Ellora to Ajanta Caves Distance by Road — Complete Travel Guide

The Ellora to Ajanta Caves distance by road is approximately 100 to 110 km, typically covered in 2 to 2.5 hours via Aurangabad and Fardapur. Since both sites are UNESCO World Heritage cave complexes but sit in different directions relative to Aurangabad, understanding this direct route is essential for anyone planning to visit both caves during the same trip.

Ellora to Ajanta Caves Distance — Quick Reference

The Ellora to Ajanta Caves distance by road works out to approximately 100 to 110 km, since there is no direct road connecting the two sites — travellers must route back through Aurangabad and continue north toward Fardapur, the town nearest the Ajanta Caves. This makes the journey essentially the same distance as travelling from Aurangabad to Ajanta directly, plus the short 30 km stretch between Aurangabad and Ellora.

Route Details

Since Ellora and Ajanta Caves are not directly connected by a single highway, the practical route for covering the Ellora to Ajanta Caves distance by road involves first travelling back from Ellora toward Aurangabad, then continuing north on the Aurangabad-Jalgaon road toward Fardapur, the gateway town for Ajanta Caves. This detour through Aurangabad adds some travel time compared to a hypothetical direct route, but it also means the journey passes through the city where fuel stops, food, and rest breaks are all readily available.

Road conditions along this route are generally good, with a mix of national and state highways connecting the two heritage sites through Aurangabad’s well-established road network.

Travel Options

• Private taxi — by far the most practical option for covering the Ellora to Ajanta Caves distance by road, offering flexible timing and a single vehicle for the entire day’s travel.
• Bus — technically possible by combining local buses back to Aurangabad and then onward toward Fardapur, though this multi-stage journey involves significant waiting time and is rarely practical for a same-day plan.
• Self-drive — feasible for confident drivers familiar with Indian highway conditions, though most visitors, particularly those unfamiliar with the region, prefer a chauffeur-driven option for this longer stretch.

See our Ajanta and Ellora Caves from Aurangabad guide for a combined taxi package covering both sites, or our Aurangabad to Ajanta and Ellora Caves distance page for exact figures from the city itself.

Ajanta to Ellora Caves Distance

The Ajanta to Ellora Caves distance by road covers the same approximately 100 to 110 km route in reverse, again routing back through Aurangabad, with a similar 2 to 2.5 hour travel time. Most travellers doing this direction typically visit Ajanta first, given its distance, and treat Ellora as a shorter final stop before returning to Aurangabad for the night.

Can You Visit Both Caves in One Day?

Covering the full Ellora to Ajanta Caves distance by road and visiting both sites properly in a single day is technically possible but genuinely demanding — between the roughly 100 to 110 km one-way drive, the time needed to explore each cave complex thoroughly, and the mandatory local shuttle bus required at Ajanta itself, most travellers end up rushing through one or both sites if attempting this in one day. For this reason, most experienced visitors and tour operators, including Siya Travels, recommend treating Ajanta and Ellora as two separate day trips rather than combining them.

Suggested Two-Day Itinerary for Both Caves

A more comfortable way to cover both UNESCO sites is a two-day plan based out of Aurangabad: Day 1 for Ellora Caves, given its shorter 30 km distance and more relaxed half-day pace, and Day 2 dedicated entirely to Ajanta Caves, given the longer round-trip distance and time needed at the site. This approach removes the pressure of the full Ellora to Ajanta Caves distance by road in a single day, letting you properly appreciate both the rock-cut temples at Ellora and the painted murals at Ajanta without rushing. See our Ajanta and Ellora Caves tour page or our Ajanta Ellora Caves tour package for ready-made two-day itineraries covering both sites.

Travel Tips

• Plan two separate day trips rather than attempting both sites via the full Ellora-Ajanta road distance in one day.
• Start early on whichever day you visit Ajanta, given the longer one-way distance and mandatory shuttle bus at the site.
• Base yourself in Aurangabad between the two visits, since it sits conveniently between both sites.
• Check cave opening days in advance — Ajanta Caves are typically closed on Mondays, and Ellora has its own weekly closure pattern that’s worth confirming.

Ellora to Ajanta Caves Distance by Road — FAQs

1. What is the Ellora to Ajanta Caves distance by road?

The Ellora to Ajanta Caves distance by road is approximately 100 to 110 km, typically covered in 2 to 2.5 hours, since the route requires travelling back through Aurangabad before continuing north toward Fardapur. There is no direct highway connecting the two sites, so this detour through Aurangabad is unavoidable regardless of which direction you’re travelling.

2. What is the Ajanta to Ellora Caves distance?

The Ajanta to Ellora Caves distance covers the same approximately 100 to 110 km route in reverse, with a similar 2 to 2.5 hour travel time via Aurangabad. Most travellers covering this direction visit Ajanta first, given the longer distance involved, before making the shorter final stop at Ellora.

3. Is there a direct road between Ellora and Ajanta Caves?

No, there is no direct highway connecting the two sites. The practical route for covering the Ellora to Ajanta Caves distance by road involves travelling back through Aurangabad and then continuing toward Fardapur, the town nearest to Ajanta Caves.

4. Can I visit both Ellora and Ajanta Caves in a single day?

It’s technically possible but not generally recommended, given the combined driving distance, the time needed to properly explore both UNESCO sites, and the mandatory shuttle bus required at Ajanta. Most travellers and tour operators recommend two separate day trips instead.

5. What is the best way to travel the Ellora to Ajanta Caves distance by road?

A private taxi is by far the most practical option, offering flexible timing and a single reliable vehicle for the entire day, compared to the multi-stage bus journey required if relying on public transport alone.

6. How should I plan a trip covering both Ajanta and Ellora Caves?

A two-day itinerary based out of Aurangabad works best — visiting Ellora Caves on one day given its shorter 30 km distance, and dedicating a full separate day to Ajanta Caves given the longer round-trip distance involved.

7. Are both Ajanta and Ellora Caves closed on the same day of the week?

No, Ajanta Caves are typically closed on Mondays, while Ellora has its own separate weekly closure pattern, so it’s worth confirming current opening days for both sites before finalising your travel dates.