Valley of the Kings Guide: What We Wish We Knew Before Visiting
The Valley of the Kings was the most unforgettable stop of our entire Luxor stay. If this is your first visit, go early, allow around three hours and choose your tombs with an Egyptologist rather than simply following the biggest crowd.
We visited in October 2025 and our standard ticket let us choose three open tombs. We went into KV2, KV8 and KV11, skipped Tutankhamun's separately ticketed tomb and left completely stunned by the colour still covering the walls and ceilings.
I had pictured dark, empty chambers. Instead, we walked down corridors painted in deep blue, gold and ochre, with scenes that have survived for thousands of years. It was also far hotter and more humid underground than I expected, so this is one day where a little planning makes a huge difference.
Is the Valley of the Kings worth visiting?
Yes, absolutely. The Valley of the Kings is the one Luxor experience I would refuse to skip. More than 60 tombs and unfinished chambers have been identified across the valley, which became the burial ground for many of Egypt's New Kingdom rulers.
The scale only really made sense when we saw the visitor-centre model. It shows the dry valley above and the tomb corridors cutting deep into the ground below. From the surface, you would never imagine how much exists underneath those cliffs.
We visited the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the same West Bank day, but the tombs were the part I kept thinking about afterwards. Our full route is in my Luxor West Bank guide, while this guide focuses on making the Valley of the Kings itself easier to plan.
Valley of the Kings tickets and opening hours
The official Valley of the Kings page currently lists daily opening from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm and a foreign adult entry ticket of EGP 750. Prices, opening times and the list of open tombs can change, so check the official Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities page before your visit and confirm the options again at the ticket office.
When we visited, the standard ticket included a choice of three open tombs. Some famous tombs required a separate ticket. Tutankhamun was one of those extras, and we decided to use our time on the three tombs our Egyptologist recommended instead.
Do not arrive with one fixed list and assume every tomb will be available. Tomb openings rotate for conservation and access reasons. I would shortlist a few, then ask which open combination gives you the best mix of colour, depth and layout that morning.
Which Valley of the Kings tombs did we visit?
We chose KV2, KV8 and KV11. These are the tombs of Ramesses IV, Merenptah and Ramesses III. Our Egyptologist helped us decide from the options available on the day, and the three felt different enough that the visit never became repetitive.
KV2: the tomb of Ramesses IV
KV2 was an incredible introduction because the corridor is easy to follow and the walls are covered with scenes and hieroglyphs. It gave us time to slow down and begin noticing the colour rather than racing towards the burial chamber.
KV8: the tomb of Merenptah
KV8 felt much deeper. I remember coming back up completely sweaty and saying I would have paid good money for an electric fan. Even in October, the enclosed corridors were hot and humid.
KV11: the tomb of Ramesses III
We saved KV11 until last and it was my favourite. The blue and gold ceiling was the moment that stopped me in my tracks. Seeing colour that vivid underground is completely different from seeing it in a museum or photograph.
Tomb access changes, so treat our three as a real example rather than a permanent ranking. The Theban Mapping Project is excellent if you want to understand the numbering and layouts before you go.
Is Tutankhamun's tomb worth the extra ticket?
We did not add Tutankhamun's tomb. Our Egyptologist explained that it is much smaller than many of the other royal tombs, and we expected it to draw one of the biggest crowds. With limited time, we chose three included tombs instead.
That does not mean you should automatically skip it. It is the only royal tomb in the valley discovered relatively intact, and Tutankhamun's mummy remains inside. If seeing that specific tomb is a dream of yours, buy the extra ticket and build your visit around it. If your priority is long corridors and extensive decoration, compare the other separately ticketed options available that day before deciding.
What are the best tombs in the Valley of the Kings?
There is no single best list because the open tombs change and different people care about different things. I would choose a balanced set rather than three tombs that feel too similar.
A simple way to decide is:
- One tomb known for vivid colour: this gave us the biggest wow moment.
- One deeper tomb: the descent helps you understand how extraordinary the construction was.
- One different layout: ask the Egyptologist or ticket staff which open option adds variety.
- One paid extra only if it matters to you: do not buy every upgrade simply because it is famous.
The tomb of Ramesses VI, KV9, is one separately ticketed option. The official monument page highlights its funerary texts and astronomical scenes, but check that it is open and review the live price before buying. We did not enter it, so it is one I would compare on a return visit rather than pretend to review from experience.
How long do you need at the Valley of the Kings?
Allow two and a half to three hours for the visitor centre, transport into the valley, three tombs and a short break. You can move faster, but rushing down three corridors and straight back out would miss the point.
The valley is usually only one part of a bigger West Bank day. If you are also visiting Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, start here first and keep the rest of the afternoon realistic. My four-night Luxor guide explains how we divided the wider city without trying to squeeze every temple into one exhausting day.
What is the best time to visit the Valley of the Kings?
Arrive as close to opening as you can. We reached Hatshepsut when several cruise groups seemed to arrive together, and it made us realise how valuable the first cool hours of a West Bank day are.
The Valley of the Kings has very little shade, then becomes hot and humid inside the tombs. An early start helps with both the temperature and crowd levels. I would organise your driver or tour the night before so you are not negotiating transport after sunrise.
Do you need a guide at the Valley of the Kings?
You can visit independently, but an Egyptologist made the experience far better for us. Without one, I would have admired the paintings without understanding the rituals, figures and stories covering the walls.
Guides may give their main explanation outside individual tombs, so listen before you enter and ask what details to look for. We chose our tombs with our Egyptologist and that was much more useful than copying a generic list written when a different set may have been open.
For a bookable version of the kind of day we did, I would compare this private East and West Bank tour from Luxor. It includes the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, Karnak and Luxor Temple. Check the selected option, entry inclusions and recent reviews before paying.
Where should you stay for the Valley of the Kings?
We stayed four nights on Luxor's West Bank in a two-bedroom villa with a kitchen, breakfast and a shared pool. It gave us the home normality we love while travelling full time and put us closer to the tombs for the early start.
Our exact villa is in the free Egypt itinerary because it does not have an affiliate programme. If I were comparing bookable West Bank stays now, these are the three I would open first. Prices change by date, so compare the live total for your trip.
Winter House
This is my practical apartment-style choice. The kitchen, extra space and Nile views suit longer stays and anyone who wants a break from eating out every night.
Magic Garden House
This is what I would compare for a peaceful pool stay without moving into the boujee price bracket. The garden looks ideal after a hot morning underground.
Malkata House
This is the special-occasion option I would compare. The boutique design, pool and desert-edge setting make the stay feel like part of the Luxor experience.
How do you get to the Valley of the Kings?
The Valley of the Kings is on Luxor's West Bank and the major sites are too spread out for a comfortable walking route. Use a driver, taxi or organised tour.
If you stay on the East Bank, cross the Nile by public ferry or private boat taxi, then continue by road. We used boat taxis regularly and agreed on the price before leaving. If you stay on the West Bank, organise a pickup directly from your accommodation.
What should you wear and bring?
Wear light, breathable clothing and shoes that are comfortable on slopes and stairs. Bring more water than you think you need, a hat, sunscreen and a small fan if you have one. Respectful clothing also makes the rest of your Luxor day easier.
There are places to buy drinks and snacks, but we paid tourist-site prices when we were desperate for four waters and mango icy poles. They were expensive and, at that moment, completely worth it.
You also walk through market stalls near the entrance. A polite no and continuing to walk worked for us when we were not shopping. Carry small cash for practical purchases, and I use my Wise card for travel spending where cards are accepted.
Mistakes I would avoid at the Valley of the Kings
- Arriving late: the heat and tour groups build quickly.
- Choosing tombs only by fame: ask what is open and which combination offers variety.
- Underestimating the humidity: the underground heat surprised us even in October.
- Cramming the whole West Bank into half a day: three tombs deserve time.
- Skipping the history: even a short Egyptologist explanation changes what you notice.
- Assuming prices never change: use the official site and ticket office for live details.
Watch our Valley of the Kings experience
Our Luxor vlog shows the visitor-centre model, the exact three tomb numbers we chose, the underground heat and the painted ceiling that became my favourite moment of the day.
Watch our full Luxor vlog on YouTube
Keep planning with our what to wear at Egypt's temples and tombs.
Frequently asked questions
How many tombs can you visit with a Valley of the Kings ticket?
Our October 2025 standard ticket included three open tombs. Extra-ticket tombs were sold separately. Check the current official ticket and the board at the entrance because the rules and open tombs can change.
What are the best tombs in the Valley of the Kings?
We loved KV2, KV8 and KV11, with KV11 becoming my favourite for its blue and gold ceiling. The best choice depends on which tombs are open, so ask for a mix of colour, depth and layout.
Is Tutankhamun's tomb included in the standard ticket?
It required a separate ticket when we visited. Confirm the current arrangement at the official ticket office before entering.
Can you visit the Valley of the Kings without a tour?
Yes. Arrange transport to the West Bank and buy tickets at the site. We would still use an Egyptologist because understanding the scenes made the tombs far more meaningful.
How long should you spend at the Valley of the Kings?
Allow around two and a half to three hours for the visitor centre, three tombs, transport within the site and a short break.
Is it hot inside the Valley of the Kings tombs?
Yes. We found the deeper tombs hot and humid even in October. Wear breathable clothes, carry water and visit early.
