Let’s be real, space travel is no longer the stuff of science fiction or government astronauts alone. Right now, in 2026, the door to orbit and beyond is cracked wide open for anyone with deep pockets and a sense of adventure. Whether it’s suborbital hops, multi-day space station stays, or slow balloon rides to the stratosphere, the choices are finally here. You can actually book a seat, pay a deposit, or apply to reserve your place among the stars this year.
What’s wild is the sheer variety. Some packages demand a year of your life in training. Others need zero preparation at all. Each promises something different: raw adrenaline, serene panoramas, or the mind-bending reality of floating inside the International Space Station. Pricing, timelines, and even what counts as “space” differ wildly across operators. So if you’ve ever wondered what real luxury space travel looks like today, here’s what you can actually reserve right now.
Virgin Galactic’s Delta Class Spaceplane
Virgin Galactic remains on schedule to complete development of its next-generation suborbital spaceplane and begin commercial flights before the end of 2026, with test flights of its first Delta-class spaceplane in the third quarter and commercial research flights beginning in the fourth quarter. The company expects pricing will be higher than the last published price of $600,000. Private astronaut flights are expected to follow research missions in fall 2026.
The Delta class represents a major upgrade from Virgin’s retired VSS Unity. The new spaceplane will be capable of flying up to eight times a month, carrying six passengers per flight. Each flight will take passengers on a suborbital journey beyond the atmosphere, offering several minutes of weightlessness and views of Earth against the blackness of space. SpaceNews reports that Virgin Galactic completed upgrades to its carrier aircraft Eve and is targeting a higher flight rate than ever before.
Blue Origin New Shepard Suborbital Rocket
Blue Origin collects a $150,000 USD deposit to begin the order process, and all deposits are fully refundable. Blue Origin does not publicly list a standard ticket price. Prices are not made public but applications on the website require a US$150,000 refundable deposit. The company has been actively flying missions in 2026, including accessible flights for passengers with disabilities.
The deposit secures a seat for an approximately 11-minute-long flight beyond the Karman Line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. New Shepard launches vertically from West Texas, sends the capsule above the recognized boundary of space, and then returns passengers via parachute for a desert landing. Unlike some competitors, Blue Origin’s system is fully autonomous, and the capsule features panoramic windows offering sweeping views during the few minutes of weightlessness.
Axiom Space Private Missions to the International Space Station
Axiom Space is charging $55 million per ticket according to The Washington Post. However, more recent 2025 reporting suggests the pricing has increased. Axiom Space offers missions to the International Space Station that include a 10-day mission with 15 weeks of training. These packages include transportation via SpaceX Crew Dragon, life support, crew provisions, and a comprehensive astronaut preparation program.
Axiom has successfully completed multiple crewed missions to the ISS and has agreements for additional flights in 2026 and beyond. The experience goes far beyond tourism. Participants conduct genuine research experiments during their stay aboard the orbiting laboratory. Honestly, it’s hard to say for sure, but this might be the closest a private citizen can get to the real astronaut experience without joining a space agency.
Space Perspective Spaceship Neptune Balloon Capsule
Space Perspective sold seats on the Spaceship Neptune capsule for $125,000 per person and planned to send passengers 100,000 feet above the Earth in a balloon. The company said in an update on its website that it operated a successful test flight in September and planned to operate commercial flights in 2026. Customers can place reservations with a refundable deposit starting at $1,000.
However, Space Perspective has faced serious operational challenges. According to court records, the company owed $90,295 in unpaid rent to the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority and was evicted in March. In July 2025 the company was acquired by competitor Eos X Space, a balloon flight company based in Spain. The future of reservations made before the acquisition remains uncertain, so proceed with caution if you’re considering this option.
Zephalto Céleste Luxury Stratospheric Balloon
A limited quantity of pre-reservation tickets can be purchased at €120,000 per person, set to launch in late 2024. More recent pricing from the Zephalto website indicates the current rate is €180,000 per guest. The company promotes flights “by 2025” on its website. Zephalto’s French-designed Céleste capsule is a pressurized sphere with three intimate cabins for six passengers total.
The six-hour journey ascends to 25 kilometers above Earth via a hydrogen-filled stratospheric balloon. At an altitude of 25km, an exceptional panorama of 1,400 km unfolds through 3-metre-wide panoramic windows. The experience includes Michelin-starred meals, customized ambiance, and a gentle ascent with no G-forces or training required. It’s a serene, design-forward alternative to rocket-powered flights, though it reaches the stratosphere rather than crossing the internationally recognized boundary of space.
Private Axiom Ax-5 Mission Scheduled for 2026
Ax-5 is a planned private crew mission to the ISS that will launch no earlier than May 2026. While specific seat pricing for Ax-5 has not been publicly confirmed, earlier Axiom missions were priced in the range of roughly $55 million per seat. Axiom has already completed Ax-1 through Ax-4 missions successfully, building operational experience and customer confidence.
These missions typically last between 8 and 14 days docked to the ISS. Participants work alongside professional astronauts, conduct scientific experiments, and live in the U.S. segment of the station. Axiom operates its own Mission Control Center in Houston and manages all crew operations, payload integration, and safety protocols. For those seeking the most authentic orbital experience available to private citizens, this is it.
Space Perspective Chef Collaboration Flight
Booking is available now for late 2025 / early 2026 for an immersive dining experience with Michelin-starred Chef Rasmus Munk from restaurant Alchemist aboard Space Perspective’s Spaceship Neptune. Six explorers will join this exclusive culinary journey above roughly 99 percent of Earth’s atmosphere. The experience is a six-hour, multi-course meal of a lifetime.
Each Explorer will be outfitted by French fashion house Ogier, who will be crafting made-to-measure outfits designed using cutting-edge fabric technology developed specifically for this mission. All proceeds from this expedition will be directed to the Space Prize Foundation, dedicated to promoting gender equity in science and technology. This is a niche option that blends high gastronomy with near-space flight, though availability depends on Space Perspective’s operational status following its acquisition.
Sabbatical.Travel and Zephalto Transformational Package
The experience will take travellers 25 kilometres above Earth in Zephalto’s hydrogen balloon capsule, where guests can witness the planet’s curvature, and concludes with a “Reconnection Retreat” designed to help participants integrate their insights into daily life. The three stage package costs US$250,000, with finalised pricing determined closer to the date. This partnership combines the stratospheric flight with coaching sessions before and after the journey.
It’s an interesting concept. The idea is to process the “overview effect,” a cognitive shift reported by astronauts who view Earth from space. Participants join a community of fellow travelers and receive professional guidance on translating the perspective shift into meaningful personal and professional change. If you’re looking for something more introspective than just snapping photos at altitude, this package might resonate.
Virgin Galactic Legacy Customer Flights in 2027
Under the current schedule, most of the current backlog of private astronaut customers should be able to fly in 2027. Virgin Galactic currently has about 675 customers on its manifest. These are passengers who purchased tickets years ago, some at prices between $200,000 and $250,000, long before the new Delta class was announced.
If you’re one of these legacy ticket holders, your wait is nearly over. Virgin Galactic’s ramped-up flight rate with the Delta vehicles means the company can finally clear the backlog. The experience will be similar to what new customers receive: a rocket-powered ascent to suborbital space, several minutes of weightlessness, and panoramic views of Earth. The difference is you locked in pricing years ago, which now looks like a relative bargain compared to the $600,000-plus rates expected for new reservations.
Blue Origin Cryptocurrency Booking Option
Customers can now reserve seats on Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital rockets using a range of digital currencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, USDT, and USDC, by paying a fully refundable deposit of $150,000. Customers can pay directly through Blue Origin’s website reservation system by linking their crypto wallets like Coinbase or MetaMask.
This is a practical option for those holding significant cryptocurrency assets and wanting to diversify into once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The flight itself is the same 11-minute suborbital journey that Blue Origin has been operating, crossing the Karman Line and offering a few minutes of weightlessness. The crypto payment option simply broadens access for a different customer base and reflects Blue Origin’s effort to make the booking process more globally accessible.
Final Thoughts
The luxury space travel market in 2026 is no longer theoretical. You can reserve a seat with a deposit, sign agreements, and count down to launch day. Pricing ranges from around $125,000 for stratospheric balloon flights to $55 million and beyond for orbital stays aboard the ISS. Some experiences require a year of training, while others demand nothing but a willingness to step aboard.
What strikes me most is the diversity of the offerings. Suborbital hops, serene balloon ascents, culinary collaborations, transformational retreats, and genuine astronaut missions all coexist under the umbrella of space tourism. Each serves a different dream. The important thing is to verify what you’re actually booking: confirmed pricing, deposit terms, operational timelines, and the company’s financial health. Space travel is finally here, but it pays to do your homework before you fly.
What do you think? Would you take a balloon to the stratosphere or go all the way to the ISS? Let us know in the comments.
