Reviewed · PRIVATE DRIVERS
Ajanta Ellora Tour Package in Air Condition Vehicle with Driver
Two great cave sites, one easy ride. This private tour from Aurangabad gives you air-conditioned transport and hotel pickup, which matters when the roads are long and the Indian heat is strong. I especially like the fixed group price of $39 for up to four people and the freedom to explore the monuments at your own pace without being tied to a large group.
I also like the flexible start times and the chance to add a guide if you want more explanation on site. The main point to consider is that the price covers transport, not monument admission, and the two-day plan involves plenty of road time. At Ajanta, your car stops at a parking area, then you continue by shuttle bus to the caves.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- Why a private car makes sense in Aurangabad
- Day one at the Ajanta Caves
- Day two at Ellora, Daulatabad, and Bibi Ka Maqbara
- Ellora Caves
- Daulatabad Fort
- Bibi Ka Maqbara
- What the driver service does well
- The guide choice: independence or explanation
- Price, admissions, and what you really pay
- Timing, comfort, and the limits of the schedule
- Who should book this Ajanta and Ellora package?
- Should you book it?
- FAQ
- Is pickup and drop-off included?
- How long is the tour?
- Is the vehicle air conditioned?
- How many people can join?
- Are admission tickets included?
- Do I have to take a shuttle bus at Ajanta?
- Can I visit Ellora without a guide?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key points to know before booking

- Ajanta is a separate day: You spend about three hours at the caves after taking the shuttle from the parking area.
- Ellora includes two nearby sights: The second day combines Ellora Caves with Daulatabad Fort and Bibi Ka Maqbara.
- Your vehicle is private: Only your group takes part, with an air-conditioned car and pickup and drop-off in Aurangabad.
- The $39 price is for the group: The advertised rate covers up to four people, making it especially good value when shared.
- A guide is optional: You can book transportation only and explore independently, or upgrade to include a guide.
- Admission costs extra: Foreign visitors are listed at 600 rupees, while Indian visitors are listed at 30 rupees.
Why a private car makes sense in Aurangabad
Ajanta and Ellora are not quick city-center stops. They are major archaeological sites outside Aurangabad, and seeing both by ordinary local transport would take more planning and patience. A private car removes the need to work out each connection, find a driver at every stop, or negotiate a new fare after arriving.
The air conditioning is not just a luxury here. It gives you a cool place to recover between monuments, especially during hot months. You can also leave your bags in the car rather than carrying everything through each site.
Pickup and drop-off are offered from your location in Aurangabad. The exact pickup time can be selected from several options, so you have some control over the day rather than accepting one rigid departure. Still, I would confirm the pickup point and start time clearly before setting off.
The service is private, so your group does not share the vehicle with strangers. That makes the outing easier for families, couples, and small groups who want to stop for practical reasons or adjust their pace. It also means the driver is focused on your booking rather than following a large coach schedule.
The listed price is $39 per group of up to four. That is a strong transport value if four people share the cost. The vehicle is also described as able to accommodate groups of up to six, but the price information specifically says up to four, so groups of five or six should confirm the final rate and vehicle before booking.
A few more options to weigh up in Aurangabad
- Private transfer Delhi to Agra
★ 5.0 · 202 reviews - Day Tour Of Jaipur With Driver & Car
★ 5.0 · 182 reviews - Arrival Meet & Assist service at Delhi Airport with optional Private transfer
★ 4.5 · 178 reviews
Day one at the Ajanta Caves

The first day is devoted to Ajanta, with roughly three hours allocated at the site itself. Your driver picks you up in Aurangabad and takes you to the Ajanta parking area. From there, you must board a shuttle bus for the final stretch to the cave area.
That shuttle arrangement is important. You are not driven directly to the entrance by the private car, and the vehicle does not remain beside the caves. Keep the transfer in mind when planning your time, especially if you hope to spend longer than the suggested three hours at Ajanta.
Ajanta is the more focused archaeological visit of the two days. The caves are known for their Buddhist art, carved interiors, and painted decoration. The attraction is not a quick photo stop. You need time to look into the chambers, notice the carved details, and follow the sequence of caves at a steady pace.
Three hours gives you a useful visit, but it is not an unlimited amount of time. If you want a slow, highly detailed examination of every cave, you may find the schedule tight. If your aim is to see the major areas without turning the day into a long museum session, the timing is more workable.
Admission is not included. The supplied information lists the fee as 600 rupees for other nationalities and 30 rupees for Indian visitors. Since prices can change, treat those figures as the stated guide and check the current amount when you book or arrive.
The biggest practical benefit of having a private driver is the return journey. Once you finish at Ajanta, you can return to the pickup point and continue back to Aurangabad without searching for a taxi. The tour description does not give a precise total driving time, so plan for a substantial day rather than assuming the three-hour cave visit represents the full excursion.
Day two at Ellora, Daulatabad, and Bibi Ka Maqbara

The second day packs three different places into one route. You begin with Ellora Caves, then continue to Daulatabad Fort, and finish at Bibi Ka Maqbara before being returned to your Aurangabad location.
Ellora Caves
Ellora receives about three hours in the planned schedule. Unlike Ajanta, this is not only a Buddhist site. Ellora is famous for its Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments, making it especially valuable if you want to see how different religious traditions were represented within one major cave complex.
The most famous work is the enormous Kailasa Temple, carved from the rock. It is the kind of place where a guide can add real value because the scale and method of construction are difficult to grasp from a quick walk around the courtyard. A guide upgrade is available, but it is not included in the basic transport package.
If you prefer to explore on your own, the private-car option gives you that freedom. You can spend more time at the areas that interest you and less time listening to an explanation you did not ask for. The tradeoff is that you will need to supply your own background information.
Three hours is enough for a meaningful first visit, but Ellora can easily absorb more time. The complex has many caves, and the famous temple alone rewards careful attention. If Ellora is your main reason for visiting Aurangabad, ask the operator whether the schedule can be adjusted before booking.
A completely different kind of day out:
- Most Popular 2-Day Guided Tour of Ajanta & Ellora Caves with Car
★ 5.0 · 188 reviews - From Aurangabad: Ajanta & Ellora Day Tour with All Inclusion
★ 4.7 · 94 reviews - Private 2 Days Tour: Ajanta Ellora Caves and Aurangabad City
★ 5.0 · 91 reviews - From Aurangabad: 2-Day Ajanta and Ellora Caves Private Tour
★ 4.8 · 50 reviews
Daulatabad Fort
After Ellora, the route continues to Daulatabad Fort, with about two hours planned there. This gives the day a change of pace. Instead of staying among carved interiors, you move to a major fortified site with broad views and a more physical visit.
The supplied details do not specify the admission cost for Daulatabad, listing it as free. Even so, you should expect a fort visit to involve more walking than a simple roadside stop. The schedule allows two hours, so you can see the main areas without giving the whole day to the fort.
This stop is also where pacing matters most. After a morning at Ellora, you may welcome the open air, or you may feel ready for a rest in the car. I would wear practical shoes and avoid carrying more than you need. The tour includes parking fees, which is helpful at a stop where independent drivers may otherwise face small extra charges.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
The final stop is Bibi Ka Maqbara, scheduled for about one hour. It is often called the mini Taj Mahal because of its familiar white-domed design and formal symmetry.
This is a shorter, gentler stop after the caves and fort. You can take in the building, its grounds, and the visual connection to the better-known monument in Agra without setting aside another half day. Admission is not included, so budget separately for the entry fee.
The route ends with drop-off at your Aurangabad location. That door-to-door finish is useful after a full day of sightseeing. It also keeps the outing simple for anyone staying in the city and not wanting to arrange a final taxi.
What the driver service does well
The strongest part of this experience is the service element. The car, driver, fuel surcharge, and parking fees are included, so the basic cost is easier to understand than a low headline price followed by several transport add-ons.
Several drivers are praised by name in the supplied feedback. Shek Sartaj is described as a safe and pleasant driver, while Tabrez is singled out for being calm, courteous, and attentive during a two-day trip. Nisar is praised for providing a good car and trying to show additional Aurangabad sights, although time did not allow every planned stop.
Other positive comments mention Sunil as prompt, patient, and comfortable to ride with. Salman is described as friendly and able to explain the places visited. These details suggest that driver quality is a major part of the experience, but they also show why you should ask for the driver’s name and confirm the vehicle shortly before departure.
The owner, Shoaib, is praised for quick replies through WhatsApp and for giving a competitive price without extended bargaining. That can be useful if you have questions about pickup, the guide upgrade, or the size of your group.
The praise is not a guarantee that every departure will feel identical. A private car tour depends heavily on the assigned driver, traffic, weather, and how long you spend at each site. Still, the repeated comments about clean cars, safe driving, prompt replies, and courteous service are the most encouraging signs here.
The guide choice: independence or explanation
The basic package is transportation. You can visit each monument on your own, which keeps the price down and lets you control your time. That suits independent sightseers who have already read about Ajanta and Ellora or plan to use their own guidebook.
The guide upgrade is worth considering if the construction methods, religious art, and historical setting are central to your visit. Ellora in particular benefits from explanation, since the scale of the rock-cut monuments is easy to admire but harder to understand at a glance.
Ask whether the guide will accompany you inside each site or only provide general assistance. The supplied information confirms that a guide can be added, but it does not specify the guide’s language, credentials, or exact hours.
Price, admissions, and what you really pay
At $39 per group of up to four, this is a transport-focused bargain when shared. Four people would divide the advertised cost, giving you a private, air-conditioned vehicle for two days at a very low per-person rate.
The cost does not include admission tickets. The listed entrance figures are 600 rupees for foreign nationals and 30 rupees for Indian visitors. Bibi Ka Maqbara also lists admission as extra, while Daulatabad is listed as free.
The package includes fuel surcharge and parking fees. That matters because parking and fuel are common areas where a supposedly cheap car hire can grow more expensive. Here, those charges are built into the stated package.
The price is less attractive for a solo visitor, since the rate is charged per group rather than per person. It becomes much better for two, three, or four people sharing the car. You should also confirm any guide fee, additional passenger charge, or change in vehicle category before finalizing.
Timing, comfort, and the limits of the schedule

The advertised duration is two days, approximately. Day one focuses on Ajanta, with about three hours at the caves. Day two allows three hours at Ellora, two hours at Daulatabad Fort, and one hour at Bibi Ka Maqbara.
Those site times do not include every part of the day. Your schedule also includes pickup, the drive from Aurangabad, the Ajanta shuttle, parking, and the return journey. The tour is best viewed as a full sightseeing plan rather than a short local outing.
Several start times are available. I would choose an early option if you want more breathing room, especially on the day that combines three stops. A flexible start is useful, but a later departure may leave less room if traffic or a long visit at one monument slows the route.
The air-conditioned car gives you a private recovery space between stops. That is a meaningful advantage when you are moving between large historic sites in warm weather. Still, the vehicle cannot shorten the distance, and the tour will feel demanding if you try to rush every stop.
The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.
Who should book this Ajanta and Ellora package?

I would recommend it to small groups who want reliable transport without paying for a full luxury tour. Families and older visitors may appreciate pickup, air conditioning, and the ability to return to the car between sites.
It also suits first-time visitors who want the main Aurangabad sights arranged in a sensible two-day plan. The combination of Ajanta on one day and Ellora, Daulatabad, and Bibi Ka Maqbara on the next gives you variety without requiring separate transport bookings.
Independent visitors should like the option to skip the guide. You can keep costs low and explore at your own speed. If you want detailed interpretation, add the guide rather than expecting the driver to provide a full historical tour.
This may not suit you if you dislike long road journeys, want extended time at every cave, or need a fully guided archaeological experience included in the base price. It is also not the right choice if you expect admission tickets to be bundled into the advertised rate.
Should you book it?
Book this tour if you want simple private transport, flexible pickup, and a low group price for Aurangabad’s major sights. Its best qualities are practical: a private air-conditioned car, fuel and parking included, responsive communication, and a route that covers far more than the caves alone.
Before paying, confirm the number of passengers, the exact vehicle, pickup time, guide cost, and current admission fees. If those details suit your plans, this is a sensible and good-value way to see Ajanta and Ellora without arranging each journey yourself.
FAQ
Is pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off are offered from your location in Aurangabad.
How long is the tour?
The experience lasts approximately two days. Ajanta is planned for day one, while Ellora, Daulatabad Fort, and Bibi Ka Maqbara are planned for day two.
Is the vehicle air conditioned?
Yes. An air-conditioned vehicle is included.
How many people can join?
The advertised price of $39 is for a group of up to four people. The vehicle description says it can accommodate up to six people, so groups larger than four should confirm the price and vehicle before booking.
Are admission tickets included?
No. Admission tickets are not included. The stated fee is 600 rupees for other nationalities and 30 rupees for Indian visitors. Bibi Ka Maqbara admission is also listed as extra.
Do I have to take a shuttle bus at Ajanta?
Yes. The car takes you to the Ajanta parking area, and you then use a shuttle bus to reach the cave area.
Can I visit Ellora without a guide?
Yes. You can book transportation and explore the sites independently. A guide upgrade is also available.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.
Just added in Aurangabad
- Skip-the-queue private Ajanta & Ellora 2-Day Tour★ 5.0 · 21 reviews
- Guided 3-Day Tour: Discover Ajanta, Ellora Cave & Aurangabad City★ 5.0 · 10 reviews
- From Aurangabad to Ajanta Ellora Taxi – Best 2-Day Cab Tour★ 5.0 · 26 reviews
- Ajanta & Ellora Combined Tour in a day from Aurangabad★ 5.0 · 42 reviews
- Ajanta Ellora Caves Combo- 2 Day Guided Private Tour★ 5.0 · 39 reviews
- From Aurangabad: 3-Day Tour of Shirdi Sai Baba, Ajanta, & Ellora.★ 5.0 · 10 reviews
- From Aurangabad: 1-Day Taxi Trip to Ajanta and Ellora Caves★ 5.0 · 18 reviews
- Ajanta & Ellora Caves and Sightseeing 2 days Tour★ 4.5 · 24 reviews
Private Drivers, compared.

Arrival Meet & Assist service at Delhi Airport with optional Private transfer
Read our review →
Golden Triangle Agra Jaipur with Namaste Private Driver India
Read our review →
Private Transfer Agra to Jaipur with Fatehpur Sikri
Read our review →
Jaipur Sightseeing Tour with Private Car and Driver
Read our review →
Private Transfer From Agra To Jaipur with Fatehpur Sikri
Read our review →
Private day tour of Jaipur with Driver and Guide
Read our review →Browse the lists this tour appears in


