The Valley of the Kings is one of the most significant historical sites in the world, and even if you’re not a history buff, this place should earn a spot on your Egypt Itinerary. Whilst it may seem rather macabre to walk around what is essentially a graveyard, the artwork, sculptures and stories surrounding the tombs make it a mesmerising place to visit. Even if you only have half a day to spare, you can still see the best of the valley.
We visited every tomb open to the public in the Valley of the Kings to bring you the full low down on which are must sees and which you can skip if you’re short on time.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip to the Valley of the Kings.
The burial chamber of Rameses V / VI
A detailed guide to the Valley of the Kings
Which tombs should you visit?
We enjoyed visiting each of the tombs and each has its own charm, although some are in better condition and more interesting than others.
There are 12 tombs open to the public at the moment, 8 of which can be visited with a standard entry ticket and the other 4 require additional tickets. The standard ticket allows you to visit 3 of the 8 tombs that don’t require an additional ticket.
If you only plan on buying the standard entry ticket, then we recommend visiting the following three tombs:
Our thoughts on the additional tickets
We strongly recommend purchasing the ticket for Ramses V / VI, as it’s only an extra 120 EGP (USD $4) and the paintings are magnificent, as is the tomb in general. In addition to this, the tomb of Ay is an extra 60 EGP (USD $2) and well worth visiting - it’s one of the most atmospheric tombs in the valley and the setting is simply incredible.
The tomb of Seti I is by far the best tomb of all, but at 1400 EGP (USD $45), it’s a lot of money for a single tomb. We absolutely loved it, but you can visit very good tombs for a lot less. The tomb of Tutankhamun is also a must for history buffs, but it’s not one to go to if you’re looking for elaborate art.
We have a more detailed section on which ticket you should buy, which you can skip to by clicking here.
Which tombs are open in the Valley of the Kings?
A staggering 63 tombs have been discovered in the Valley of the Kings, but only 12 are open at the time of writing (December 2022). We’ve listed them all below, and you can click the links to skip to our summary of what you can see in each tomb, and a little history about the pharaoh.
Every open tomb in the Valley of the Kings
1. Rameses IV (KV2)
Distance from the entrance: 50m
Accessibility: Relatively easy - a few steps at the start, gradual slope into the burial chamber
Rating: Must see
What you’ll see: Beautiful artwork in pretty good condition and one of the biggest sarcophagus in the valley. Graffiti from the Romans and Ancient Greeks.
About the tomb and what you’ll see
The tomb of Rameses IV is the closest to the entrance (of those open at the moment), and naturally this makes it one of the most popular.
The tomb is a great introduction to the Valley of the Kings, built as a long corridor that culminates in the impressive burial chamber.
While the art and inscriptions at the start of the tomb have faded, it’s better preserved as you walk down towards the burial chamber. Here you’ll find a huge sarcophagus - which is meant to be one of the largest in the valley.
The highlight of the tomb is the incredible burial chamber, which was hastily converted from a pillared hall when Rameses IV died.
While a lot of the art around the sarcophagus has deteriorated, the art on the ceiling (of the goddess Nut and the night sky), blended with the yellows of the mural make it a beautiful start to your day exploring the Valley of the Kings.
You can also see “Coptic graffiti” at the start of the tomb, which is believed to have been left by both Roman and ancient Greek visitors.
A little about Rameses IV
Rameses IV became pharaoh at age 21, after his father Rameses III was assassinated by one of his secondary wives Tiye (who was trying to cut out Rameses IV and install her son Pentawer as king).
He was the last pharaoh to engage in large scale building projects in ancient Egypt, but died young after reigning for only six years.
2. Rameses IX (KV6)
Distance from the entrance: 200m
Accessibility: This is the easiest tomb to access in the Valley of the Kings as it has a gentle slope from ground level and no stairs.
Rating: If you have time
What you’ll see: Some decent art, but more degraded than others.
About the tomb and what you’ll see
The second tomb in the Valley of the Kings is Rameses IX, and it’s located in an area where there are seven tombs within 100m of each other.
Whilst it is still amazing by world standards, it’s one of our least favourites when compared to the rest in the valley.
It’s one of the few to have panels of glass midway up the tomb, and whilst there are a lot of really striking pieces of art (especially the ceiling), a lot has degraded over the years.
The tomb finishes with stairs down to the burial chamber, which is barred off.
A little about Rameses IX
Rameses IX had a pretty lengthy reign at 18 years, but it’s seen as a tumultuous time. His reign was after the final golden age of Egypt, with the pharaoh’s power weakening, and several Libyan incursions. Rameses’ focus seemed to be on lower Egypt (the north) which left Amenhotep (the high priest of Amon, the King of the Gods) able to exercise a lot of control in Thebes and upper Egypt (the south).
3. Tutankhamun (KV62) - requires an extra ticket
Distance from the entrance: 200m
Accessibility: A flight of stairs down to one large room
Rating: Must see for history lovers
Additional entry fee: 360 EGP (USD $12)
What you’ll see: A famous tomb, a few walls of impressive art & the mummy of Tutankhamun
About the tomb and what you’ll see
Tutankhamun is one of the most famous of all the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, but his tomb is one of the most understated. The tomb is smaller than virtually all of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and this is primarily due to his premature death.
The wall art is impressive, with 12 baboons signifying the midnight hours on one wall, and several depictions of Tutankhamun, as well as Ay and various figures on the other walls. You can see the red granite sarcophagus, but you can’t walk around it, which also means you can’t see the art up close.
Whilst the paintings that are there are fantastic and very well preserved, there’s a lot less of them than in any other tomb.
What makes this tomb unique is that it contains Tutankhamun’s mummy. At the bottom of the staircase, you’ll see a glass box with the head and feet of Tutankhamun’s mummified body on display.
We’ve written an individual guide with more detail on the tomb of Tutankhamun and whether it’s worth the extra fee.
A little about Tutankhamun
Tutankhamun was one of the less remarkable pharaohs in ancient Egypt, becoming king at a young age and dying prematurely (at age 19). It’s believed that he suffered from a series of physical ailments - several canes were found in his tomb.
The reason he is so famous is down to the discovery of his tomb being so unique, it was almost completely intact with all the treasure still there, a rarity as most had been robbed. When Howard Carter discovered the tomb in 1922, it was declared as one of the greatest archaeological finds in history.
4. Rameses V/VI (KV IX) - requires an extra ticket
Distance from the entrance: 230m
Accessibility: The tomb has a series of slopes, with a steep one that’s almost a staircase at the end.
Rating: Must see
Additional entry fee: 120 EGP (USD $4)
What you’ll see: One of the best, very vivid art, two big sarcophagi and an amazing burial chamber.
About the tomb and what you’ll see
If you don’t want to shell out on the ticket for Seti I, then the tomb of Rameses V & VI is arguably the next best in the valley. This tomb is huge at over 100m long, with a beautiful pillared hall in the middle, which culminates in the stunning burial chamber.
The burial chamber has the shattered remains (that have been rebuilt) of the base of a sarcophagus, the lid of a sarcophagus and some overturned stones, and one of the best displays of art we saw in Egypt. The ceiling is covered in endless detail of the book of Nut, a collection of stories about the night sky, the stars and the sun.
The thousands of hieroglyphs and low lighting make it really atmospheric. We spent a long time taking it all in and it’s easily one of our favourite tombs in the valley, only just pipped by that of Seti I.
A little about Rameses V & VI
There isn’t much information about Rameses V and VII, but it’s believed that Rameses V faced a civil war in his brief four year reign. The tomb was started for Rameses V, however, he was only buried on the second year of Rameses VI’s reign, something that is unusual in ancient Egypt, as the custom was to be mummified and buried 70 days after death.
Some historians believe that he may have died during Rameses VI’s reign, meaning he either ruled jointly with his brother Rameses VI, or was ousted after a civil war.
Rameses VI reigned for eight years, which coincided with the continued decline of Egypt, seeing the turquoise mines in the Sinai abandoned and Egyptian powered diminishing in the east. The tomb building was completed by Rameses VI who also made it his tomb, but it was raided just 20 years after Rameses VI’s death.
5. Rameses I (KV 16)
Distance from the entrance: 250m
Accessibility: The hardest to access, with a long staircase to the bottom chamber.
Rating: Recommended
What you’ll see: A small burial chamber with a red sarcophagus and some good paintings.
About the tomb and what you’ll see
The Tomb of Rameses I feels like one of the busiest in the valley, as this small tomb doesn’t need many people to fill it right up. Situated next to the tomb of Seti I (we saw many people try to get into Seti’s tomb and then head here when they found out about the price tag), this tomb has a plain set of stairs leading down to a beautiful painted burial chamber.
You’ll be surprised after the underwhelming walk down to find such a fantastic and colourful burial chamber.
Unlike many of the others we saw, the paintings were on a light blue background and are in great condition. You’ll see depictions of the mummification process, snakes, gods and hieroglyphics all set around a red granite sarcophagus.
A little about Rameses I
Rameses I was the vizier (adviser) of Horemheb, and was believed to have been in his fifties when he became pharaoh. He had a very short reign (just two years), which explains why his tomb is pretty understated when compared to others in the area.
Rameses I served as a transitional pharaoh who stabilised Egypt after the changes of Akhenaten, before the significant reigns of his son Seti I and grandson Rameses II.
6. Seti I (requires an extra ticket)
Distance from the entrance: 260m
Accessibility: This is another tomb which isn’t for those who want to avoid stairs as there are two long and steepish staircases.
Rating: Must see if you have the budget
Additional entry fee: 1,400 EGP (USD $45)
What you’ll see: The best tomb in Egypt - a huge labyrinth of rooms with incredible artwork and wonderful atmosphere.
About the tomb and what you’ll see
At $45 USD to enter, Seti I’s tomb is the most expensive tomb in the Valley of the Kings, so it comes with high expectations. This is the biggest tomb that is currently open in the valley, and the hefty price tag means it’s generally very quiet. If you time it right, it’s likely you’ll be the only ones there.
The paintings in the tomb are the best preserved in the valley and the low lighting makes it an incredibly atmospheric experience.
The tomb starts with a staircase, covered in hieroglyphs that crosses a steep pitfall to the first chamber. This pillared room is decorated with art on a white background and sits next to a room covered in stencils - a chance to see how the paintings were made.
The second staircase leads to a truly spectacular golden burial chamber, jam packed with intricate art. Exploring the tomb takes time, so we recommend blocking out an hour to really take it all in and get the most out of your entry fee.
You can see more on our experience at Seti I’s tomb with extra tips for your visit here.
A little about Seti I
Seti I was one of the great pharaohs in ancient Egypt, with numerous military successes in just a 12 year reign. Ascending the throne after Rameses I managed to stabilise Egypt, Seti I set about reconquering the old territory of the Egyptian empire and reasserting Egyptian authority over Canaan, Syria and Nubia. His reign led to the final golden age of Egypt, something which his son Rameses II took forward in his own reign.
7. Merenptah
Distance from the entrance: 280m
Accessibility: Quite a few slopes and stairs, making it one of the harder ones to access.
Rating: Recommended
What you’ll see: A huge tomb with big burial chambers and a sarcophagus. One of the quietest in the early part of the valley.
About the tomb and what you can see
The tomb of Merenptah isn’t one of the best in the Valley of the Kings, but it is one of the quietest in the first section of the valley, and is still worth visiting. Sadly, a lot of the art has deteriorated, but there are interesting sections of hieroglyphs and paintings still to see.
The tomb is huge and has a long corridor which leads down to two chambers. The first chamber has the lid of a sarcophagus, which has a mirror below it to show a carving of the goddess Nut.
Then there’s another corridor that finishes at the burial chamber, which still has the huge base of the sarcophagus in it and an impressive lid to the side. The burial chamber is huge and has a cathedral like feel to it, however a lot of the artwork on the walls has deteriorated.
A little about Merenptah
Merenptah was the thirteenth son of Rameses II and had a lengthy wait before he became pharaoh (he was believed to be over 70 years old by then). Despite this, he reigned for 10 years and had plenty of experience by the time he became pharaoh as he had previously been overseer of the army, Crown Prince and then Prince Regent for the last 12 years of Rameses II’s life.
After the victories of his father, Merenptah faced a series of challenges and revolts on the frontiers of Egypt, which he successfully repelled. He was the last stable ruler in the 19th dynasty as he was followed by three pharaohs (his son Seti II, grandson Siptah and daughter in law Tausert) who saw short reigns and disruption.
8. Rameses III (KV 11)
Distance from the entrance: 300m
Accessibility: Lots of stairs and a fairly lengthy tomb.
Rating: Must see
What you’ll see: A long tomb with beautiful artwork, and a change of direction inside due to nearly hitting another tomb!
About the tomb and what you can see
Rameses III was anything but subtle and his tomb follows his tradition of going big, with a lengthy corridor leading to two pillared halls and a burial chamber (which is currently closed off to the public).
This tomb is one of the best you can visit as part of the general entry ticket, with some unusual artwork (including a blind harpist in one of the side chambers). The builders of the tomb had to improvise as they nearly dug into a neighbouring tomb, so you’ll see it suddenly takes a turn before heading downhill again.
The tomb culminates in a big pillared hall with some wonderful paintings. As it’s beyond many of the big attractions in the valley, this tomb sees fewer visitors.
A little about Rameses III
If you’ve visited the fabulous temple of Medinat Habu, you’ll have realised that Rameses III didn’t do anything by halves and he is seen as the last of Egypt’s great pharaohs.
His 31 year reign was characterised by almost constant war, with turmoil happening in the Mediterranean which bled into the frontiers of Egypt’s empire. His reign ended in an alleged assassination by his wife Tiye, who wanted her son to become pharaoh instead of the chosen Rameses IV.
The tomb of Rameses III is full of stories. KV 11 was built for his father Setnakht. In a change of custom, Rameses III decided he wanted it for himself, placing Setnakht in KV 14 - the tomb of Tausert.
9. Siptah
Distance from the entrance: 450m
Accessibility: Some steep stairs and slopes, so not one of the easier tombs.
Rating: For enthusiasts only
What you’ll see: A long corridor with some good art, a sarcophagus and zero crowds. A good place for peace and quiet.
About the tomb and what to see
Siptah’s tomb is the beginning of the final group of three tombs you can visit in the main part of the Valley of the Kings.
It’s a lot quieter than the rest of the tombs, so this is one of those to head to if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by having lots of people around you.
Siptah’s tomb isn’t the best in the valley and the start of the tomb has floor to ceiling glass to protect it.
After a couple of slopes you’ll arrive at a pillared hall where the art finishes. From here it feels a bit like a mine as you pass through the stone corridor to a sarcophagus in a large burial chamber.
It’s worth taking a little time at the burial chamber to really absorb the silence, assuming you’re also the only ones in there as we were. You literally can’t hear a single thing, a rare opportunity to experience true silence.
You can sit and ruminate on the achievements of the ancient Egyptians in creating such elaborate underground tombs so long ago (something you probably won’t be able to do anywhere else in the valley, apart from maybe Seti I’s tomb).
A little about Siptah
Siptah was the son of Seti II and succeeded him at a young age in approximately 1194 BC.
Sadly, little is known about Siptah, but it is believed that he was installed as pharaoh by a Syrian named Bay (who was also chancellor) in collaboration with his stepmother Tausert (who then succeeded him), and ruled as his regent. He died in the 6th year of his reign.
10. Tausert/Setnakht (KV 14)
Distance from the entrance: 470m
Accessibility: One of the easier tombs with some slopes, but no steep stairs.
Rating: Must see
What you’ll see: A good tomb, with stencils showing how the art is made and a sarcophagus.
About the tomb and what you’ll see
The tomb of Tausert and Setnakht is the most interesting of the tombs at this end of the valley, if not for the art and style of the tomb, for its story (see below for more on that).
The tomb itself is impressive, it’s another big tomb, with several corridors and two big columned chambers.
Whilst at first the art is very degraded, it gets a lot better as you go along, and you can even see the stencils of paintings left unfinished. The art in the first burial chamber is vivid, before finishing in a large second burial chamber, which holds the sarcophagus.
A little about Tausert and Setnakht
The tomb was originally built for Tausert, one of Seti II’s queens. After Seti II’s death, construction on Tausert’s tomb continued as she was co-regent when her son Siptah was still a young pharaoh (before succeeding him as pharaoh).
The tomb was altered to accommodate a bigger sarcophagus and believed to have been extended to reflect her new status as the ruler of Egypt. She was initially laid to rest there, but the story becomes more interesting when Rameses III became pharaoh.
The tomb KV 11 was originally built to accommodate Setnakht, the ruler who succeeded Tausert. However, upon Setnakht’s death, Rameses III decided to place Setnakht in Tausert’s tomb and keep KV 11 - the tomb that Setnakht had built and designed - for himself. Some Egyptologists believe this happened because the builders of KV 11 had to stop construction when they nearly dug into a neighbouring tomb.
11. Seti II (KV 15)
Distance from the entrance: 500m
Accessibility: The tomb inside is almost flat, making it very accessible. However, the path from the entrance of the valley is 500m long and ends with an uphill walk to the entrance of the tomb.
Rating: For enthusiasts only
What you’ll see: An underwhelming tomb by Valley of the Kings standards, but it has some stencils and beautiful art above a decapitated sarcophagus.
About the tomb and what you’ll see
Seti II’s tomb is the furthest tomb from the entrance in the main part of the Valley of the Kings.
It’s a relatively small tomb when compared to some of the others on this list, and is also pretty humble in terms of the paintings.
There are some beautiful depictions, including the vultures in the main corridor, some red stencils of unfinished heiroglyphs and a beautiful painting of the goddess Nut above the sarcophagus in the burial chamber.
The sarcophagus is unusual in that it is beheaded, something we hadn’t seen anywhere else in the Valley of the Kings.
A little about Seti II
The son of Merneptah, Seti II’s rule was quite contentious, as Egyptologists believe that Amenmesse (possibly his half brother) seized the throne during his reign. The evidence that Seti II’s name was engraved, erased and re-engraved in his tomb and would point to the fact that there was a disruption in his brief six year tenure as pharaoh.
12. Ay (KV 23) - additional ticket required
Distance from the entrance: 2km down a separate dirt road, 3 minute walk
Accessibility: One of the trickier ones in the valley - a short, but steep uphill slope and a long steep staircase inside.
Rating: Must see
Additional entry fee: 60 EGP (USD $2)
What you’ll see: A tomb in an amazing setting, originally meant for Tutankhamun. Some great artwork and a sarcophagus.
About the tomb and what you’ll see
None of the tombs currently open compete with the tomb of Ay for its dramatic setting. Getting to this tomb feels adventurous, as you travel through a narrow valley inbetween towering cliff walls, running parallel to the main Valley of the Kings.
When driving there, you’ll pass a small cabin where the tomb guardian will then hop on a motorbike and follow you to open up the tomb. It feels like you’re. being let in on a little known secret!
The guardian was also very hands off and didn’t hassle, or try to elicit any tip from us, making it a really relaxing experience.
The tomb of Ay is a steep shaft leading steeply downhill before reaching a single chamber with a large sarcophagus. You’ll feel a sense of deja vu if you’ve visited the tomb of Tutankhamun, as some of the paintings and arrangement is very similar (the wall of baboons looks identical!). Egyptologists believe that this was intended to be the tomb of Tutankhamun, but as KV 23 wasn’t ready after his premature death, it was swapped to the smaller 62.
You’ll see the 12 baboons of the night hours on one wall as well as similar depictions of Osiris and other figures. Unlike Tutankhamun’s tomb, you can see a wonderful painting of marsh ducks and supposedly Ay hunting a hippo (we couldn’t make it out, but we read that it was there!).
A little about Ay
Ay was one of two close advisers to Tutankhamun. It is believed he managed to ascend to the throne by legitimising his claim to succession by burying the young king.
It’s believed he was instrumental in Tutankhamun’s reign, advising him to return to polytheism (after Akhenaten’s decision to change to a single god) and reinstating the Amun priesthood. He became pharaoh as an old man and married Tutankhamun’s widow Ankhesenamun. His reign was only four years long.
Planning your day
1. Hire a driver for the day
The easiest way to visit the Valley of the Kings is to hire a driver for the day. As there’s no public transport, hiring a driver will ensure you can see all the major sites and not have to worry about continuously haggling for a new taxi at every stop.
The going rate for a taxi from Luxor to the West Bank for the day was between 400- 600 EGP (USD $13- 19) during our visit. However, some drivers will try to charge much more, so you’ll need to haggle if you don’t want to pay over the odds.
Make sure you negotiate for the driver to be with you for the whole day as otherwise you might be told partway through that you’ve only paid for half a day.
Most people will visit the Valley of the Kings in conjunction with other sites on the West Bank, such as the Valley of the Queens and Hatshepsut’s temple.
2. Entry tickets
At the time of writing (December 2022) there are multiple options for tickets to the Valley of the Kings and the best option depends on how many tombs you want to visit. The standard entry ticket (240 EGP - just under USD $10) will enable you to visit three of the nine standard tombs, but you can purchase this entry ticket again if you want to do more. Buying entry to a further three tombs is the same price again, there is no discount for visiting multiple tombs.
The following tombs require extra tickets in addition to the standard entry:
Seti I - 1,400 EGP (USD $45)
Rameses V/VI - 120 EGP (USD $4)
Tutankhamun - 360 EGP (USD $12)
Ay - 60 EGP (USD $2)
The final option is to buy the Luxor Pass, which has two tiers: the premium pass gets you into all the sites and tombs across Luxor (including the tomb of Seti I and Queen Nefertari) or the standard pass which gets you into everything apart from Seti I and Queen Nefertari’s tombs.
However whether it’s worth you buying the pass will depend on the current exchange rate with the US dollar, and how much you plan to see. We have a whole guide on whether the pass will be right for you here.
What we recommend
The Luxor Pass is only going to be of value to those who wish to visit all sites in Luxor across several days. If not you’re going to end up spending much more. The exception to this is if the exchange rate with the US dollar changes (as you can only purchase the passes in US dollars).
If you are on a limited budget and you only want to buy one additional ticket at the Valley of the Kings then make it the tomb of Rameses V/VI. It’s only an extra 120 EGP ($4 USD) and it’s absolutely fantastic. To say it’s worth the extra money is an understatement.
We absolutely loved Seti I’s tomb, but the 1,400 EGP ($45 USD) is a considerable extra outlay, so you’ll need to be very keen.
If you only plan on doing the standard entry ticket, then we recommend visiting the following three tombs:
3. Photography
Rules regarding photography change constantly in Egypt. We got very lucky, and photography with any type of camera was allowed in every tomb for free. This was my third visit to Egypt and sometimes all photography is allowed, sometimes only cellphone photography and sometimes none whatsoever.
Don’t make the mistake we did at the Great Pyramid and leave your camera behind trusting what’s written on the internet - things change too often for that. Bring your camera and if the rules have changed, you can just put it away, or maybe pay a little baksheesh….
4. Timing your visit to perfection
The Valley of the Kings is one of the most popular sites in Egypt, so it’s rare to find it particularly quiet. It’s open from 6am until 5pm, 7 days a week (this has been the case for some time, but do check before your visit as these things do change from time to time in Egypt).
The quietest time to visit it first thing in the morning when it opens, the last two hours the of the day and right in the middle of the day (which is fine in December, but pretty testing during the hottest months).
The tombs at the entrance tend to be the busiest and the tombs at the furthest end, the quietest. The tombs requiring extra tickets were also quiet.
If you only plan on visiting three tombs, then you won’t need more than two hours, so it’s easy to beat the crowds. If you plan on visiting more - and if you want to venture to the tomb of Ay - then you should allow at least half a day. Real enthusiasts will want at least one full day.
5. Getting around the site
Your driver can take you up to the first gate for the Valley of the Kings. From there you’ll need to walk through a gauntlet of enthusiastic souvenir sellers to the Visitor Centre, where you get your bags scanned and buy your tickets.
From here you have the option to buy a 10 EGP (USD 30c) ticket to take an electric shuttle to the second gate. This is the real entrance to the Valley of the Kings. The shuttle ride is just a few minutes long and you could easily walk it, but if you’re visiting in the main heat of the day, the shuttle is probably preferable. If you’re planning on visiting the Valley of the Kings over two days, keep your shuttle ticket as we were able to use the same one again.
From the second gate, 7 of the 12 tombs are within a 300m walk of each other, on a gradual uphill gravel path. Three of the others are 500m from the entrance, so overall it’s a relatively small and compact area.
The final tomb (the tomb of Ay) is in the neighbouring valley. Our driver was happy to drive along the 2km unsealed road, which is in excellent condition and can be driven in any car. All the crowds disappear and you get an idea of what the Valley of the Kings must have been like before mass tourism.
There are several shaded seating areas around the Valley of the Kings for a rest between tomb visits, which is a welcome break when you can easily spend hours on your feet.
6. Bring your own drinks and snacks
We’d highly recommend bringing your own drinks and snacks with you. At time of writing there is only one cafe in the Valley of the Kings. It’s extremely overpriced - the most expensive place we visited in Egypt. It’s in the middle of the tombs area and the cheaper soft drinks or bag of crisps cost 50 EGP - USD $1.60 and anything more substantial was also comparatively expensive.
7. Bring small change in Egyptian pounds
Every tomb has a “tomb guardian” or caretaker. They will collect your tickets and then more often than not come and find you to show you various details in the paintings. In the quieter tombs, or at quieter times of day in the main tombs, they may also choose to allow you into roped off rooms or areas.
This is all done with the understanding that you will give them a small tip, aka baksheesh.
Make sure you bring small change (10 EGP or 20 EGP) to tip them if the interaction is brief, but more if you’re given lots of time, or special access to things. If you can, try not to tip in small denominations of your own currency as they can’t exchange these (coins or notes below say USD $5).
We found that offering to exchange the foreign currency they can’t use made them very happy as well, so if you can do that, you’ll have done a good deed for the day : )
What makes this place special - the history of the Valley of the Kings
Preparation for the afterlife and tomb building was incredibly important in ancient Egypt. Upon ascension to the throne, the pharaohs quickly started planning and building their tombs. This is why the tombs of pharaohs with long reigns are bigger and much more ornate (like Seti I and Rameses III) than those with short reigns (Tutankhamun and Rameses I).
Tomb building evolved over the three thousands years of ancient Egypt, from simple tombs, to more elaborate mastabas, to the grand pyramids of the Old Kingdom, to the ornate underground tombs you see in the Valley of the Kings in the New Kingdom (1550 - 1069 BC).
The New Kingdom was the third age of ancient Egypt, and many Egyptologists describe this as the last great period of ancient Egypt. During this time, the capital of Egypt was Thebes - modern day Luxor - and it was close to the Valley of the Kings.
There have been over 60 tombs found here, which give invaluable insight into the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, through their design and the artwork that can be found on the walls.
Essential info
Where is the Valley of the Kings?
The Valley of the Kings is located on the west bank of Luxor and takes around 45 minutes - 1 hour to reach by car. Alternatively you can hop on a ferry to the West Bank and then hire a taxi from there, which takes 15 minutes.
Some of the tombs can be very hot
We thought it would be cooler going underground, but some of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings can become incredibly hot and humid, especially if there’s a lot of people in there. The tomb of Tausert/Setnakht was by far the hottest, but most were pretty warm. Bring a bottle of water with you to ensure you don’t dehydrate and take breaks in the shaded seating areas around the site.
The tombs which are open varies
The list of tombs on our site is correct based on our visit in December 2022, but they can change. If you visit and see that some of our tombs have closed (or any others have opened) please let us know so that we can amend our guide.
Where to stay in Luxor
Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa
We stayed in the Hilton in Luxor (not sponsored) and it was one of the best hotels we stayed at in Egypt. Firstly, it is a bit of a quiet oasis, you can step into your room and escape the road noise and bustle of the streets of Luxor. The beds were incredibly comfortable, the rooms were spacious and the showers were perfect for washing off the dust from a day visiting the West Bank.
The breakfasts served here were really good and a great way to prepare for a day exploring. Set on the banks of the Nile, we loved grabbing a coffee in front of the river and viewing the mountains of the Valley of the Kings, Queens and Nobles in the distance.
They will also help you organise taxis that aren’t extortionate and are great for people who don’t want to spend all their time trying to haggle with taxi drivers. However, deal hunters will be able to get a better price in the centre of Luxor (the taxis on the street in front of the Hilton will go by the Hilton’s price list and generally won’t deviate much).
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