National Geographic offers three main subscription routes: print only, digital only, or print plus digital combined
You can subscribe to National Geographic through the magazine's official website, through third-party subscription services, or by phone. The print edition arrives monthly and costs less per issue when you commit to a year than buying single copies at a newsstand. The digital edition gives you immediate access to current and back issues on any device. Most people choose either print alone, digital alone, or a bundled print-plus-digital plan depending on how they read and what they're willing to spend upfront.
Subscription prices vary based on how long you commit and which combination you choose. A one-year print subscription typically costs less than a two-year commitment spread across 24 months, though the monthly rate may be lower on the longer plan. Digital subscriptions are cheaper than print because there's no shipping or printing cost. Bundled plans (print plus digital) cost more than either alone but less than buying both separately.
Key Takeaways
- National Geographic subscriptions are available as print only, digital only, or a combined print-plus-digital plan, each with different pricing.
- You can subscribe directly through National Geographic's website, by phone, or through third-party subscription platforms that may offer different rates.
- Print subscriptions arrive monthly and require a mailing address; digital subscriptions work on phones, tablets, and computers with no shipping wait.
- Subscription prices depend on commitment length and format, with annual plans typically offering a lower per-issue cost than month-to-month options.
- You can pause, cancel, or modify your subscription at any time, though refund policies vary depending on how far into your term you are.
Subscribing directly through National Geographic's website
Go to nationalgeographic.com and look for the subscription link, usually found in the footer or top navigation menu. The site will show you current pricing for each option: print, digital, or combined. You'll enter your payment method and delivery address (for print) and create an account. Your subscription begins immediately for digital access; print copies start arriving within two to four weeks depending on your location.
Direct subscriptions give you the clearest picture of what you're paying because National Geographic sets the price themselves. You can manage your account online, pause issues if you're traveling, or update your address without calling. If you want to cancel, you can do it through your account dashboard, though refunds depend on how much of your subscription term remains.
Subscribing through third-party platforms
Services like Amazon Prime Reading, Apple News+, Scribd, and Magzter offer National Geographic as part of their subscription bundles. Amazon Prime members can read National Geographic through Prime Reading at no extra cost (though the selection is limited to certain issues). Apple News+ includes the full current issue and archive for a monthly fee. Magzter and Scribd offer digital access to National Geographic alongside thousands of other magazines and publications.
Third-party subscriptions are worth considering if you already pay for one of these services or want access to multiple publications. The trade-off is that you're paying for a bundle rather than National Geographic alone, so the per-magazine cost may be higher or lower depending on what else you use. Canceling a third-party subscription is usually simpler than canceling a direct magazine subscription because you manage it through that platform's account settings.
Print subscriptions: what to expect
Print copies arrive once a month, typically in the middle of the month or within a few days of the cover date. Delivery takes one to two weeks after the issue ships, so you may receive it slightly after the cover date. If an issue doesn't arrive within three weeks of when it should have, contact National Geographic's customer service with your subscription number and they'll investigate or send a replacement.
Print subscriptions require a valid mailing address in the United States or internationally (international rates are higher). You can update your address anytime through your account or by calling customer service. If you're moving, update your address at least two weeks before the move to avoid missed issues. Print back issues can be ordered separately if you want to fill gaps in your collection.
Digital subscriptions: access and devices
Digital subscriptions work through the National Geographic app or website. Download the app on your phone or tablet (iOS or Android), log in with your subscription account, and you can read the current issue and browse the archive. You can also read on a computer by logging into nationalgeographic.com. Digital issues are available the moment they publish, so you don't wait for shipping.
Digital access works offline: download an issue to your device and read it without an internet connection. You can search articles, bookmark stories, and adjust text size. If you have multiple devices, you can log in on all of them with the same account, though simultaneous reading on more than one device at a time may be restricted depending on your subscription terms.
Pricing and commitment options
National Geographic typically offers monthly, annual, and multi-year plans. Monthly subscriptions have no long-term commitment but cost more per issue. Annual plans lock in a lower per-issue rate but require paying for the full year upfront. Multi-year plans (usually two or three years) offer the lowest per-issue cost but require the largest upfront payment. Promotional rates are common, especially around holidays or for new subscribers, so prices you see may be lower than the standard rate.
Prices change periodically and vary by format (print, digital, or combined). The best way to see current pricing is to visit the subscription page directly rather than relying on quoted rates, since promotions and standard rates shift. If you're on a month-to-month plan and the price increases, you can usually cancel before the next billing cycle without penalty.
Canceling, pausing, or changing your subscription
You can cancel a National Geographic subscription at any time through your online account or by calling customer service. If you're in the middle of a paid term, you may receive a refund for the unused portion, though this depends on how the subscription was purchased and how much time remains. Some promotional subscriptions have restrictions on refunds, so check your terms before canceling.
If you don't want to cancel entirely, you can pause your print subscription for a few months if you're traveling or taking a break. Digital subscriptions don't need to be paused since there's no physical delivery, but you can simply stop using the app and resume whenever you want. You can also switch between formats—for example, from print-only to digital-only—by modifying your subscription through your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I give a National Geographic subscription as a gift?
Yes. National Geographic offers gift subscriptions through its website. You provide the recipient's name and address, choose the length and format, and National Geographic sends a gift notification. Gift subscriptions work the same way as regular subscriptions once they start, and the recipient can manage or cancel it through their own account.
What's the difference between the print magazine and the digital version?
The print and digital editions contain the same articles and photography, but the layout may differ slightly because digital is optimized for screens. Digital arrives instantly; print takes one to two weeks to ship. Digital lets you search and bookmark; print doesn't. Both include access to the online archive if you have a subscription.
Do I get access to back issues with a subscription?
Digital subscriptions include access to the full archive of past issues. Print subscriptions do not automatically include back issues, but you can order them separately. Some third-party platforms like Apple News+ include a limited archive rather than the full one.
Can I read my subscription on multiple devices?
Yes. Log into the National Geographic app or website on any device using your subscription account. You can read on a phone, tablet, and computer simultaneously, though some subscriptions may limit how many devices can download the same issue at once.
What happens if I don't receive an issue?
Contact National Geographic customer service with your subscription number and the issue date. They'll investigate the delivery and either resend the issue or credit your account. Keep your subscription number handy—it's on your billing statement or in your online account.