NASA Mission Control Tram Tour + General Admission: Houston

Walk through the room where Apollo 11 was controlled from launch to splashdown

This combo ticket bundles general admission to Space Center Houston with a guided tram tour of the historic Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control Center in Houston. You explore the campus at your own pace (Rocket Park, the Saturn V, Independence Plaza with a Space Shuttle replica, and exhibits on the International Space Station and Mars), then board a tram to the facility where NASA monitored nine Gemini missions and all Apollo lunar missions, including Apollo 11 and Apollo 17. A live English-speaking guide leads the Mission Control tram tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore NASA Space Center Houston

• Arrive at Space Center Houston
• Visit Rocket Park and Saturn V rocket
• Board replica 905 Space Shuttle
• Explore Independence Plaza
• Learn about International Space Station
• Discover life possibilities on Mars
• Take Historic Mission Control tram tour
• Visit Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control

The experience

Up to 8 hours gives you room to move through the Space Center without rushing. You arrive at your chosen general admission time and explore the campus freely: Rocket Park and the Saturn V rocket, the replica Space Shuttle on Independence Plaza, exhibits on life aboard the International Space Station, and the possibilities of settlement on Mars. The tram tour of Mission Control is scheduled separately by NASA based on availability, so you fit it into the hours that work for you.

The Mission Control tram takes you into the Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Center, the actual facility where the NASA team exercised full mission control of Apollo 11 from launch at Kennedy Space Center to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. You see the monitors and rotary dials still in the room. A live guide in English walks you through the history of nine Gemini missions and all the Apollo lunar missions, including Apollo 17, the final crewed trip to the Moon. The tram tour is non-refundable and subject to cancellation by NASA in bad weather. Availability varies by season and staffing.

Tickets arrive by email or text about an hour before your general admission entry time. You're responsible for getting to the Space Center. Public transportation is available nearby. Infants and small children can ride in a stroller, and water, electronics, small packaged snacks and backpacks are generally permitted inside. The package includes a tip sheet to help you plan your time across the campus.

What’s included

• General admission tickets for entrance to Space Center Houston.
• NASA Historic Mission Control tram tour with a live English-speaking guide.
• access to Rocket Park, the Saturn V rocket, Independence Plaza with a Space Shuttle replica, International Space Station exhibits, and Mars settlement exhibits.
• a tip sheet to maximize your NASA experience.
• instructions for booking free trams available inside the Space Center based on NASA's daily availability.

Information

Lasts 1h–8h, runs every day, 13 start times, from US$ 125 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day except Saturday: 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00 and 15:30Saturday: 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30 and 16:00

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (under 18)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Astroville Tours & Houston Charter Transportation

Is this one for you?With up to 8 hours to spend, you have time to move through the Space Center's major exhibits and still catch the Mission Control tram tour without feeling rushed, making this package work for families and groups who want both breadth and depth in a single visit.

Traveler reviews

4.71★★★★★★★★★★

28 verified traveler reviews

5 ★25

4 ★1

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 18).

What is the Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control Center?

The Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center is the actual facility where NASA monitored and controlled nine Gemini missions and all Apollo lunar missions, including Apollo 11 and Apollo 17. From this room, the NASA team exercised full mission control of Apollo 11 from launch at Kennedy Space Center to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. You see the original monitors and rotary dials still in place.

Can I explore Space Center Houston on my own, or is the whole day guided?

You explore the Space Center campus at your own pace during your general admission hours. The Mission Control tram tour is a separate, guided experience scheduled by NASA based on availability. You fit both into the time that works for you.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day I visit?

The Mission Control tram tour can be cancelled by NASA due to inclement weather. The tram tour is non-refundable if this occurs. General admission tickets are not affected by weather.

When do I get my tickets, and how are they delivered?

You receive your general admission and Mission Control tram tickets by email and/or text message (including WhatsApp when applicable) approximately one hour before your selected general admission entry time. The Mission Control tram departure time is assigned by NASA based on the best available slot.