The caves are a long way (2.5hrs) from Aurungabad and roads are fairly ok. The caves open at 9 so going any earlier is pointless. This is annoying as by 9am the heat starts to rise. Cost of entry ticket - Rs 600 for a foreign national and Rs 35 for Indians. The money is decided on the colour of your skin and nothing else. So as long as you look Indian you pay the Indian fee. They did not ask for any identification at the ticket counter. You can buy the tickets online which is Rs 550 but if it is an international account after fees you will be paying more than Rs 600. There are additional fees - Rs 15 per person for amenities fee and Rs 30 for the bus that takes you from the car park to the caves and then another Rs 30 for the journey back. These are not based on the colour of skin and are the same for everyone. Previous reviews have mentioned the bone shattering ride from the main car park to the caves in the bus but this road has been recently resurfaced and so the ride is good. The walk to the caves is on a slope and the ground can be uneven in the caves. There are signs asking to take off footwear to enter some of the caves so if you have shoes then it will be on off on off on off. Cameras are allowed but no flash photography. Some guides take torches to show the paintings. Not all the caves have much to see in them. The unfinished caves show the process of cave making which we found interesting. A lot of the paintings have deteriorated with time and moisture. The best cave for us was cave 26, which is the last accessible cave so worth going till the end. Some people will find it tiring. You can go to the high point for photos but we did not feel the need to go there. Lots of guides trying to get your custom - we did not use one and just read the plaques outside the caves and spent time looking at the carvings. On the way in the guides will try their charm and on the way out the small traders will try to sell you all kinds of things. All just trying to make a living. When you are done catch the bus back to the car park. We enjoyed the day.

A huge complex of 30 caves most with statues of the Buddha as well related ceiling and wall paintings. Well organised and you don’t need a guide. Key statues are floodlit. Stunning chambers that were once monasteries until Buddhism was subsumed into Brahmanism in the 7th century. Rediscovered in the 19th century. Quite overwhelming.

Ajanta caves. Requires atleast 3-4 hours. It is recommended to buy tickets online to avoid queue at the monument. Guide is advised, otherwise the caretakers of each cave also explains for a small tip. We hired a guide - Mr Sarang Deshmukh (9423454345). He is knowledgeable but a bit in hurry. Charged Rs 2050. Carry sufficient drinking water, sun protection and a small torch to see unlit nooks and corners of the caves. Guides only show popular 7-8 caves, out of 29. Arrive early to avoid bright sun. We reached by 0845h at the foothill but the shuttle bus (compulsory ) started only at 0915h. The caves are closed on Monday.

Ajanta is about 2 hours away from Aurangabad which is connected to rest of India through Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore by flight. Good and clean airport. One has to park at the public parking , take a bus costing 30 inr per head which drops u near the site where u buy your tickets for entry. It's a steep short walk to the site but not too bad as there are steps and a flat surface. Caves are from 1 to 26. You should visit all according to me . Each one has different things to showcase. Entire thing takes about 2 to 3 hours and then if u can visit the viewpoint on the other side of the bridge where u get to see a beautiful waterfall and entire view of the Caves. Ensure u walk till cave 26 to see the last one too which has the reclining Buddha carved from a single piece of stone. Toilet point and water point available along the path and toilets are very clean. Only request is please throw your garbage into a bin. Not lots of dustbin are provided so carry garbage in a bag. Remember your actions leave something for later generations to enjoy

There are in total around 30 caves of which 26 are open to the public. Cave 26 is the best one followed by 1,2. Ajanta is known for the paintings though most of the paintings are not clear. However the statues are in good condition. Overall a must visit place to learn about our history. Ensure you carry enough water with you as it will be a very long walk.

I visited in April 2018. While I had done some research on the caves, I was totally stunned by how amazing these caves are - absolutely wonderful! The photos just don't do it justice. Each cave has its own unique features so do take your time exploring them. Of course there are lots of people but it is possible to 'hide' in a quiet corner & just soak in the atmosphere, thinking back of the ancient monks who lived and worshipped here.

In case you are looking for a private driver the amazing caves of Ajanta (or Ellora) or want to discover Aurangabad we highly recommend Afzad. He is very safe and reliable as a driver, speaks good English and will go out of his way to make your journey as good as possible. He quickly figured out what we liked and did not like and helped us discover the best of Aurangabad You can call him at +919763940495

Start your Ajanta exploration at 7 am when the site opens. Pay-and-park facilities are available, and numerous hotels nearby offer food options. There are 36 caves representing Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism, requiring over 5 hours for a comprehensive visit. The standout attraction is the mighty Kailasa Temple the largest monolithic temple and an architectural marvel constructed over 200 years by 10 generations. The Kailasa Temple, located near the entrance, deserves ample time for exploration. Although many paintings have faded, the remaining ones are equally captivating. These caves were built over 2,000 years until about 700 AD, with influences from Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist cultures. Look for the symbol on the back of the 20 rupee Indian currency, which is associated with these historic caves. The place offers wheelchair facilities, and some caves have three stories, accessible by steps. Best visited in the winter season, plan for a full day of sightseeing. The archaeological caves provide a marvellous experience but note that weekends and December can be crowded. For a deeper understanding, especially in Cave Number 16, consider hiring a guide who can explain intricate details.

It was indeed a good experience to visit the Ajanta Caves. The paintings and sculptures depicting Buddhist art and culture are magnificent. However, if one wants to visit Ajanta caves start your journey early from Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar) as it takes atleast 3-4 hrs to see all the caves. Once you reach the tourist spot, there are government buses that drive you to the caves. The caves are closed for general public on monday.

There is a reason why it is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The skill of the people who made such marvelous paintings and sculptures, at a time when most of the world was populated by uncivilized humans, is just beyond belief. A basic level of physical fitness is needed while visiting it. We visited all the caves. My smart watch showed a distance of 8.5km walked and it took 6 hours. However, if you visit only the most famous caves it is doable in 2 hours. You can take a guide from the starting point (charge approximately 2000 rupees) or you can request the caretakers at the entrance of each of the caves to help you out. They are also very knowledgeable and helpful. There are also porters available who will help carry those with disabilities for a charge. Be sure to go through the ASI website so that you have a basic idea of what not to miss on your trip.