To play Star Citizen outside a Free Fly you need one game package. It contains the game download, one ship and some starting credits. Everything else in the store is optional, and CIG’s own position is that anything beyond a starter package is a donation to development with a ship as the thank-you.
The starter lineup shifted in 2026. Alpha 4.10 replaced the RSI Aurora Mk I with the redesigned Aurora Mk II across shops, changed ship claim timers and fuel economics, and made flight gear matter. This guide covers what you are actually choosing between and how to spend the least while getting a ship you will not regret.
What a game package includes
A game package bundles the Star Citizen digital download, one ship, a hangar and a small amount of starting credits, along with insurance for the ship. The cheapest package costs $45 according to the Star Citizen Wiki, and higher-priced packages swap the ship for a more capable one. There is no subscription to keep playing.
One thing a package does not include is Squadron 42. The single-player campaign was split from Star Citizen packages in 2016 and is sold separately, so do not pay more for a starter expecting it to be bundled.
The starter ships, compared
Standalone pledge prices below are the ones listed on the Star Citizen Wiki at the time of writing. A package adds the game itself on top, so expect package prices to sit above these, and check the store because CIG adjusted ship pricing in Alpha 4.10.
- RSI Aurora Mk II: the new default starter, redesigned from the ground up with a swappable rear module. Cargo and missile modules are sold in game, so it can change role without buying another ship
- Consolidated Outland Mustang Alpha: single-seat, 4 SCU of cargo with its carrier, agile, listed at $30 standalone. The alternative default starter
- Drake Cutter: single-seat, 4 SCU, rugged and roomy for its size, listed at $45 standalone
- Anvil C8X Pisces Expedition: 4 SCU, two extra jump seats, four weapon hardpoints, listed at $45 standalone. Small, but a capable scout
- Aegis Avenger Titan: the Avenger fighter with the rear cabin swapped for a cargo bay, listed at $60 standalone. The most common recommendation for a first upgrade because it fights and hauls
- MISC Reliant Kore: two seats, 6 SCU, listed at $65 standalone. The only two-crew option at this price
- Consolidated Outland Nomad: 24 SCU flatbed and a living space, listed at $80 standalone. A hauler first, fighter a distant second
What changed in 2026 that affects the choice
Alpha 4.10 rebalanced hydrogen and quantum fuel: tanks are considerably smaller across the fleet, consumption dropped to match, and fuel prices rose substantially. Range per tank is roughly what it was, but refuelling costs more, which favours small efficient ships for a new account with 20,000 starting aUEC.
Ship claims now run on a timer that scales with the ship’s value, and the weapons fitted to a ship count toward its claim cost. A cheap starter comes back fast and cheaply when you lose it, which you will, while a more expensive ship makes every mistake more expensive. Alpha 4.8 also made flight suits improve g-force tolerance and combat armor reduce it, so budget a little aUEC for a flight suit whichever ship you pick.
Why the cheapest package is usually right
Every ship in the store can be bought or rented in game with aUEC, and the Aurora Mk II has replaced the Mk I on the show floors at Teach’s and New Deal. A starter package is a ticket into the game more than a ship purchase. Play a few weeks, learn whether you enjoy hauling, mining, missions or combat, then rent the ship that fits before buying anything, in game or otherwise.
The exception is if you already know you want to fight. The Avenger Titan handles combat missions the Aurora and Mustang struggle with, and its cargo bay keeps trading open. That is the one upgrade over the base package that most players do not regret.
What this means for new players
Pick the Aurora Mk II or Mustang Alpha package unless you are certain you want combat, in which case the Avenger Titan package is the step up. Either way, apply a referral code when you create the account: the 50,000 UEC it adds is worth more than the difference between most starter ships, and it only works at signup or within 24 hours. Our Star Citizen referral code guide explains how the 50,000 UEC signup bonus works and how to apply code STAR-6WPK-3K56 before you enlist.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cheapest game package is $45 according to the Star Citizen Wiki. It includes the game, a starter ship, a hangar and starting credits. There is no subscription.
The Aurora Mk II or Mustang Alpha if you want to spend the least; the Avenger Titan if you want a ship that can fight and haul from day one. All other ships can be rented or bought in game later.
No. Squadron 42 has been sold separately since packages were split in 2016. Buy the campaign on its own when it releases.
Yes. Ships are bought and rented in game with aUEC, and pledge ships can be upgraded through the store. Starting small and upgrading after you know your playstyle is the cheapest path.
The 4.10 notes list ship pricing, claim and availability changes and swapped the Aurora Mk I for the Mk II in shops. Check the store for current package prices; the wiki figures here are standalone ship prices at the time of writing.
Source: Game package (Star Citizen Wiki). Ship specifications and standalone prices come from the Star Citizen Wiki ship pages; the 2026 changes come from CIG’s Alpha 4.8 and 4.10 release notes.
