The West Bank of Luxor is one of the most important archaeological sites in the World. It’s approximately nine square kilometers encompass the Famous Valley of the Kings, the breathtaking tomb of Queen Nefertari at Valley of the Queens, Temples of ancient Egyptian Pharaohs and the most striking of them the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Habu Temple and huge number of Nobel Tombs and more.
In this article, you will find everything you need to know about the West Bank, with updated pricing for 2021.
Interesting Facts About The West Bank Of Luxor
The Nile River split Luxor city into two parts, the East Bank and the West Bank.
The ancient Egyptian saw the sun sets at the west, that’s way they buried their dead generally at the West Bank of the Nile and they call the West Bank, the city of the dead.
The West Bank of Luxor is a world away from the noise and bustle of Luxor town on the east bank. After you cross the River Nile, you are immediately in lush countryside, with bright-green sugarcane fields along irrigation canals and clusters of colorful houses, all against the background of the desert and the Theban hills. Coming towards the end of the cultivated land, you start to notice magnificent memorial temples were built on the flood plains, were the pharaoh’s cult could be perpetuated by the devotions of his priests and subjects, while his body and worldly wealth, and bodies of his wives and children, buried in hidden tombs in the hills.
The East Bank is the location of Luxor town, the Luxor Temple, the Temple of Karnak, The Museum, Luxor International Airport, trains, Bus to Hurhgada, hotels, restaurants. It is where most of the people live and work.
Best Things To Do On The West Bank Of Luxor
Here are our top things to do on the West Bank of Luxor, starting with must-have experiences.
Valley Of The Kings
the Valley of the Kings is a royal burial ground for pharaohs from the 18th, 19th, 20th dynasties. More than 62 rock-cut tombs, created between the 16th and 11 centuries B.C. to house the deceased pharaohs of the New Kingdom.
The Valley comprises two distinct arms- The West Valley and the East Valley. The majority of the tombs are located in the latter arm. Although almost all of them were looted in antiquity, the murals and hieroglyphs that cover the walls of the royal tombs provide an invaluable insight into the funerary rituals and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians.
From all these toms located at the Valley of the Kings only handful are open to public.
Currently, eight tombs are open for visit in the 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.
- KV 62-Tutankhamun 300 EGP per Person
- KV 9-Ramses VI 100 EGP per Person
- KV17- Seti I 1,000 EGP per Person
Tomb of King Tutankhamen Valley of the Kings Luxor, EgyptEntrance Ticket: 240 EGP per Person
Tram Ticket: 4 EGP
Photo Pass: 300 EGP (this covers all of the tombs in the Valley of Kings with the exception of Seti I and Tutankhamun)
Where to Purchase your Ticket: At the ticket office the Valley of Valley of the Kings.
Photography in the 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 for cellphones.
Mortuary Temple Of Queen Hatshepsut
Word’s cannot describe the beauty of the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut on the West bank of the Nile. It is one of the most beautiful sights in Egypt, and certainly in Luxor.
Hatshepsut gained fame as one of the few female Pharaohs in the long history of the ancient Egyptian kingdom. Definitely make sure to have a closer look at the many murals throughout the temple, where her famous expedition to the African kingdom of Punt is displayed.
Cost Ticket: 140 EGP
Tram Ticket :4 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 is the place where wives of Pharaohs were buried in ancient times as well as princes, princesses and various members of the nobility.
Important Note: the Tomb that you will see here is smaller and lacks some of the grandeur of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings with one big exception the tomb of queen Nefertari.
Tomb of queen Nefertari’s Ramses II favorite wife is the most famous attraction. The tomb is said to be one of the most beautiful and Spectacular in Egypt.
The level of the detail is amazing and the color are more vibrant that what you can see any tomb in Egypt. Don’t miss it, but it on your list.
This tomb a big price tag, costing 1400 EGP
Take a look at our EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE TOMB OF NEFERTARI AT THE VALLEY OF THE QUEENS.
The tombs included on the Valley of the Queens entrance ticket.
The tomb of Amen Khopshef- QV55
Amun-her- Khopshef was the eldest son of Ramses III. He died when he was about fifteen years old. The colour and the scenes wonderfully well preserved.
Tomb of Khaemwaset QV 44
QV44 is one of several tombs located in the Valley of the Queens intended for the use of Ramses III’s sons. The painted reliefs decorating Khaemwaset E’s tomb illustrate his ritual and symbolic journey in the Afterlife as he meets the main gods of that region as well as the genies who guard the gates of the kingdom of Osiris.
Main Entrance Ticket: 100 EGP
Ticket for Tomb of Queen Nefertari: 1400 EGP
Photo Pass: 300 EGP
Where to Purchase your ticket: At the ticket office for the Valley of the Queens
Mortuary Temple Of Ramses Iii At Medinet Habu
Second in the size only to the temple complex at Karnak, the magnificent temple complex of Medinet Hbu is one of the most underrated sites on the West Bank. With the Theban mountains a backdrop and the sleepy village in front.
Is one of the most remarkable and impressive monuments in Luxor. The centerpiece of the complex of Madinet Habu is the mortuary temple of Ramses III which was constructed following the outlines and the architecture of the mortuary temple of Ramses II the Ramssieum.
There are several courtyards, Pylons, and halls with inscribed reliefs depicting the defeat of the Sea People during the rule of Ramses III.
Cost Ticket: 100 EGP
Where to Purchase your ticket: At the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket office
Colossi Of Memnon
The massive pair of statues known as the Colossi of Memnon are the first monuments that tourist see when they arrive at the West Bank. These two gigantic figures of Amenhotep III were originally situated in front of his Mortuary temple, which seems to have been destroyed for unknown reasons. Each colossus is about 21 meters tall and represents King Amenhotep III seated on his throne. Legend has it that after an earthquake damaged it in 27 BC, one of the statues emitted strange sounds in the morning-perhaps due to the heat of the sun following the humidity of the night. However, the restoration which took place in 193-211 A.D, made the sound stop forever!
Cost: Free
Ramesseum
The mortuary temple of Ramses II took around 20 years to build as a part of his funerary complex. The magnificent temple is on Luxor’s West Bank and in its day the Ramesseum was similar to Abu Simbel in grandeur and Medinet Habu in architecture. Ironically the Nile floods deteriorated the temple in which Ramses is portrayed as an eternal deity. Make sure to notice the images of the Battle of Qadesh in which the pharaoh is shown firing his arrows at the retreating enemy. The colossal statues of Ramses which once stood tall at the entrance are now in ruins but you can still see parts scattered around the temple.
Cost Ticket: 80 EGP
Where to Purchase your ticket: At the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket office.
Deir El-Medina (Valley Of The Artisans)
This is the place where the workmen of the royal tombs used to live. Here you will see the Temple of Deir el-Medina, which was dedicated to the goddess Hathor. This is the only temple in all of Egypt where you can admire carvings of the Final Judgment.
Tombs were built here for some of the most prominent workers. These tombs are much smaller and less ornate that those in the Valley of the Kings, this is still worth your time, if you more than one day on the West Bank.
Archaeologists have been excavating this settlement for most of this century and at least 70 houses have been uncovered. Some tombs in the Village’s terraced necropolis are now open.
TOMB OF INHERKA (NO359)
This beautiful tomb belongs to a 19th dynasty servant who worked in the so-called place of truth-the Valley of the Kings. The tomb has only one chamber, but the wall paintings are magnificent.
TOM OF SENNEDJEM (NO 1):A stunningly decorated 20th dynasty tomb that contains two small chambers and some equally exquisite paintings. Sennedjem was an artist who lived during the reigns of Set I and Ramses II.
TOMB OF PESHEDU (NO 3):Peshedu was another servant in the Valley of the Kings.
TOMB OF IPY (NO 217):A sculpture during the reign of Ramses II.The entrance ticket includes three tombs and the Temple of Deir el-Medina. For an additional 30 EGY, you can also visit the tomb of Pashedu
Cost: 100 EGP
Additional Ticket for Pashedu Tomb: 30EGP
Photo pass: 300 EGP
Where to Purchase your ticket: At the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket office
Tombs Of The Nobles
The Valley of The Nobles is located on the west bank of Luxor in an area called Sheik Abd El-Korna. The site has rock-cut tombs of nobles and high officials of ancient Egypt. These men once served the Pharaohs during the time of the New Kingdom. (1500 – 500 B.C.)
There are numerous tombs to visit; one of the most important tombs in this cemetery is tomb 55, which belonged to Ra-Mose. He was the mayor of Thebes during the end of the reign of Amenhotep III (Amenophis III) and his son Akhenaton, the vizier. Unfortunately, this tomb is unfinished because Ra-Mose moved, with Akhenaton, to the new capital Akht-Aton (modern-day Tell El-Amarna), therefore the decoration work stopped, and the tomb was left unfinished, except for the scenes which already had been completed. Also we recommend the tombs of Sennofer and Rekhmire since these are two of the best tombs to visit.
Of the Hundred or so toms here that have something of interest, 15 are highly recommended. They have numbered and divided into five groups, each requiring a separate ticket.
- TOMBS OF SENNOFER & REKHMIRE (NOS 96&100)
- TOMBS OF RAMOSE, USERHET, KHAEMHET (NOS 55,56 &57)
- TOMBS OF MENNA & NAKHT (NOS 52 & 69)
- TOMBS OF KHONSU, USERHET & BENIA (NOS 31, 51 &343)
- TOMBS OF NEFERRONPET, DHUTMOS & NEFERSEKHERU (NOS 178, 295 &296)
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Price List for all the Tombs Where to Purchase your ticket: At the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket office |
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| Photo pass | 300 EGP |
| Valley of the Nobles (Nakht, Menna & Amenemopet Tombs) | 60 EGP |
| Valley of the Nobles (Rekhmire and Sennefer Tombs) | 40 EGP |
| Valley of the Nobles (Ramose, Userhet and Khaemhet Tombs) | 60 EGP |
| Valley of the Nobles “Khokha area” (Nefer-Ronpet, Nefer-Sekheru, Dhutmosi Tombs) | 40 EGP |
| Valley of the Nobles (Khonsu, Userhet, Benia Tombs) | 40 EGP |
| Valley of the Nobles (Roy, Shuroy & Amenemopt Tombs) | 40 EGP |
| Assasif Area (Pabasa Tomb) | 60 EGP |
| Assasif Area (Keref, Anchhor Tombs) | 60 EGP |
Temple Of Seti I
This temple was began by Seti I and it is dedicated to Amun-RE. Seti I death, the temple was completed by his son Ramses II.
Cost: 60 EGP
Where to Purchase your ticket: At the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket office.
Howard Carter House &The Rebplica Tomb Of King Tut
Howard Carter is the British archaeological who discovered the tomb of Tutankamun in November 1922. He lived in a house on the West Bank of Luxor, above the road from Deir Al- Bahri to the Valley of the Kings.
The house has been restored and decorated with pictures and tools of the excavation. An exact replica of Tutankhamuns burial chamber has been constructed on the edge of the garden along with an exhibition relating to the discovery of the tomb.
Cost: 80 EGP
Where to Purchase your ticket: At the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket office
Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Luxor At Sunrise
For unforgettable sunrise views to see world’s largest open air museum. You can take a hot air balloon flight, one of the most beautiful and inspirational picturesque places on earth. Imagine looking over the great city of Luxor from the sky, imagine taking photos of the sunrise over the Nile, imagine looking over the richest history on earth, Valley of the Kings and imagine the fantastic green landscape.
For more information and price
https://www.egyptkeytours.com/tours/hot-air-balloon-ride-in-luxor/
Donkey, Horse & Camel Rides
If you want to see the Nile from the back of a camel, the boys at the local ferry dock on the West Bank. a sunset ride in the desert is unforgettable experience especially for the Kids.
East & West Bank Of Luxor: Price List For 2021
- Karnak Temple + Karnak “Open air Museum”=200
- Karnak Sound and Light Show =300
- Luxor Temple =160
- Luxor Museum=140
- Mummification Museum=100
- Hatshepsut Temple (Deir el Bahary) + Taftaf “Electric Train” =140+4
- Medinet Habu Temple = 100
- Ramesseum Temple = 60
- Seti 1st Temple at Luxor (West Bank) = 60
- Isis Temple (Deir Shelweet area) = 40
- Valley of the Kings+ Taftaf “Electric Train” 240+4
- Tomb of Tut Ankh Amon at Valley of the Kings=300
- Tomb of Ay at Valley of the Kings=60
- Tomb of Ramses VI at Valley of the Kings= 100
- Deir el Medina =100
- Tomb of Pashedu (Deir el Medina)=30
- Tombs of Sennedjem and Inherkau (Deir el Medina) *Gives access also to the temple of Deir el Medina= 100
- Howard Carter’s House =80
- Valley of the Queens=100
- Tomb of Queen Nefertari =1400
- Deir el Medina=100
- Temple of Tud=40
Notes:
- Children less than 12 years old and older than 6 years old can enter the sights with half tickets.
- It could be purchased only by Egyptian money in Cash; the tickets booths don’t accept either foreign currency or credit card.
- ISIC (International Student Identity Card) Holders can enter the sights with half tickets.
- Valley of the Kings Ticket (240 EGP) includes entry to the site and up to 3 tombs from these tombs (Ramses l, lV, Vll, lX, Seti ll, Tawsert / Sethnakhte, Tuthmosis lll, lV, Saptah, Horemoheb, ). “Not all the tombs are opened all time”
Getting Around The West Bank Of Luxor
You can get around the West Bank of Luxor by Taxi, by hiring a guide and driver
We recommend getting around by private guide and driver. Read this article
Why you should hire a guide for your trip
Egypt Key Tours offers day and half day tours to the West and East Bank of Luxor.
https://www.egyptkeytours.com/tours/private-tour-to-east-bank-bank-of-luxor/
https://www.egyptkeytours.com/tours/privte-tour-to-best-monumets-of-luxor-west-bank-of/
Where To Stay On Luxor
The East Bank has the vast amount of accommodation; though staying on the West Bank is increasingly popular, particularly if you want to hit the tombs and temples early. But expect more travelling to and from the airport or Train Station.
Luxury Hotels:
- The Sofitel Winter Palace is Luxor’s most famous hotel and it’s oldest. It has lush gardens and pools and one of the top restaurants in town, as well as bags of historic ambience.
- The Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa has a wonderful spa, multiple restaurants, and an infinity pool overlooking the Nile.
Mid-Range Hotels:
- The Jolie Ville Hotel & Spa – Kings Island is based on a private island on the Nile. There are plenty of resort features with gorgeous grounds, three outdoor pools, tennis courts, and a fitness center. Popular with tour groups, the Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor has good-value rates, Nile River views, beautiful pools, and nightly entertainment.
Budget Hotels:
- Bob Marley Peace Hostel, offers air-conditioned, dormitory-style rooms.it is just a 2- minute walk to get to Luxor Temple.
- Nile Castle Hotel. Located on the West Bank of The Nile River, so you will have easy access to the West Bank Sites.
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