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How to Buy Tickets to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida

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Outer space is always an intriguing topic, and there are few better places to learn about all things space-related than at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex in Cape Canaveral, Florida. With a tour of the complex, you can learn all about how NASA put a man on the moon and how astronauts survive up in space through over 60 interactive experiences. 

This is a popular attraction for tourists of all ages – unsurprisingly, given how many of us thought about becoming an astronaut when we were younger! Many visitors drive to the Kennedy Space Center from Orlando, seeing as Orlando is home to many of its own attractions. Travelers have multiple options for getting from Orlando to the Kennedy Space Center and several ways to buy tickets. That’s why we’ve compiled this ultimate guide to help you easily organize your holiday itinerary!

Quick Answer: How to Buy Tickets to the Kennedy Space Center

The best way to buy tickets to the Kennedy Space Center is online in advance here. This way, you can skip the lines at the visitor complex and walk directly to security with your mobile tickets.

We recommend booking your Kennedy Space Center ticket and tours through GetYourGuide to save some coin, as it adds fewer taxes and fees than the official website does. One- and two-day tickets are available through the site. If you truly want to see all the space center has to offer, check out the two-day pass with an Explore Tour of the center or the Chat With an Astronaut experience. You can even add on the Astronaut Training Experience to your entrance ticket for an extra cost. 

With an Orlando Go City All-Inclusive Pass, you can bundle the Kennedy Space Center with other Orlando attractions. For admission tickets with a bus service from Orlando to the space center, click here.

Best Ways to Get Tickets to the Kennedy Space Center

Each tourist values different experiences, so we want to help you find the best ticket or package match for your holiday. Below, we’ll outline how and where to buy tickets for the Kennedy Space Center so that you’re prepared for your day of space exploration! 

Line Up in Person (Not Recommended) 

It is possible to purchase a ticket at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex on the day of your visit. However, we don’t recommend this route. Tickets might sell out in advance, especially if there’s a rocket launch on the day you plan to tour the Kennedy Space Center. 

Instead of waiting in line for a ticket you might not get and then waiting in line at security, consider booking in advance. You’ll definitely need to purchase in advance if you want one of the experience packages, like Astronaut Training, as they have limited availability. 

Book Online 

As we said above, booking online is the best option for visiting the Kennedy Space Center. You can purchase tickets in advance on the Kennedy Space Center website, but it tacks on quite a few fees and taxes. We recommend booking tickets to the Kennedy Space Center on GetYourGuide, as it includes all taxes and fees in the regular price while still being cheaper than the official website. You’ll also receive your ticket in mobile form, which is essentially a skip-the-line ticket for the Kennedy Space Center, letting you bypass the will-call line and go straight to security. 

Book a Guided Tour (Recommended) 

The Kennedy Space Center has so much to explore that we highly recommend a one- or two-day pass with the Explore Tour of the compound. You’ll not only get access to the regular admission area, including the Rocket Garden and Gateway Complex, but also take a guided tour of the Kennedy Space Center by bus and see additional areas, such as Launch Complex 39 and the Apollo/Saturn V Center. The tour is led by a space expert who can answer all your questions, and there will be plenty of fantastic photo opportunities. 

Book an Experience

You can add on several fantastic experiences to your Kennedy Space Center visit. One of the most popular (especially for kids) is the Chat With an Astronaut experience. The package includes admission to the space center along with lunch or breakfast (depending on the time you choose), a free alcoholic drink for adults, and a commemorative gift with a signed picture from a real-life astronaut. 

Another incredible experience to consider booking is the Astronaut Training Experience. This experience lasts about five hours, doesn’t include admission to the space center, and is only available for visitors age 10 and older. If all of that works for you, you’ll get to experience real simulations of space missions, a shuttle launch with NASA’s Space Launch System, and a simulated walk on Mars. This is the ultimate experience for space lovers! 

Book a Day Trip 

Visitors to the Kennedy Space Center usually stay at hotels and Airbnbs in Orlando. If you don’t have a car for your trip, you might think it’ll be difficult to reach the space center from Orlando, but it’s simple if you book a day trip. GetYourGuide’s tour package, which offers tickets to the Kennedy Space Center along with bus transfers to and from Cape Canaveral, is the best way to visit the center without personal transportation.

Purchase a City Explorer All-Inclusive Pass

If you plan to stay in Orlando for longer than a weekend, you can save time and money with the Orlando Go City All-Inclusive Pass. You can bundle over 25 Orlando attractions – including the Kennedy Space Center, Madame Tussauds Orlando, and Legoland Florida Resort – and save yourself up to 45% off regular entry tickets. The pass also includes attractions in Tampa, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale. 

NASA Logo on Globe at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA
© Allard1 | Dreamstime.com

Useful Information for Visiting the Kennedy Space Center

What’s the Best Time to Visit the Kennedy Space Center?

The best time to visit the Kennedy Space Center is in May or October, when there are fewer tourists and the weather is a lot more bearable than in the summer. Weekday mornings are ideal, as local families are at school or work, so you’ll have more of the complex to yourself. 

Can I Visit the Kennedy Space Center and See a Rocket Launch?

Rocket launches from Kennedy Space Center are one of the most mind-blowing things to witness in person, but they can be hard for tourists to schedule and see. While the visitor complex offers the best public viewing area of the launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, launches are often delayed or rescheduled because of weather, logistics, or safety concerns. So, while you might be able to see a rocket launch when you visit the space center, don’t get your hopes too high! You can view upcoming scheduled launches here

What Are the Kennedy Space Center Hours of Operation?

The Kennedy Space Center is open every day from 9 a.m. to either 5 or 6 p.m., depending on the time of year. However, operation times are subject to change, especially during peak season, so double-check the hours before booking tickets to the Kennedy Space Center. In general, the last admission time is one hour before closing, and the last bus tour leaves 2.5 hours prior to closing. 

How Do You Get to the Kennedy Space Center?

The Kennedy Space Center has all types of parking – for cars, motorcycles, RVs, and tour buses – but the easiest way to get there is by car or bus. If you drive from Orlando, you can get to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex via SR 408 East in roughly an hour. We recommend leaving as early as possible to avoid morning traffic jams and get the most out of your day at the complex. To get there by tour bus, book this admission ticket with round-trip bus transport

How Do Kennedy Space Center Tickets Work?

There is one general admission ticket to the Kennedy Space Center, which you can purchase for a one-day or two-day visit. This ticket gives you access to the IMAX space films, Planet Play, Astronaut Encounter, Space Shuttle Atlantis, Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted, the Rocket Garden, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, the Apollo/Saturn V Center, and daily shows at the Universe Theater. 

Additional experiences may or may not require admission tickets. For example, the Astronaut Training Experience doesn’t require one. You can add it to your regular ticket if you want to do both, but this particular experience doesn’t include admission in the price.

Once you have a ticket, download it onto your mobile phone or print it out before you head to the visitor complex. If you have your tickets or bar code on your phone, you can go straight to the security line. 

How Much Do Tickets for the Kennedy Space Center Cost?

Now that you know how the Kennedy Space Center ticket works, let’s explore the different prices for experiences and admission. (All prices are in U.S. dollars.) 

One-day general admission costs about $75 for adults and $65 for children (11 and younger). A two-day general admission pass costs $89 for adults and $79 for children. If you book your tickets on the center’s official website, it adds a $5.60 convenience fee for each cart, along with roughly 7% tax for each ticket. 

However, if you book your Kennedy Space Center ticket on GetYourGuide, the regular ticket already includes the taxes and fees, coming to these prices:

  • $80.25 for adult one-day tickets 
  • $95.23 for adult two-day tickets 
  • $69.55 for child one-day tickets 
  • $84.53 for child two-day tickets

You can also add some awesome experiences to your visit for an extra cost: 

Ticket discount packages and transportation can also be bundled with an admission ticket to the Kennedy Space Center: 

Discounts are available on one- and two-day Kennedy Space Center tickets for seniors (55 and older) and active-duty U.S. military personnel. 

What is a Good 1-Day Itinerary of the Kennedy Space Center?

  • Arrive at Kennedy Space Center – 8:45 a.m
  • Enter Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex – 9 a.m.
  • Embark on Spaceport KSC – 9:30 a.m.
  • Explore Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex – 9:45 a.m.
  • Rocket Garden Tour – 10:15 a.m.
  • Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame – 10:35 a.m.
  • Bus Transportation to Apollo/Saturn V Center – 11:30 a.m.
  • Lunch at Moon Rock Cafe – 12 p.m.
  • Bus Transportation back to Main Visitor Complex – 1:30 p.m.
  • Space Shuttle Atlantis and Shuttle Launch Experience – 2 p.m.
  • Free time to explore Kennedy Space Center – 3 p.m.
    • LEGO Build to Launch
    • Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted
    • Planet Play
    • 3D Space Films in IMAX
  • Kennedy Space Center Close – 5 p.m.

Can I Bring My Pet to the Kennedy Space Center?

In short, no, your furry friends cannot explore all things space with you. However, the Kennedy Space Center offers a free kennel for visitors’ pets, which includes a climate-controlled area with free water and food, so you can be sure your pets are well taken care of while you tour the complex. To use the kennel, though, you must show proof of vaccination for your pets. 

What Are the Best Hotels Near the Kennedy Space Center?

If you’re planning a visit, you may want to stay overnight in a hotel near the Kennedy Space Center, especially if you book a two-day admission ticket. 

For a relaxing and modern hotel that includes breakfast and an on-site pool, we recommend Hampton Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral Cruise Port. This three-star hotel also offers a fitness center and family rooms. 

If you’re looking for a more homey and pet-friendly hotel, consider staying at the Home2 Suites by Hilton Melbourne Viera. Each suite includes a private kitchen and living area, and you’ll have access to an outdoor swimming pool. 

Another great option for resort-style accommodation is Holiday Inn Club Vacations’ Cape Canaveral Beach Resort. This four-star hotel boasts apartment-style suites, room service, waterslides and a lazy river, on-site restaurants and bars, and a game room. 

What About Visiting the Kennedy Space Center With a Disability?

The Kennedy Space Center has done an incredible job of creating an accessible space for all visitors, regardless of physical or cognitive disabilities. The complex is completely wheelchair and scooter friendly. This includes the buses for tours of the complex, and the rocket launches also have reserved wheelchair seating. However, the Astronaut Training Experience is not accessible to those with mobility impairments. 

Wheelchairs, electric scooters, and strollers are available for rent at the visitor complex. Guest accessibility passes, which are available at the main entrance, will provide you and your family with extra help from staff if someone in your group has a sensory or mobility disability. Parents of children with autism can find sensory warnings and a complete guide to the complex here

FAQs: Facts About the Kennedy Space Center

When Was the Kennedy Space Center Built? 

The Kennedy Space Center was founded in 1962 and has been used as NASA’s main launch center for sending humans to space ever since. 

Where Is the Kennedy Space Center Located? 

The space center is located in Cape Canaveral, Florida, which is about an hour’s drive from Orlando. 

Who Owns the Kennedy Space Center? 

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) owns the Kennedy Space Center.

Can I See a Rocket Launch at the Kennedy Space Center? 

Yes, several rocket launches are often planned throughout the year. You can watch from public areas around Cape Canaveral or get the best seats at the Kennedy Space Center. 

Are There Real Rockets at the Kennedy Space Center?

Yes! You’ll get to see several real artifacts and rockets from famous missions, including the Apollo 14 Command Module (“Kitty Hawk”) and the Saturn V Rocket. 

Whew, that was quite a list – but we did warn you that there are many ways to experience the Kennedy Space Center! You should now have all the information you need for a fun and relaxing visit to the space center. Our last tip for you is to charge your phones fully before visiting the complex. This way, you won’t have to report to Houston if you have a problem with accessing your tickets!

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