Space Center Houston Tours and Tickets

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 tickets grant you access to the Space Center 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.