Star Citizen ship prices: what you actually pay
Many flyable ships have in-game acquisition options. Check the exact hull and build. The real-money prices are optional. Here is the truth.
By Domux. Updated 2026-10-03.
Short answer: you never have to pay real money for ships. Many flyable ships have in-game buying or rental options with aUEC; availability varies. The real-money prices you see are optional pledges. To start, all you need is a Game Package from $45, plus 50,000 UEC free with a referral code. RSI currency definitions
Star Citizen ship prices look alarming, from a few dollars to several thousand. The key thing new players miss: those are optional, and you can earn any ship by playing. Here is how ship pricing actually works.
Two kinds of ship "price"
- In-game (UEC), what you actually use: you buy or rent ships at in-game terminals with UEC you earn. Your starter plus the 50,000 UEC referral bonus gets you going, and you work up from there. This costs no real money.
- Real-money pledges, optional: RSI sells ships for real money to fund development. These range from cheap starters to very expensive capital ships. You never need them.
The only ship prices a new player needs
| Starter Pack (with game access) | Ship | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Citizen Starter Pack | RSI Aurora Mk II | $45.00 (regular $60.00) source checked 2026-10-03 |
| Generalist | Drake Cutter | $60.00 source checked 2026-10-03 |
| Duelist | Avenger Titan | $75.00 source checked 2026-10-03 |
| Hauler | Crusader Intrepid | $80.00 source checked 2026-10-03 |
| Privateer | Cutlass Black | $125.00 source checked 2026-10-03 |
Standalone ships (without game access) and large multi-crew ships run from roughly a hundred dollars into the thousands for the biggest. All optional. A new player only needs one Starter Pack.
Star Citizen ships by price, roughly
In-game buying and rental options depend on the hull, variant and current build. Check actual availability rather than assuming every ship or concept can be acquired with alpha currency.
| Tier | Rough price | Example ships |
|---|---|---|
| Entry starters (include game access) | about $45 to $75 | Aurora Mk II, Mustang Alpha, Avenger Titan |
| Small to medium standalone | roughly $60 to $260 | Gladius, Cutlass Black, Freelancer, Constellation |
| Large multi-crew and industrial | roughly $250 to $750 | Carrack, Reclaimer, Corsair, Hammerhead |
| Capital ships | about $1,000 into the thousands | Idris, Javelin, Kraken |
These are optional pledge prices, not what you have to spend. The only purchase a new player needs is a Starter Pack from $45, and the referral code adds 50,000 UEC of in-game currency to start buying ships with UEC.
Why expensive ships are not necessary
So ignore the four-figure ships. Get the Citizen Starter Pack at $45, add the referral code for 50,000 UEC, and earn the rest in-game. Which pack fits you?
Sources and updates
By Domux. Public RSI profile, enlisted 3 January 2016.
Edited 3 October 2026. Prices are USD before tax. Check RSI for current offers and event dates.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Star Citizen ships cost?
In-game, you buy or rent ships with UEC you earn, costing no real money. Real-money pledge prices range from cheap starters to several thousand dollars for the largest ships, but they are optional. A new player only needs a Game Package from $45, plus 50,000 UEC free with a referral code.
What are Star Citizen ships by price?
In-game buying and rental options depend on the hull, variant and current build. Check actual availability rather than assuming every ship or concept can be acquired with alpha currency.
Do I have to buy ships with real money in Star Citizen?
No. Many flyable ships can be bought or rented in-game with aUEC, subject to availability. Real-money ships are optional pledges that fund development. Start with the Citizen Starter Pack at $45 and the 50,000 UEC bonus, then earn ships in-game.
What is the cheapest Star Citizen ship?
The cheapest way in is the Citizen Starter Pack at $45 (the RSI Aurora Mk II), which includes game access. In-game, small ships are very cheap to rent or buy with UEC. Use a referral code for 50,000 UEC to spend.
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: 3 October 2026