Valley of the Kings Guide: Tickets, Which Tombs and Top Tips

The Valley of the Kings, on Luxor’s west bank, holds the rock-cut tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs — corridors and chambers covered in vivid painted scenes from the afterlife. Dozens of tombs exist, but only a rotating handful are open at any time. This guide explains the ticket system, which tombs to choose and how to stay comfortable.

How tickets work

The standard entry ticket includes a choice of three tombs from those currently open. A few celebrated tombs — including Tutankhamun, Seti I and Ramesses V/VI — require separate, higher-priced tickets each. Tickets are sold at the visitor centre at the valley entrance.

Buy your entry and any special-tomb tickets before walking in, as you can’t always purchase them deeper inside the site.

Tip: photography is allowed only with a photo permit ticket, bought at the entrance. Without it, leave the camera and phone in your bag — guards do enforce this.

Which tombs to choose

Open tombs rotate to limit wear, so the exact list changes. As a rule of thumb, look for tombs known for the best-preserved colour and decoration:

Tomb	Why visit	Ticket
Ramesses V/VI (KV9)	Vivid astronomical ceilings	Separate
Seti I (KV17)	Deepest, most finely decorated	Separate (premium)
Tutankhamun (KV62)	The boy king’s tomb and mummy	Separate
Ramesses III (KV11)	Colourful, well-preserved reliefs	Standard 3-tomb
Merenptah (KV8)	Long descent, fine carvings	Standard 3-tomb

Ask at the gate which tombs are open that day, then mix one or two “wow” tombs with whatever the standard ticket allows.

Visiting Tutankhamun’s tomb

Tutankhamun’s tomb (KV62) is famous as the near-intact royal burial discovered in 1922. It’s small compared to others, and the king’s mummy still rests inside in a climate-controlled case. Many visitors find the story more thrilling than the modest chamber itself — go for the history, and pair it with a larger, more decorated tomb.

Beating heat, crowds and photos

The valley is a baking, shadeless basin. Arrive at opening time for cooler air and thinner crowds; the cruise groups tend to flood in mid-morning. Bring water, a hat and sun protection, and pace yourself between tombs, as the descents and climbs add up.

For photos, the painted ceilings and walls deep inside the tombs are the highlight — a steady hand and the official photo permit matter more than fancy gear, since tripods and flash are not allowed.

To bundle your Valley of the Kings visit with the rest of Luxor’s west bank and arrange a guide, see our plan your trip page. Start early, buy the right tickets up front, and the valley rewards you with some of the finest painted art of the ancient world.