Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed
The story is set on Mars and at NASA facilities in the United States, but almost none of it was shot in those places. The Mars sequences came from Wadi Rum in Jordan, the NASA and spaceship interiors from studios and buildings around Budapest, and the American locations appear only as brief establishing shots, some digitally enhanced.
The Studio Side
Korda Studios in Etyek, Hungary carried the heaviest load. Production used the complex's largest stage, over 64,000 sq ft and among the world's biggest at the time, to build a practical Martian surface with roughly 4,000 tons of imported soil and sand. Real potatoes were planted at staggered intervals on the soundstage so growth stages could be shown convincingly, and the dust storm was created practically with giant fans. The Korda Filmpark visitor experience lets the public tour the facility.
Tours That Visit These Locations
Guided tours make the most sense in Wadi Rum, where independent exploration of the desert is impractical and local Bedouin operators run the excursions. The option below covers the key filming landscape in a single day.
Full-Day Jeep Tour, Bedouin Lunch
Wadi Rum: Full-Day Jeep Tour with Bedouin Lunch
A full-day jeep excursion through the Wadi Rum desert where The Martian's Mars exteriors were shot, with lunch included and pickup from the Aqaba area, priced at $110.01.
Aqaba
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Visit The Martian's Mars Filming Location?
Yes. Wadi Rum in Jordan is a protected desert area with public access, and it is the site of the Mars exteriors including the sandstorm and rover scenes. Guided jeep tours, camping and stargazing trips run regularly from Wadi Rum Village and the Aqaba region.
Was Any Of The Martian Actually Filmed On Mars Or In Space?
No. The Martian surface was portrayed by the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan and by a large practical set at Korda Studios in Hungary, built with around 4,000 tons of imported soil and sand.
Can You Tour Korda Studios Where The Hab Was Built?
Yes. Korda Studios in Etyek, Hungary operates the Korda Filmpark visitor experience, a ticketed attraction with studio tours. The facility still functions as a major film production campus.
Why Does NASA In The Film Look Like Budapest?
Because it mostly is. NASA headquarters interiors were filmed at the Bálna building in Budapest, and the mission control sets were constructed at Korda Studios. The Johnson Space Center in Houston appears only in digitally enhanced establishing shots.
How Long Did Filming In Wadi Rum Take?
The unit spent eight days in Wadi Rum in March 2015 capturing the Mars exteriors, after which the production returned to Hungary for the bulk of the shoot.
What Is The Easiest Martian Filming Location To Visit For Free?
The Bálna in Budapest, which served as NASA headquarters, is a public cultural and shopping center with free access to its public areas. Müpa Budapest, seen as CNSA headquarters, also has public exterior access.
For most travelers, the film splits neatly into two trips: a Budapest base for the studio and city locations, all within a short drive or walk of each other, and a journey to Wadi Rum for the landscapes that sold audiences on Mars. The Jordanian desert delivers the more memorable experience, and a guided jeep tour remains the simplest way to stand inside the frame.
