Kennedy Space Center Tickets: Helpful Info for a Successful Visit
If space travel leaves you in awe of the wonder beyond our little blue and green planet, Earth, then visiting Kennedy Space Center near Orlando, Florida, is a must. This incredible place is on Florida's beautiful Space Coast, and securing Kennedy Space Center tickets should be on your Florida bucket list.
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Kennedy Space Center FAQs Answered
To provide the most helpful resource for you, we want to answer common questions about KSC from the get-go.
What Is Kennedy Space Center?
If you love themed entertainment, you might consider this as such with an educational twist. It reminded us of Mission Space at Walt Disney World's Epcot theme park, but on steroids…in the best way possible.
Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is one of the main launch sites for NASA. It's also on a wildlife refuge on Merritt Island, just a few miles north of Cocoa Beach. KSC is open to the public and requires tickets to enter.
The complex does not pull from tax dollars; its funding is made possible by Kennedy Space Center tickets purchased by visitors.
What is There to Do Here?
There is SO much to do at KSC that we recommend staying in the area overnight (more on that below) and buying a 2-day pass.
You'll be able to learn about the first moon launch and subsequent moon landings, see rockets that started our exploration of space, ask guides questions about space exploration, see real space shuttles, ride space simulators, and much more.
We also very much enjoyed seeing a 3D IMAX film called Asteroid Hunters, which was included with the price of admission. (This was a huge perk and added value because we see IMAX films where we live in Raleigh, and it's at least $12 per ticket.)
Space Souvenirs and Gifts
There are great gifts and souvenirs throughout the complex. They sell everything from books for kids and adults to sweatshirts, t-shirts, backpacks, official Corkcicles with NASA missions branded on them, mugs, glasses, patches, stickers, and much more.
Is There Food Here?
Yes, there is! You can have lunch and dinner there and get snacks, like ice cream.
We had the Cuban Sandwich at the Moon Landing quick-service restaurant because we were at the Apollo/Saturn V Center during lunchtime. Our sandwich was panini-pressed to order and we have to say, it was really good!
Their chicken fingers and fries looked especially delicious, as did their salads.
There are four quick-service dining areas around Kennedy Space Center. There are also places to purchase snacks, like popcorn for IMAX films, coffee, and ice cream.
Snacks, Beer, and Wine at KSC
While we recommend eating lunch at the visitor complex, snacks are permitted. You can bring a soft-sided cooler as well if you like. You are not permitted to bring alcoholic beverages inside the complex. However, wine and beer are available to purchase around KSC.
How Long Do You Need to Visit the Space Center?
We recommend at least one full day. If you have the time, we highly recommend a two-day pass. There is simply so much to do and see there that you can't fit it all in with just a day.
Spending the Whole Day Here
If you are wondering if you need a whole day at KSC, our immediate response to that question is yes. However, if you only have half a day, you will want to weigh the cost-benefit of seeing one or two things there against the price of the tickets and what kind of a budget you're on.
We were truly shocked at how much there is to do and how quickly the day flew by when we were there. One day is ideal, two days is better.
Half a Day at Kennedy Space Center
It would be challenging to fit in a plethora of all that is offered there if you only have a half-day, though you'd still see cool things. But we don't blame you for trying to make the most of a half-day there.
If you are spending half a day at KSC, we recommend taking five minutes to look at a map of the complex, either when you get there with their printed maps or on the Kennedy Space Center app, and prioritizing what you want to see.
For example, if going to the Apollo and Saturn V complex is most important to you, then you should head there first since the bus tours that take you there end 2.5 hours before the complex closes. Afterward, as another example, you can head back to the main complex to do the Atlantis building to see the Space Shuttle inside.
How many hours does it take to enjoy the entire complex?
We answered that question above, but in review, we don't recommend anything less than four hours, ideally six hours or more.
We spent an entire day there and can't wait to go back. There's truly so much to see and do. If you only have four hours, it's still worth it. Prioritize what you want to see most first. But the more hours, the better!
Where is Kennedy Space Center?
It is located on Merritt Island.
The East Coast area of Florida is called the “Space Coast of Florida,” to be more precise. It is east of Central Florida, where Orlando is. The area includes cities like Titusville, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral (where Port Canaveral is), and Merritt Island, where KSC is. It's north of Fort Lauderdale and Miami and south of the Treasure Coast, where Vero Beach and Stuart are.
KSC is also very close to Port Canaveral, where many cruises embark, including Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and more.
How Far is Kennedy Space Center from Orlando?
It's approximately one to one and a half hours from Orlando, depending on where you're driving from and traffic, depending on the time of day. It's around 62 miles from Disney Springs and Epcot area hotels to the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex.
Is it worth the money?
Absolutely! It's an incredible complex, and you learn so much, have such a fun time, and there is so much to do there. It's worth the time and money.
What is the difference between the Kennedy Space Center and NASA?
Kennedy Space Center is a complex open to the public to learn about space exploration in the past, present, and future. NASA is a government agency whose initials stand for National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
KSC is also a place where a lot of things not open to the public happen, such as research and development. Additionally, KSC is the site of many Cape Canaveral area space launches. We've seen a few from a distance here, including from the comfort of the rooftop area of this amazing Space Hotel, when a SpaceX Starlink satellite was launched.
The two intersect because Kennedy Space Center is one of NASA's field centers. But KSC is also a place where private sector partners work in addition to NASA employees. However, for purposes of visiting KSC as a member of the public, you won't have to worry about that!
Kennedy Space Center Ticket Information
Below, we are sharing info for ticket info for:
Onsite Ticket Info
- Tickets for guests ages 12+ are $75 for the day. A two-day pass is $89 (which we recommend because you won't be able to fit in everything there is to do there in one day).
- Children's tickets, ages 3 to 11, are $65 for a one-day pass or $79 for two days.
- Seniors get a bit of a discount, at $70 for a one-day ticket or $84 for two days.
- Military tickets are priced at $70 for 12+ guests for the day or $84 for two-day tickets. Children of military families are $60 for the day or $74 for two days.
If you have a group or family of two adults and four children (blood-related or not), you may want to consider the “Cosmic Club Family Annual Pass.”
This allows unlimited entry for two adults and four kids all year. The pass is $432.10 (“4, 3, 2, 1!” Humor is not lost on the Kennedy Space Center team!). If you priced two-day tickets out separately for two adults and four children between ages 3 to 11, the family pass saves you $61.90.
However, if a family of the same size is only going for one day, then buying the tickets separately is the better option at $410 total for the same one-day tickets.
Visiting Kennedy Space Center with a Tour from Orlando
If you're a space-loving visitor who wants to explore KSC for the day, but it's during a trip to Orlando, there are great options to take a tour over to the coast. If you sign up for one of these tours, you don't have to worry about how you'll get to and from the area; you just need to make sure you're at the place where the tour bus leaves from in Orlando the day of your experience!
All the suggested tours listed below are with Viator, our preferred ticket company. They have great customer service, and most experiences allow cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Full Day trip to KSC from Orlando
We like that this option starts bright and early so you can make the most of your day at KSC! There are three meeting points with this ten-and-a-half-hour day trip, covering the most popular areas: International Drive, Disney, and Kissimmee.
You won't have to worry about driving or finding parking. A bus tour, admission, and a walking tour are included.
Visit the Space Center from Orlando with an Airboat Ride
There is so much to do in Florida! If you're worried that you won't get to do it all during your visit, this tour makes it possible to see KSC in a day and embark on an Airboat Ride with the chance to see wildlife like birds, alligators, and crocodiles.
We like that this tour starts with the airboat ride, so you have the rest of the day afterward to enjoy and explore KSC. It won't leave you feeling rushed! Transportation, admission to KSC, and the airboat ride are included in the cost for this tour that begins at 7:15 am to make the most of the day.
Discounted Tickets
There aren't many options for this. However, there is one reputable discounted ticket source we can recommend: Undercover Tourist.
🚀 Buy Discounted Kennedy Space Center Tickets in Advance and Head Right to the Gate!
You can save up to $12 per adult ticket if you purchase tickets in advance on their website or save up to $24 for a combination pass that gives you access to Kennedy Space Center tickets as well as places like Legoland and The Wheel at ICON Park in Orlando (the big Ferris Wheel near Universal).
Tickets for KSC purchased on Undercover Tourists expire one year from the purchase date. The ticket isn't activated until the QR code is scanned at the KSC turnstile entrance, like any ticket you buy to visit.
Be sure to check Kennedy Space Center's online ticket information and offers before you purchase if you want to include kids' tickets. For example, they have run previous promotions that included free entrance for kids ages 3 to 11 with a paying adult.
Important Information
Hours of Operation
The information building outside of the complex opens at 8:30 am, 30 minutes before the rest of KSC opens. (The parking lot also opens at 8:30 am.)
If you're truly trying to make the most of the entire day there and your Kennedy Space Center tickets (which we recommend because there is SO MUCH to do) you should arrive early.
If you haven't already purchased your tickets online, get there between 8:30am and 8:45am. This will allow time to take photos in front of the KSC icons (like the huge NASA sphere that's a little like the Universal globe outside of Universal Studios in Orlando) and see the fountain where John F. Kennedy is etched into the stone.
Then you'll be able to get into KSC when it opens, promptly at 9:00 am.
Closing times for Kennedy Space Center vary depending on the season. Generally speaking, they're open until 5:00 pm. During peak times, they're open until 6:00 pm, like during Spring Break, or 7:00 pm, for Christmas Break.
Though it's unlikely that you'll purchase a ticket and go into the complex later in the afternoon, it's important to note that entry closes 1 hour before KSC closes. Bus tours that take you towards the launch pad area and drop you off at the Apollo/Saturn V Center end 2.5 hours before closing. They are included in general admission tickets.
The Two Days a Year that the Complex is Closed
KSC is closed on Thanksgiving Day (the third Thursday of each November) and Christmas Day, December 25. Otherwise, they are open daily.
Parking
If you're driving to KSC and need to park, the cost is $10 per vehicle for their lot. It's $15 for RV parking.
There is no shade in the parking lot – and we're talking about Florida sun, at KSC! So be sure that you don't leave anything in your car that will melt and not recover, like chocolate (including candy from Walt Disney World) or sunscreen.
You'll definitely want to bring your sunscreen into Kennedy Space Center with you anyway.
How to Get to Kennedy Space Center Without Your Own Car
Don't have your own vehicle? No worries! There are alternative transportation options to get to KSC. Don't let the lack of your own rental car discourage you from visiting this amazing place.
If you're visitng KSC from Orlando, we recommend booking one of the tours we list here.
You can also easily rent a car from Orlando and make an overnight trip out of a visit to KSC, combined with other great things to do on Florida's Space Coast.
Don't Postone Renting a Car!
Restrooms on the Drive from Orlando to KSC
There aren't many places to stop for bathroom breaks between Orlando and KSC, so if you have to use a restroom look up the closest Mcdonald's or gas station.
Restrooms at KSC are plentiful, though!
Tip for Entering “Kennedy Space Center” in GPS If You are Traveling by Car
If you are using GPS to get to Kennedy Space Center, be sure you enter “Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex” into GPS, not simply “Kennedy Space Center.” This will ensure you get to the right place to enter the complex, not where government employees enter KSC for work.
Space Launch Schedule
If you are hoping to see a launch during your visit, you will want to refer to KSC's events page and filter by “Rocket Launches” on the black navigation bar, where you see the on/off toggle options.
You can also find current launches in the Next SpaceFlight App or website. (Just note that this particular app and website posts launches worldwide, not just in Florida on the Space Coast. So be sure to look at the location of the launch if you use Next SpaceFlight app or website.)
Not all launches require special tickets, and not all launches have viewing available.
If you cannot view a launch from Kennedy Space Center, check out our recommendations for nearby locations that are great for watching rocket launches along the Space Coast.
What to Bring With You
You'll be in the outdoors of sunny Florida, no matter how you slice it. The KSC complex is a series of buildings that you walk between outdoors, even though most of the exhibits and space vehicles on display are indoors.
As such, our “what to bring” list includes a lot of sun protection items:
- Refillable water bottles to fill at the stations around KSC. The team at KSC told us a bottle can be plastic or metal. Read below to see the two water bottles we love and travel with. Our insulated recommendation of the two, a MiiR bottle, is especially fantastic in the Florida heat.
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Handheld fan (we bring it with us everywhere in hot destinations – buy one and bring it…you'll thank us later)
- Snacks (we recommend bringing snacks for kids in Stasher bags – for adults, there are plenty of reasonably priced food options at KSC, and we recommend purchasing meals there)
Here are the reusable water bottles we swear by:
- Memo bottle: We love it because it’s flat, so it fits in a pocket, on the side of a backpack, in a purse, etc. very easily and comfortably.
- MiiR bottles: They’re insulated and keep the liquid at the temperature you added it to the bottle in for HOURS and hours. They rock. We also love that the wide-mouthed bottles are easy to get ice cubes into. Use code “SOMETIMESHOME” for 15% off your order.
Other Practical Information and Tips for a Day at Kennedy Space Center
We have two additional pieces of advice and FYis for Kennedy Space Center:
- We recommend downloading the Kennedy Space Center official guide app! It was really helpful when navigating the huge complex, and it was better than wasting a paper map or attempting to find it somewhere in my purse when we wanted it.
- There is free wifi throughout KSC.
- KSC is located on federal property. Be careful to observe the speed limit if you're driving there and especially respect the wildlife. Remember, it's located on Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge.
Where to Stay Nearby
We have the BEST recommendation for space lovers: a SPACE-themed hotel! Don't worry if you're an adult who doesn't want space in your face all the time. The space theme is very tastefully done.
This awesome space hotel is the Courtyard Marriott in Titusville. It is less than 7 miles away from Kennedy Space Center. It's also very close to Port Canaveral if you arrive in the area after a cruise or want to explore the Space Coast before a cruise.
We loved it so much that we dedicated an entire post to this space hotel.
In case you're in a time crunch and can't read our post about the hotel, know that the hotel overlooks the launch pads at KSC from a safe distance across the river.
The hotel has space elements in the rooms, including space projectors and outer space wallpaper. It also has an awesome rooftop bar, called “The Space Bar,” with photo-worthy drinks and other photo opportunities!
What Else Is There to Do Nearby?
There is so much to do in the area surrounding KSC, which is called the Space Coast.
It's a great area, and if you can, you should stay overnight. Ideally, two nights in the area are better than one. Three is better than two!
We loved our time on Florida's Space Coast. You can visit Cocoa Beach (the downtown area and the actual beach), eat at great restaurants, enjoy breweries, watch the cruise ships as you dine along the Port Canaveral waterfront, find unique gems like the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum or Wizard of Oz Museum, and more.
Check out our recommendations for unique things to do on Florida's Space Coast.
Conclusion
Kennedy Space Center tickets won't simply get you access to the complex. A visit to KSC will provide lifelong memories for you and your travel companions that won't fade into space. Instead, you'll be in awe of space exploration, from the past to the present.
While we understand if you only have a day to visit, we cannot recommend staying in the Space Coast area for more time there enough. That way, you can enjoy all this Florida area offers from Kennedy Space Center, and beyond!
Heading to Florida? Check out:
- Unique Things to Do Near Cape Canaveral on the Space Coast
- Space Hotel Near Cape Canaveral with Rocket Launch Pads Views
- Fun Adult Things to Do in Orlando
