Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is a desert wadi on Luxor’s West Bank where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (around 1539–1075 BC) were buried for nearly five centuries. Unlike earlier kings, who built pyramids that were easy to rob, these rulers had their tombs cut deep into the rock beneath a natural pyramid-shaped peak, el-Qurn. More than 60 tombs are known, numbered KV1 onwards in order of discovery. The most famous, Tutankhamun’s (KV62), was found almost intact by Howard Carter in November 1922. The valley is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis.

What to see

The standard ticket lets you enter three tombs from those open that day. The open tombs rotate to protect the paintings, and the list is posted at the entrance. Tombs often on the standard list include those of Ramesses III, Ramesses IV, Ramesses VII, Ramesses IX and Merenptah, all with richly painted corridors and texts from the books of the afterlife.

Three tombs need an extra ticket, bought at the main ticket office:

• Tutankhamun (KV62): small, but the burial chamber is painted, and the king’s mummy is still displayed here.
• Seti I (KV17): the longest and most finely decorated tomb in the valley. The ticket is expensive, with no student rate.
• Ramesses V and VI (KV9): famous for its astronomical ceiling showing the sky goddess Nut.

Visiting tips

• Doors open at 06:00. Go first thing to beat the heat and the large groups, especially from April to October.
• Buy any extra tickets with your entry ticket. Check the board at the gate before choosing, as not every tomb is open.
• Ticket offices take cards. Have small cash for tips and the optional electric train (‘tuf-tuf’) from the visitor centre to the tombs.
• There is no shade inside the valley. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen, and wear comfortable shoes for steep tomb ramps.
• Do not touch the walls. Check the current rules on photography at the gate.
• Combine the visit with Deir el-Bahari (Hatshepsut’s temple), Medinet Habu or the Valley of the Queens.

Getting there

The valley is on the West Bank, about 30 minutes by car from the Nile. Cross by the public ferry or over the Luxor bridge, then take a taxi, hire a driver for the day or join a tour. Fit cyclists can ride from the ferry landing in the cooler months, but the final climb is long and hot. Current prices are on the official Valley of the Kings page.

Last checked October 2026. Sources: egymonuments.gov.eg, mota.gov.eg, earthtrekkers.com.