How to Reach Ellora Caves from Delhi – Complete Travel Guide by Flight, Train, Bus & Road

If you’re living in Delhi and planning to explore the stunning Ellora Caves, you’re in for an unforgettable journey through history and craftsmanship. These 34 rock-cut temples and monasteries — carved into a basalt cliff near Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) in Maharashtra — are among India’s greatest architectural wonders.

As a local Aurangabad-based travel blogger, I often meet travelers from Delhi who are amazed at how smoothly this trip can be done. Whether you prefer a fast flight, a scenic train journey, or a flexible road trip, here’s your complete guide on how to reach Ellora Caves from Delhi — including travel options, fares, routes, and insider tips for a seamless visit.

1. Quick Overview – Distance and Routes

From	To	Distance	Travel Time	Best Route / Mode
Delhi	Ellora Caves	1,260 km	6–7 hrs (by flight) / 20–22 hrs (by train or road)	Via Aurangabad

💡 Tip: The fastest and easiest way to reach Ellora caves from Delhi is by flight to Aurangabad, followed by a short 45-minute taxi ride to the caves.

2. How to Reach Ellora Caves from Delhi by Flight ✈️

The quickest and most convenient route is to fly from Delhi (DEL) to Aurangabad Airport (IXU), which is the nearest airport to Ellora Caves.

✈️ Flight Details:

• Airlines: IndiGo, Air India
• Duration: 1 hr 45 min (direct flight)
• Average Fare: ₹4,500 – ₹6,000 (one way)
• Frequency: 1–2 direct flights daily

🛬 Aurangabad Airport → Ellora Caves

• Distance: 35 km
• Travel Time: 45 minutes by taxi
• Taxi Fare: ₹1,000 – ₹1,200 one way

💡 Tip: Morning flights are ideal — you can land by 8 AM and reach Ellora before 9 AM, when the sunlight beautifully illuminates Kailasa Temple.

3. How to Reach Ellora Caves from Delhi by Train 🚆

Train journeys from Delhi to Aurangabad are scenic and perfect for travelers who enjoy relaxed long-distance travel.

🚉 Popular Trains from Delhi to Aurangabad:

Train Name	Departure (Delhi)	Arrival (Aurangabad)	Duration	Days
Sachkhand Express (12716)	1:15 PM	6:15 AM	17 hrs	Daily
Hazur Sahib Nanded Express (12722)	4:25 PM	9:15 AM	16 hrs 50 min	Daily
Devagiri Express (17058)	9:15 PM	1:45 PM	16 hrs 30 min	Daily

From Aurangabad Railway Station (AWB), Ellora is about 30 km away. You can reach by:

• Taxi: ₹800 – ₹1,000 (round trip)
• Bus (MSRTC): ₹60 – ₹100 (one way, 1 hour)

💡 Tip: Overnight trains like Sachkhand Express are convenient — they depart in the afternoon and reach Aurangabad early morning.

4. How to Reach Ellora Caves from Delhi by Road 🚗

If you’re an adventure lover and enjoy long drives, you can also plan a road trip from Delhi to Ellora via Agra, Gwalior, Indore, and Aurangabad.

🚙 Route Details:

• Distance: ~1,260 km
• Duration: 20–22 hours (split into 2 days recommended)
• Best Route: Delhi → Agra → Gwalior → Indore → Aurangabad → Ellora
• Highways: NH44 → NH52

💰 Toll Cost: ₹1,200 – ₹1,500 (one way)
⛽ Fuel Cost: ₹8,000 – ₹9,000 (one way, petrol car)

💡 Tip: Split the journey with an overnight stop in Indore or Bhopal — both cities have great stay options and local food scenes.

5. How to Reach Ellora Caves from Delhi by Bus 🚌

There’s no direct bus from Delhi to Ellora, but you can travel via Aurangabad or Jalgaon with connecting routes.

🚌 Option 1: Delhi → Aurangabad (AC Volvo / Sleeper)

• Operators: RedBus, Hans Travels, Neeta, MSRTC
• Duration: 20 – 22 hrs
• Fare: ₹1,800 – ₹2,800

🚌 Option 2: Aurangabad → Ellora

• Local MSRTC Bus: ₹60 – ₹100
• Travel Time: 1 hour

💡 Tip: Bus journeys are long but cost-effective. For comfort, prefer sleeper Volvos or private operators like Hans or Neeta.

6. From Aurangabad to Ellora Caves – Local Transfer Options

Once you reach Aurangabad by flight, train, or bus, getting to Ellora is easy:

Mode	Fare (Round Trip)	Duration	Details
Private Taxi	₹800 – ₹1,000	45 min	Best comfort & flexibility
Auto-rickshaw	₹600 – ₹700	1 hr	Budget option for solo travelers
MTDC Heritage Bus	₹500	1 day	Includes Ellora + Daulatabad + Grishneshwar Temple

💡 Tip: The MTDC Heritage Bus departs from Aurangabad at 8:00 AM — book a day in advance if visiting during peak season.

7. Best Time to Visit Ellora Caves

Season	Weather	Travel Note
Nov – Feb (Winter)	Pleasant, 15–25°C	Best time for sightseeing
Jul – Sep (Monsoon)	Lush and green	Roads are scenic, carry umbrella
Mar – Jun (Summer)	Hot, 30–38°C	Visit early morning hours

💡 Tip: November to February offers the perfect climate for exploring the caves without heat or humidity.
[Add image: Ellora caves surrounded by green hills after monsoon]

8. Suggested 2-Day Itinerary (Delhi → Aurangabad → Ellora)

Day	Plan
Day 1	Fly or take train to Aurangabad → Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara & Daulatabad Fort
Day 2	Early morning visit to Ellora Caves → Explore Grishneshwar Temple → Return to Delhi by evening flight

💡 Tip: If you have an extra day, include Ajanta Caves (100 km from Aurangabad) — both sites together make India’s most spectacular heritage trip.

9. Local Travel Tips

✅ Ellora Caves are closed every Tuesday.
✅ Carry a hat, water, and comfortable shoes — there’s walking involved.
✅ Hire an ASI-certified guide for ₹500–₹800 at the site.
✅ Combine Ellora + Daulatabad + Grishneshwar Temple in one day.
✅ Avoid night travel on highways in rural sections.

💡 Tip: Visit Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) first — it’s the heart of Ellora and best seen in soft morning sunlight.

Personally Tested Best GetYourGuide Tours

👉 Related Posts You Might Like:

• How to Reach Ellora Caves from Aurangabad
• How to Reach Ellora Caves from Mumbai
• How to Reach Ellora Caves from Pune
• Kailasa Temple Ellora – History and Travel Tips
• Best Temples and Monasteries to See in Ellora Caves

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)