Behind the Gates

Included with Admission
Wheelchair Accessible
Must-See Attraction
Allow 3 hours

The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

The last tour bus leaves 2.5 hours before the visitor complex closes each day. Check the Daily Schedule for exact timing on the day of your visit.

Tour the birthplace of American spaceflight. From the comfort of an air-conditioned motor coach, view restricted areas of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the working spaceflight facility where America launches to the Moon, where every space shuttle soared to orbit, and where NASA plans to send astronauts into deep space.

The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour is included with admission and stops at The Gantry at LC-39 and the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Explore each attraction as long as you wish and board a bus when you are done. Learn more about your journey behind NASA’s gates below.

Please Note: As NASA and its commercial partners increase launch activity, certain roads may become unavailable to visitor complex buses. The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour may be rerouted in response to these operational requirements with little to no notice.

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The Gantry at LC-39

Go beyond NASA’s gates and experience The Gantry at LC-39, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s newest attraction. Adjacent to legendary Launch Complex 39 at Kennedy Space Center and the launch pads at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, The Gantry is situated in the day-to-day action of America’s premier spaceport.

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Apollo/Saturn V Center

Stand in amazement under the gigantic Saturn V, the largest rocket ever flown, and relive the wonder and excitement of the Apollo Moon landings.

Celebrate History

Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB)

Title	Content
Height	525 feet (160 meters)
Width	518 feet (159 meters)
Coverage	8 acres
Year Opened	1965
Stories	1
Volume	129.3 million ft2 (3.6 million m3)
Steel Used	98,590 tons
High Bays	4
Door Height	456 feet (139 meters)

Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour bus — Every day, take a bus tour to go beyond NASA’s gates. Buses run non-stop throughout the day.

View of NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) from the water — NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) is one of the most iconic structures at Kennedy Space Center. You can’t miss seeing its massive size on the bus tour! © NASA.gov

Once a space shuttle launch pad, Launch Complex 39B has since been outfitted for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Artemis missions. © NASA.gov

Once the launch site for every man that walked on the Moon, Launch Complex 39A is now operated by SpaceX . With the frequency of launches, you may just spot a rocket on the pad while you are on the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour. © NASA.gov

Alligator in the wild — Kennedy Space Center resides on the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, so there is a lot of wildlife to spot on the bus tour. Keep an eye out for alligators, boar, gopher tortoises, bald eagles and so much more. © NASA

Couple taking a selfie outside of the NASA building

Add-On Enhancement

Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour

With a space expert as your guide, tour America’s premier spaceport, making stops for iconic photographic views.

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Space Shuttle Atlantis®

Experience Atlantis up close, the only space shuttle displayed in flight, with 60+ interactive exhibits celebrating NASA's Shuttle Program.

Allow 1 hour

Interior of the gateway deep space complex

Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex®

Experience the present and future of space exploration with authentic spacecraft, futuristic prototypes, and immersive displays from NASA and its partners.

Allow 45 minutes

Man and woman talking to an astronaut during the astronaut encounter attraction

Meet an Astronaut

Each day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, visitors get the rare opportunity to meet a veteran NASA astronaut.

Journey To Mars

Discover NASA’s deep space plans, see life-sized Mars rover replicas, and test your skills in Journey To Mars.

Allow 30 minutes

Heroes and Legends

Celebrate NASA's early space pioneers who inspired a nation. Heroes & Legends also features the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®.

Allow 30 minutes

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