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Star Citizen price: how much does it actually cost?

First Flight Pack, its checked price and the difference between a starter ship and 30-day loaners.

By Domux. Updated 2026-11-03.

Budget for the final checkout total, not just an advertised dollar figure. The dated First Flight quote below is USD before tax; currency, tax and any later offer can change the amount you pay. Extra ships are optional, and a referral does not reduce the checkout price.

The checked cost to start: $45 offer, $60 list before tax

The official package catalogue checked on 25 October 2026 lists Star Citizen First Flight Pack. Its observed price is $45 on offer / $60 list, USD before tax. This is a dated source quote, not a guaranteed future checkout total. The former seven named starter packages were not in that listing or available at their earlier purchase links.

First Flight includes the RSI Aurora Mk II, Star Citizen Digital Download, 10,000 UEC and six-month insurance. Check the current product before paying. A standalone ship provides no new game licence, and spending more is optional.

Try three roles with 30-day loaners

The product description also includes 30-day loaner access to Drake Golem for mining, MISC Fortune for salvage and Crusader Intrepid for cargo. Those are temporary loans, not three permanent extra ships. Check your PC requirements and alpha expectations first; this is not our own gameplay benchmark.

Add your referral at signup or within 24 hours on a new unlinked account. You may buy later. The standard 50,000 account UEC benefit is separate from a promised alpha wallet or a checkout discount. Domux can earn a Recruitment Point when the account owns a Game Package and reaches $40 in eligible fresh-money spending; gifts and store credit do not count. Signup steps · Current starter guide.

Buying for someone else: the new gift checkout

Before choosing a package for a friend, check the recipient’s existing game access. RSI’s new gift flow uses the Buying as a gift? option at checkout; only products offering that option qualify. A ship without a game entitlement does not replace a Game Package. RSI’s 27 October FAQ says the new process takes effect on 30 October 2026. The recipient needs an RSI account with a confirmed email address to redeem the emailed gift code.

Gift orders cannot use store credit. The gift is sent automatically after the transaction completes. If unclaimed after 30 days, the buyer is refunded automatically. Existing Hangar gifts and gift codes keep their earlier rules. RSI says purchase referral credit stays with the buyer; receiving a gift does not satisfy the recipient’s own qualifying cash-spending requirement. Official gifting FAQ.

Check a protected access pledge before changing packages

A pledge marked as protected Game Access cannot be reclaimed for store credit or gifted, but can still be upgraded with a CCU. RSI named 1 November 2026 as the end of the selection window; do not assume you can freely move that protection later. Check the access marker and contents before planning a package exchange. RSI’s protected-access instructions · Official access FAQ. Sources checked 1 November 2026.

Questions about the current package

Are the three extra ships permanent?

No. The First Flight product description grants 30-day loaner access to Golem, Fortune and Intrepid. Confirm the current terms at RSI.

Is the checked $45 price guaranteed?

No. $45 was the offer and $60 the list price in USD before tax at the 25 October 2026 check. Availability, tax and final checkout terms can change.

Historical package comparison: earlier listings, not current offers

Short answer: Star Citizen is buy-once, no subscription required. The cheapest way in is the Citizen Starter Pack at $60 list (source checked 14 October 2026). That is the whole cost to start playing. Sign up with the referral code and your account also gets 50,000 UEC of in-game currency, free.

The internet makes Star Citizen sound like it costs thousands. It does not have to. You can ignore the expensive ships entirely. Here is what it actually costs a new player, and what is optional.

What you actually have to pay

ItemCostRequired?
A Game Package (your way in)from $60 list (source checked 14 October 2026)Yes, once
Monthly subscription$0No, optional only
Expensive ships$0No, earn them in-game
DLC / expansions$0No, there are none

The package tiers

  • Citizen Starter Pack, $60 list (source checked 14 October 2026): RSI Aurora Mk II + 10,000 UEC. The cheapest and the right choice for most.
  • Duelist, $75 list (source checked 14 October 2026): Avenger Titan. A tougher all-rounder.
  • Privateer, $125 list (source checked 14 October 2026): Cutlass Black. Multi-crew. Not sure? Use the finder.

Why people think it costs thousands

Star Citizen sells high-end ships for real money (some cost hundreds), and that is what makes headlines. But those are optional pledges for people who want to fund development. You never need them: every ship can be bought or rented in-game with UEC, and your starter plus the 50,000 UEC referral bonus gets you flying immediately. Spending more than a Starter Pack is a choice, not a requirement.

So the real new-player cost is one Game Package, from $60 list (source checked 14 October 2026), once. Add the referral code at signup and you also get 50,000 UEC to kit out your character, at the same price. How to use the code.

For temporary access without a purchase, read when Star Citizen is free to try.

Sources and updates

By Domux. Public RSI profile, enlisted 3 January 2016.

Edited 3 November 2026. Source checks and historic signup observations have separate dates.

Ready to claim the 50,000 UEC?

The signup link pre-fills STAR-JTV7-FXLR. RSI advertises the bonus after buying a Game Package. The $40 fresh-money threshold determines the referrer's Recruitment Point. RSI referral conditions

Enlist with code STAR-JTV7-FXLR ✓ Verified referral code · Today: 13 November 2026

Add the code at signup or within 24 hours of creating your account. That is not a deadline to buy. A free account can join public Free Fly events during their announced windows. Special event rewards have separate rules. RSI rules