Museum · Washington, D.C.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: free tickets, timed passes & hours
The Smithsonian's flagship aviation and spaceflight museum on the National Mall, home of the 1903 Wright Flyer and the Apollo 11 command module Columbia.
Independent guide, not the official Air and Space Museum website. Official links are under Sources.
Air and Space Museum is free to enter.
- Open today 10:00–17:30.
- Every visitor, including children, needs a free timed-entry pass (up to nine per booking). Passes for a month are released at noon ET on the first day of the month two months earlier (April passes on 1 February); more may appear later. Your visit length is not limited.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Free admission for everyone with a free timed-entry pass: Every visitor, including children, needs a free timed-entry pass (up to nine per booking). Passes for a month are released at noon ET on the first day of the month two months earlier (April passes on 1 February); more may appear later. Your visit length is not limited.
- All visitors enter on the north side, on Jefferson Drive SW; do not arrive before the time on your pass.
- Plan for about 25 minutes of security screening at the door.
- The Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia (Space Shuttle Discovery, SR-71) is also free and needs no pass.
- Free docent-led highlights tours start from the Welcome Center; ask there for times.
- There is no public parking at the Mall museums; L'Enfant Plaza is the nearest Metro station.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always freeFree admission for everyone with a free timed-entry pass | everyone | Planetarium shows and IMAX films are ticketed separately at the on-site box office. Re-entry the same day needs a new pass. | Yes |
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Air and Space Museum
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 10:00–17:30 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 10:00–17:30 |
| Wed | 10:00–17:30 |
| Thu | 10:00–17:30 |
| Fri | 10:00–17:30 |
| Sat | 10:00–17:30 |
| Sun | 10:00–17:30 |
Daily 10am-5:30pm (no entry after 5:15pm); closed 25 December. Timed passes are issued hourly from 10am to 4pm.
650 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20560, USA
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
Air and Space Museum: common questions
Is Air and Space Museum free?
Yes — Air and Space Museum is free to enter.
Do I need to book for free entry to Air and Space Museum?
Every visitor, including children, needs a free timed-entry pass (up to nine per booking). Passes for a month are released at noon ET on the first day of the month two months earlier (April passes on 1 February); more may appear later. Your visit length is not limited.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Air and Space Museum
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Sources
Where this comes from
- airandspace.si.edu/visit/museum-dc · checked Tuesday, 27 October 2026
- airandspace.si.edu/visit
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.