Ajanta Caves Tours & Tickets

The Ajanta Caves are open Tuesday through Sunday from 09:00 to 17:30. The site is closed every Monday for maintenance and conservation work.

The Archaeological Survey of India charges ₹600 INR per person as a conservation entry fee for foreign nationals. Children under 15 are admitted free of charge, and Indian nationals pay a separate lower rate.

The Ajanta Caves are closed every Monday; this is the only regular weekly closure. On all other days the site operates from 09:00 to 17:30, including public holidays — though closures on major national holidays should be verified locally before travel.

The recommended arrival window for this ancient rock-cut monument is 09:00–11:00, when attendance is lightest and the soft morning light enters the cave openings at an angle that brings out the natural warm tones of the Jataka murals. The site opens at 09:00, and arriving at opening time gives the best experience.

For first-time visitors on an Ajanta Caves tour, Cave 1 (Bodhisattva Padmapani mural), Cave 2 (ornate ceiling paintings), Cave 16 (the 'Dying Princess' fresco), Cave 17 (most varied Jataka narrative paintings), and Cave 26 (colossal 23-foot reclining Buddha) are the must-see highlights. Cave 10 is the oldest structure, dating to approximately 200 BCE.

Handheld cameras and smartphones are permitted throughout the Ajanta Caves complex; a ₹25 camera fee applies for dedicated cameras. Flash photography is strictly prohibited, as intense light degrades the 1,500-year-old organic pigments. Tripods require prior written permission from the Archaeological Survey of India.

From Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), a full-day taxi takes approximately 2.5–3 hours over 105 km and typically costs ₹3,500–4,500. State buses run from Aurangabad central bus stand to Fardapur, from where local autos reach the site. Alternatively, take a train to Jalgaon (60 km away) and hire a taxi for the final leg.

Full wheelchair access is not available for all caves, as the cliff path involves uneven gradients and stepped entrances. Visitors with significant mobility challenges can hire a dolly service (a palanquin carried by trained staff) at approximately ₹2,000, bookable at the ticket counter.

Yes, combining both UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one trip is very popular; the two cave complexes are approximately 100 km apart. Each site requires half a day to a full day to explore properly, so most travellers allocate two separate days, using Aurangabad as a base for Ellora Caves tours the following day.

Comfortable, breathable clothing and closed-toe walking shoes with good grip are essential for the uneven cliff path. Bring a small torch for dark cave interiors, a refillable water bottle, cash in small denominations, and high-SPF sun protection for the exposed walkway. Modest dress is appreciated in these historically sacred Buddhist spaces.

A government-run restaurant and snack stalls operate near the entrance and eco-bus station at the Ajanta Caves site, offering basic Indian meals and refreshments. No food or drink is permitted inside the cave chambers; plan to eat before boarding the shuttle or during your return.

Tickets purchased directly at the on-site ASI counter are non-refundable; the ₹600 conservation fee is collected at entry and cannot be transferred. If you have booked an Ajanta Caves tour through a third-party operator, cancellation and refund terms are set by that operator and should be reviewed before booking.