Elephanta Caves is a UNESCO World Heritage Site sitting on a small island 10 kilometres east of Mumbai. You can’t drive there and can’t take a train. The only way in is by ferry. The ride takes about an hour across Mumbai Harbour, past the Gateway of India, with the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel behind you and seagulls keeping pace alongside. By the time you step off the boat, you already feel like you’ve left the city behind.
Everything you need to plan the trip is here: timings, prices, both ferry points, and what happens from the moment you step off the boat.
How International Visitors Can Reach Gateway of India?
Before you board the Elephanta Caves ferry, you need to get to Gateway of India in Colaba, South Mumbai. All public ferries depart from here, and the ferry ticket counter is located near the waterfront, close to the arch.
If you’re staying in a central Mumbai hotel, the easiest option is Uber or Ola. Both apps work reliably across the city. Allow 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic; South Mumbai can be slow in the mornings.
Prefer public transport? Two railway lines bring you close:
Western Railway: Get off at Churchgate Station. From there, Gateway of India is about 2km, a short taxi or auto-rickshaw ride.
Central Railway: Get off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST). Same distance, same options from the station exit.
Arriving by cruise ship?
If your vessel docks at Mumbai Port (Indira Dock or Ballard Pier), Gateway of India is roughly 3 to 4 kilometres away. Quick taxi ride. Allow extra time for port exit procedures, as crowds move slowly at the gates.
If you’d rather not manage the queues, ticketing, and logistics solo, our Elephanta Caves tour handles pickup from your location and takes care of everything from there.
Elephanta Caves Ferry Timings from Gateway of India
First and Last Ferry Times at a Glance
| Place | Time |
| First ferry (Gateway of India → Elephanta) | 9:00 AM |
| Last ferry (Gateway of India → Elephanta) | 2:00 PM |
| First return ferry (Elephanta → Gateway of India) | 12:00 PM |
| Last return ferry (Elephanta → Gateway of India) | 5:30 PM |
| Frequency | Every 30 minutes |
| Closed | Mondays |
The ferry takes approximately one hour each way. Both the caves and the ferry service are closed on Mondays, so plan your visit on any other day of the week.
During the monsoon months (June to September), services can be delayed or cancelled due to rough seas and high-tide alerts. If you’re visiting in that window, check conditions on the day before heading out.
How Early Should You Arrive?
Get to Gateway of India at least 20 to 30 minutes before your target ferry. On weekends and public holidays, the ticket queue alone can take 30 to 45 minutes. Catching the 9:00 AM ferry means you reach the island by 10:00 AM, giving you the full site in cooler temperatures before the midday crowd arrives.
If you catch the last outbound ferry at 2:00 PM, you’ll arrive around 3:00 PM and have roughly two hours at the caves before needing to head back for the last return at 5:30 PM. It’s doable, but tight.
On our Magical Mumbai Tours Elephanta Caves trips, we offer pick-up at 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:00 AM, so you’re not managing the queue on your own.
Elephanta Caves Ferry Ticket Prices
Your ferry ticket covers the round trip. One purchase gets you to the island and back. There are two classes of service from Gateway of India:
| Item | Price |
| Ferry round trip (Economy class) | ~Rs 150–200 |
| Ferry round trip (Luxury class, recommended) | Rs 260 |
| Upper deck surcharge (pay inside the boat) | Rs 10 |
| Village entry fee | Rs 10 per person |
| Toy train, jetty to caves entrance (return) | Rs 10–18 per person |
| Still camera | Free |
| Video camera pass | Rs 25 |
| Guide fees (optional) | Rs 500–800 |
The Luxury class ticket gets you a covered double-deck ferry with better seating. For Rs 10 extra paid inside, you can sit on the open upper deck, worth it for the views of the Mumbai skyline and harbour on the way out. If you hold a Luxury ticket, you can board either class on the return.
Carry cash as Card facilities are not reliably available at the island ticket counters, and you’ll want small notes for the toy train and village entry on arrival.
Belapur to Elephanta Caves Ferry: The Navi Mumbai Option
Most visitors take the Gateway of India ferry. But if you’re staying in or near Navi Mumbai (CBD Belapur, Vashi, Kharghar), there’s a second departure point worth knowing about: CBD Belapur Jetty (also called MMB Passenger Jetty).
Two types of vessels operate from Belapur:
- Catamaran (50+ seater): approximately Rs 660 round trip
- Speed boat (20–32 seater): approximately Rs 825 one way
Note: Belapur ferry prices vary by operator and season. Verify current fares before you go.
The key advantage over Gateway of India is that several Belapur operators accept advance online bookings. Check myboatride.com for schedules and reservations. Groups of 6 to 20 people can also hire a private water taxi from Belapur, which removes any waiting entirely.
The trade-off is frequency. Belapur runs roughly four catamaran round trips on weekdays, with a few more added on weekends and peak season. Gateway of India has a boat every 30 minutes. If you’re coming from South or Central Mumbai, stick with Gateway of India. It’s faster to reach and departures are far more regular. Belapur makes sense if you’re already on that side of the city.
From the Jetty to the Caves: What to Expect on Arrival
The ferry drops you at Elephanta Jetty, about one kilometre from the cave entrance. Two ways to cover it:
Walk: A flat path lined with market stalls selling souvenirs, snacks, and cold drinks. Budget 10 to 15 minutes and browse at your own pace.
Toy train: A small open-carriage train runs from the jetty to the cave base. It costs Rs 10 to 18 for a return ticket and is a fun option, especially with kids.
From the base, 120 steps lead up to the main cave entrance. Wear proper shoes with grip, as sandals make the climb uncomfortable. If someone in your group has limited mobility, palanquin carriers are available for hire on-site.
At the top, you’ll find seven rock-cut caves: five Hindu and two Buddhist, dating to the 5th to 8th century CE. Cave 1 (the Great Cave) is the centrepiece, with the famous three-faced Trimurti statue of Shiva at its heart. Allow at least two hours to see the full complex without rushing.
One tip our guides give every group: keep all food inside your bag. Monkeys are present across the island and are experienced at targeting open bags and hands holding snacks. It’s easier to enjoy the caves when you’re not defending your lunch.
Explore Elephanta Caves with Magical Mumbai Tours
Navigating the ferry queue, buying the right tickets, finding a knowledgeable guide, and making sense of the caves’ mythology on your own is a full morning of logistics. Many visitors end up spending more time figuring out the process than experiencing the place itself.
That’s exactly what our Elephanta Caves tour is designed to fix. Magical Mumbai Tours is rated #1 on TripAdvisor with 900+ reviews, with over 100,000 international travellers hosted since 2016.
Our private Elephanta Caves tour runs Tuesday to Sunday, takes 5 to 6 hours. It includes everything such as pickup from your hotel or cruise port, expert English-speaking guide, and full commentary on the history, architecture, and Hindu mythology of the site. Not just a walk-through.
Pick-up slots: 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, or 11:00 AM. Ready to see Elephanta the right way? Call or WhatsApp us on +91 9022801616 to book your tour.
FAQs
Q: What time does the first ferry to Elephanta Caves depart from Gateway of India?
A: The first ferry departs at 9:00 AM daily except Monday. Arriving 20 to 30 minutes before your target departure is advisable, as the ticket queue can be long on weekends. The journey takes approximately one hour.
Q: What is the last ferry timing from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island?
A: The last outbound ferry to Elephanta leaves Gateway of India at 2:00 PM. The last return ferry from Elephanta Island back to Gateway of India departs at 5:30 PM. Plan your time at the caves to catch it comfortably.
Q: How long does the ferry from Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves take?
A: The ferry ride takes approximately one hour each way. Journey time can be slightly longer during the monsoon season due to rough sea conditions.
Q: Is there a ferry to Elephanta Caves from Belapur?
A: Yes. CBD Belapur Jetty in Navi Mumbai is a second ferry departure point for Elephanta Island. Catamaran and speed boat services operate from there, and some operators offer advance online booking via myboatride.com. Frequency is lower than Gateway of India, with roughly four catamaran round trips on weekdays. This option works well if you’re already in Navi Mumbai.
Q: Does the Elephanta Caves ferry run during monsoon?
A: Ferries operate through the monsoon season (June to September) but services can be delayed or cancelled on days with rough seas or high-tide alerts. Check conditions before you leave. The caves themselves remain open through monsoon, but the ferry schedule is subject to weather.
Q: Can I book Elephanta Caves ferry tickets online?
A: Ferry tickets from Gateway of India are sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the counter. There is no advance online booking for this route. For the Belapur ferry, some operators do accept online bookings. If you’d like to skip the queue and have everything arranged in advance, booking a guided tour with Magical Mumbai Tours handles all ferry logistics for you.
