Getting to Vulcan

[Tux]

I've just started playing Star Trek online, at what point can you go and visit vulcan? I can get there using the map but I can't get on the planet. Don't really understand how this game works. I thought it would be a bit more open so you could visit the main planets.

[Agnithrax]

When you get to the Vulcan System it's a touch glitchey. Fly at about half impulse towards the planet Vulcan in-between the two suns and then the prompt to enter the Vulcan system ought to appear. There will be other systems where the same thing happens so just keep an eye out for it; also the Bajor system is the worst where autonavigate won't even stop your ship but will just fly right past Bajor and keep on going. I never go grab a coffee when I have to visit Bajor since I could come back and find my ship stuck at the far end of the quadrant and then have to fly on back all over again, lolz. Despite the glitches here and there though STO is still worth it and fun, hope you enjoy the game as much as we all do. Cheers!

[Vellari]

Once you have your own ship (that is, complete the tutorial at about level 6-7ish), then you can freely "explore" the galaxy.

That however is not the point of this game. While you can "visit" most planets, it will be a random small mission to complete. Sometimes space, sometimes ground.

Vulcan is "special" in this, you can land there without actually having any reason/active mission to go there. There is a few planets like this, but not many. Most require you to have an active mission.

Ps. Oh that, as mentioned, the autonavigate will take you the star of said system, but not necessarily close enough to the planet where you need to land, look for it near the star and move toward it.

[MentalRaptors]

Let me elaborate a bit on the game mechanics here:

While in sector space you can use the map (default: M key) to select a planet or space station, your ship will (mostly) set a course towards that system. When you reach your destination you'll get a prompt to enter orbit of the planet or station (your ship moves towards the star of the planet's system, from there you sometimes have to manually approach if not close enough). Once in orbit just fly even closer towards the planet or station until you get a prompt to beam to the surface.

Small tip: if you fancy exploring planets in particular then I recommend you do patrols, as several of those take place on planet surfaces!

[Tux]

Thank you all for your help! :)