time allocated for Ellora, the temple, the fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara.

Are the caves open every day?

No. Ajanta caves are closed every Monday, and Ellora caves are closed every Tuesday.

What does the price include?

It includes private transportation in a sedan, SUV, or mini van based on group size, a professional driver who speaks good Hindi and English, all toll parking, fuel, taxes and service charges, bottled mineral water, and a torch for exploring caves.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. There is a lunch break time included in the schedule, but meals are listed as not included.