Elite Dangerous: Buy a new ship - here's how it works

The prospect of the next better ship is a motivational tool in Elite Dangerous. Our guide explains how to buy new ships in the popular space sim.

Bigger, faster, better: new ships are always appealing in Elite Dangerous.

You take your first steps in the game with the Sidewinder, a small all-rounder. But soon, entirely new possibilities open up.

Elite Dangerous: How to buy a new ship

To buy a ship in Elite Dangerous, you need to know this info:

• You can buy new ships on stations. However, not all ships are available at all stations.
• The selection depends on the level. Thus, in the stations of the initial areas, for example, Mawson Dock or Coelho Station, you will see only small entry-level ships such as the Sidewinder or the Hauler.
• For stronger, medium and large ships, you consequently have to go deeper into the universe.
• Not everywhere you can land, there are ships to buy. It must be a real station, places like outposts do not offer this possibility.
• When buying you can give your old ship in payment, if you no longer want to use it. This logically reduces the purchase price of the new ship.

Pay in credits, the in-game currency that you earn through missions. A first upgrade is soon possible, as better ships are already available for under 100,000 credits; real high-end vehicles, on the other hand, cost many millions of credits and require a bit more work.