Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
SuddenStay may earn a commission when you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. We only make money if you find a deal worth booking. How we make money
See live ticket prices.Current availability and options, so you can judge it for yourself.
Check tickets →
Our take
By Matt Spaulding, Founder and writer
This is NASA's working launch home, and the pull is the hardware itself: it's the only place you can walk beneath the actual Space Shuttle Atlantis, displayed with its payload bay open, then stand under a 363-foot Saturn V at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. General admission is a full day's worth: the Shuttle Launch Experience simulator, the bus tour into the working spaceport, Heroes & Legends with the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, live Astronaut Encounter talks, the Rocket Garden, and giant-screen theater films. Plan 6 to 8 hours; the complex runs 9 AM to 6 PM. The catch is geography: this isn't in Orlando. It sits on Merritt Island, a 45-60 minute drive east, with no public transit, so you're bringing a car or booking a transfer. The admission is non-refundable and non-modifiable once booked, so lock your date before you buy. The marquee extras (Chat With An Astronaut, the Astronaut Training Experience) are separate paid add-ons, and in peak summer the free bus tour builds long lines, so get there at 9 AM open. If you don't have a car, there's also a guided day tour with round-trip transport from Orlando hotels. It suits space and history buffs, families with STEM-curious kids, and anyone willing to give it a full day.
Quick facts
- Best for
- Space buffs, families, day-trippers
- How long
- Full day, 6-8 hrs (open 9 AM-6 PM)
- Where
- Merritt Island, ~45-60 min east of Orlando
- Getting there
- Car or paid transfer; no public transit
- Parking
- $15 a car, $5 for motorcycles, $20 for RVs and oversized vehicles. Free with a valid annual pass.
- Cancellation
- Non-refundable once booked
- Options
- 1-day, 2-day, or annual; kids 0-2 free
Where it is
Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953 (Space Coast, ~45-60 min east of Orlando)
Open in Maps →Ready to book?
Time slots and dated tickets sell out on peak days, so it pays to lock yours in before you go. Check current availability and pick your date.
Check tickets →Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex FAQ
Is Kennedy Space Center in Orlando?
No. It's on Merritt Island on the Space Coast, about a 45 to 60 minute drive east of Orlando, with no public transit, so you'll need a car or a paid transfer. There's also a guided day tour with round-trip transport from Orlando hotels if you're carless.
How long do you need at Kennedy Space Center?
Plan a full day, 6 to 8 hours. The complex is open 9 AM to 6 PM, and the free bus tour to the Saturn V Center eats a big chunk on its own, especially in peak summer, so arrive at 9 AM open.
Can I cancel or change my ticket?
No. The admission is non-refundable and non-modifiable once booked, so pick your date carefully before you buy.
What's included with Kennedy Space Center admission?
General admission is a full day's worth of hardware and access: the real Space Shuttle Atlantis displayed with its payload bay open, the Apollo/Saturn V Center with its 363-foot Saturn V, the bus tour into the working spaceport, the Shuttle Launch Experience simulator, Heroes and Legends with the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, live Astronaut Encounter talks, the Rocket Garden, and giant-screen theater films.
What costs extra at Kennedy Space Center?
Chat With An Astronaut and the Astronaut Training Experience are separate paid add-ons on top of general admission. The bus tour into the working spaceport is included, and in peak summer it builds long lines, so ride it early in the day.
Do toddlers need a ticket for Kennedy Space Center?
Kids ages 0 to 2 get in free. For everyone else the options are 1-day, 2-day, or annual admission, so if you're worried about fitting the complex into one visit, the 2-day version exists. Check the current options on the live listing.