A squadron of Star Citizen fighter jets soaring across a desert terrain.

How to play Star Citizen for free?
Last updated on September 8th 2024

No Free to Play event active (read further for alternative method)

We expect the next Free Fly around November. Last Free Fly event was in August 2024

Is Star Citizen Free to Play?

Sometimes. Star Citizen is not free to play generally speaking. At the time of writing this post, you can expect to pay $45 (excl. taxes) for a game package to play the game.

However, the game often does events during which anyone with a free account can play the game. These events are called “Free Fly events”. They often make a selection of ships available for you to fly and try out the game.

Anyone can join in these events as many times as they like, you are not limited to just 1 event. You can join as many as you like. You only need to register a free account.

How to Play Star Citizen for Free?

As mentioned before, Star Citizen is not generally Free to Play.

However, several times per year, Star Citizen hosts events during which any player with a free account can play the game for the duration of said event. These Free Fly events happen every couple of months. Often around Valentines Day (February), around May, around the summer time (July/August), around November and around Christmas (December).

Is there any other way I can experience Star Citizen for Free outside of these events? Technically not, but you can always buy a game package and refund within 30 days if you don’t like the game.

Register here to claim bonus currency

I don’t advocate abusing the refund system! But you are well within your rights to buy a game package and refund if the game turns out not to be for you.

Is Star Citizen Worth Buying?

That answer is too long for this post, I wrote a long desertation here. The TLDR; yes, it is worth buying if:

  • You are a fan of Space games with a focus on simulation rather than fast paced action
  • You are not easily bothered by bugs (some worse than others)
  • You want to realise and support the most ambitious game in current development
  • You want to experience what it is like flying to any planet and any place you can see, without loading screens (unlike Starfield)

Can I request a refund?

Yes. Within the first 30 days of purchase, you can request a refund. Read the official article for full details.