London Zoo was set up in 1828 for wildlife studies and opened to the public in 1847, making it the world’s oldest scientific zoo.
Since the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) manages the Zoo, locals also call it ZSL London Zoo.
This wildlife attraction is home to over 20,000 animals from around the world, representing more than 750 species. The Zoo attracts more than 1.1 million tourists every year.
This article covers everything you must know before purchasing your ZSL London Zoo tickets.
Top Tickets
# London Zoo entry tickets
# London PassIt’s highly recommended to book your London Zoo tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.
What’s ahead
What to expect
Visitors to London Zoo can expect to see animals like lions, tigers, gorillas, penguins, and reptiles.
The zoo is divided into themed zones featuring different animals and habitats.
You can expect to explore areas such as “Into Africa,” “Rainforest Life,” “Land of the Lions,” and “Gorilla Kingdom.” Each zone has interactive exhibits and activities to enhance your experience.
There are three ways to experience the premier wildlife attraction of London.
In addition to its animal exhibits, the zoo offers a variety of educational and conservation programs, as well as daily talks and feeding demonstrations.
Things to know before booking tickets
You can get your London Zoo entry tickets at the venue or buy them online much in advance.
If you plan to get them at the attraction, you must get in the ticketing window queue.
Depending on the time of day (and month), you may have to wait in line at the ticket counter for 10 to 30 minutes to buy your ticket.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters.
Online tickets are also usually cheaper than those sold at the venue.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, they may sell out during peak days. Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments
To book tickets, go to the ZSL London Zoo ticket booking page and select the preferred date and number of tickets.
Immediately after purchase, your tickets get emailed to you.
You don’t need to take any printouts.
Now, all you must do is reach the wildlife attraction 10 minutes before the time mentioned on your ticket.
You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone and walk into the Zoological Park right away.
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London Zoo ticket prices
The cost of tickets depends on the day of your visit and the guest’s age. Depending on the crowd expected, days are labeled as Peak days and Off-Peak days.
Off-peak Tickets
Adult (16 to 64 years): £31
Child (3 to 15 years): £22
Student (with ID): £29
Senior (65+ years): £29
Disabled: £29
Peak Tickets
Adult (16 to 64 years): £33
Child (3 to 15 years): £23
Student (with ID): £31
Senior (65+ years): £31
Disabled: £31
You can cancel these tickets with a full refund up to 24 hours before your date of visit.
London Zoo tickets
This ticket gives you access to the ‘Daily Talks’ and ‘Play Area’ in the zoo.
Tickets to the London Zoo are most popular, and the attraction is best suited for families with little kids.
Same-day tickets cost more than if you book your tickets much in advance.
In fact, you will pay £4 more per person when you book the Zoo tickets within 48 hours of your visit.
Discount for the tickets to London Zoo
Regardless of the day of your visit, London Zoo offers a 35% discount for kids aged 3 to 15 and a 10% discount for seniors aged 65 years and above and students with a valid ID card.
An essential carer for disabled visitors gets free entry.
London Zoo’s discount code
Some websites offer discount codes for London Zoo entry, but we don’t think they’re worth the money.
These discount codes are offered in many forms, which you will gain anyway if you book your tickets in advance and online.
Recommended Reading: London Zoo Lodges
London Zoo tickets for family
The wildlife attraction DOES NOT offer visitors a separate London Zoo family ticket. However, when you book regular tickets, kids under 15 years get 35% off on standard adult prices, and kids under three enter for free.
Save money with London Pass
The London Pass provides free entry to over 80 of London’s top attractions. It lets you explore significant locations such as the ZSL London Zoo, St. Paul Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Royal Observatory, Thames River Cruise, etc. The London Pass is an excellent way to visit the zoo at a discount.
Buy This PassWhich is a better wildlife attraction – London Zoo or Whipsnade Zoo?
Combo tickets
You can buy only the London Zoo tickets or opt for the combination tickets, which help you score up to a 5% discount.
| Combo tickets | Ticket cost |
|---|---|
| London Zoo + Madame Tussauds | £57 |
| London Zoo + Sea Life | £49 |
| Transport Museum + London Zoo | £48 |
Visual Story: 13 must-know tips before visiting London Zoo
Opening hours
The London Zoo opens at 10 am every day.
During the peak season of March to August, the Zoo closes at 6 pm, from September to October, it closes at 5 pm, and from November to February, the wildlife attraction closes at 4 pm.
| Season | Opening time | Closing time |
|---|---|---|
| Mar to Aug | 10 am | 6 pm |
| Sep to Oct | 10 am | 5.30 pm |
| Nov to Feb | 10 am | 4 pm |
It remains closed on Christmas.
The last admission is one hour before the closing time.
How long does the tour take
If you visit the London Zoo with children, you will need at least 3 to 4 hours to cover most animal exhibits spread over the 14 hectares (35 acres) of London Zoo.
Children tend to linger longer around their favorite animal enclosures, attend feeding sessions and keeper talks, and try out numerous experiences.
If you stop at The Terrace Kitchen or one of the other London Zoo restaurants, you will need an hour more.
You can rush through the Zoo in 90 minutes if you are a bunch of adults.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the London Zoo is as soon as they open at 10 am.
There are four advantages of starting early – the animals are most active early in the morning, the temperatures are still moderate, the crowd is yet to get in, and you have the whole day to spend at the attraction.
As the day gets hotter, animals prefer staying inside their shelters. As a result, you may get disappointed when you don’t see them in the exhibit.
Weekdays are better for a peaceful visit because the Zoo gets crowded on weekends and school holidays.
The zoo is most crowded on weekends between 10 am and 2 pm.
If you are on a short holiday in London, starting early also allows you to add another attraction to the day’s itinerary.
If you don’t get tickets for your preferred date, buy The London Pass and get a backdoor entry to the Zoo. You can also visit Sea Life London, yet another wildlife attraction.
Zoo exhibits
Visitors can also participate in various activities, such as the Treetop Adventure, the Animal Adventure Playground, and the Land of the Lions exhibit. Here are some of the exhibits you don’t want to miss!
- Land of the Lions
- Tiger Territory
- Into Africa
- Bird Safari
- Fruit Bat Forest
- Butterfly Paradise
- Reptile House
- Blackburn Pavilion
- The Gorilla Kingdom
- Rainforest of Life
- Meet the Monkeys
- Penguin Beach
- Tiny Giants
- Wildlife Garden
- Gibbons
- In with the Lemurs
- Giants of the Galapagos
- Meerkats and Otters
- The Farmyard
If you are staying in London longer or visiting with a big family, check out the London Pass. It helps you save up to 50% on ticket costs.
London Zoo’s location
The ZSL Zoo is located at the northern end of Regent’s Park, on the boundary between the City of Westminster and the Borough of Camden. Get Directions.
Address: ZSL London Zoo,
Regent’s Park,
London,
NW1 4RY
United Kingdom
Contact Number: 020 7722 3333
Map of London Zoo
Spread across merely 15 hectares of land, the Zoo is quite big to explore.
Since the zoo has so many exhibits and attractions, having a map in hand or on a mobile phone is always better to make exploration easy.
Download London Zoo Map (1.3 Mb, PDF)
When you know the Zoo’s layout, you can save time and energy.
The map helps locate facilities such as restrooms, parking, restaurants, and first aid centers and efficiently navigates the various animal exhibits, enclosures, and activities.
Access to the zoo map allows you to create an itinerary prioritizing your favorite animal enclosures, encounters, attractions, and experiences.
The London Pass helps you enter more than 60 tourist attractions, including the London Zoo, for free. Save time and money. Buy The London Pass.
FAQs for London Zoo
Is admission to the Zoo included with the London Pass/Go City Explorer Pass?
Yes, London Pass/Go City Explorer Pass holders can enjoy complimentary admission to the London Zoo. To gain entry, present your pass to the ZSL Admissions staff upon arrival at the zoo.
Does the London Zoo sell a family ticket?
Zoo does not offer a family ticket as part of our standard ticketing.
Is ZSL Zoo part of Merlin Pass?
No, ZSL is not affiliated with the Merlin Group. They do not accept Merlin passes now.
Can I buy tickets to the Zoo when I arrive in person?
Although you can purchase tickets at the gate, prices are higher for on-the-day purchases. We recommend booking your tickets in advance for cheaper costs to avoid last-minute disappointment.
Where can I park my car at the Zoo?
Parking is provided at the Zoo’s Gloucester Slips car park, with fees of £16 during term time and £17.50 on weekends, bank holidays, or school holidays, payable on the day. Additionally, parking options are available on Outer Circle near the zoo and in local area car parks.
I want to book a flexi ticket for my granchildren -do I have to pay full price for a 1 year old?
Hi Alec, infants two years and younger can enter the zoo for free. So, no, you don’t need to buy any ticket for your one-year-old.
if i buy tickets online, do i still have to stand in the queue for entering the zoo?
Hi Eva, thankfully no. When you buy online tickets they get emailed to you. On the day of your visit, walk up to the entrance and show the ticket on your mobile to enter the zoo. Have a nice visit!
Wish I could cuddle all the animals.They give us so much