From Mumbai to Ajanta caves

I am considering whether it is more convenient to visit Ajanta arriving from Jalgaon or Aurangabad. Apparently Jalgaon is nearer, but I cannot find the train times from Mumbai. Can you help?

Also, does the number (eg 1) on the Train route page indicate that the train only runs on Mondays?

Cheers,

Andrea

Are you going to visit both Ajanta & Ellora or just Ajanta? One is closer to Jalgaon and the other is closer to Aurangabad so its a dilemna..

I'm going to both. I'll leave Mumbai on a Saturday, and I'll first see Ajanta on Sunday, since they are closed on Mondays. Ellora will then be on Monday.
That's why I was thinking that going to Jalgaon from Mumbai would be more convenient. I could see Ajanta and be in Aurangabad in the afternoon.

From Aurangabad I'll have a day trip to Ellora, and I plan to somehow reach Bijapur as a next stop. But that's a different problem!

Dear licino,

##It is difficult to secure accomodation in the trains whch depart from CSTM/LTT/DR and "touch" Jalgaon, on their way to different parts of the country, particularly, overnighters.

##However, non-AC Sleeper Accomodation is still available in Train No.8610 which departs from LTT on Saturday, 3.1.2009. Please look at this:
----
8610 RANCHI EXPRESS 3-01-2009 LOKMANYATILAK T
BHUSAVAL JN GENERAL
S.No. Date (DD-MM-YYYY) Class - SL Class -3A
1 3- 1-2009 AVAILABLE- 0021 WL 24/WL 16
------

Hello vsp27759 and thanks for your answer.
I'm actually travelling on 24 Jan, and I've seen there are two interesting alternatives:

1. travel from MUMBAI Dadar Station to Aurangabad by the 16.35 train or

2. travel from LOKMANYATILAK to Jalgaon on either the train that leaves at 12.40 or at 12.15.

Is LOKMANYATILAK very far from Fort and Churchgate? I'm planning to see a bit in the area, so I'd like to know how long I should account for to move to Lokmanyatilak.

Also, is there a train connection from Churchgate to Lokmanyatilak?

Cheers.

I've just reserved on the 16.35 train to Aurangabad. I thought it would be more convenient to stay in one hotel and save trundling our bags around. Thanks everybody for their help. Can't wait to get to India!

licinio, I am planning the same trip early March. Can you please post after you have done the train trip to Aurangabad and let us know how it worked out..thanks

Ok, no problem, Mayorted!

Smart solution, IMHO..

Hi Andrea,

I am going on a day trip from Mumbai to Ajanta Ellora on 23rd

Nearest station to Ajanta is Jalgaon. There a lot of trains throughout the week.

Ive booked a late night train (00:10 HRS on Saturday morning) from Mumbai CST (VT)to Jalgaon and return in a 21:30 HRS train from Aurangabad on Saturday.

I just hope I can explore enough in a day.

You're visiting the day before me. I'm flying from Europe on the 23rd. Enjoy your trip!

Correction - I will be visiting Aurangabad on 24th

I hope you will be in Aurangabad after 26th. This a long weekend and the caves are likely to be crowded on Sunday and Monday.

Hi nex815, did you find that your day trip to Ajanta was enough time to explore? I am planning a similar trip from Mumbai and I am trying to figure out timing.

Thanks!

One day is going to be too less.
Add 1 more day and visit both Ajanta and Ellora caves.

Ajanta-Ellora = 79 kms
Ellora-Aurangabad = 29 kms

It is certainly a compromise. You need to budget time properly to make the most of it in any case.

If one day (9 to 6) is all you can spare, then go for it with Ajanta first and Ellora second. See if you can manage a Car so that you do not lose time between sites like I did. I had to cover Ellora in 2 odd hours. Do not skip it simply because you think you won't be able to do justice in a day (if at all you have such a thought in your mind)

That said, if you can give it another half a day, take that time. Ajanta is is one long row of caves which can be covered in 3 odd hours. Ellora on the other hand has some caves at sites which fairly distant from each other.

Cheers