Space exploration up close
This museum offers a fascinating outing for families, curious children and anyone who has ever wondered what lies beyond our planet.
Located beside the European Space Agency’s ESTEC centre, Space Expo makes an interesting addition to a stay in the region around Keukenhof. Combine your spring visit with a journey into the science, technology and human stories behind space travel.
One of the museum’s standout exhibits is the original Soyuz capsule used by Dutch astronaut André Kuipers. Seeing its compact interior gives you a striking impression of the limited space available to astronauts. Elsewhere, a walk-through model of the International Space Station introduces you to their surroundings in orbit, while displays explain how space missions are prepared and how astronauts live away from Earth.
Visiting Space Expo with children
For younger visitors, the museum offers an interactive scavenger hunt recommended for children aged five and over. Questions and challenges encourage them to look closely at the exhibits, with an astronaut diploma to earn along the way. Additional activities regularly take place during school holidays.
Allow approximately two hours for a museum visit, with extra time for any activities you choose to join.
The optional Space Train to ESA ESTEC
On selected dates, you can extend your visit with the Space Train, a guided excursion into ESA ESTEC. The tour takes approximately 75 minutes and is offered in Dutch and English.
It requires an additional ticket and is available to visitors aged nine and over; under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets normally become available one week beforehand. Separate identification, nationality and accessibility restrictions apply to this tour, so read the Space Train conditions before booking.
Combine Space Expo with your Keukenhof stay
Space Expo is also a useful choice for a rainy day during your spring break. Our suggestion is to give the museum its own half-day, leaving time for a walk along the coast or a relaxed lunch in Noordwijk. If you combine it with Keukenhof on the same day, allow enough time for both attractions and the journey between them.
Before or after exploring the museum, you can stop at the café for drinks, ice cream and small snacks. The museum shop sells space-themed books, toys and souvenirs.
Where is Space Expo and where can you park?
Address: Keplerlaan 3, 2201 AZ Noordwijk. Space Expo is beside ESA’s ESTEC site, behind the coastal dunes. Navigate to the museum entrance when arriving by car or private transfer. A normal museum visit does not include entry to the working ESA site.
The museum has around 100 free parking spaces, including two designated accessible spaces, and one charging point for electric cars. A bicycle rack is also available. For a coach visit, agree the arrival arrangements with the museum beforehand.
For practical questions, call +31 (0)71 200 14 00 or email info@space-expo.nl.
Opening hours and booking
The museum’s regular opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:00. It also opens on selected Mondays, including some school holidays. Exceptions can apply for holidays and private events. Booking a ticket and arrival time online is recommended.
Admission prices
| Admission | Published price |
|---|---|
| Ages 13 and over | €18.50 |
| Children aged 4–12 | €16.50 |
| Children aged 0–3 | Free |
| Optional Space Train, ages 9+ | €10.75 extra |
Prices checked in October 2026; rates may change for 2027. Standard admission includes the museum’s exhibitions.
Toilets, Wi-Fi, café and other facilities
| Facility | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Toilets | An adapted toilet is available, with support rails, a lowered basin and an alarm. |
| Baby changing | A baby-changing facility is provided in the adapted toilet. |
| Wi-Fi | Public visitor Wi-Fi is not confirmed in the museum’s published visitor information. Ask at reception about guest access and save your ticket to your phone beforehand. |
| Café | Open during museum hours, serving hot and cold drinks, ice cream and small snacks, with indoor and outdoor seating. |
| Museum shop | Space-themed books, toys, clothing and souvenirs are available. |
| Lockers for the Space Train | A limited number of free lockers is available. Bags are not permitted on the Space Train excursion. |
| Payments | Space Expo accepts card payments only; bring a payment card rather than relying on cash. |
The café is useful for a drink or small snack before continuing your day. Our suggestion is to allow a separate lunch stop if the museum forms part of a full-day itinerary.
Wheelchair access and a quieter visit
Most of Space Expo is accessible, but some ramps are steep. The ISS model has a narrow passage and limited turning room; some interactive exhibits are inaccessible. Two manual wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge; reserve one by telephone.
A visitor who cannot explore independently may bring a companion free of charge. Registered assistance dogs are welcome in the museum. The Space Train has different restrictions: the ESTEC route includes stairs without lifts and cannot accommodate assistance dogs.
Sound and lighting effects can make the galleries lively. The museum says visits are often quieter after 15:00, although this leaves less time before closing. Ask staff for help if you need a break.
Planning a family visit or a longer stay
Allow approximately two hours for the museum. With the 75-minute Space Train excursion and a refreshment break, our suggestion is to reserve most of a half-day. If you take a late-afternoon Space Train, visit the galleries first so that you can enjoy them before closing.
Families with younger children can focus on a few memorable exhibits: compare the small Soyuz capsule with the much larger ISS model, look for a familiar planet or use the discovery game to guide the visit. Children under nine can enjoy the museum but cannot join the Space Train.
All exhibitions are included in a standard museum ticket. Museumkaart and VriendenLoterij VIP-KAART holders can reserve a free museum time slot. Book an arrival time online to secure entry; tickets at the desk depend on availability.
What to bring if you book the Space Train
For the ESTEC excursion, visitors aged 14 and over must bring an accepted original identity document; a scan or photocopy is not sufficient. Admission restrictions based on identity-document nationality also apply. Check the official conditions before paying, as these rules concern entry to ESTEC.
Photography, food and drinks are not permitted during the excursion. Leave bags in the available lockers and arrive before the departure time. If you need to carry medication, contact Space Expo in advance so the arrangements can be agreed with security.
Information checked on 2 October 2026 using Space Expo’s official visitor information, accessibility guide, frequently asked questions, opening hours and prices and Space Train conditions. Prices and arrangements can change before the 2027 season. The half-day itinerary is our planning suggestion.
