Maharashtra · heritage

Mumbai to Aurangabad

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335 km ~6 hrs 4.9★ Rated Verified Drivers Flat 15% Off One-Way
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Ellora Caves in Aurangabad, Maharashtra Aurangabad — popular tourist destination in Maharashtra Ajanta Caves in Aurangabad Scenic view of Aurangabad, Maharashtra Bibi ka Maqbara — Mumbai to Aurangabad trip

Overview

Aurangabad (officially renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2023) is 335 km northeast of Mumbai via the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway — a 6 to 7 hour drive that has become significantly faster since the expressway opened to Aurangabad in May 2024. The Samruddhi (Mumbai-Nagpur Super Expressway) is access-controlled six-lane infrastructure with 1,200+ km of total length; the Aurangabad spur exit is at Jambhul / Karmad. Older NH 160 via Nashik is 410 km and takes 9-10 hours, and is now used only when the expressway is closed. Aurangabad is the gateway to two UNESCO World Heritage cave complexes: Ellora (30 km northwest, 34 caves dated 600-1000 CE with the famous monolithic Kailasa rock-cut temple), and Ajanta (105 km north, 30 painted Buddhist caves dated 200 BCE to 480 CE). Within the city itself, Bibi ka Maqbara ('Taj of the Deccan', 1668 mausoleum of Aurangzeb's wife Dilras Banu, a smaller-scale tribute to the Taj Mahal), Daulatabad Fort (a 12th-century hill fortress with India's only fortified spiral causeway), Aurangabad caves (12 Buddhist viharas), and Panchakki (a 17th-century water-mill grinding system) round out the heritage itinerary. The city is also Maharashtra's industrial cluster for auto components (Bajaj, Skoda, Audi assembly), and Paithan, 53 km south on the Godavari, produces the famous gold-zari Paithani saree. Best season is October to March; April-June crosses 40°C; July-September the caves are accessible but the Ajanta hill access road can flood briefly.

NH 60 via Nashik Maharashtra

History & Significance

Founded by Malik Ambar in 1610 as Khadki, the city was renamed Aurangabad by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who made it his capital. It served as the Mughal capital of the Deccan for much of the late 17th century. The region has been an important cultural and historical centre for centuries, attracting scholars, pilgrims, and travellers from across the subcontinent. Over the years, various dynasties and rulers have left their mark on Aurangabad, contributing to its rich architectural and cultural heritage that visitors can still appreciate today.

Cab Fare & Travel Time

335
Kilometres from Mumbai
~6
Hours Drive (approx)

Cab Fare — Mumbai to Aurangabad

Car Type Seats One-Way (15% off) Round Trip
CNG Swift Dzire 4 traveller + 1 driver ₹8,550 Flat 15% OFF ₹10,050
CNG Ertiga 4 traveller + 1 driver ₹9,700 Flat 15% OFF ₹11,400
Innova 6 traveller + 1 driver ₹9,700 Flat 15% OFF ₹11,400
Innova Crysta 6 traveller + 1 driver ₹11,400 Flat 15% OFF ₹13,400
Innova Hycross 6 traveller + 1 driver ₹15,950 Flat 15% OFF ₹18,800

Estimated for 335 km. Toll, parking & driver allowance extra. Call for exact quote.

Additional Charges (Indicative)

Toll
As applicable
Paid at plazas
State Permit
Within Maharashtra
No extra permit required

⚠️ Toll & permit figures are indicative. Actual charges depend on route, vehicle type, and government rates at time of travel. Paid directly at toll plazas / checkposts.

Route
Mumbai → Aurangabad
Distance
342 km
Drive Time
5 hours 11 mins
Via
Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg
Route shown is indicative. Actual route may vary based on traffic and driver preference. Open in Google Maps

Route Highlights

  • 335 km via Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway — 6-7 hours since May 2024 (was 9-10 hrs)
  • Two UNESCO World Heritage cave complexes — Ellora (30 km) and Ajanta (105 km)
  • Bibi ka Maqbara — the 'Mini Taj' of the Deccan, 1668 mausoleum within city
  • Daulatabad Fort — only Indian fortress with a fortified spiral causeway
  • Paithan (53 km south) is the source of the gold-zari Paithani saree
  • Plan minimum 2 days to cover both Ellora and Ajanta + city sights

Places to Visit in Aurangabad

Ellora Caves

A UNESCO complex of 34 rock-cut caves (12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu, 5 Jain) carved 600-1000 CE into the basalt Chamadari Hill, 30 km NW of Aurangabad. Cave 16 — the monolithic Kailasa Temple — was excavated top-down from a single rock cliff, removing 200,000 tonnes of basalt. Closed Tuesdays.

Ajanta Caves

A UNESCO set of 30 Buddhist caves carved 200 BCE to 480 CE into a horseshoe cliff above the Waghora river, 105 km north of Aurangabad. Famous for the surviving Gupta-era frescoes in caves 1, 2, 16 and 17 — the oldest surviving Indian painting tradition. Closed Mondays.

Bibi ka Maqbara

A 1668 mausoleum built by Prince Azam Shah for his mother Dilras Banu (Aurangzeb's wife). Architecturally a smaller, marble-and-stucco scale model of the Taj Mahal — the same Marble-and-octagonal-plan design, by a son of Ustad Ahmed Lahori (the Taj's architect).

Daulatabad Fort

A 12th-century Yadava-era hill fort 16 km from Aurangabad, briefly the capital of Muhammad bin Tughlaq's empire (1327). The 14th-century fortifications include a spiral underground passage with bat-infested ventilation that defenders flooded with smoke when attacked. The Chand Minar (1435 victory tower) is in the lower fort.

Paithan and Sant Eknath Samadhi

A 2,300-year-old town 53 km south of Aurangabad on the Godavari, the source of the Paithani silk-and-gold-zari saree. The Sant Eknath Maharaj samadhi temple and the Jayakwadi Dam (Asia's largest earthen dam by volume) are the main attractions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Minimum 2 full days, 3 is comfortable. Day 1: Mumbai → Aurangabad (arrive late afternoon, see Bibi ka Maqbara). Day 2: Ellora + Daulatabad fort (full day, both close in evening). Day 3: Ajanta (full day, 105 km drive each way from the city). Day 4: return to Mumbai. Ajanta closes Mondays, Ellora closes Tuesdays — plan around these.
Yes. The Mumbai-Aurangabad section opened May 2024 with a 120 km/h speed limit and dedicated toll lanes. Mumbai exit is at Wakri (near Igatpuri); Aurangabad exit is at Jambhul / Karmad. Most cabs now use this route by default. Old NH 160 via Nashik is used only when the expressway closes for weather or accidents.
Photos are allowed without flash. Caves 1, 2, 16, 17 with the major frescoes have low light to protect pigments — bring a fast lens or use the 'night mode' on a recent phone. Tripods need a special permit (200 rupees at the ticket counter).
On the Samruddhi expressway, the Wakri food court (km 90 from Mumbai) is the most popular halt — McDonald's, Cafe Coffee Day, Sukh Sagar Maharashtrian thali. Cleaner restrooms than older NH halts.
Yes. The expressway is fully lit with 24-hour highway patrol. Aurangabad city limits are well-lit; we drop at the hotel reception. For very late arrivals we recommend the airport hotels (Vivanta Taj, Ginger Aurangabad).

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335 km
Distance
~6 hr
Travel Time
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