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Overview
Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings is the royal necropolis of ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom pharaohs, located on the west bank of Luxor in a remote valley in the Theban hills. For approximately 500 years, from the reign of Thutmose I (c. 1504 BCE) to the end of the 20th Dynasty (c. 1070 BCE), the pharaohs of Egypt’s most powerful era were buried here in rock-cut tombs decorated with some of the most complex funerary art ever produced. The valley contains 63 known tombs (designated KV1–KV63), of which around 18 are regularly open to visitors.
Each tomb follows a broadly similar architectural sequence: a descending corridor or ramp leads through a series of antechambers to a burial hall containing the royal sarcophagus. The walls are entirely covered in painted and carved hieroglyphic texts from religious compositions — the Book of the Dead, the Amduat, the Book of Gates, the Book of Caverns, the Litany of Ra — designed to guide the king through the twelve hours of the night and secure his resurrection with the sun at dawn. The artistic quality, iconographic complexity, and sheer scale of this painted program are unmatched in any other funerary tradition in the ancient world.
The most famous tomb in the valley — that of Tutankhamun (KV62) — is paradoxically the smallest royal tomb and is visited primarily for its historical significance: it was the only pharaonic tomb found with its burial assemblage substantially intact, and its contents, now in the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, revolutionized understanding of New Kingdom royal material culture.
Photo Gallery
Interesting Facts
The Valley of the Kings contains 63 known tombs, of which approximately 18 are regularly open to visitors on a rotating schedule
Howard Carter's discovery of Tutankhamun's intact tomb (KV62) on November 4, 1922 was the first royal New Kingdom burial found with most of its original burial assemblage in place
All tombs in the valley were robbed in antiquity — most within a few centuries of sealing; only KV62 survived substantially intact due to its accidental concealment under later construction debris
The valley's painted tombs contain texts from at least eight distinct funerary compositions, including the Amduat (oldest), Book of Gates, Book of Caverns, and Book of the Earth
The most recently discovered tomb — KV63, found in 2006 — contained no human remains but held seven intact wooden coffins, pottery, and natron used in the mummification process
History & Significance
The decision to move royal burials from pyramid complexes to rock-cut tombs in a remote valley is traditionally attributed to Thutmose I, who recognized that visible pyramid monuments made royal burials easy targets for robbers. The Valley of the Kings’ isolated location, hidden entrance concept, and a dedicated workforce of tomb builders (the residents of nearby Deir el-Medina) were all part of a security strategy that nonetheless ultimately failed — virtually all tombs were robbed in antiquity, most within a few hundred years of sealing.
The valley was known to be a royal necropolis throughout antiquity, and it attracted Greek and Roman tourists who left thousands of graffiti inscriptions. The modern era of systematic excavation began with Giovanni Belzoni in the 1810s and continued through the 19th and early 20th centuries, culminating in Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s intact tomb (KV62) in November 1922 — the most celebrated archaeological discovery of the modern era.
The valley was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Ancient Thebes and its Necropolis listing in 1979. Conservation challenges including humidity from visitor breath, flooding from rare desert rainstorms, and salt crystallization in the limestone continue to threaten the painted decoration of the most-visited tombs.
What to See
Tomb of Seti I (KV17)
The longest and most elaborately decorated tomb in the valley — 137 meters deep with fully painted corridors in the finest New Kingdom style; requires a separate premium ticket.
Tomb of Ramesses VI (KV9)
The most densely decorated accessible tomb, with the famous astronomical ceiling showing the sky goddess Nut and texts from virtually every major funerary book; requires separate ticket.
Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62)
The smallest royal tomb and historically the most significant — still containing the pharaoh's quartzite sarcophagus with his mummy; requires a separate premium ticket.
Tomb of Ramesses III (KV11)
One of the largest tombs open on the standard ticket, with decorated side chambers showing scenes of daily life including the famous 'blind harpists' painting.
Valley Visitor Center
An air-conditioned center at the valley entrance displays a scale model of all 63 tombs and contextual exhibits on the history of excavation and conservation.
Valley of the Kings Tickets and Prices (2026)
Tickets are sold at the visitor centre at the entrance to the valley and online through the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The general ticket lets you into three tombs of your choice from those open that day; the most famous tombs need a separate ticket each. Prices below are for foreign visitors, as checked in October 2026.
| Ticket | Adult | Student |
|---|---|---|
| General entry (three tombs) | EGP 750 | EGP 375 |
| Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62) | about EGP 700 | about EGP 350 |
| Tomb of Seti I (KV17) | about EGP 2,000 | about EGP 2,000 |
| Tomb of Ramesses V and VI (KV9) | about EGP 220 | about EGP 110 |
The general ticket price is the official one; the extra-tomb prices change more often, so treat them as a guide and check at the ticket office. Students need a valid student card and must be 24 or younger. Children under six enter free. Bring a bank card: payment at the major sites is now mostly by card. Photography with a phone is free, but flash is not allowed inside the tombs.
On our Valley of the Kings tour the general ticket is arranged for you, and your Egyptologist guide helps you choose the three tombs that are best on the day.
Opening Hours and the Best Time to Visit
The valley opens every day at 6:00 AM. Last entry is 4:00 PM in winter and 5:00 PM in summer; during Ramadan the last entry is 4:00 PM.
- Go early. Most coach groups arrive from about 8:30 AM. Between 6 and 8 AM the tombs are quieter and the valley is still cool.
- Avoid midday in summer. The valley is a bare limestone basin with little shade, and from May to September it is one of the hottest places you will visit in Egypt.
- Season. October to April is the most comfortable time. See the best time to visit Egypt for a month-by-month view.
Which Tombs Should You Choose?
About 60 tombs are known, but only a rotating selection is open, usually around eight to twelve at a time, so the list changes through the year. These are the tombs most worth using your three choices on when they are open:
- Ramesses IV (KV2): near the entrance, with bright, well-preserved paintings and an easy walk in.
- Ramesses IX (KV6): a long corridor with clear scenes from the funerary books.
- Merenptah (KV8): a deep tomb with a huge granite sarcophagus lid.
- Ramesses III (KV11): famous for its side chambers and the painted harpists.
- Tausert and Setnakht (KV14): a queen's tomb later taken over by a king, with fine colour throughout.
- Thutmose III (KV34): reached by a steep staircase in a cliff, with simple stick-figure paintings unlike any other tomb.
If you buy one extra ticket, most visitors choose Tutankhamun (KV62) for its history and the king's mummy, which is still in the tomb, or Seti I (KV17), the longest and most beautifully decorated tomb in the valley. Ramesses V and VI (KV9) is the best value, with a magnificent astronomical ceiling.
How to Get to the Valley of the Kings
The valley lies on the west bank of Luxor, about 8 km from the Nile, behind the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. There are three common ways to visit:
| How | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Half-day west bank tour | Most visitors | Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon with a private guide and car. |
| Full-day Luxor tour | One day in Luxor | Both banks in one day: the valley, Hatshepsut, Karnak and Luxor Temple. |
| Nile cruise from Luxor or Aswan | Seeing Upper Egypt | The valley is part of the Luxor sightseeing on every cruise we run. |
| Luxor day trip from Hurghada | Red Sea holidays | A long day, but it covers the valley and Karnak. |
Independent travellers can cross the Nile by public ferry and take a taxi to the entrance. A small electric tram (a separate small fee) runs from the visitor centre to the tombs.
How Long Do You Need?
Allow two to three hours inside the valley for three tombs and one extra ticket, or half a day for the whole west bank. Many visitors pair it with the Temple of Hatshepsut (10 minutes away), the Valley of the Queens and Medinet Habu. If you have a second morning, our Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu and Ramesseum tour covers the rest of the west bank, and a sunrise balloon ride shows the valley from the air.
Valley of the Kings: Common Questions
How much is the Valley of the Kings ticket in 2026?
The general ticket for foreign visitors is EGP 750, or EGP 375 for students, and includes three tombs. Tutankhamun, Seti I and Ramesses V and VI need separate tickets.
Is the tomb of Tutankhamun worth the extra ticket?
Yes, if the story of the boy king matters to you: his mummy is still in the tomb and the burial chamber is painted. The tomb itself is small; for decoration alone, Seti I or Ramesses V and VI are more impressive.
Can you take photos in the Valley of the Kings?
Phone photography is free. Flash is not allowed in the tombs, and guards may stop large cameras or tripods.
What is the best time of day to visit?
Arrive at 6:00 AM opening time. The first two hours are the coolest and the least crowded.
Is the Valley of the Kings worth visiting in summer?
Yes, with an early start. Plan to finish by about 10:00 AM, carry water and wear a hat, and leave the afternoon for the hotel pool or a Nile felucca.
Valley of the Kings Tours
Our Valley of the Kings tours explore the royal tombs on Luxor's West Bank with a private Egyptologist guide, usually with the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the same day. Join a West Bank day tour from Luxor, come for the day from Hurghada, or see the valley as part of a Nile cruise or a longer package below.
These packages visit this site as part of the itinerary.
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