Telangana

A weekend circuit to Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) for Ajanta and Ellora's cave temples, Bibi ka Maqbara, and Daulatabad Fort — doable from Hyderabad by overnight train or from Mumbai as an even shorter weekend.

Duration

A single weekend — overnight train out, a full day covering Aurangabad and the Ellora cluster, a full day for Ajanta, overnight train back.

Best time

October to March, when temperatures are comfortable for a full day of sightseeing and cave-hopping. Summers here get genuinely hot.

Budget

Decent hotels start around ₹2,000/night (roughly $20/€18). A day's cab to Ellora ran ₹1,400 (roughly $15/€13), and to Ajanta ₹2,800 (roughly $30/€25) — this was in 2023, so expect current rates to be somewhat higher. Food runs ₹150-500 (roughly $2-5/€1-5) per person per meal.

Getting around

Overnight train between Hyderabad and Aurangabad each way, as we did it — Mumbai works as a closer alternative gateway (roughly 340km vs. 500km), with a same-day train, a short flight, or a road trip all realistic options too given the shorter distance. Locally, a day's cab to Ellora ran ₹1,400 (roughly $15/€13) and to Ajanta ₹2,800 (roughly $30/€25) (2023 rates).

A weekend circuit to Gandikota's dramatic Pennar River gorge and the Belum Caves, doable equally well from Hyderabad or Bengaluru.

Duration

A weekend — either drive out Friday night or head out early Saturday morning, stay one night at Gandikota, and return Sunday.

Best time

October to February, when temperatures are pleasant enough for a full day outdoors. Summers in this part of Andhra Pradesh get genuinely harsh, with temperatures climbing well past 40°C.

Budget

Stay and food for two people can easily be done for under ₹5,000 (roughly $55/€45) for the whole trip — though you can spend considerably more if you want to.

Getting around

Self-drive works well from either city. From Bengaluru specifically, a train to Jammalamadugu followed by an 18km car/auto ride is also a realistic option if you'd rather not drive the whole way.

A weekend circuit to Hampi's UNESCO-listed Vijayanagara ruins and nearby Kishkindha, doable equally well from Hyderabad or Bengaluru/Bangalore by overnight train.

Duration

A single weekend — overnight train out, two full days in Hampi and Kishkindha, overnight train back.

Best time

October to February, for cool, pleasant weather well suited to a lot of walking among the ruins. Hampi sits in a semi-arid zone, so summers get genuinely hot.

Budget

Stays run upwards of ₹2,500/night (roughly $25/€25) for a double room. Food ranges ₹150-500 (roughly $2-5/€1-5) per person per meal. Local sightseeing is best done by auto-rickshaw (most people's preference) or cab.

Getting around

Overnight train from Hyderabad (Kacheguda/Secunderabad) to Hosapete/Hospet, roughly 380km — or a comparable overnight train from Bengaluru, roughly 350km, if starting there instead. A short auto ride covers the station-to-Hampi leg; local sightseeing around Hampi and the Kishkindha day trip is best done by auto-rickshaw or cab.