The city of Aurangabad has all forms of transport right from intra-city buses, metered auto-rickshaws to chauffeur-driven taxis. Intra-city Bus service is Municipal Corporation owned but privately operated. AMT Aurangabad Municipal Transport buses ply throughout the city and outskirts reaching thousands of citizens to their offices, schools, colleges efficiently and in a cost effective manner. MSRTC Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation buses connect Aurangabad to nearby tourist places, distant suburbs and villages around. As a tourist one is recommended to either take Metered Auto-rickshaws 3-wheeler taxis or Chauffeur driven Taxis. These taxis are not very expensive and are ideal for one day tours to Ajanta, Ellora, Daulatabad, etc. A hatchback type air-conditioned taxi will cost you around INR 7.00/- per kilometer for a least count of 80 KM or 8 hours whichever is less. Rates of more premium taxis are also computed in same manner with a higher cost per KM.
Attention - Important for the Tourists visiting Aurangabad for the first time
Although Aurangabad has Metered Auto rickshawsThree wheeler taxis which run based on the fare as shown in Meter details given below, it is seen that like any other tourist place Auto rickshaw drivers ask for exorbitant rates from the tourists especially at Railway station, Central bus stand or stops of Private buses. Make sure to ask before boarding the three wheeler cab that he will be charging you based on the meter reading, he activates the meter when you board, he has a certified tarif card. The actual fare around 10 times the meter reading in INR. But you can pay him around 12 times the reading. A tip up to 10% of the fare may be given ONLY IF you are happy with his services. Mid night fare is applicable from 00.00 hrs. to 05.00 hrs. which is 1.5 times the usual fare i.e. around 15 times the meter reading. Around half hour consideration can be given to auto rickshaw drivers 23.30 hrs to 05.30 hrs as given by a majority of residents of Aurangabad.
Conducted Bus Tours By Mstrc, Wonder Car Rentals And Itdc
MSRTC Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation and ITDC India Tourism Development Corporation operate daily conducted tours by semi-Luxury buses to the tourist destinations like Ellora, Ajanta and Daulatabad wherein they also take a note of the tourist destinations in the city. These journeys can be booked at Aurangabad Central Bus Stand CBS.
Tour 1: Aurangabad CBS to Ajanta Caves, Bibi-Ka-Muqbara, Pan-Chakki and back to Aurangabad CBS
Tour 2: Aurangabad CBS to Ellora Caves, Daulatabad Fort, Bibi-Ka-Muqbara, Pan-Chakki and back to Aurangabad CBS
These conducted bus tours are ideal only if you are short of time and are alright having a glance at all these places. The major disadvantage of these tours is a very tight time-schedule. The sightseeing has to be wound up very fast without you being able to take your own time.
Drive (Car Or Two Wheeler)
This is the most common way of transport for the local people. But for the tourists, self driven cars and two wheelers are not easily available on hire basis in India. Driving on the streets is fairly comfortable as there is not much traffic on the roads and the roads are wide except that in old part of the city. Some roads are not very well-maintained and are prone to pot-holes.
Chauffeur Driven Taxis / Tourist Taxis
These are ideal for the tourists visiting the city and the tourist destinations around. The tourist taxis can be booked from various travel agents in the city like Blue-Ocean travels,Wonder, Manmandir, Saibaba, Welworth, Classic Cars, etc. All hotels also have a taxi-counter. The fare is calculated per kilometre with a minimum of 80 KM. The fare depends on the class of vehicle and the type AC or Non-AC. See to it that the taxi you hire has a tourist permit and is not a private vehicle. The tourist permit cars can be easily identified by a yellow number plate.
Metered Auto-Rickshaws (Taxis)
Metered Auto-Rickshaws are undoubtedly the most suitable and convenient way of traveling through the city. This is due to their easy availability at any time and the affordability. These are hired three-wheeler taxis which are ideal to move around the city. The Meter reading is read along-with a 'tariff-card' available with the driver. The actual fare is usually around 10 times the meter reading. Always ensure that the driver starts the meter on beginning of the journey. Fare from Mid night 12:00 AM to 05:00 AM is One and Half times the regular fare. The minimum regular fare is as low as INR 10/- Only.
Amt And Msrtc Buses
AMT Aurangabad Municipal Transport intra-city buses ply throughout the city including the outskirts and connect different parts of the city and adjoining suburbs together. The AMT bus service is affordable and thus masses use it for their daily transport. AMT buses carry thousands of passengers to and fro their workplaces, schools & colleges daily and thus are quite crowded during morning and evening rush hours.
MSRTC Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation buses connect Aurangabad to nearby tourist places, distant suburbs and villages around. MSRTC Red Buses are available at regular intervals to the important tourist destinations near Aurangabad like Ajanta, Ellora, Daulatabad, etc. The frequency is good, are extremely safe and fairly comfortable though not very luxurious. MSRTC also operates semi-luxury Asiad buses also to these destinations but the frequency is not very good. All these buses depart from and arrive at the Aurangabad Central Bus Stand CBS. There is no need for Advance Booking and the tickets are issued on the bus itself. (http://msrtconline.in/tim...)
Tourists who wish to travel to Ajanta, Ellora, Daulatabad, Paithan or any nearby tourist place are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to travel only in MSRTC Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation buses from Aurangabad CBS Central Bus Stand, if they have not hired a Chauffeur driven Taxi from an authorised agent. Do remember that it is worthwhile to wait some time for an MSRTC bus than travelling in maxi-cabs medium sized black-yellow taxis parked outside the Aurangabad CBS Central Bus Stand. These taxis are extremely unsafe.
Aurangabad depot of MSRTC Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation was crowned as Number One in Maharashtra in terms of the passenger flow and revenue generation for the year 2007-08. Aurangabad Bus depot is also the depot operating maximum number of 'Janata Bus routes' public buses which halt at every stop particularly connecting the small villages and localities around the nearest big city to and from the smaller towns nearby.
In general, public transport in and around the city is fairly good.