Mumbai to Aurangabad by Cab — Ajanta, Ellora & Bibi ka Maqbara Guide 2025

Why Visit Aurangabad from Mumbai

Aurangabad is one of Maharashtra's most historically significant cities and serves as the gateway to some of India's greatest ancient monuments. Sitting roughly 335 km from Mumbai, it is an easy and rewarding road trip that puts you squarely in the middle of the Deccan Plateau's rich cultural heritage. The journey by cab takes around 5 to 6 hours on well-maintained national highways, making it a comfortable same-day arrival with plenty of time to settle in before beginning your explorations.

What sets Aurangabad apart from most Indian destinations is the sheer density of world-class heritage packed within a small radius. The city is home to two separate UNESCO World Heritage Sites — the Ajanta Caves and the Ellora Caves — both within day-trip distance from the city centre. Add to that the striking Bibi ka Maqbara, the dramatic Daulatabad Fort, the serene Panchakki water mill, and a set of early Buddhist caves within the city itself, and you have enough to fill three unhurried days. For anyone who loves history, architecture, or simply extraordinary landscapes, the Aurangabad circuit is among the finest drives you can take from Mumbai.

Ajanta Caves — Ancient Buddhist Art in the Sahyadris

The Ajanta Caves are one of the most remarkable archaeological sites in the entire world. Located approximately 100 km north of Aurangabad, this complex of 29 rock-cut Buddhist caves was carved into a horseshoe-shaped gorge along the Waghora River between the 2nd century BCE and the 6th century CE. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, Ajanta preserves some of the oldest surviving examples of Indian wall paintings and detailed sculpted reliefs found anywhere on the subcontinent.

The caves served as both monasteries and prayer halls for Buddhist monks who lived and worked in the region. The paintings inside depict the Jataka tales — stories from the previous lives of the Buddha — with a sophistication of line, colour, and expression that continues to astonish art historians. Cave 1, Cave 2, and Cave 17 are considered the finest for their murals, while Cave 26 is notable for its imposing Parinirvana sculpture of a reclining Buddha.

• Location: Ajanta village, approx. 100 km from Aurangabad city
• Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Closed on: Tuesdays — plan your visit on any other day of the week
• Entry fee: Indians ₹40 | Foreigners ₹600 (subject to change)
• Tip: Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and heat inside the caves
• Photography: Permitted outside; restricted inside many caves to protect the paintings

Because Ajanta is 100 km from the city, most visitors dedicate a full day to this site alone. Your Miles Tours driver can pick you up early, wait while you explore, and return you to Aurangabad by evening — making a private cab the most practical option for this excursion.

Ellora Caves & Kailasa Temple — Three Faiths, One Mountain

Ellora, located just 30 km from Aurangabad city, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of an entirely different character from Ajanta. Where Ajanta is singular in its Buddhist focus, Ellora is extraordinary for the sheer variety of its 34 rock-cut caves representing three separate religions — Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism — carved over a span of roughly six centuries between the 6th and 11th centuries CE.

The undisputed centrepiece of Ellora is the Kailasa Temple, designated Cave 16. This is not just a temple carved into the rock — it is an entire temple complex sculpted from a single basalt outcrop in the hillside. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and modelled on Mount Kailash, the temple was commissioned by the Rashtrakuta king Dantidurga in the 8th century. Workers excavated an estimated 200,000 tonnes of rock to create it, working entirely from the top downward without any scaffolding. The result is a free-standing structure of breathtaking scale, decorated with elaborate panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the myths of Shiva. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest feats of rock-cut architecture in human history.

Beyond Kailasa, the Buddhist caves at Ellora (Caves 1–12) include the impressive Vishvakarma Cave with its ribbed vaulted ceiling, while the Jain caves (Caves 30–34) in the northern section of the complex contain some remarkably fine and delicate carved pillars and ceilings. Plan at least half a day, though a full day allows you to take in the Jain caves that many visitors skip in their haste.

Bibi ka Maqbara — The Mini Taj Mahal of the Deccan

Standing in the centre of Aurangabad city, Bibi ka Maqbara is one of the most striking Mughal monuments in peninsular India. Built between 1651 and 1661 CE by Prince Azam Shah, son of Emperor Aurangzeb, as a tribute to his mother Dilras Banu Begum, the mausoleum bears a strong visual resemblance to the Taj Mahal in Agra and is often called the "Mini Taj Mahal" of the Deccan.

The structure combines white marble and lime plaster in a design that echoes the Taj's proportions — a central dome flanked by four minarets, set within a formal Mughal garden divided into quadrants by stone-edged water channels. While the scale is smaller and the execution more modest than the Taj Mahal (the lower portions are lime plaster rather than solid marble), the monument possesses genuine elegance and is far less crowded than its more famous counterpart, making for a relaxed and enjoyable visit.

• Location: Central Aurangabad, easily combined with the city's other smaller sights
• Timings: Sunrise to 10:00 PM (illuminated at night)
• Entry fee: Indians ₹25 | Foreigners ₹300
• Best visited: Early morning or just before sunset for the best light on the marble

Daulatabad Fort & Other Sights Around Aurangabad

Daulatabad Fort, perched dramatically on a conical hill 13 km from Aurangabad, is one of the most formidable medieval fortifications in India. Originally called Devagiri and serving as the capital of the Yadava dynasty in the 12th and 13th centuries, the fort was later seized by the Delhi Sultanate and briefly made the capital of the entire empire under Muhammad bin Tughluq in 1327. Its layered defences — including a moat, a dark labyrinthine passage designed to disorient invaders, concealed staircases, and multiple gates — made it virtually unconquerable. The steep climb to the summit is rewarded with commanding views across the Deccan plains.

Other worthwhile sights in and around Aurangabad include the Panchakki water mill, a 17th-century marvel where water is channelled from a considerable distance to drive a mill and fill a large ornamental lake — the surrounding garden and dargah complex is a tranquil spot. The Aurangabad Caves, a group of 12 early Buddhist rock-cut caves within the city limits, are far less visited than Ajanta and Ellora but contain interesting sculpted figures and offer a quieter experience. The city's markets are also worth a visit for Himroo fabric — a traditional silk-and-cotton weave unique to Aurangabad.

Route from Mumbai to Aurangabad by Cab

There are two primary routes from Mumbai to Aurangabad, each with its own character and advantages.

Via Pune (NH160 + NH52) — Recommended: This is the most commonly used route and covers approximately 335 km. From Mumbai, you head southeast on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway (NH48), then transition to the Pune–Aurangabad highway (NH52) after passing through or bypassing Pune. The road is largely excellent — four-lane for most of the journey — and passes through the Western Ghats with scenic views around the Pune section before opening onto the flatter Deccan Plateau. Expected drive time is 5 to 6 hours without significant stops.

Via Nashik (NH160 + NH60) — Scenic Alternative: This route heads northeast from Mumbai through Nashik before turning southeast toward Aurangabad. Total distance is slightly longer at around 370–380 km, and the drive takes 6 to 7 hours. The road quality is generally good, and the route passes through the wine country around Nashik, which can be combined as a stop if time permits. Many travellers find this route more scenic through the Sahyadri foothills.

If you are planning a 2-day or 3-day trip, an early morning departure from Mumbai is recommended so that you arrive in Aurangabad before noon and can use the afternoon to visit Bibi ka Maqbara or the Aurangabad Caves. Reserve Ellora and Ajanta for dedicated full days. Your Miles Tours driver will know the road conditions and can advise on the best departure time based on the season and any traffic considerations.

Best Time to Visit Aurangabad from Mumbai

The ideal time to visit Aurangabad is between October and February, when the post-monsoon weather brings cooler temperatures and clear skies. Daytime temperatures during this period typically range from 15°C to 28°C — comfortable for exploring the outdoor precincts of forts and cave sites, and pleasant for the long drives between attractions. December and January are the coolest months and popular with domestic and international tourists alike.

The monsoon season (June to September) can be beautiful for the landscapes — the Sahyadris turn intensely green and waterfalls appear along the Pune route — but heavy rain occasionally makes Ajanta inaccessible due to the rocky path to the caves, and Daulatabad Fort can be slippery. Some travellers still choose this season for the lush scenery and fewer crowds at most sites.

April to June should be avoided if possible. Temperatures on the Deccan Plateau can climb above 42°C during these months, making outdoor exploration uncomfortable and even hazardous. If travel during summer is unavoidable, restrict outdoor activity to early morning and late afternoon, and ensure your cab is well air-conditioned.

Cab Fares — Mumbai to Aurangabad

Miles Tours offers transparent, all-inclusive pricing for Mumbai to Aurangabad outstation trips. Our 2-day packages include the driver's accommodation and daily allowance so there are no hidden charges.

Fares include fuel, tolls, and driver charges for the base trip. Sightseeing detours to Ajanta (100 km from Aurangabad) and extended multi-day packages are priced separately — contact us for a customised quote based on your exact itinerary.