Valley of the Kings facts at a glance
The Valley of the Kings is part of the Theban necropolis on the West Bank of the Nile at Luxor. It was inscribed as World Heritage in 1979 as part of Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis. The valley, the Valley of the Queens and the mortuary temples are separate sites, and the World Heritage status does not give you a combined ticket.
The royal tombs here are underground, cut into the rock, not big pyramids above ground. Which tombs are open changes, so always check on site which are open. The basic ticket covers three regular tombs, and a few tombs sell extra tickets. Our ticket guide explains how they fit together.
Key numbers and dates
The figures people ask about most.
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| New Kingdom | About 1550 to 1069 BC, 18th to 20th Dynasty |
| First king buried here with certainty | Thutmose I |
| Tutankhamun's reign | About nine years, roughly 1336 to 1327 BC (chronologies differ) |
| Tutankhamun's tomb | KV62, about 5,000 objects found |
| Discovery of KV62 | First step 4 November 1922, chamber opened 16 February 1923 |
| Tomb count | Numbers run to KV65, and counts beyond that exist. Numbered tombs, chambers and royal burials are different counts |
| Nefertari's tomb | QV66 in the Valley of the Queens, found by Ernesto Schiaparelli in 1904 |
| Hatshepsut's reign | About 1473 to 1458 BC |
| Grand Egyptian Museum | Fully open to the public since 2025, with the Tutankhamun galleries |
For most readers the useful rule is simple: KV means Valley of the Kings, QV means Valley of the Queens, and a number is a catalogue entry, not a sign that the tomb is open.
Our pick: kings and queens in one day
Our take: entry, guide and transport in one booking.
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.
Valley of the Kings tours and West Bank day trips
Guided visits to the valley, often combined with Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon, with live prices and availability.
Ticket prices 2026
Foreign adult and student prices in Egyptian pounds, entry only, without transport or a guide.
| Ticket | Adult | Student | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic ticket | EGP 750 | EGP 375 | Three regular open tombs |
| Tutankhamun, KV62 | EGP 700 | EGP 350 | Extra ticket |
| Ramesses V and VI, KV9 | EGP 220 | EGP 110 | One extra ticket for the shared tomb |
| Sethos I, KV17 | EGP 2,000 | EGP 2,000 | Extra ticket, no student reduction |
| Ay, Western Valley | EGP 200 | EGP 100 | Separate extra product |
Children under 6 enter free. Students must be 24 or younger and show valid proof. For most visitors the basic ticket is the starting point, with KV62 added if Tutankhamun is the reason for the trip. The extra tickets are only worth it for tombs you really want to see.
Famous tombs by number
A few tombs come up again and again. Check on site which of them are open on your day.
- KV62: Tutankhamun. Small, with paintings only in the burial chamber.
- KV17: Sethos I. The first tomb in the valley decorated from end to end.
- KV9: Ramesses V and VI. A straight corridor and astronomical ceilings.
- KV2: Ramesses IV. Painted walls and ceilings.
- KV8: Merenptah. A long descending corridor.
- KV14: Tausret and Sethnacht. A long tomb linked to both rulers.
Our best tombs guide compares them by what they show.
Names that are easy to mix up
Four pairs that cause confusion.
KV and QV
Different cemeteries with their own numbering. Tutankhamun is KV62 in the Valley of the Kings. Nefertari is QV66 in the Valley of the Queens, and her tomb is currently closed. See the Valley of the Queens guide.
Thutmose II and Thutmose III
Thutmose III is KV34, a tomb with a cartouche-shaped burial chamber that is not a safe choice on the basic ticket. Thutmose II has the tomb C4, found in a wadi about 2.4 km west of the valley, with the entrance found in 2022.
Two Amenhoteps
Colossi of Memnon: statues of Amenhotep III. The tomb TT416 on the West Bank belongs to a man called Amenhotep, also known as Rabouya. Do not mix it up with the king.
Tomb and treasure
The tomb and the mummy of Tutankhamun are in Luxor. The grave goods are in the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza. Giza has its own guide at Giza Plateau.
Hours, rules and climate
Practical numbers for planning the day.
Opening hours
Open daily from 06:00. Last entry is 17:00 in summer and 16:00 in winter and during Ramadan. Arrive at least an hour before closing. Details are on the opening hours page.
Photos
Private photos with a phone or camera are allowed at archaeological sites, but without flash indoors. Professional lighting and special equipment need a permit. Do not touch the paintings or cross barriers.
Emergency numbers
Tourist police 126, police 122.
| Month | Average daily high | Average daily low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 23.0 °C | 5.9 °C |
| April | 35.3 °C | 16.9 °C |
| July | 41.4 °C | 24.7 °C |
| October | 35.3 °C | 18.4 °C |
These are long-term averages, not a forecast. For most visitors the cooler months from November to March are easier, and an early start helps in any season.
More guides
Go deeper on the topics behind the numbers.
Valley of the Kings history
The New Kingdom, tomb robbers and 1922.
Tickets and extra tombs
Prices, student rules and what the basic ticket covers.
Which tombs to see
Painted ceilings, corridors and the extras.
Valley of the Queens
Prices, hours and the status of Nefertari's tomb.
Valley of the Kings facts: frequently asked questions
How many tombs are in the Valley of the Kings?
The numbering runs to KV65, and some counts go beyond that. Numbered tombs, chambers and real royal burials are different counts, so there is no single final figure.
How many tombs can I visit?
The basic ticket lets you choose three regular tombs from those that are open. A few tombs, such as KV62 and KV9, need extra tickets. Which tombs are open changes, so check on site.
Is Tutankhamun's treasure in his tomb?
No. The grave goods, including the outer coffin, are in the Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza. In the tomb in Luxor you see the painted burial chamber and the mummy.
Is the Valley of the Kings pyramid-shaped?
No. The royal tombs are underground, cut into the rock. The pyramid shape belongs to the peak of el-Qurn above the valley.
Is this the official website of the Valley of the Kings?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by or connected to Egyptian authorities, museums or site operators.