Space Center Houston Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Space Center Houston. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Houston Space Center Ticket With NASA Expert Guide & Transport

• Private NASA Space Center Day Trip with Houston City Tour

• Houston CityPASS®

• NASA's Space Center Admission Plus Houston City Tour

• Space Center Houston Admission Ticket

The cost to visit Space Center Houston varies, depending on the season and demand. Tickets purchased online start at US$30 for adults, US$25 for children aged 4–11, and US$28 for seniors over 65. During peak times, expect to pay approximately US$10 more per ticket. Tickets purchased on the day at the box office are approximately US$5 more.

Yes, Space Center Houston is worth visiting—it's no wonder that it welcomes 1.3 million visitors annually. For starters, the center lets you get up close to rare artifacts and retired spacecraft. You can also feel the surface of the moon (via a moon rock), go behind the scenes of a NASA mission, and explore an astronaut training facility. Many travelers come to Houston specifically to visit this attraction.

Per one customer who booked the Private NASA Space Center Day Trip with Houston City Tour, "Highly recommended. Greg's infectious passion for Houston and the space centre was a delight to behold. You get to skip queues and listen with glee to an expert taking you around this awe-inspiring place of work."

From museum artifacts to a used spacecraft, there’s enough at the Space Center Houston to fill a full day. Plan to spend at least 4–5 hours there; that’s enough time to cover key highlights and take a NASA Tram Tour to the neighboring Johnson Space Center (JSC), home to Mission Control.

Choose from two NASA Tram Tour options, each taking approximately 90 minutes: one to Rocket Park and the Johnson Space Center’s (JSC) Mission Control; and another to Rocket Park and JSC’s Astronaut Training Centre. You can opt to take both; and outside busy times, they’re sometimes combined into one 2-hour tour.

You can’t take luggage, such as oversized backpacks and suitcases, into the Space Center Houston, but luggage storage is available and costs around US$7 per bag. Other banned items include weapons, alcoholic beverages, large quantities of food—unless it’s for dietary or medical purposes—and bulky camera equipment.

No, you can’t bring your own food into the Space Center Houston—unless you have medical or dietary requirements. Instead, you’re invited to eat at the center’s on-site kiosks or restaurants, or you can bring a picnic for the outdoor picnic area near the front entrance.

Yes, parking at the Space Center Houston is US$10 per car. When you buy a ticket online, you’ll automatically be charged parking for one car. If you’re not reserving tickets online, you’ll need to pay at the parking booths. Alternatively, buy a Space Center membership, which includes a year’s free general admission and parking.

Standard Space Center Houston tickets grant you access to the museum, including the Starship Gallery and Independence Plaza. Some tickets also include a Mission Control tour. For the ultimate experience, choose a NASA VIP Tour, which gives you a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the center or the chance to have breakfast with an astronaut.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Space Center Houston. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Houston:

• Houston Museum of Natural Science

• Downtown Aquarium

• Market Square Park

• JPMorgan Chase Tower

• Houston Zoo

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Houston.