Valley of the Kings Travel Tips + Tickets Guide (Luxor, Egypt)
ποΈ 1. Tickets Explained (Very Important)
π‘ Standard Entry Ticket
- Covers access to the Valley + 3 tombs of your choice
- Price (2026 range): ~240β750 EGP depending on updates
- You choose from open tomb rotation (usually 8β12 available)
π You do NOT need to book in advance in most cases β you buy at the gate.
π΅ Extra Tomb Tickets (Highly recommended)
Some of the most famous tombs are NOT included in the standard ticket:
- π Tutankhamun (KV62): ~300β700 EGP
- π Ramses V & VI (KV9): ~100β220 EGP
- π Seti I (KV17): ~1,000β2,000 EGP (very expensive but stunning)
π‘ Tip: If you only pay for ONE extra tomb, choose Ramses V & VIβit's widely considered the best value.
π Other small costs
- Tram inside the valley: ~20 EGP (short ride from entrance to tomb area)
β° 2. Opening Hours
- Usually 6:00 AM β 4:00/5:00 PM
- Last entry in late afternoon
- Hours may shift slightly by season
π§ 3. Best Time to Visit (CRITICAL TIP)
π Go early (best advice youβll get)
- Arrive 6:00β7:00 AM
- Before tour buses arrive (around 9β10 AM)
- Cooler temperatures + better photos + fewer crowds
β Avoid:
- Midday (extreme heat)
- Weekends/peak holidays if possible
βοΈ 4. What to Expect Inside
- Desert heat (very intense in summer)
- Steep walk up/down tomb entrances
- Tomb interiors are cool but humid
- Photography rules may vary per tomb
π‘ Inside tombs:
- Hieroglyphs are extremely vivid
- Some tombs are long corridors with multiple chambers
- You usually spend 10β20 minutes per tomb
π§³ 5. What to Bring
β Water (very important)
β Hat or cap
β Sunglasses
β Sunscreen
β Small cash for tickets/tips
β Comfortable walking shoes
β οΈ 6. Smart Travel Tips (From experience-based guides)
π‘ Plan your tomb strategy
Donβt randomly pickβchoose a mix:
- 1 famous tomb (like Ramses V/VI)
- 2 smaller tombs (less crowded, more relaxed)
π‘ Donβt rush the valley
Most visitors underestimate it:
- Minimum: 2β3 hours
- Ideal: 3β4 hours
π‘ Combine nearby sites
Most people combine in one West Bank trip:
π‘ Hire a guide (optional but helpful)
A guide helps:
- Understand symbolism
- Skip confusing navigation
- Choose the best tombs efficiently
πΊοΈ 7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
β Arriving late in the day
β Not budgeting for extra tombs
β Trying to see everything (you canβt)
β Forgetting water
β Skipping Ramses V/VI's tomb
π Quick Summary
- ποΈ Standard ticket = 3 tombs
- π Best extra tomb = Ramses V & VI
- π Best time = 6β8 AM
- β±οΈ Ideal visit = 3β4 hours
- π₯ Biggest tip = go early & plan tours in advance