Shirdi to Ajanta & Ellora Caves: Complete Travel Guide
Ajanta and Ellora are two of India's most significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and while they're often mentioned together, they're separate cave complexes about 100 km apart — worth knowing before you plan your days.
Distance and travel time
Both are accessed via Aurangabad, itself around 2.5–3 hours from Shirdi. Ellora is closer to the city (about 30 km), while Ajanta is farther out (around 100 km, roughly 2.5 hours each way).
Weekly closures — plan around these
Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays. Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays. If your trip includes either of these days, we'll sequence your itinerary so you're not stuck at a closed site.
How much time to budget
Each site realistically needs the better part of a day, especially Ajanta given the extra driving distance and the walk from the parking/shuttle point to the caves. Trying to fit both into one day usually means rushing at least one of them — we generally recommend a dedicated day for each.
Practical tips
Wear comfortable, closed footwear — there's a fair amount of walking and some uneven surfaces at both sites. Carry water, and expect limited shade, especially at Ajanta's open viewpoint areas.
