What are the top travel tips for Ellora Caves?

The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is the highlight. Hire a guide to understand the intricate carvings. Caves are closed on Tuesdays.

Where is Ellora Caves located?

Ellora Caves is in Maharashtra, India, at 20.0268° N, 75.1771° E. The nearest major city and transport hub is Pune, about 217 km away.

What are the best places to visit near Ellora Caves?

Top attractions near Ellora Caves include Shirdi Sai Baba Temple (about 79 km away), Ajanta Caves (about 80 km away), Trimbakeshwar (about 173 km away) — all easy to combine on a Maharashtra trip.

What is the entry fee at Ellora Caves for foreign tourists?

Foreign nationals pay ₹600 to enter Ellora Caves (rates last verified 2025-10). Indian and other ticket tiers are listed in the Entry Fee section above.

How to reach Ellora Caves from Pune?

Ellora Caves is about 272 km from Pune. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹195, 5h 30m), State Bus (Deluxe) (~₹505, 5h 50m), Train (3AC) (~₹530, 5h 6m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹195) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (5h 6m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.

How to reach Ellora Caves from Mumbai?

Ellora Caves is about 329 km from Mumbai. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹225, 6h 29m), Train (3AC) (~₹605, 6h 1m), State Bus (Deluxe) (~₹605, 6h 59m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹225) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (6h 1m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.

How to reach Ellora Caves from Ahmedabad?

Ellora Caves is about 536 km from Ahmedabad. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹335, 10h 6m), Train (3AC) (~₹875, 9h 19m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹1,475, 10h 8m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹335) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (9h 19m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.

Ellora Caves Tourism 2026 – Places to Visit, Things to Do, Best Time & Itinerary

About Ellora Caves

One of the planet's largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes, chiselled straight into the Charanandri basalt.

Best Time to Visit

June to March

The monsoon (June-Sept) brings out beautiful waterfalls around the caves, while winter is great for exploring the extensive rock structures.

Entry fees in your currency

Loading rate…

Indian Adult₹40$…
SAARC / BIMSTEC₹40$…
Foreign National₹600$…
Children below 15Free—
Still cameraFree—
Video camera₹25$…
MTDC / ASI guide (per group, ~1.5 hrs)₹600 – ₹1,000$…

Live INR rates, refreshed hourly. Confirm at the gate counter — entry fees may have changed since this page was updated.

Entry Fee · Tickets

How much does it cost to visit Ellora Caves?

Visitor CategoryPrice

Indian Adult
₹40
SAARC / BIMSTEC
₹40
Foreign National
₹600
Children below 15
Free

Additional charges

Still camera
Free
Video camera
₹25
MTDC / ASI guide (per group, ~1.5 hrs)Highly recommended for the Kailasa Temple symbolism
₹600 – ₹1,000

Closed every Tuesday — most common tourist mistake
Open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; allow 4 – 5 hours for caves 1 to 34
Entry at the main gate; the parking lot is 200 m before the ticket counter

Prices indicative — verify at the official counter or website before your visit.Updated 2025-10

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Travel Tips

The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is the highlight
Hire a guide to understand the intricate carvings
Caves are closed on Tuesdays

How to Reach Ellora Caves

Ellora Caves is located in Maharashtra, India at coordinates 20.0268°N, 75.1771°E. You can reach Ellora Caves by air (nearest airport in Maharashtra), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.

How to reach Ellora Caves from major cities

Ellora Caves from Pune

~272 km by road

Train (Sleeper Class) ₹195 · 5h 30m
State Bus (Deluxe) ₹505 · 5h 50m
Train (3AC) ₹530 · 5h 6m
Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹3,835 · 5h 11m

Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹195) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (5h 6m).

Ellora Caves from Mumbai

~329 km by road

Train (Sleeper Class) ₹225 · 6h 29m
Train (3AC) ₹605 · 6h 1m
State Bus (Deluxe) ₹605 · 6h 59m
Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹4,575 · 6h 14m

Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹225) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (6h 1m).

Ellora Caves from Ahmedabad

~536 km by road

Train (Sleeper Class) ₹335 · 10h 6m
Train (3AC) ₹875 · 9h 19m
Volvo AC Bus ₹1,475 · 10h 8m
Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹7,265 · 9h 59m

Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹335) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (9h 19m).

Ellora Caves from Hyderabad

~570 km by road

Train (Sleeper Class) ₹350 · 10h 42m
Train (3AC) ₹920 · 9h 52m
Volvo AC Bus ₹1,560 · 10h 46m
Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹7,705 · 10h 37m

Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹350) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (9h 52m).

Ellora Caves from Jaipur

~960 km by road

Train (Sleeper Class) ₹555 · 17h 31m
Train (3AC) ₹1,425 · 16h 7m
Volvo AC Bus ₹2,575 · 17h 51m
Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹12,785 · 17h 42m

Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹555) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (16h 7m).

Ellora Caves from Bengaluru

~1032 km by road

Train (3AC) ₹1,520 · 17h 16m
Train (2AC) ₹2,200 · 17h 16m
Volvo AC Bus ₹2,765 · 19h 10m
Flight (Economy) ₹5,915 · 4h

Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹1,520) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h).

Fares are indicative estimates based on distance — verify with the operator before booking.

Planning Your Visit to Ellora Caves

Ellora Caves lies in Maharashtra, India, and ranks among the state’s most-visited heritage destinations. The nearest major city and transport gateway is Pune, roughly 217 km away — most travellers route through Pune by air or rail before continuing on to Ellora Caves. Time your trip for June to March for the most comfortable weather.

Visitors from United States are eligible for India’s e-Tourist Visa — apply online a few days before you fly. Foreign nationals pay ₹600 entry at Ellora Caves, and all on-site costs are in Indian Rupees (₹); use the currency converter above to see each ticket tier in your home currency.

Attractions closest to Ellora Caves

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit Ellora Caves?: The best time to visit Ellora Caves is June to March. The monsoon (June-Sept) brings out beautiful waterfalls around the caves, while winter is great for exploring the extensive rock structures.
What are the top travel tips for Ellora Caves?: The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is the highlight. Hire a guide to understand the intricate carvings. Caves are closed on Tuesdays.
Where is Ellora Caves located?: Ellora Caves is in Maharashtra, India, at 20.0268° N, 75.1771° E. The nearest major city and transport hub is Pune, about 217 km away.
What are the best places to visit near Ellora Caves?: Top attractions near Ellora Caves include Shirdi Sai Baba Temple (about 79 km away), Ajanta Caves (about 80 km away), Trimbakeshwar (about 173 km away) — all easy to combine on a Maharashtra trip.
What is the entry fee at Ellora Caves for foreign tourists?: Foreign nationals pay ₹600 to enter Ellora Caves (rates last verified 2025-10). Indian and other ticket tiers are listed in the Entry Fee section above.
How to reach Ellora Caves from Pune?: Ellora Caves is about 272 km from Pune. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹195, 5h 30m), State Bus (Deluxe) (~₹505, 5h 50m), Train (3AC) (~₹530, 5h 6m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹195) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (5h 6m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
How to reach Ellora Caves from Mumbai?: Ellora Caves is about 329 km from Mumbai. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹225, 6h 29m), Train (3AC) (~₹605, 6h 1m), State Bus (Deluxe) (~₹605, 6h 59m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹225) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (6h 1m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
How to reach Ellora Caves from Ahmedabad?: Ellora Caves is about 536 km from Ahmedabad. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹335, 10h 6m), Train (3AC) (~₹875, 9h 19m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹1,475, 10h 8m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹335) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (9h 19m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.