Aabid A.
Google
Visiting Luxor, I had heard great things about the Valley of the Kings and how it’s a must-see attraction in Egypt. Unfortunately, we left quite disappointed.
The experience started off poorly with the ticket booth attendant, who tried to deny us the tourist student discount by claiming it only applied to Egyptian student cards—which makes no sense, since there is a separate category specifically for Egyptian students.
Once inside, the biggest issue is the limitation of only three tombs per ticket. For the price you pay, this feels very restrictive. As a result, there are massive lineups at the most popular tombs because everyone is forced to choose from the same few options. If visitors were allowed to see more tombs, crowds would be spread out and the experience would be far more enjoyable.
While it is interesting to walk deep into the tombs and see artwork that has survived for centuries, there are no artifacts or mummies inside—they’ve all been moved elsewhere (I didn’t pay extra for the additional tombs, so I can’t comment on those).
Inside some tombs, locals offer to take your photo “for free,” but then expect a tip afterward. You also have to pay to use the bathrooms and for the cart ride from the entrance to the tomb area (about 300 meters—something you wouldn’t know unless you’re with a guide). Even worse, there’s no organized queue for the cart, so people frequently cut ahead despite others waiting.
Overall, unless you’re very passionate about ancient tombs, I wouldn’t recommend the Valley of the Kings. The cost, crowds, and constant extra charges make it hard to justify the experience.