The Valley of the Kings at a glance
The Valley of the Kings lies on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor. It is the burial ground of New Kingdom rulers, who chose underground tombs in a hidden desert valley instead of large freestanding pyramids. The pyramid-shaped peak of el-Qurn above the valley and the setting sun in the west both carried religious meaning. Thutmosis I is the first New Kingdom ruler known to be buried here.
The valley is part of the World Heritage site Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, inscribed in 1979. The Valley of the Queens, the mortuary temples and the workers' village are separate sites with their own tickets. There is no combined ticket that covers them all.
This guide covers the tickets and extra tombs, the tombs worth choosing, Tutankhamun's tomb, tours on the West Bank and day trips from Hurghada, opening hours, history, the neighboring sights, getting there, the best time to visit and where to stay. Prices are in Egyptian pounds (EGP), for foreign adults in 2026. They cover entry only, without transport or a guide.
Our picks: West Bank tours and day trips
Our take: the shared tour covers both banks in a day. The private tour keeps to the valley and Hatshepsut, and the small-group trip comes from Hurghada.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Luxor day trip from Hurghada in a small group
- Small-group transfer
- Guide and entry tickets
- Lunch and Nile crossing by boat
Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi with lunch; Tutankhamun's tomb comes with the matching option.
Check availability →
Private tour to the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut
- Private guide
- Hotel pick-up
- Entry fees
Four hours with a private guide and car, entry included; Tutankhamun's tomb is extra.
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Full-day shared tour to the West and East Banks
- English-speaking Egyptologist
- East Bank hotel transfer
- Lunch
A day with an Egyptologist on both banks, with lunch; entry fees come only with the matching option.
Check availability →Valley of the Kings tours and tickets
West Bank tours, day trips from Hurghada and tickets with entry options, with live prices and availability. Check which tickets and extra tombs each offer includes.
Plan your visit
One page for every question you are likely to have.
Tickets and extra tombs
Base ticket, KV62, KV9 and KV17 with 2026 prices, plus who pays less.
West Bank tours
Driver or guide, group or private, and what to ask before you book.
From Hurghada
About 4 hours each way by road, and how to plan the day.
Best tombs
How to choose among the tombs, by interest and effort.
Tomb of Tutankhamun
Ticket, mummy, wall paintings and where the treasure is.
Opening hours
Summer and winter times and last entry.
History
The New Kingdom, tomb robbers and the discovery of 1922.
Facts
KV and QV numbers, dates and recent finds.
Valley of the Queens
Ticket, Nefertari's tomb and the other tombs.
Hatshepsut Temple
Three terraces at Deir el-Bahari and its ticket.
Things to do nearby
Twelve West Bank sights beyond the Valley.
Getting there
Ferry, motor boat, bridge, taxi and the tram at the valley.
Best time to visit
Monthly temperatures and the best hours of the day.
Where to stay
West Bank or East Bank, by location.
A few things to know before you go
Details that decide how your day goes.
Tutankhamun's treasure is in Giza
The Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza has been fully open since November 2025 and shows the burial treasure. The tomb in Luxor (KV62) holds the small painted burial chamber and the mummy in its glass case.
Tomb of Tutankhamun →The tombs rotate
Which tombs are open changes during the year. Your base ticket lets you choose 3 regular tombs from those open on the day, so check on the spot which tombs are open.
Best tombs →Nefertari's tomb is closed
The tomb of Nefertari (QV66) in the Valley of the Queens has been closed since 2024, and no reopening date has been set. Be careful with any offer that promises entry.
Valley of the Queens →Closing time and last entry
Opening is 06:00 every day. In summer, closing time and last entry are both 17:00, so arrive at least 1 hour before the end of the day.
Opening hours →Photos and payment
Private photos with a phone are free. Do not use flash inside the tombs, and follow the signs at the extra tombs. Plan to pay by card.
Ticket rules →Valley and temple: two tickets
The Hatshepsut Temple has its own ticket. A single ticket for both sites does not exist.
Hatshepsut Temple →Beyond the Valley
Other Luxor guides on this network.
The big temples on the East Bank have their own guides: see Karnak for the largest temple complex, and hot air balloon flights for the sunrise view over the West Bank. If you want to travel along the river, Nile cruises have their own guide. This site stays with the Valley and the West Bank.
More independent Egypt guides
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one place on the Nile.
Valley of the Kings: frequently asked questions
How much is a Valley of the Kings ticket in 2026?
The base ticket is EGP 750 for foreign adults and EGP 375 for students. It includes a choice of 3 regular open tombs. The tomb of Tutankhamun costs EGP 700 extra, the shared tomb of Ramesses V and VI (KV9) EGP 220 and the tomb of Seti I (KV17) EGP 2,000. See the tickets page.
When is the Valley of the Kings open?
Every day from 06:00. The last entry is 17:00 in summer and 16:00 in winter and during Ramadan. Arrive at least 1 hour before the end of the day. See opening hours.
Can I see Tutankhamun's golden mask in the Valley?
No. The treasure, including the mask, is shown in the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza. In the Valley you see the burial chamber of KV62 and the mummy. See the tomb of Tutankhamun.
How do I get from Luxor to the Valley of the Kings?
Cross the Nile by the public ferry or a motor boat, or use the road bridge about 12 km south of the city, and then continue by taxi or car with a driver. At the valley, a tram runs from the visitor center. Details are on the getting there page.
Can I visit the Valley of the Kings as a day trip from Hurghada?
Yes, but Luxor is about 4 hours from Hurghada by road, so the transfers alone take about 8 hours. See day trips from Hurghada.
Is valley-of-the-kings.org the official website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities or the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and it is not connected to any monument, museum or tour operator.