Aurangabad sits on a hilly upland in the Deccan, surrounded by the Ajanta range, and it works as a base for the caves and monuments on its outskirts as much as for the city itself. The Ajanta and Ellora caves, the Aurangabad Caves, Devagiri Fort, Bibi Ka Maqbara and the surviving gates of the old city wall are all reached from here. Winter, from October to February, is the most comfortable time to visit; the monsoon runs from June to September.
For a visitor, the practical layout is simple. The railway station and the central bus stand anchor the older, busier part of the city, where the budget accommodation clusters. The City Center area and Adalat Road sit close to that core. Jalna Road and the CIDCO sectors form the newer part of the city, spread out towards the airport, and this is where the larger hotels are found. The airport itself lies at Chikalthana. This guide covers which of these areas to base yourself in, and what each is like for different kinds of traveller.
Best areas to stay in Aurangabad
1. Station Road and the railway station area
This is the most convenient base if you are arriving or leaving by train, and it is where budget accommodation is concentrated. You will find simple lodges and small hotels within a few hundred metres of the station, alongside a government-run resort. It suits budget travellers and anyone who wants to keep transport simple.
The trade-off is that this is a working station area rather than a sightseeing one, so you will rely on buses or autos to reach the caves and monuments.
2. City Center and Adalat Road
Adalat Road and the City Center area form the other main budget cluster, with a mix of lodges, small hotels and a backpacker-oriented hostel with dorm beds. This puts you closer to the everyday commercial heart of the city and within easy reach of the old city and its gates.
It suits travellers who want cheap rooms without being tied to the station, and those who prefer to be among shops and restaurants rather than on the edge of town. Buses run along the main roads here, so getting to the sights is straightforward.
3. Jalna Road and CIDCO
Jalna Road and the CIDCO sectors make up the newer part of the city, spread out towards the airport. This is where the mid-range and larger hotels are found, along with several four and five star properties near Chikalthana Airport. It suits travellers with a bigger budget, families, and anyone who values space and quiet over proximity to the station.
The practical point to weigh is distance: this area is some way from the railway station and the old city, so you will depend on taxis or buses for most trips, though it is well placed for the airport and for departures towards Ellora.
4. The outskirts and highway edge
A handful of options sit outside the built-up city, including on Nagar Road, along the Nashik–Mumbai highway at Padegaon, and near Daulatabad Lake and Fort on the Ellora road. These are resort-style and club properties rather than neighbourhood stays.
They suit travellers who want a quieter setting and do not mind being car-dependent for everything. If your main purpose is the Ellora and Daulatabad monuments, the Ellora road side is the more practical of these.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: simple lodges and small hotels, some with dormitory beds, concentrated around the railway station and the City Center and Adalat Road area. Rooms are basic and often fan-cooled at the lowest end, with air-conditioned rooms costing more.
- Mid-range: distributed across the city rather than in one quarter, including along Adalat Road and Jalna Road and in the CIDCO sectors. Expect comfortable air-conditioned rooms, restaurants on site and easier parking.
- Splurge: larger four and five star properties, mostly near Chikalthana Airport and along Jalna Road in New Aurangabad, with a few resort-style options on the city's edges.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself around Adalat Road and the City Center. It keeps you in the middle of the budget and mid-range choice, close to the old city and its gates, and within reasonable reach of both the station and the road out towards Ellora. You give up some quiet and space compared with Jalna Road, but you spend less time and money on transfers.
Frequently asked questions
Which area is best if I am arriving by train?
Station Road, immediately around the railway station, has the densest cluster of budget accommodation and is the simplest place to land after a long journey.
Where are the larger hotels located?
The four and five star properties are concentrated near Chikalthana Airport, with several others along Jalna Road in the CIDCO and New Aurangabad area.
Is it better to stay near the airport or near the station?
It depends on your transport. The airport side suits drivers and those heading out towards Ellora, while the station and City Center side suits train travellers and anyone relying on buses.
When is the best time of year to visit?
October to February is the most comfortable period. The monsoon runs from June to September, and summer heat can be severe.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide.