Valley of the Kings Opening Hours in 2026: Official Seasonal Times & Best Time to Visit
Looking for information on Valley of the Kings opening hours and best time to visit?
Short answer: Valley of the Kings opens daily at 6:00 am, but the official last-entry time changes by season. Summer last entry is 5:00 pm, while winter and Ramadan last entry are both 4:00 pm.
For most travelers, the best time to visit is still early in the day. It is easier on the heat, easier on your energy, and gives you more room to shape the rest of your Luxor plans.
One important detail: the official Valley of the Kings page does show that hours vary by season, but it does not spell out exact month-by-month cutoffs for “summer” and “winter” on the monument page itself.
Key takeaways
- Valley of the Kings is open all days.
- Official hours vary by summer / winter / Ramadan.
- The official site says visitors should arrive at least one hour before closing.
- The official source does not define exact summer and winter months on the Valley of the Kings page.
If timing is your main concern, it helps to choose the kind of visit first. A self-planned entry visit, a guided West Bank tour, and a bigger Luxor combo all use the same official hours in different ways.
⭐ Start here: the best Valley of the Kings tours to book first
These are the strongest starting points if you want an easier day instead of building everything around the posted hours yourself. The mix below covers simple entry, a classic guided day, a fuller Luxor tour, and a premium all-in-one option.
- Valley of the Kings Entry Tickets — simplest pick if you just need admission
- Luxor: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Day Tour — classic guided starter with the key West Bank sights
- Luxor: Full-Day Shared Tour to West and East Banks — best full-day value if you want more than tombs
- Luxor: West and East Banks All-Inclusive Tour & Balloon Ride — premium balloon-and-temples combo with stronger overall value
This page covers the official hours, what changes by season, what “last entry” means in practice, and when the site is easiest to visit.
What are the official Valley of the Kings opening hours?
The official Valley of the Kings page lists the site as open all days. It gives three working-hour sets, all starting at 6:00 am, with the difference showing up in the last-entry time.
| Official hour set | Opening time | Last entry |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | 6:00 am | 5:00 pm |
| Winter | 6:00 am | 4:00 pm |
| Ramadan | 6:00 am | 4:00 pm |
The official page publishes last entry, not a separate “site closes at” line. That matters because last entry is the cut-off that shapes the visit.
👨👩👧 Family Tip: Hurghada: 3 Islands, Dolphins & Snorkel Yacht Trip w/ Lunch gives families a softer Red Sea day if the trip includes a lot of archaeology.
Do Valley of the Kings hours change by season or month?
Yes, the official site shows seasonal variation
The published hours do change by season. Summer has a later last-entry time than winter, and Ramadan follows the same last-entry time as winter on the official Valley of the Kings page.
What the official page does not specify
The official page labels the hours as summer, winter, and Ramadan, but it does not define exact summer and winter month boundaries on the Valley of the Kings detail page.
So the specific answer is simple: yes, the hours vary by season, but the official Valley of the Kings page does not publish exact month cutoffs for summer versus winter.
🏛️ Broader Egypt Classic: From Hurghada: Cairo & Giza Highlights Day Tour broadens the trip nicely if you want to mix Luxor’s tombs with Egypt’s biggest headline sights.
What does “last entry” mean in practice?
Last entry is the latest time you should expect to be allowed in. It is not the same thing as showing up whenever you want and still having a comfortable visit.
The official page also tells visitors to arrive at least one hour before the site’s closing time. In practical terms, that means late arrivals are a poor fit for most travelers, especially in winter and Ramadan when the last-entry window is earlier.
If you want breathing room, go earlier. The site is much easier to manage when you are not racing the clock.
🛳️ Bigger Egypt Trip: From Aswan: 3-Day Cruise to Luxor with Hot Air Balloon works better than a simple day trip when the visitor is already stitching together Aswan and Luxor.
Best Tickets & Tours at a Glance
This is the easiest way to compare a self-planned visit with guided timing and fuller day structures.
| Experience type | What it covers | Why it works for timing | Use when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valley of the Kings Entry Tickets | Admission only | You control the arrival time | You already have transport sorted |
| Luxor: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Day Tour | Guided West Bank day | Easier pacing and simpler timing | First-time visit |
| Luxor: Full-Day Shared Tour to West and East Banks | Full Luxor sightseeing day | Strong use of a full day | You want more than tombs |
| Luxor: Hot Air Balloon Ride with Full-Day Sights Tour | Balloon + sightseeing | Starts early and covers the day well | Short stays and special trips |
💎 Splurge Pick: Luxor: West and East Banks All-Inclusive Tour & Balloon Ride is the stronger fit when you want balloon views, guided touring, and fewer moving parts.
What is the best time of day to visit Valley of the Kings?
Best for most travelers: early morning
Early morning is the best fit for most visitors. You get the calmest start, easier pacing, and more room to build the rest of the day around the visit.
⏱️ Quick Win: Luxor: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Day Tour is the easiest guided pick when you are already sleeping in Luxor and want the classic West Bank hits without overcomplicating the day.
Midday tradeoffs
Midday can still work, but it is usually harder on energy and comfort. If Valley of the Kings is only one stop in a longer Luxor day, midday often feels less efficient than an earlier start.
Late afternoon limitations
Late afternoon is the riskiest choice. The official page’s last-entry cutoffs matter more here, and the one-hour-early guidance leaves less room for error than many travelers expect.
🎈 Bucket-List Upgrade: Luxor: Hot Air Balloon Ride with Full-Day Sights Tour works well when you want one premium experience instead of trying to piece the day together around the official hours.
What is the best season to visit Valley of the Kings?
The best season for comfort is usually the cooler part of the year. Long outdoor sightseeing days are simply easier when the heat is less intense.
That said, the official hour categories are not the same thing as traveler-comfort seasons. The official page shows that hours vary by summer, winter, and Ramadan, but it does not define exact summer and winter months on the monument page itself.
So the practical approach is simple: use the official hours as the rulebook, and use your own comfort with heat and pacing as the planning filter.
Are guided tours better for timing?
When self-planning works
Self-planning works best if you are already based in Luxor, know how you are getting there, and mainly want the site itself rather than a bigger sightseeing day.
When guided timing is easier
Guided timing is easier for first-time visitors, short stays, and travelers who want both the West Bank and East Bank in one day.
⭐ Best Overall: Luxor: Full-Day Shared Tour to West and East Banks is the cleanest one-booking answer for travelers who want Valley of the Kings plus bigger Luxor highlights in one go.
When a balloon combo makes sense
Balloon combos are a strong fit when you want the earliest possible start and a more memorable full day.
🌅 Pure Bucket-List Add-On: Luxor: Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Valley of the Kings is the cleaner choice for travelers who already have their sightseeing sorted and mainly want the sunrise flight.
What official visit rules matter besides hours?
The official Valley of the Kings page says visitors should keep hold of their ticket at all times and follow opening and closing hours. It also repeats that students must show valid ID and be 24 or under, and that an Egyptian’s spouse with another nationality should be treated as Egyptian.
The same page says mobile phone photography is free of charge and that all prices are shown in Egyptian pounds.
For the cost side, see Valley of the Kings entrance fee guide. For the booking side, see Valley of the Kings reservations guide.
🌅 Pure Bucket-List Add-On: Luxor: Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Valley of the Kings is better if the flight is the main timing priority.
Top-Rated Valley of the Kings Experiences
Should you book an early tour, a later tour, or just entry?
Best for early independent visitors
Go with entry only if you want maximum flexibility and you already know how the rest of the day will work.
Best for first-time visitors
An early guided West Bank day is usually the easiest answer.
⏱️ Quick Win: Luxor: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Day Tour is the easiest guided pick when you are already sleeping in Luxor and want the classic West Bank hits without overcomplicating the day.
Best for a full sightseeing day
If you want to get more out of the day, go bigger.
⭐ Best Overall: Luxor: Full-Day Shared Tour to West and East Banks is the strongest fit when you want the timing and route largely handled for you.
Best for special-trip timing
If this is a short stay or a highlight day, the broader experience often matters more than squeezing every minute out of the official hours.
🎈 Bucket-List Upgrade: Luxor: Hot Air Balloon Ride with Full-Day Sights Tour works well when you want one premium experience instead of multiple separate bookings.
Best if you are staying in Hurghada
If you are not sleeping in Luxor, organized timing matters even more.
🏨 Red Sea Base: Luxor Day Trip from Hurghada Small Group & Tutankhamun Tomb is a strong fit for Hurghada stays because it turns Luxor into a one-day excursion without changing hotels.
🚐 Alternative Red Sea Option: Hurghada: Valley of Kings Hatshepsut & Karnak Luxor Day Trip is another good Hurghada-angle product when you want a more classic temple loop.
Why book via GetYourGuide or Viator when hours are already published?
The official hours tell you when the site operates. They do not tell you how to shape the day well.
That is why reseller options can still make more sense. They are often easier for transport, easier for timing, and easier for folding Valley of the Kings into a larger Luxor plan.
GetYourGuide is the best place to start because it has the strongest coverage for the most common timing decisions here. Viator still helps with private or more tailored angles.
Where to stay if you want the easiest early start
Sleeping in Luxor makes both early entry and early guided departures much easier. It also gives you more room if the day starts to feel tighter than expected.
| Hotel | Best for |
|---|---|
| Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor – Convention Center | Premium city stay |
| Sonesta St. George Hotel – Convention Center | Upscale East Bank comfort |
| Nefertiti Hotel Luxor | Popular value location |
| Iberotel Luxor by JAZ | Reliable midrange base |
| Jolie Ville Hotel & Spa Kings Island Luxor | Resort-style stay with space |
Best Tours in Egypt by Traveler Type
What should you do next?
Use the next page that matches the question you still need to answer.
- Compare Valley of the Kings tickets
- Compare the best Valley of the Kings tours
- Check the official entrance fee and add-on tomb prices
- See whether you should reserve ahead
- Figure out the easiest way to get there
Frequently asked questions
What time does Valley of the Kings open?
The official Valley of the Kings page lists opening at 6:00 am for summer, winter, and Ramadan.
What is the official last-entry time at Valley of the Kings?
The official page lists 5:00 pm in summer and 4:00 pm in both winter and Ramadan.
Do Valley of the Kings hours change in summer and winter?
Yes. The official page shows a later last-entry time in summer than in winter.
Are Valley of the Kings hours different during Ramadan?
Yes. The official page lists Ramadan hours separately, with last entry at 4:00 pm.
Does the official site say which months count as summer or winter?
Not on the Valley of the Kings page itself. The official source labels the hours by season, but it does not define exact summer and winter month boundaries there.
What is the best time of day to visit Valley of the Kings?
For most travelers, early morning is the best fit. It gives you a calmer start and more room to shape the rest of the day.
Should you arrive right at the last-entry time?
No. The official page says you should arrive at least one hour before the site’s closing time, so aiming for the final minute is not a good plan.
Is an early guided tour easier than visiting on your own?
For many first-time visitors, yes. A guided day usually makes timing, transport, and overall pacing much easier.
Other Top-Rated Luxor Experiences