Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles is a film studio and a movie-based theme park that attracts almost 10 million visitors annually.
Enter the world of movies at Universal Studios Hollywood, the most prominent Universal Studios theme park location worldwide.
Both adults and kids enjoy thrilling rides, live-action effects, shows, musical performances, etc., at this Los Angeles attraction.
This article covers everything you must know before purchasing your Universal Studios Hollywood tickets.
Top Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets
# 1-Day General Admission Ticket
# Universal Express Ticket
# VIP Tour tickets
Table of contents
- What to expect
- Where to buy Universal Studios Hollywood tickets
- How do online tickets work
- Universal Studios Hollywood ticket prices
- Universal Studios Hollywood tickets discount
- Universal Studios Hollywood tickets
- Universal Studios Hollywood for free
- How to reach Universal Studios Hollywood
- Opening hours
- How long does Universal Studios Hollywood take
- Best time to visit Universal Studios Hollywood
- Universal Studios Hollywood map
What to expect
At Universal Studios Hollywood, take a behind-the-scenes tour of various film and television productions.
See working soundstages, sets, and backlots, providing an interactive and immersive experience.
Some of the iconic attractions on the studio tour include the famous Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” and the 3D motion-simulator ride, King Kong 360 3-D.
Where to buy Universal Studios Hollywood tickets
The Universal Studios Hollywood tickets are available at the attraction and online.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, during peak days they may sell out. Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
How do online tickets work
Go to the Universal Studios Hollywood booking page, select your preferred date and the number of tickets, and buy the tickets right away.
Once you purchase Universal Studios Hollywood tickets, they get delivered to your email address.
There is no need to get printouts of the ticket.
You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone when you visit the attraction.
Remember to bring your official IDs.
Universal Studios Hollywood ticket prices
Depending on the day of your visit, Universal Studios Hollywood’s General Admission ticket costs between US$109 and US$150 per adult or US$103 and US$145 per child when purchased in advance.
All visitors nine years and above must purchase an adult ticket.
Weekends, holidays, and most of July and early August are expensive, while weekdays and off-season have lower ticket prices.
The Express Ticket, which gives you express access to all rides, shows, and attractions, is priced between US$269 and US$300 on regular and peak days, respectively.
The General Admission and Express Tickets cost more at the gates, so it is better to get them online.
SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ takes you into the world of Super Mario™. Battle Team Bowser on Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge, dine at Toadstool Cafe, and level up with Nintendo-themed merch from the 1-UP Factory™. Your General Admission ticket includes this!
Universal Studios Hollywood tickets discount
The best way to get a discount on Universal Studios Hollywood tickets is by booking them online in advance.
The General Admission ticket price at the gate is US$159 for all visitors aged ten years and above and US$153 for visitors between three to nine years.
When purchased online, the same tickets are priced between US$109 and US$150 per adult and US$103 and US$145 per child when purchased in advance.
Buy General Admission tickets online to claim the reduced prices.
Universal Hollywood Express Pass costs US$399 for all visitors aged three years and above at the gate.
But when you buy them online, you pay a discounted rate of US$269 to US$300 per person, thus saving a significant amount per person on select days.
Kids two years and under get the best discount at Universal Studios – they can enter for free throughout the year.
If you are on a budget holiday, find out how to get Universal Studios Hollywood discount tickets.
Universal Studios Hollywood tickets
It is better to purchase your Universal Studios Hollywood tickets in advance since they are much more expensive at the attraction’s entrance.
Online tickets can be more than US$50 cheaper than the ticket counter’s price, depending on when you are visiting.
Online Universal Studios also help you save a lot of waiting time at the ticket counters, especially during the summer months, which is the peak tourist season.
In this section, we explain the four types of Universal Studios Hollywood tickets.
1-Day General Admission Ticket
Buy Universal Studios Hollywood’s General Admission ticket as it is the cheapest way to get inside the theme park, which is why it is also the most popular ticket.
Besides access to all the rides, shows, and attractions at the park, this ticket also includes the behind-the-scenes Universal Studios Tour.
Price for 1-day ticket
Adult Ticket (10+ years): US$139
Child Ticket (3 to 9 years): US$133
*On peak days, the ticket price can go up to US$145 for 10+ year old visitors.
Universal Express Ticket
The all-access Universal Studios Hollywood Express Ticket gets you celebrity treatment at the park.
It includes 1-day general admission to the park, one-time express access to all rides, shows, and attractions – which means, you don’t stand in any queue.
The Express Ticket also gets referred to as Universal Studios Hollywood Fast Pass.
Buy Universal Express Ticket because it is a great way to make the most of your day and maximize your fun in the park.
You must select ‘Express ticket’ on the booking page
Ticket Price: US$219
*On peak days, the ticket price can go up to US$300 per person.
VIP Tour tickets
The VIP Experience Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood is the most exclusive way to go behind the scenes at the world’s largest movie studio and Theme Park in Los Angeles.
During the Universal VIP tour, you will be shown around exclusive backlot areas not open to the public, gain express entry to all the rides, shows, and attractions, enjoy a gourmet meal, access the VIP lounge, etc.
When you buy VIP Experience tickets, a live guide will be with you all through your tour, and you also get exclusive access to VIP areas.
Ticket Price: From US$379 per person
*On peak days, the ticket price can go up to US$471 per person.
Visual Story: 13 must-know tips before visiting Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios tickets with transport
Visitors who don’t want to figure out how to travel to Universal Studios opt for packages that include entry tickets and two-way transport.
You get picked up from your hotel at 9.30 am, and a coach transports you to Universal Studios Hollywood.
You get to explore the LA attraction for as long as you; please, and after eight hours, you sit back in the coach and head back to your hotel.
Pickups are offered from hotels/locations in both Los Angeles and Anaheim.
Tourists holidaying in San Diego, opt for this small group tour to Universal Studios in LA.
Universal Studios Hollywood for free
If you are in Los Angeles for over a week, Go Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass is a great way to save money.
The Go Los Angeles Pass helps you save up to 40% on ticket costs.
With this pass, you get free entry to more than 40 top attractions in the city.
It is available for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 days and when you opt for a 3, 5, or 7-day pass, you get a free ticket to Universal Studios Hollywood, valid for any day.
How to reach Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is off the 101 Freeway in Universal City, North of Hollywood.
It is approximately ten minutes north of Downtown Los Angeles.
Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608. Get Directions
You can reach the attraction by public transport or personal vehicle.
By Metro
Universal City/Studio City is the closest Subway station to Universal Studios in Los Angeles.
You can take the Metro Red Line train from Downtown LA or Hollywood to Universal City station.
Universal Studios’ entrance is 800 meters (half a mile) from the station, but it is an uphill walk.
That’s why we recommend the Universal Studios shuttle, which is parked just across from the station and provides complimentary service.
The shuttle leaves the station every 10 to 15 minutes and drops visitors at Universal Studios Hollywood’s front gate.
Shuttles start at 7 am and continue to run for two hours after the park closes for the day.
Bus tours to Universal Studios
Several companies offer two-way transport to Universal Studios and entry tickets as a package.
These Universal Studios Hollywood tickets with transport cost around $180 per person. Hotel pickups are available from Los Angeles and Anaheim.
Some of these Universal Studios Hollywood tours with transport include an extensive Hollywood tour.
Note: Some of these tours may not be available now due to the pandemic.
By Car
Los Angeles has many cars, and traffic can be messy, so we don’t recommend driving to Universal Studios.
However, if you must, the easiest way to get there is by using Google Maps.
After exiting Universal Studios Boulevard or Lankershim Blvd, you can follow the signs to enter the attraction’s entrance.
Universal Studios Hollywood parking
The Universal Studios park is built into a hillside on two levels with four escalators connecting the Lower to the Upper Lot.
The main parking space is near the main entrance on the Upper Lot.
Self Parking is complimentary, but valet parking is available at a price.
Universal and Disneyland aren’t far from each other, and some tourists and locals visit both. Find out how to go from Universal Hollywood to Disneyland.
Opening hours
The Universal Studios Hollywood usually operates from 10 am to 6 pm.
On peak days and weekends, the park opens a little early at 9 am and closes at 10 pm.
The park also remains open on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.
Note: This Los Angeles attraction gets the maximum crowd on days when it is open for longer.
How long does Universal Studios Hollywood take
Visitors who don’t want to miss anything start early and spend the whole day at Universal Studios.
Visitors who pace themselves well can spend up to eight hours exploring Universal Studios Hollywood rides.
If you don’t have a lot of time, get the Universal Express ticket, which helps you skip the queues at the rides and finish faster.
Universal Studios has two parts. The larger section is called Upper Lot and has attractions such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Springfield Hollywood, etc., and the smaller Lower Lot consists of adventurous rides.
To save time, avoid moving between these two sections – finish everything in one before moving to the next.
Visiting the Lower Lot first is better because the lines are the shortest in the morning. The crowd at the Lower Lot peaks by afternoon.
Tip: Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour is a 60-minute ride in a tram to see actual filming sets of movies and TV serials. Board the tram during non-peak times (late morning, afternoon, or early evening) because the ride’s waiting time varies by day and season.
Best time to visit Universal Studios Hollywood
The best time to visit Universal Studios Hollywood is 15 minutes before they open for the day so that you are ahead in the line and can get a good spot for the most popular rides.
If you drive to the park, arrive at least half an hour early to park your car and reach the attraction’s entrance.
If you want to avoid the crowd, visiting Universal Studios during weekdays, school days, and the off-season (mostly winter) is best.
Since the rides run all day, but the shows do not, scheduling your day around the show timings is best.
Official show schedules and wait times are displayed around the park and on the park’s mobile app (Android / iOS).
Recommended Reading: Universal Studios Hollywood wait times
Universal Studios Hollywood map
Universal Studios Hollywood has two parts – Upper Lot and Lower Lot – connected by a series of escalators called the Starway.
The Upper Lot has family-based attractions such as Minion Way, Springfield, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and the World Famous Studio Tour.
The Lower Lot is the smaller of the two and is known for the three most adrenalin-pumping rides within the attraction – Jurassic World Ride, Revenge of the Mummy Ride, and Transformers 3D Ride.
Download the map (pdf, 2.5 Mb) to understand better Universal Studios Hollywood’s layout
Recommended Reading
– Rides at Universal Studios Hollywood
– Universal Hollywood’s minimum height requirements
Sources
# Tripadvisor.in
# Undercovertourist.com
# Tourscanner.com
The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy.
Popular attractions in Los Angeles
why did you say that you can show me how to get free tickets to the universal studios hollywood theme park?
What about senior citizens do they get a discount?
Handicapped adult accomidations to get around park
Handicapped adult accomidations