A Complete Guide to the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tours
The Kennedy Space Center has been sending humans and shuttles into space for a long time and continues to be a main site for NASA launches. With the comfort of a bus, get a chance to visit the restricted regions of the Kennedy Space Center, the spaceflight facility, and so much more.
Read on to know more about the significant highlights and what makes the Kennedy Space Center bus tour worth an experience.
Why Take a Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour?
- By taking the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour get ready to explore outer space and get an insight into where the future of space exploration launches is held.
- The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour takes place every day – get a complete behind-the-scenes tour of the Kennedy Space Center.
- Enjoy an opportunity to admire the icons of the NASA flight operations like the historical Launch Complex 39 and the Vehicle Assembly Building.
- Learn all the details, facts, stories, and experiences about NASA and space travel along with a licensed space expert tour guide.
- Get round-trip transfers from Orlando, Kissimmee, Disney, or Lake Buena Vista areas.
Your Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour Ticket Explained
- The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour takes you through the Apollo/Saturn V Center and gives an insight into the most mission-critical areas of the Kennedy Space Center.
- Witness larger-than-life facilities from your bus and get a closer look into areas like the launch complex 39B and the Vehicle Assembly Building.
- This tour allows you to get a guided tour where you get to learn all about how NASA joined commercial partners to work towards the future of space exploration.
- Your Kennedy Space Center Bus tour ticket offers you 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 and timeline.
Flexible Duration: This ticket offers a flexible duration.
Cancellation Policy: Tickets cannot be rescheduled or canceled.
About the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour
- Timings: 1 Jan – 12 Mar: 9 AM – 5 PM, 13 Mar – 16 Apr: 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
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.
Highlights Covered on Your Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour
Space Exploration
The Kennedy Space Center lets you dive into the past, present, and future of the space program, allowing visitors to soak in the whole experience like never before. You will be transported to the cutting edge of space exploration through a series of hands-on exhibits, presentations, movies, and a daily Astronaut encounter with one of the heroes of NASA’s operations.
Behind the Gates
On this bus tour, get a chance to visit NASA’s restricted areas. Witness where the Apollo and space shuttle missions were launched as you discover what NASA and its partners are into now. The tour will take you on a journey where you can see the Vehicle Assembly Building, active launch pads and the iconic Crawler Way, where the Saturn V and space shuttles came into being to launch pads 39A and 39B.
Behind the Gates of KSC
Visitor Complex
As you head to the main Visitor Complex, get a chance to check out the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, along with its presentation of one of the four surviving orbiters. You can also take a ride on the Shuttle Launch Experience, which allows you to get an experience on how it feels like to blast off from the Space Center.Visit the Heroes and Legends Center, explore the IMAX Theatre and wander through the Rocket Garden.
About the Visitor Complex
Gateway Complex
Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex allows you to explore the future of space travel and highlights what is occurring right now in the space program. Then, get into the spaceport of the future, Spaceport KSC and get set to launch aboard a unique journey during an immersive ride.
One Giant Leap
As you take the bus tour to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, witness the gigantic Saturn V, that is the largest rocket ever flown. With new engaging exhibits, relive the excitement of the Apollo era and celebrate the achievements of putting humans on the Moon.
The Saturn V Rocket
Stroll through the Giants
NASA’s Gemini, Mercury and Apollo programs are represented by the garden of giants, that honors scientists and engineers who made spaceflight an actual reality. There is a lot to see here, and you are sure to need a day to soak it all in, and with the bus tour, it Is just the most ideal way to indulge your inner astronaut.
Visitor Tips
- We recommend you plan well in advance and make a tentative plan to be sure that you cover everything you wish to see at the Kennedy Space Center on your bus tour.
- Download the Kennedy Space Center App to see the map, check the schedule, or save some favourites.
- Get to the attraction as early as possible. If you arrive during the opening time you can beat the long crowds at the gate.
- Have a glance at what the daily schedule looks like. It shows the timings for IMAX movies, live events, Astronaut Autographs, and more.
- Once you have entered, head to the bus tour and you will be taken to the Apollo/Saturn Center.
- Make sure you keep aside at least an hour or two for the bus tour.
- Once you are done, you can ride the bus back to the main visitor complex where you can check out the Space Shuttle Atlantis, Rocket Garden, NASA Now + Next, and many other attractions.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour
A. Yes, there is a Kennedy Space Center bus tour that you can opt for to explore the attractions inside.
A. You can purchase your Kennedy Space Center bus tour tickets online well in advance.
A. By taking the Kennedy Space Center bus tour, you can go through the back gates and much further than the actual Visitor Complex. If you wish to see NASA’s genuine launch pads and other official facilities, then this is the tour you must take!
A. The Kennedy Space Center bus tour tickets start from $189.
A. No, the daily admission ticket does not include a bus tour. You will have to book tickets for the Kennedy Space Center bus tour separately.
A. By purchasing your tickets online well in advance, you can enjoy great deals and discounts on your Kennedy Space Center bus tour tickets.
A. The Kennedy Space Center bus tour tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.
A. By taking the Kennedy Space Center bus tour, you can gain access to NASA’s restricted areas, and get an insight into the history and future of space exploration.
A. From 1 January to 12 March, the bus tour timings are from 9 AM to 5 PM, and from 13 March to 16 April, the timings are from 9 AM to 6 PM.
A. The Kennedy Space Center bus tour takes at least two hours to visit the Apollo/Saturn V Center and the return back to the main Visitor Complex.
A. The Kennedy Space Center bus tour is equipped with a wheelchair and scooter-accessible lifts. Visitors can request for these services while purchasing the tickets or at the boarding location.
A. From 1 January to 12 March, the bus tour timings are from 9 AM to 5 PM, and from 13 March to 16 April, the timings are from 9 AM to 6 PM. The last bus tour runs 2.5 hours before the complex closure.
A. Taking a bus tour of the Kennedy Space Center is a full-day experience and is a long-time guest favorite. There is so much to explore and it is absolutely worth it.
