Valley of the Kings: Which Tombs to Choose and How Tickets Work
The standard ticket, the special tombs worth paying extra for, and how the cashless system runs.
Published 2026-08-07 · Updated 2026-08-07
How the standard ticket works
The general entry ticket lets you into three tombs chosen from the rotation that is open that day. Payment at the gate is increasingly cashless, so carry a working tourist card rather than relying only on phone pay.
The special-ticket tombs
A handful of tombs need a separate ticket: Tutankhamun, the long and richly carved Seti I, and Queen Nefertari’s tomb in the nearby Valley of the Queens. Seti I is the splurge for serious tomb lovers, while Tutankhamun is more about the name than the decoration.
Which open tombs tend to impress
Because the open rotation changes to protect the tombs, there is no fixed best three. Ask your guide on the day which currently open tombs have the deepest colour and finest reliefs, then spend your three entries there.
Photography and etiquette
A separate photo pass is usually required to take pictures inside, and flash is never allowed. Move calmly, keep voices low, and do not touch the painted walls.
Beating heat and crowds
The valley is open, exposed desert with little shade. Arrive at opening, bring water and a hat, and you will see more before the midday heat and tour buses arrive.
Local tips
- Carry a working card; many points are cashless.
- Seti I is the standout special tomb.
- Arrive right at opening.
- Buy the photo pass if you want interior shots.
- Let your guide pick the day’s best open tombs.
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