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.
At this Los Angeles attraction, both adults and children enjoy thrilling rides, live-action effects, shows, musical performances, etc.
This article covers everything you must know before purchasing Universal Studios Hollywood tickets.
Types of Hollywood Universal Studios tickets
Purchasing online tickets to Universal Studios helps 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 three types of Universal Studios Hollywood tickets.
General Admission
Express Pass
VIP Tour
Why should you book tickets online?
You can book Universal Studios Hollywood tickets online in advance or at the attraction. Booking tickets online has many advantages.
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, they may sell out during peak days. Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
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 and get priority entry.
Universal Studios ticket prices
When purchased online, General Admission tickets are priced at US$109 to US$154 for adults (9+ years) and US$103 to US$148 for children (3 to 8 years).
Prices are higher on weekends, holidays, and peak days and lower on weekdays and off-season.
Express Tickets, priced between US$295 and US$317, offer express access to all rides, shows, and attractions.
Plan your visit
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.
This LA attraction gets the maximum crowd on days when it is open for longer.
If you don’t want to miss anything, you can start early and spend the whole day at Universal Studios. However, visitors who pace themselves well can spend up to eight hours exploring Universal Studios Hollywood rides. The Universal Express ticket helps you skip the lines and make the most use of your time.
Universal Studios has two parts. The larger section is called the 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. 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.
The best time to visit Universal Studios Hollywood is 15 minutes before they open for the day at 10 am. When you start early, you try the popular rides before the crowd enters.
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, it’s best to schedule your day around the show timings. Official show schedules and wait times are displayed around the park and on the park’s mobile app (Android / iOS).
It’s good to keep a map handy to understand the layout and maximize your time at Hollywood Universal Studios. While 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 smaller 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.
Tip: Universal Studios Hollywood is a family-friendly destination attracting visitors of all age groups. However, most rides at the theme park have a minimum height requirement mentioned against them for the rider’s safety.
Which Universal Studios Hollywood ticket is best for you?
If you are looking for the cheapest and most popular option
Book the Universal Studios Hollywood General Admission ticket to maximize your visit. This ticket includes a second day of admission to the park, free for the price of a 1-day ticket. This is only available for customers located outside the US and Canada at the time of purchase.
You get priority access to all rides, shows, and attractions. For quicker access, you can also choose the Express Ticket. It includes one-day admission, skip-the-line entry, express access to each ride, and priority seating at select shows.
This is popular with tourists, and it’s always best to book in advance to secure your Express privileges! This is also perfect for families. You’ll get access to the World Famous Studio Tour, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, amongst other highlights.
Note: 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!
If you have less time and want quicker access
Book the Skip-the-Line Express Ticket at Universal Studios Hollywood to save time and enhance your experience. This ticket offers priority access to all rides, shows, and attractions, allowing you to bypass long lines. The wait times can get too long at this LA attraction!
Ideal for those wanting to maximize their visit, it includes express access to popular areas like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Enjoy more of the park’s highlights with less waiting.
If cost isn’t a concern and you want a VIP experience
The Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Tour offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes experience. You’ll get a guided tour of movie sets, priority access to rides and attractions, and reserved seating at shows.
With this ticket, you can enjoy a gourmet meal, get valet parking, and access VIP areas, making your visit stress-free and unforgettable.
This is perfect for those seeking a premium, all-inclusive day at Universal Studios without worrying about the cost.
Worried about transport to Universal Studios?
If you’re new to the city and worried about transport, choose packages that include entry tickets and round-trip transport to Universal Studios.
You’ll be picked up from your hotel at 9.30 am and taken by coach to the attraction. Explore this LA highlight for eight hours before being driven back to your hotel.
Must-Reads about Tickets & Tours
In addition to skip-the-line entry into the theme park, the Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass gives visitors one-time quick access to each ride, attraction, and show. You can also upgrade this to a Universal Express Unlimited Pass at the venue to access the rides as many times as you want.
How exciting would it be to get treated like royalty at the world’s largest movie studio and theme park? Book the Universal VIP experience tour for an experience to cherish for life, look behind the scenes, and get an express entry!
Universal Studios Hollywood for free!
If you are in LA for more than a week, the Go Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass is a great way to save money. The Pass helps you save up to 40% on ticket costs, and you get free entry to more than 40 top attractions! The Pass is available for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 7 days. When you opt for a 3, 5, or 7-day pass, you get a free ticket to Universal Studios Hollywood, valid for any day.
Universal Studios Hollywood: A Virtual Tour
Before visiting the highly reviewed attraction, take a virtual tour of Universal Studios Hollywood.
Watch this video to 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 3D.
Love trivia? Read up on Universal’s Wikipedia page before your visit.
Explore Universal Studios better
Read on to learn more about how to reach the attraction, which transport to take, and more.
Where is Universal Studios located
Universal Studios Hollywood is off the 101 Freeway in Universal City, North of Hollywood.
It is approximately 10 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.
Metro to Universal Studios
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
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 Burbank and Anaheim. Some of these include an extensive Hollywood tour as well.
Driving to the attraction
Traffic in Los Angeles 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.
Parking at Universal Studios
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.
To Disneyland
California has 33 theme parks, six major ones in and around Los Angeles. Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland are the most popular. Visitors often wonder, “How to go from Universal Studios Hollywood to Disneyland?” Many families and thrill-seekers choose to visit both iconic attractions during their trip.
