For decades, the Moon has been a symbol of dreams, science fiction, and distant possibility. But lately, the question isn’t if we’ll go back—it’s when. And more provocatively: could we ever spend our holidays there?
Let’s explore what it would actually take to turn the Moon into the ultimate tourist destination.
Getting There
The Moon is about 384,400 kilometers (238,855 miles) away from Earth. That’s roughly the distance you’d cover if you flew around the Earth… ten times.
With current rocket technology, it takes about three days to get there. In theory, that’s faster than many transoceanic cruises. So the travel time isn’t the biggest hurdle—it’s the infrastructure.
Living Conditions
The Moon is not exactly comfortable.
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Temperature swings range from +127°C (260°F) during the day to −173°C (−280°F) at night.
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There’s no breathable atmosphere, no water on the surface, and no magnetic field to protect you from radiation.
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Gravity is only 1/6th of Earth’s—fun for jumping, but tough on your bones long-term.
A “lunar hotel” would need to be fully sealed, pressurized, temperature-controlled, and shielded from radiation. Everything from food and water to air and waste systems would need to be either recycled or imported.
So, Could We Vacation There?
Technically? Yes. Space agencies and private companies like NASA and SpaceX are already working on lunar missions. The Artemis program aims to put astronauts back on the Moon in this decade. Space tourism is no longer science fiction—it’s an emerging industry.
But practically? Not yet. The cost, danger, and lack of infrastructure make it far from ready for leisure travel. A single tourist ticket to space today can cost tens of millions of dollars—and that’s just for low Earth orbit, not the Moon.
Still, imagining a future where humans build lunar habitats, space hotels, and maybe even Moon buggies for rent… isn’t so far-fetched anymore.