Association of Science and Technologies Centers

ASTC Passport Program FAQ

The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Passport Program is a reciprocal admission program. Only eligible members of active and participating Science Centers and Museums (SCMs) members can participate in the program. The benefit includes free general admission at participating science centers and museums outside of your local area (90-mile radius from the science center or museum where you are a member and from your residence). Please contact your local participating science center or museum for more information.

Starting January 1, 2026, the Passport Program was updated to standardize participation guidelines and make it easier for participating museums, their members, and visitors to use the program benefits.

To enhance equity among participating institutions, we have established a minimum cost of science center and museum memberships that provide access to the ASTC Passport Program. Memberships that include the Passport Program as a benefit must cost at least $100 for Groups and $40 for Individuals.

Exceptions include access programs or needs-based memberships that cost less than $100 or $40, and organizations that do not charge general admission may offer Passport users a 10% museum store discount.

We have also defined a standard group size for visitors using Passport benefits to enhance transparency and consistency.

  • Group Memberships: Up to 2 adults, including at least one named cardholder, and 4 children.
    o Individual Memberships: The named cardholder only.

The Passport Program is a travel benefit included in membership at your local participating science center or museum. You must become a member of a participating science center or museum in order to be eligible for Passport Program benefits. Please visit www.astc.org/passport for a list of participating venues.

Unfortunately, no. Participating science centers and museums located within a 90-mile radius of each other are excluded from the program. This rule, put in place due to United States Free-Market rules and fair trade regulations, has been in effect since 1999. (You can check the linear distance on Google Maps by using these instructions.)

Unfortunately, no. Passport Program visitors are ineligible for Passport Program benefits at science centers and museums within a 90-mile radius of their primary residence. The residency restriction was introduced in 2006 to close a loophole through which individuals would search online and purchase the least expensive membership to a Passport Program venue in order to visit their local science center or museum for free.

Passport venues are not required to grant free admission to visitors who forget their cards. There is no universal database with all Passport visitors’ member data and expiration dates for admission staff to reference. Some venues will allow you to call the science center or museum you joined to confirm your membership, but they are under no obligation to do so.t

Please contact the science center or museum which you joined. ASTC does not issue or administer membership cards.

The list of participants is updated twice a year. Lists are active from May 1 to October 31 and November 1 to April 30 of the following year.

 

What is the ASTC Passport Program?
The ASTC Passport Program is a reciprocal admission program that offers a travel benefit to members at participating science centers or museums.

How can I become a member of the Passport Program?
The Passport Program is a travel benefit included in membership at your local participating science center or museum. You must become a member of a participating science center or museum in order to be eligible for Passport Program benefits. Please visit www.astc.org/passport for a list of participating venues.

How much does the Passport Program cost?
The Passport Program is a travel benefit included in membership at your local participating science center or museum. Please contact your local participating science center or museum for membership pricing. Visit www.astc.org/passport for a list of participating venues.

Which science centers and museums participate in the program?
Visit www.astc.org/passport for a list of participating venues. Not all ASTC-member science centers and museums participate in the Passport Program.

What are the benefits of the Passport Program?
The Passport Program is a travel benefit included in membership at your local participating science center or museum. The benefit includes free general admission at participating science centers and museums outside of your local area (90-mile radius from the science center or museum where you are a member and from your residence). Please contact your local participating science center or museum for more information.

Who can I take with me for free?
Each participating science center or museum has its own admissions policy stating how many visitors are eligible for Passport Program benefits. Please contact the participating science center or museum you wish to visit for more information.

Do I receive free admission to special exhibits, IMAX films, or planetarium shows?
The Passport Program provides free general admission to eligible visitors. The program does not include large-screen theater presentations, planetarium shows, or admission to special exhibits or traveling exhibits unless stated otherwise in the admissions policy.

Do I receive a discount to the museum store?
Unless it is specified in the admissions policy, you do not receive discounts on museum store purchases.

How can I receive Passport Program benefits at a science center or museum?
Before you travel…

  1. Make sure the science center or museum you are visiting is not excluded. Local exclusions apply (science centers and museums within a 90-mile radius of the science center or museum where you are a member and of your primary residence). You can check the linear distance using Google Maps by following these instructions.
  2. Review that science center or museum’s family admittance policy. Download the list of participating venues below and call before you visit to confirm your Passport Program benefits.
  3. Pack your ID (or other proof of residence). Admissions staff reserve the right to request proof of residence for benefits to apply. Science centers and museums requesting proof of residence are marked by (✓IDs).
  4. Pack your membership card. Participating venues are not required to grant benefits to visitors who forget their cards. There is no universal database with all Passport Program visitors’ member data and expiration dates for admission staff to reference. Some venues will allow you to call the science center or museum you joined to confirm your membership, but they are under no obligation to do so.


How do I know if I am eligible for Passport Program benefits at a science center or museum?
As a member of a participating science center or museum, you are eligible for Passport Program benefits at other participating venues located outside of a 90-mile radius from the science center or museum of which you are a member and from your primary residence. If you are unsure if you are eligible for Passport Program benefits, contact the participating science center or museum you wish to visit to verify your eligibility.

Can I receive Passport Program benefits at my local science center or museum?
Unfortunately, no. Participating science centers and museums located within a 90-mile radius of each other are excluded from the program. This rule, put in place due to United States Free-Market rules and fair trade regulations, has been in effect since 1999. (You can check the linear distance on Google Maps by using these instructions.)

Can I receive Passport Program benefits at my local science center or museum if I purchase a membership at a participating science center or museum out of state?
Unfortunately, no. Passport Program visitors are ineligible for Passport Program benefits at science centers and museums within a 90-mile radius of their primary residence. The residency restriction was introduced in 2006 to close a loophole through which individuals would search online and purchase the least expensive membership to a Passport Program venue in order to visit their local science center or museum for free.

How can I visit local science centers and museums for free?
Contact your local science center or museum for more information regarding other reciprocal admission programs in your area. The Passport Program is a travel benefit that only offers reciprocal admission benefits at participating science centers and museums outside of your local area (90-mile radius from the science center or museum where you are a member and from your residence).

What happens if I forget my membership card?
Passport venues are not required to grant free admission to visitors who forget their cards. There is no universal database with all Passport visitors’ member data and expiration dates for admission staff to reference. Some venues will allow you to call the science center or museum you joined to confirm your membership, but they are under no obligation to do so.

How can I get a membership card?
Please contact the science center or museum which you joined. ASTC does not issue or administer membership cards.

How often is the list of participants updated?
The list of participants is updated twice a year. Lists are active from May 1 to October 31 and November 1 to April 30 of the following year.

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