London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo (set up in 1828) and attracts more than a million tourists annually.
Managed by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), it is home to over 20,000 animals from around the world, representing more than 750 species.
Here’s everything you need to know before buying 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.
Key Takeaways
The London Zoo entry ticket is the most popular and cheapest way to enter the attraction; it includes access to all animal exhibits and fun-filled activities suitable for all age groups
Children aged 3–15 years enjoy an all-year ticket discount of 30% on the adult ticket.
The best time to visit the London Zoo is when they open at 10 am. Early in the day the animals are most active, the temperature is moderate and the crowd is yet to come in.
The London Zoo is open throughout the year from 10 am onward. Its closing time is between 4 pm and 6 pm, depending on the season (peak/off-peak) of your visit
What’s ahead
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Things to know before booking tickets
When you buy your ZSL London Zoo tickets online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters. Online tickets are also usually cheaper than those sold at the venue, and you also get your preferred time slot. Upon purchase, the tickets get emailed to you immediately. On the day of your visit, reach the attraction 15 minutes before the time mentioned on your ticket, show the e-ticket on your smartphone, and enter—no need for printouts!
Did you know?
The brainchild behind this iconic zoo was Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the same man who founded the erstwhile British colony of Singapore.
London Zoo tickets
There are two popular ways to explore the ZSL London Zoo.
You can either buy a London Zoo entry ticket, which offers discounts based on age and the season of visit, or opt for the London Pass, which gives you free access to some of the city’s top attractions.
London Zoo entry ticket
This ticket is the most popular way to explore the world-renowned London Zoo as it gives you access to the ‘Daily Talks’ and ‘Play Area’ and all the enclosures at the attraction.
A hit especially for families with little kids, the entry ticket includes visits to the zoo’s Land of Lions, Money Valley, Tiger Territory, Tiny Giants, Gorilla Kingdom, and England’s largest penguin pool.
Though the zoo’s regular working hours are from 10 am to 4 pm, there’s a special London Zoo Nights admission, which starts from 6 pm and is open only to visitors aged 18 years and above.
The cost of the London Zoo tickets depends on the day of your visit (Peak days and Off-Peak days) and the guest’s age.
| Ticket Type | Off-Peak Price | Peak Price |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (16-64 years) | £27 | £33 |
| Child (3-15 years) | £20 | £23 |
| Student (with ID) | £25 | £31 |
| Senior (65+ years) | £25 | £31 |
| Disabled | £25 | £31 |
London Zoo entry + London Pass
The London Pass is another great way to explore the zoo and other iconic British landmarks.
This all-in-one pass provides free entry to over 80 of London’s top attractions. It includes the ZSL London Zoo, St. Paul Cathedral, Tower Bridge, Royal Observatory, London Eye, Thames River Cruise, etc.
Featured as a 1-day, 2-day, 3-day, 4-day, 5-day, 6-day, 7-day, and 10-day pass, the London Pass includes a guide booklet available in 6 languages (English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian).
The pass also includes an app with attraction information, an itinerary planner, and a city map.
Note: The London Pass is one of the best-guaranteed ways to enter the zoo if the regular London Zoo entry ticket is sold out due to a surge in bookings.
Buy This PassLondon Zoo Combo tickets
Everyone loves going to the zoo, but what if we told you there are even more ways of visiting the zoo and other prominent family-friendly attractions that could brighten your day?
These London Zoo combination tickets offer you access to the Madame Tussauds Museum or Sea Life Aquarium.
The best part of buying these combo tickets is that you get an instant 5% discount.
| Combo tickets | Ticket cost |
|---|---|
| London Zoo + Madame Tussauds | £57 |
| London Zoo + Sea Life | £49 |
Did you know?
The statue at the entrance to ZSL London Zoo is a tribute to one of its famous residents, Guy the Gorilla. Despite being a Western lowland gorilla—one of the world’s largest primates, Guy was renowned for his gentle and kind nature.
Opening hours
The London Zoo is open throughout the year from 10 am onward.
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 attraction closes at 4 pm.
The last admission is one hour before the closing time.
Note: The zoo remains closed on Christmas.
| 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 |
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How long does the tour take
If you’re visiting with children, you will need at least three to four hours to cover most animal exhibits spread across 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.
If you are just a bunch of adults, you can rush through the zoo in 90 minutes flat.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the London Zoo is when they open at 10 am. In fact, there are four advantages of starting early:
- The animals are most active early in the morning
- The temperature is relatively moderate
- The zoo is not yet crowded
- You get the whole day to spend at the attraction
As the day gets hotter or colder, animals prefer staying inside their shelters, and you may get disappointed when you don’t see them at their exhibit.
Weekdays are better for a peaceful visit because the zoo gets crowded on weekends and school holidays, so it’s best to visit the zoo on a weekday.
Zoo exhibits
Here are some top exhibits you don’t want to miss at the London Zoo.
| Land of the Lions | Tiger Territory | Into Africa | Bird Safari | Fruit Bat Forest |
| Butterfly Paradise | Reptile House | Blackburn Pavilion | Gorilla Kingdom | Rainforest of Life |
| Meet the Monkeys | Penguin Beach | Tiny giants | Wildlife Garden | Gibbons |
| In with the Lemurs | Giants Galapagos | Meerkats & Otters | The Farmyard |
Some of the exhibits mentioned here—Treetop Adventure, the Animal Adventure Playground, and the Land of the Lions exhibit—also offer fun-filled activities to keep all age groups thoroughly entertained.
Did you know?
The children’s story Winnie-the-Pooh (written by Alan Alexander Milne) was inspired by a female black bear called Winnie who lived at ZSL London Zoo from 1914 till its death in 1934.
Map of London Zoo
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.
We recommend downloading this London Zoo Map (1.3 Mb, PDF) to understand the zoo’s layout better, thus saving you time and money (you don’t need to buy one from the kiosk!).
The map comes in handy when locating amenities such as restrooms, parking, restaurants, and first aid centers.
It also allows you to create an itinerary prioritizing your favorite animal enclosures, encounters, attractions, and experiences.
FAQs about London Zoo
Here are some frequently asked questions about the ZSL London Zoo.
Is admission to the Zoo included with the London Pass?
Yes, London 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?
The attraction does not offer a family ticket as part of its standard ticketing.
Is ZSL Zoo part of Merlin Pass?
No, ZSL is not affiliated with the Merlin Group. They do not accept Merlin passes.
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.
Where can I park my car at the Zoo?
Parking is provided at the Zoo’s Gloucester Slips car park for a fee of £16 during term time and £17.50 on weekends, bank holidays, or school holidays. Additionally, parking options are available on Outer Circle near the zoo and in local area car parks.
Did you know?
London Zoo’s penguins were the inspiration behind the logo of Penguin Books. The company dispatched an employee named Edward Young to view these birds up close and create its iconic logo.
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
The zoo is well-connected by public transport such as the tube, overground metro, train, and bus. You can also drive by car if you’re up for it.
