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Everything You Need to Know About the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tours

Go beyond the gates of the Visitor Complex to visit the restricted sections of the Kennedy Space Center! Keep reading to find out more about what makes the Kennedy Space Center bus tour worth an experience, what to expect, essential information, & more.

Why Take a Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour?

Kennedy Space Center bus tours
  • By taking the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, you get access to all the restricted sections of the complex like the Vehicle Assembly Building, Launch Complex 39, & other operational facilities.
  • Get an exclusive and comprehensive behind-the-scenes tour of the Kennedy Space Center along with an expert tour guide.
  • The Explore Tour also gives you access to the Visitor Complex, where you can visit 31 attractions spread across 5 exciting zones.
  • Spend an entire day learning about space exploration, discover artifacts, see original rockets, find out about current & future NASA missions, & so much more!
  • Save the hassle of figuring out transportation and get round-trip transfers from Orlando, Kissimmee, Disney, or Lake Buena Vista areas.

Your Tickets Explained

Kennedy Space Center explore tour
  • The Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour takes you through the Visitor Complex, which houses 31 exciting attractions.
  • Witness larger-than-life facilities from your bus and get a closer look into areas like the Launch Complex 39 and the Vehicle Assembly Building.
  • Learn all about the complex and space exploration from an expert tour guide.
  • Your Kennedy Space Center bus tour also offers live presentations including Astronaut Encounter, Journey To Mars: Explorers Wanted live show and exhibit, and the Mission Status Briefing.
  • This ticket allows you to opt for a 1-day pass or a 2-day pass depending on your preference.

*Please note that the Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour is different from the admission tickets with bus transfers and the shuttle buses that are available within the Visitor Complex. The latter two involve a bus driver who will act as a tour guide only during the bus ride. However, the Explore Tour includes an exclusive space expert.

Flexible Duration: Your tickets come with a flexible duration.

Cancellation Policy: Tickets cannot be rescheduled or canceled.

Essential Information

Here are some important things to keep in mind for your Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour.

  • Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
  • Duration: 2 Hours
  • Start and end point: The tour ends at Apollo/Saturn V Center
  • Wheelchair accessibility: Yes
  • Return transfers: The return buses leave every 15 minutes
  • Restaurants: Try the Moon Rock Café at Apollo/Saturn V Center
  • Shopping: The Right stuff shopping is available at Apollo/Saturn V Center
  • Restrooms: Restrooms are available atApollo/Saturn V Center

​Plan Your Visit to Kennedy Space Center

What to Expect on Your Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour?

Once you have boarded the bus, prepare yourself for a 40-minute tour through NASA’s property. The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour will take you behind NASA’s gates in an unexpected way. With the help of an expert space tour guide, you will be given a peek into the most mission-critical regions of the Kennedy Space Center.

Ride through monumental sites within NASA’s gates, including the Vehicle Assembly Building, Launch Complex 39, and many other facilities in between. Since the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station are both working launch facilities, the tour routes can be changed at any time.

Toward the end of your bus tour, you will get down at the Apollo/Saturn V Center where NASA’s Project Apollo comes into existence. Here, you can tour at your own pace and explore the many exhibits. Once done, board another bus and you can head back to the main visitor complex. It is recommended to keep 2-hours aside when taking the bus tour and exploring the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

​Kennedy Space Center Mission Zones

What is Covered on Your Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour?

The Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour takes you through the Visitor Complex and beyond! Explore 31 attractions inside the Visitor Complex and then go behind the scenes to look at the Vehicle Assembly Building & Launch Complex 39.

Visitor Complex

As you head to the main Visitor Complex, you will get the chance to explore 31 attractions spread across 5 zones. Some must-see highlights inside the complex include the Rocket Garden, Space Shuttle Atlantis, Apollo 8 & the Firing Room, Journey to Mars, the original Saturn V Rocket, & the IMAX Theater. Learn more about what's inside each zone from a space expert who knows the ins and outs of the complex!

About the Visitor Complex

Behind the Gates

The Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour takes you on an exclusive journey through NASA’s restricted areas. Explore the area where the Apollo and space shuttle missions were launched and discover the launch pads currently used by NASA and its partners. The tour will also take you past the Vehicle Assembly Building, a pivotal structure when it comes to past and future space missions.

Behind the Gates of KSC

Frequently Asked Questions About the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

Yes, there is a Kennedy Space Center bus tour that you can opt for to explore the attractions inside along with an expert tour guide.

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