The West Bank of Luxor contains one of the largest collections of archaeological treasures in the world. This is where you will find the famous Valley of the Kings, the breathtaking tomb of Queen Nefertari, the mortuary temples of ancient Egyptian pharaohs, and an astounding number of tombs.
In this article, learn about the best things to do on the West Bank of Luxor, with updated pricing for 2024, tips on how and where to buy your tickets, and advice on how to plan your time.
Table of Contents
Interesting Facts About the West Bank of Luxor
The Nile River splits Luxor into two parts, the East Bank and the West Bank.
The East Bank is the location of Luxor town. This is where you will find Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. It is where most Egyptians live and work and it is also where you will find the majority of hotels and restaurants.
The West Bank of Luxor is where the ancient Egyptians buried the dead. Each night, the sun sets on the West Bank, so this became the necropolis, the area that is filled with the tombs and mortuary temples.
Best Things to Do on the West Bank of Luxor
Here are our top ten things to do on the West Bank of Luxor, starting with the must-have experiences.
Important Note: For each site, I list where you can purchase your entrance ticket. Some sites have their own ticket booth, but there are a number of sites where you can only purchase your ticket at the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket Office (more about this later in this article).
Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings is a royal burial ground for pharaohs from the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties (the New Kingdom of Egypt). Famous kings from this time period include Tutankhamun, Ramesses II, Tuthmosis III, and Seti I, as well as powerful nobles and the wives and children of the pharaohs.
These tombs were constructed between 1539 and 1075 BC.
There are over 60 tombs in this small area, although only a handful are open to public.
Currently, nine tombs are included on the main ticket into the Valley of the Kings. Your entrance ticket will allow you to visit three of these tombs. If you want to see more than three tombs, you will have to purchase an additional ticket.
There are three additional tombs that you can visit with an extra ticket. Here is the list with the additional price for each tomb.
- KV9 – Ramesses V & VI 180 EGP per person
- KV17 – Seti I 1,800 EGP per person
- KV62 – Tutankhamun 500 EGP per person
To help you plan your visit to the Valley of the Kings, we have two articles that you should read:
Complete Guide to the Valley of the Kings
Best Tombs to Visit in the Valley of the Kings
Tomb of Ramesses V and VI
Tomb of Seti I
Tomb of King Tutankhamun
Tomb of Ramsesses III
Entrance Ticket: 600 EGP
Tram Ticket: 20 EGP
Total Cost with the 3 additional tombs: 3080 EGP
Where to Purchase Your Ticket: At the ticket office for the Valley of the Kings
Photography in the Valley of the Kings: Photography is allowed for free in all of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, including the extra tombs. This rule only applies to cellphones. If you want to take photos with anything other than a cellphone, or if you want to shoot video with your cellphone, you must purchase a photography pass.
Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Along with Cleopatra, Queen Elizabeth I, and Catherine the Great of Russia, Hatshepsut joins the ranks of the world’s most powerful female rulers. For about 20 years she reigned over Egypt. She brought great wealth to Egypt, which allowed her to have numerous building projects.
In the cliffs of Deir el-Bahri sits Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple, her most famous architectural achievement. This colonnaded structure has a much different appearance than many other temples in Egypt, but that is what also makes it so memorable.
There are three terraces connected with long ramps. This temple complex contains the Birth Colonnade, which tells the story of Hatshepsut’s divine creation with Amun as her father. The Punt Colonnade tells about her expedition to Punt and the luxury goods brought back to Egypt. You can also see the Temple of Hathor and the Temple of Anubis.
This is one of the most popular sites to visit on the West Bank of Luxor, so except big crowds midday.
Cost: 360 EGP
Where to Purchase Your Ticket: At the ticket office for the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Valley of the Queens
The Valley of the Queens was the burial site of the wives of the pharaohs. The tombs that you will see here are smaller and lack some of the grandeur of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, with one big exception.
The tomb of Queen Nefertari is one of the most spectacular tombs that you can visit in Egypt. The level of detail is amazing and the colors are more vibrant that what we saw in many tombs, temples, and pyramids in Egypt. If you want to get an idea of what the tombs looked like 3,000 years ago, put the tomb of Queen Nefertari on your list.
This tomb has a big price tag, costing 2000 EGP. Worth it? We think so.
Take a look for yourself in the photos below, and take a look at our Photo Tour of the Tomb of Queen Nefertari.
Note: We recently received and email from another traveler stating that the Tomb of Queen Nefertari closed. If you have recently been to the Valley of the Queens, please let us know in the comment section below.
Inside the tomb of Nefertari
Inside the tomb of Nefertari
These are tombs that are included on the Valley of the Queens entrance ticket.
QV55 – Amen Khopshef
QV44 – Khaemwaset
Main Entrance Ticket: 360 EGP
Ticket for Tomb of Queen Nefertari: 2000 EGP
Where to Purchase Your Ticket: At the ticket office for the Valley of the Queens
Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu
This huge temple complex is dedicated to Ramesses III. There are several courtyards, pylons, and peristyle halls, with inscribed reliefs depicting the defeat of the Sea People during the rule of Ramesses III.
Cost: 200 EGP
Where to Purchase Your Ticket: At the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket Office
PRO TRAVEL TIP: Since our visit, you can now get around the Valley of the Queens and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut by electric buggy. Tickets cost 5 EGP per person.
Colossi of Memnon
The twin statues of Amenhotep III gaze east towards the Nile River. These two statues greet visitors as they arrive on the West Bank of Luxor. From the parking lot, you can hop out and take a photo, or walk down to the statues for a closer view.
Cost: Free
Ramesseum
This is a temple that usually does not make it on the must-visit list of the West Bank of Luxor, but maybe that is why we liked it so much. We shared this visit with just a few other people, which was wonderful.
The Ramesseum is mortuary temple dedicated to the great Ramesses II. At one time, an enormous statue of Ramesses II stood here, with a height of approximately 20 meters. However, it has fallen over and now lays on the ground, in several large pieces.
Cost: 180 EGP
Where to Purchase the Ticket: At the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket Office
Deir el-Medina (Valley of the Artisans)
The artisans who worked on the tombs in the Valley of the Kings lived here, in an ancient village in Deir el-Medina. Tombs were built here for some of the most prominent workers.
Similar to the Valley of the Queens, these tombs are much smaller and less ornate that those in the Valley of the Kings, but if you have two days on the West Bank, this is still well worth your time.
Tomb of Nakht Amun
Tomb of Pashedu
Temple of Deir el-Medina
Cost: 200 EGP
Where to Purchase the Ticket: At the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket Office
Tombs of the Nobles
In the Valley of the Nobles, there are numerous tombs to visit. Our guide recommended the tombs of Sennofer and Rekhmire, since these are two of the best tombs in the Valley of the Nobles.
The tomb of Sennofer is also called the “Tomb of the Vineyards,” getting its name from the paintings of grape vines on the ceiling.
Rekhmire was an Egyptian noble and mayor of Thebes in the 18th dynasty. His tomb features depictions of the tasks of the workers and a chapel.
Cost: 100 EGP for the tombs of Sennefer and Rekhmire; additional fees to visit more tombs (150 EGP for the tombs of Ramose, Userhat, and Khaemat)
Where to Purchase the Ticket: At the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket Office
Temple of Seti I
This temple was begun by Seti I and it is dedicated to Amun-Re. After Seti I’s death, the temple was completed by Ramesses II.
Note: This temple is different from the tomb of Seti I that you can visit in the Valley of the Kings.
Cost: 100 EGP
Where to Purchase the Ticket: At the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket Office
Howard Carter House
Howard Carter is the British archaeologist who discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun in November 1922. He lived in a house on the West Bank of Luxor, just outside of the Valley of the Kings.
Visiting this house is like stepping back in time to 100 years ago. All of Howard Carter’s furnishings are intact, as well as his camera, personal items, and photographs. Behind the house is a replica of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Cost: 200 EGP
Where to Purchase the Ticket: At the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket Office
With More Time
If you have more than two days, or just want a few more suggestions for more things to do on the West Bank of Luxor, here are a few more ideas.
Hot Air Balloon Flight
For unforgettable sunrise views of the West Bank of Luxor, you can take a hot air balloon flight. Expect a very early start to the day (pick up times from your hotel can range from 3 am to 4:30 am) but it might be worth it for unique views of the tombs and temples.
Ancient Village of Qurna
Just across the street from the Antiquities Inspectorate ticket office is the abandoned village of Qurna. With its colorful buildings and location against the sandy mountains, it is an interesting photo spot.
Temple of Merenptah
This temple is mostly in ruins, so it’s not all that interesting to visit, but you can get a nice view of it, and two statues of Amenhotep III, on the drive to the Valley of the Kings.
Imhotep Alabaster
If you want to go shopping for souvenirs, there are numerous places on the West Bank of Luxor that sell items made from alabaster.
We visited Imhotep Alabaster. After a short but entertaining lesson on how alabaster items are made, we perused the shop. It is like being inside of an art museum. The vases, carvings, and statues are beautiful and this is well worth your time if you want to bring home a piece of artwork from Egypt.
West Bank of Luxor: On a Map
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to “Your Places,” click Maps, and you will see this map on your list.
West Bank of Luxor: Price List for 2024
Some sites do not have their own ticket booth. For these sites, you must purchase your tickets at the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket Office on the West Bank of Luxor.
Here are the GPS coordinates for the ticket office: 25°43’21.947″ N 32°36’16.86″ E. It is also labeled “Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket Office” on Google Maps (and we have it labeled on our map). This is what it looks like.
Here is the price list in October 2023.
Here is a list of the sites prices for 2024, that sell their tickets from this ticket office:
- Medinet Habu – 200 EGP
- Deir el-Medina – 200 EGP
- Ramesseum – 180 EGP
- Seti I Temple – 100 EGP
- Valley of the Nobles – 100 EGP (Sennofer & Rekhmire)
- Carter House Museum – 200 EGP
Note: You must purchase your tickets at this ticket office for the above sites. For example, if you arrive at Medinet Habu without a ticket, you cannot buy one directly from site. You also need to purchase your camera tickets for the Valley of the Nobles and the Valley of the Queens at this booth.
The sites below have their own ticket window, so you will not purchase these tickets at the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket Office:
- Valley of the Kings – 600 EGP (+ extra fees for additional tombs)
- Valley of the Queens – 360 EGP (+2000 EGP for the tomb of Nefertari)
- Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut – 360 EGP
We have recently heard from multiple visitors that Luxor has switched to only accepting credit cards (during our visit, only cash was accepted).
Is the Luxor Pass Worth It?
The Luxor Pass is a single ticket that includes all of the archaeological sites on the West Bank and East Bank of Luxor. There are two versions of this pass.
The standard Luxor Pass includes all of the sites on the East and West Bank, with the exception of the tombs of Seti I and Nefertari. The Luxor Pass costs $130 USD for adults.
The Premium Luxor Pass includes all of the archaeological sites on the East and West Banks, as well as the tombs of Seti I and Nefertari. The Luxor Premium Pass costs $250 USD for adults, $130 USD for people under 30 years with a valid student ID card.
If you plan to visit Luxor for two days, with visits to everything we list here for the West Bank, as well the main sites on the East Bank, then the Luxor Pass might be worth it, as you just break even.
For a grand total of 3,990 EGP, you will visit the East Bank sites as well as everything we list for the West Bank, excluding the tombs of Nefertari and Seti I. The price of 3,990 EGP includes the additional tombs of Tutankhamun and Ramesses V and VI. 3,990 EGP = $130 USD as of January 2024.
If you also plan to visit both of the tombs of Seti I and Nefertari, then the Premium Pass might be worth it, but again, check the currency exchange rate.
Even if you don’t plan to visit everything on this list, I recommend adding up the cost that you expect to spend. If your total comes close to $130 (for example, if you think you will spend $120 USD) then it still could be worth it to purchase the Luxor Pass. The pass allows you to skip the ticket office which could be a time saver.
The passes are valid for 5 days.
Where Can You Buy the Luxor Pass?
The Luxor Pass can be purchased at the ticket booths at Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings.
You will need your passport, a photocopy of your main passport page, as well as a passport photo. Students will need a valid student identification card. To purchase the Luxor Pass, you will pay with US dollars or euros and these need to be crisp, new bills.
Luxor Pass + Cairo Pass
The Cairo Pass works the same way as the Luxor Pass. The pass costs $130 USD and gives you free entry into all of the sites in Cairo, Giza, Dahshur, and Saqqara. It is valid for five days.
If you purchase both passes, you get a discount. If you purchase the Cairo Pass at full price you get 50% off of the Luxor Pass.
LEARN MORE: Luxor Pass and Cairo Pass: Are They Worth It?
Hours of Operation
For the sites on the West Bank of Luxor, these are the hours of operation:
Winter: 6 am to 4 pm
Summer: 6 am to 5 pm
Sample West Bank of Luxor Itinerary
With one day, you can visit the main sites on the West Bank of Luxor. Two days gives you just enough time to visit everything that we have listed in this article.
One Day on the West Bank of Luxor Itinerary:
7:00 am: Valley of the Kings
9:30 am: Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
11:00 pm: Medinet Habu
12:30 pm: Lunch
1:30 pm: Valley of the Queens
3:00 pm: Ramesseum
4:00 pm: Colossi of Memnon
Two Days on the West Bank of Luxor Itinerary:
Day 1
8:00 am: Valley of the Kings
10:30 am: Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Noon: Lunch
1:30 pm: Tombs of the Nobles
3:00 pm: Deir el-Medina
4:30 pm: Colossi of Memnon
Day 2
8:00 am: Medinet Habu
10:00 am: Valley of the Queens
Noon: Lunch
1:00 pm: Temple of Seti I
2:00 pm: Howard Carter House
3:00 pm: Ramesseum
View of the Ramesseum from the Tombs of the Nobles
Getting Around the West Bank of Luxor
You can get around the East Bank of Luxor by taxi, by hiring a guide and driver, or by bicycle.
By Guide and Driver
We recommend getting around by private guide and driver. All of your transportation is taken care of and you get to tour all of the archaeological sites with a knowledgeable Egyptologist. We hired Egypt Tailor Made.
By Taxi
The average cost of a taxi is 400 EGP to take you around the sites on the West Bank of Luxor. However, this price depends on your negotiating skills. Make sure you have agreed on the price and the places you plan to visit before getting in the taxi.
By Bicycle
I have read online that you can rent bicycles from some hotels on the West Bank. However, the sites are located far apart, the area is hilly, and it can be very hot, depending on the time of year that you visit.
Where to Eat
Marsam Restaurant is a highly-rated restaurant on the West Bank of Luxor. Dine on Egyptian and Mediterranean food in their lovely courtyard.
Where to Stay
Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor. This hotel is one of the top luxury hotels in Luxor. It is centrally located in Luxor city, with views of the Nile River and within walking distance of the Luxor Temple.
Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa. This is where we stayed and it was our favorite hotel in Egypt. The views of the Nile River and the balloons that drift over the West Bank are magical. The rooms are large, clean, and quiet. There are several onsite restaurants, a pool, and a fitness room. We loved this place and I wouldn’t hesitate to stay here again.
Nile Castle. This budget hotel gets great reviews. It is located on the West Bank of the Nile River, so you will have easy access to the West Bank sites, but expect more travel time when visiting the East Bank sites and when traveling to and from the airport or train station.
Nefertiti Hotel Luxor. This hotel is located in Luxor city and overlooks the Luxor Temple. Rooms can accommodate up to four people. Breakfast is served on the rooftop terrace.
If you have any questions about how to visit the West Bank of Luxor, or if you would like to share your experience, let us know in the comment section below.
More Information about Egypt
LUXOR: In our guide Best Things to Do in Luxor, get an overview of places to go on the East Bank and West Bank. We also have a photo tour of the Tomb of Queen Neferatari, a guide to the Valley of the Kings, and how to day trip to Dendera and Abydos.
TRAVEL ADVICE: Here is list of important things to know before visit Egypt. The Luxor Pass and Cairo Pass can save you a lot of money…learn more in our guide. And we also have information on how much it costs to visit Egypt.
EGYPT ITINERARY: With 10 days in Egypt, visit Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel.
ASWAN: For a list of the top experiences, read our article Best Things to Do in Aswan. We also have a guide on how to visit Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Esna while driving between Aswan and Luxor.
CAIRO: Start with our article Best Things to do in Cairo. We also have a 2 day Cairo Itinerary, information on how to visit the Pyramids of Giza, and how to day trip to Dahshur, Memphis, and Saqqara.
Read all of our articles about Egypt in our Egypt Travel Guide.
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- Complete Guide to the East Bank of Luxor, Egypt
- 15 Amazing Things to Do in Luxor, Egypt
- Best Tombs to Visit in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt
- Luxor Pass and Cairo Pass: Are They Worth It?
