Luxor Travel with Baby: Valley of the Kings and West Bank Tour

Julie

2025-04-24

Luxor Travel with Baby: Valley of the Kings and West Bank Tour

Discover our Luxor travel experience with our baby, including the Valley of the Kings, West Bank tour, and essential baby travel tips in Egypt.

Main Journey

The Start of Our Luxor Adventure

We began our Luxor journey with a bittersweet farewell to our beloved Nile Cruise. It had been our floating home, and as we disembarked that morning, we were already sweating under the 38°C heat. Thankfully, Sweetie was still in dreamland during the transition.

In the hotel lobby, we met the tour group on time. The travel agency staff had arrived early, efficiently helping us check out and hop into the pre-arranged minibus for our West Bank tour.

First Stop: Luxor Train Station and the Train Ticket Crisis

Our bus made a brief stop at Luxor Station to pick up two more travelers. While we waited, two Korean guys from the group tried to buy train tickets to Cairo. They came back frustrated—no tickets left.

That moment reminded me how clutch Julie’s prep was. Back in Aswan, we’d already bought our Luxor-Cairo tickets (1 ticket = 109 EGP), avoiding all this chaos. Those two guys had to settle for a bus later at 180 EGP per person.

Keyword: Luxor Train Tickets
Tip: Buy your train tickets well in advance—especially for major routes like Luxor to Cairo. They sell out fast.

Crossing the Nile to the West Bank

The city streets were nearly deserted, just idle taxis and a skyline dotted with mosque minarets. As we crossed the Nile early in the morning, our guide shared something fascinating: In ancient Egypt, the East represented life and the West, death.

That’s why temples and cities were built on the east side of the Nile, while tombs and burial sites like the Valley of the Kings were hidden in the west.

Keyword: Nile River Symbolism
It’s poetic how geography shaped ancient beliefs—the rising sun brought life, and the setting sun carried souls into the afterlife.

Events

Valley of the Kings: Hidden Tombs in a Barren Land

No photos allowed, so I’ll try my best to paint the scene with words.

After grabbing our entry tickets and riding a cartoonishly short elephant train (basically a shuttle that moved 100 meters), we arrived at the rocky entrance of the Valley of the Kings. No plants, no shade—just heat and stone.

You can visit 3 tombs with a standard ticket. We skipped Tutankhamun’s tomb (extra 100 EGP) since his treasures are in Cairo anyway.

Inside the tombs, murals were incredibly preserved—vivid reds, blues, and yellows. It made us imagine what the grand temples might’ve looked like in full color.

Keyword: Valley of the Kings Tombs
One tomb had Christian graffiti—crosses and crude drawings from when early Christians used the tombs as hiding places. It was strange to see ancient gods and saints sharing a wall.

A Peek at Howard Carter’s House

Just past the entrance, barely visible behind trees, sits the house of Howard Carter, the archaeologist who found Tutankhamun’s tomb. It’s now a small museum. As we drove by, I found myself wondering what it must’ve felt like to uncover history that had been hidden for over 3,000 years.

Quick Stop at a Local Stone Craft Workshop

After the tombs, we visited a stone workshop showcasing traditional carving techniques. Let’s be honest—it was a classic tourist trap. But Sweetie gave the salesman her biggest applause, clapping like he was a rockstar. His smile? Priceless.

Tips for Traveling with a Baby

1. Morning Tours Are Your Best Friend

Luxor’s heat is no joke. We started early, around 8 AM, which helped us avoid the worst of the sun. Sweetie handled the early schedule much better than expected, probably because she napped through the shuttle ride.

Keyword: Baby Travel Luxor
Morning schedules = cooler weather + calmer baby.

2. No Shade, No Mercy

There is literally no shade in the Valley of the Kings. Bring a full baby sunhat, long sleeves, and something to fan them. We also used a light muslin cloth to create a mini sun shelter when Sweetie was out of the carrier.

3. Keep the Baby Hydrated (and Entertained)

We carried lots of water, electrolyte packs, and Sweetie’s favorite fruit snacks. Bubbles and stickers saved us during wait times and stops.

Keyword: Baby Travel Essentials Egypt

Local Travel Tips

1. Pre-Book Train Tickets

Luxor to Cairo train tickets are hard to get last-minute. Book them at least a few days ahead, ideally in Aswan or online.

2. Skip the Tut Tomb (Unless You’re a Diehard Fan)

The actual tomb of Tutankhamun is small, and most of the treasures aren’t there. Save the extra 100 EGP and see the artifacts properly in the Cairo Museum instead.

3. Expect the Sales Pitches

From stone factories to souvenir shops, your guide may take you on “detours.” Just enjoy the air-conditioning and don’t feel pressured to buy.

Travel Reflections

The Power of Preparation

Julie’s meticulous planning saved us again. Getting the train tickets early wasn’t just convenient—it was the difference between comfort and chaos.

The Poetry of the Nile

There’s something deeply spiritual about the way ancient Egyptians viewed life and death. The Nile literally divides it, and now, so does the city. Crossing over felt symbolic.

Sweetie’s First Tomb Tour

Sweetie may never remember these dusty tombs, but we’ll never forget how she clapped for that craftsman like he just performed at Coachella. Traveling with a baby changes how you see the world—more curiosity, more gratitude.