Why Aurangabad Should Be on Your Travel List
Aurangabad, also known as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, is a famous city located on the hilly terrain of the Deccan region. The city is surrounded by many historical monuments, attracting both local and foreign tourists. The famous Ajanta and Ellora caves, which are UNESCO world heritage sites, are located here.
If you are planning a trip to Aurangabad, the fastest way to reach it is via flight. However, from other cities in the Maharashtra region, like Mumbai, Pune, and Nashik, Aurangabad is easy to access. The city is well connected by road, rail, and air, so it becomes easier to travel from these places.
So now let’s discuss briefly on this blog how to plan a seamless trip to Aurangabad.
Best Time to Visit Aurangabad:
Weather Overview
Aurangabad city also known as City of Gates can be visited throughout the year, depending upon you. However, the ideal time to visit Aurangabad is from October to February, (during the winter months) when the weather is pleasant and it becomes perfect for sightseeing places. However, this time is considered the peak season and places may be full of crowds and you may witness an increase in the prices of the hotels. This Aurangabad travel guide can provide you the necessary guidance on how to travel, where to stay and what activities you can do etc.
Festivals and Events
In winter months Aurangabad witnesses several festivals and also hosts various events. Some of the major festivals that are celebrated in the region are as follows:
Ellora Festival of Classical Dance and Music: This is an annual festival that is celebrated in the Ellora region. An age-old tradition that focuses on praising the culture as well as the architecture and the monuments of that region. This festival lasts for three days and a tourist can witness the major attractions of this festival including dance performances, instrumental plays, Bhajans and local vocals showcasing their culture.
Ellora-Ajanta International Festival: An international festival that takes place in Aurangabad. This festival started in the 1980s decade is an age-old traditional festival of this region. This is celebrated to praise the culture, architecture and monuments of the region. In these three days of the festival, you can enjoy their dance performances, singing, and many more which will diversify your knowledge.
New Year parties: This is one of the best-celebrated festivals in Aurangabad you should not miss if you are visiting Aurangabad in the winter season. No matter whether you are looking for a party or want to explore their various events this is going to be an exciting moment of your life. There is a dance show and music and you get a chance to enjoy some of the famous cuisines of Aurangabad.
So this is the best time to visit Aurangabad if you want to explore their culture and tradition closely.
How to Reach Aurangabad from Nearby Cities
There are various options to reach Aurangabad from cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and other places. Since the Aurangabad region is well connected by various modes of transportation including convenient car rental in Aurangabad, it becomes easier for you to access. Now let’s discuss in detail how to reach Aurangabad from these cities.
Mumbai:
Now let’s discuss how to plan a trip to Aurangabad from Mumbai:
Road options:
The distance between these cities usually depends upon the route you take. The available routes are as follows:
Mumbai – Aurangabad via (Pune and Ahmednagar): The fastest route you can take to reach Aurangabad from Mumbai is this route. From here the distance among these cities is approximately 376 Km. Usually, it takes about six hours to complete this journey.
Mumbai – Aurangabad via (Kalyan, Malshej, and Ahmednagar): This is one of the most beautiful routes you can take while travelling from Mumbai to Aurangabad. From this route, the distance between these cities is approximately 372 Km. It takes about six hours to complete the journey.
Mumbai – Aurangabad via (Ghoti, Shirdi, and Vaijapur): This is the shortest route you can take. From this route, the distance between these cities is approximately 341 Km. It takes about five hours to complete this journey. You can enjoy a nice road trip to Aurangabad by car or bus.
Train options:
There are various trains available from Mumbai to Aurangabad. Some of the available trains are as follows:
Jan Shatabdi Express 12071: This is one of the fastest trains which runs from Mumbai to Aurangabad. From this route, the distance between these cities is approximately 360 Km. The train leaves Mumbai at 2:00 pm and reaches Aurangabad at 8:10 pm. The total duration of the journey is 6 hours 10 minutes.
Flight options:
The fastest mode of transportation you can choose to reach Aurangabad is by taking a flight.
Pune:
Now let’s discuss how to plan a trip to Aurangabad from Pune:
There are various routes you can take while travelling to Aurangabad from Pune.
Road option:
Aurangabad to Pune via NH-753F: This is one of the best routes you can take while travelling from Pune to Aurangabad. From here the distance between these cities is 236 Kms and it takes almost 5 hours 34 minutes to complete this journey.
Train option:
If you want a convenient mode of transportation then you can travel via train. There are various train options available running among these cities. One of the popular trains from Pune to Aurangabad is:
Hazur Sahib Nanded Express-17629: This train departs from Pune at 9:35 pm and reaches Aurangabad at 5:05 am. This train takes 7 hours 30 minutes to complete the journey.
Nashik:
By car or Bus:
You can either travel by car or bus depending upon your budget and preferences. The famous route you can take is:
Nashik to Aurangabad via NH 7521: From here the distance between these cities is 184 Km and it usually takes 4 hours and 2 minutes to complete this journey.
Train Option:
If you want a convenient mode of transportation you can travel via train. One of the popular trains you can take is:
Devagiri Express 17057: This train starts its journey from Nashik at 1:02 pm and reaches Aurangabad at 4:15 pm. This train takes 3 hours and 13 minutes to complete the journey.
From Other nearby Cities (e.g., Solapur, Ahmednagar)
Some of the nearby cities in Aurangabad are as follows:
Solapur:
Aurangabad is at a distance of around 350 Km away from Solapur depending upon the route you take. Some of the routes are as follows:
Via NH 65 and NH 52: From this route, the distance among these cities is 345 Km and it takes 6 hours and 16 minutes to complete this journey.
Via NH 548C and NH 52: If you take this route the distance you need to cover is 355 Km and it takes about 6 hours 39 minutes to complete this journey.
Ahmednagar:
Aurangabad is located at a distance of 113 km away from Ahmednagar. One of the popular routes you can take is via NH 753F. The time it takes to complete this journey is 2 hours 19 minutes. Best Modes of Transportation to Explore Aurangabad.
Pvt Vs Public Transport:
There are various modes of transportation to explore Aurangabad. You can either choose the Pvt Vehicle or public transport depending upon your budget. However, by travelling public transport, it becomes convenient, but it takes time to search for public transport. On the other hand, Private vehicles are a bit expensive but if you don’t want any distractions throughout the journey you can prefer this mode of transportation. One of the most convenient ways to explore Aurangabad is to travel via buses. You can also search for Aurangabad travel tips, to pick up an efficient mode of transportation for you.
Top Things to Do in Aurangabad:
Ajanta and Ellora Caves:
There are various things to do in Aurangabad. You can visit one of the major places to visit in Aurangabad is Ajanta Caves. This cave is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cave is famous for its paintings, sculptures and Architecture. This cave is located at a distance of about 100 Km away from Aurangabad. It takes almost 3 hours to reach this cave. This is the best place to visit in Aurangabad for history lovers.
Another major place to visit in Aurangabad is Ellora. This cave is also a UNESCO world heritage site. The cave is famous among tourists for its natural beauty, architecture and religious significance. The cave is located at a distance of 30 km away from Aurangabad and it takes about 1 hour to reach there.
Bibi Ka Maqbara:
Bibi ka Maqbara also known as Baby Taj or Taj of the Deccan is one of the major monuments in Aurangabad. This monument is similar to the Taj Mahal since it is also made on high platforms with four minarets. This monument is also surrounded.
The garden was built to commemorate the wife of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Aurangabad Caves:
These caves are 12 rock-cut Buddhist caves located in Aurangabad. The caves reflect the designs of both Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhist-style stupas. There are various idols of goddess Durga and Ganesha.
Daulatabad Fort:
The Daulatabad Fort also known as Deogiri is one of the significant forts in Aurangabad constructed in the 11th century. If you are travelling to Aurangabad then this is a must-visit place for you. Here you can explore the region’s rich history, its architecture and enjoy the beautiful surrounding views.
Other Attractions such as Panchakki, Siddhartha Garden, and other local attractions:
Aurangabad tourist places also include some local attractions places like:
Panchakki: This is a water mill that showcases the architectural brilliance of ancient Indian architecture.
Siddhartha Garden: This garden was named after Gautama Buddha, and was famous for its aquarium, zoo and beautiful gardens.
However, there are some other attractions which define the architectural brilliance of the city. This is the reason why Aurangabad tourism is growing every year.
Recommended Itinerary for Aurangabad:
A four-day visit to Aurangabad is usually enough to explore the surrounding areas in Aurangabad. Let’s discuss in detail about Aurangabad trip Itinerary.
Day-1:
On day one you can visit the Ellora caves and Bibi ka Maqbara. These famous destination points are located at a closer distance from each other and are easy to access. After that, if you have some time you can explore the Panchakki. With this your day one ends.
Day-2:
On the second day, you can explore the Ajanta caves and Daulatabad fort. So with this, you will cover all the major areas in Aurangabad. Later in the evening, you can visit the local markets for shopping.
Day 3:
On the third day, you can visit the other nearby attractions like Siddhartha Garden and explore the nearby towns.
Day-4:
On the last day, you can consider relaxing at the resort. You can also consult with the Aurangabad tour guide who will help in preparing your itinerary.
Where to Stay in Aurangabad:
Luxury Hotels:
There are some of the luxury hotels you can consider staying in Aurangabad if you want to enjoy it in comfort. Some luxury hotels include:
- Vivanta Aurangabad
- Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels
- The Fern Residency
Budget Hotels:
By staying in some of these luxurious hotels you can ensure a nice weekend trip to Aurangabad.
Some of the budget-friendly hotels in Aurangabad are:
- Zostel Aurangabad
- Hotel Ashoka Executive
- Hotel O Padampura
Guesthouses and Homestays
There are also various guesthouses and homestays in Aurangabad like:
- Villa Culture
- Daulatabad Guest House
- Gajanan Heritage and Resort
Local Cuisine You Must Try in Aurangabad
While on a trip to Aurangabad, there are some of the must-try dishes you can try like Naan Qalia and Shami Kebab. You can also try their local sweets.
Best Places to Eat
There are various local restaurants and eateries, like Green Leaf Vegetarian Cuisine, and That Baat for serving authentic Aurangabadi food. You can also visit various street food joints to enjoy fast-food items.
Travel Tips for a Smooth Trip to Aurangabad
Packing Tips
You can pack your stuff depending on the season you visit. For example, if you are travelling in the winter season which is the best time to visit you can pack warm woolen clothes to avoid the cold weather.
Safety Tips
If you are travelling to Aurangabad then you have to follow some safety tips like planning your accommodation and transportation, considering carrying the essential stuff, and being prepared when a flight or train is delayed.
Conclusion:
So here we discussed how you can plan a trip to Aurangabad from nearby cities. You can plan your trip during the festive season to explore their rich culture. The region can be easily accessible from Mumbai, Nashik and Pune. With proper planning you won’t miss any famous sightseeing places making your journey smooth and memorable.
