Many consider Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, one of the best theme parks in the United States. It’s an exciting time for locals and tourists when the park opens for its season, thanks to its 14 roller coasters, Soak City Water Park, and holiday events. It used to be easy to buy discount Kings Island tickets online from authorized ticket sellers and at certain regional retailers in person.
However, since the Cedar Fair/Six Flags merger, cheaper tickets online through authorized sellers (including us) are difficult to find. Still, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and I’ve outlined all of the methods I know of here that are popular places to check for savings.
This way, you can secure the best price without searching for promo codes and coupon codes that don’t work. Ultimately, how much you save depends on how many tickets you buy and whether you need to account for tax and service fees. Let’s get started!
Kings Island Ticket Gate Prices
Kings Island admission tickets are offered in several types. You can enhance your visit with various optional add-ons. First, it’s important to understand gate prices to know how much you save by using one of the cheaper options below. The gate prices typically are:
- Daily Tickets: $85/ages 3+
- Children ages 0-2 are always free
A Kings Island ticket includes admission to Soak City Water Park, which operates on a shorter season than the theme park. Frequent visitors may choose from three Season Passes, which provide unlimited admission for a specified time.
One upgrade that I recommend during peak season is Fast Lane. Fast Lane allows you to bypass the regular lines on participating rides and attractions once per day, and Fast Lane Plus lets you bypass the regular lines unlimited times.
The bottom line: Front gate prices are higher than what can be secured online, so whatever you do, make sure to purchase tickets in advance at parks like this. We talk about theme park tickets with people daily and always advise checking for discounts on your phone before entering a front gate line.
1. Direct Kings Island Special Offers and Tickets Online
Kings Island offers ticket promotions and a handful of other special offers on its website to incentivize people to buy online. They use dynamic pricing when online prices fluctuate depending on forecasted park attendance for a particular date. Here’s what we see right now online:
- Daily Tickets: From $45
Kings Island charges a $9.99 processing fee plus tax for online purchases. The other ticket options below may be more advantageous for this reason alone.
2. Kings Island Tickets and Hotel Packages
We’ll keep an eye on this as well, but we do not yet see opportunities to bundle your Kings Island discount tickets with nearby hotels for even more savings.
We DO see a Kings Island Vacation page on Expedia where you can bundle nearby hotels and flights. At the very least, it gives you a place to research where you might want to spend the night.
3. Season Passes
Frequent visitors should consider the benefits of a Kings Island Season Pass. It entitles the holder to unlimited park admission for 2026. Season Passholders can arrive an hour before the park opens to the public to enjoy early ride times on select days.
Choose between Gold, or Prestige Passes. All include free general parking, but the main differences are:
- 2026 Gold Pass: Includes Haunt and Winterfest for $145.
- 2026 Prestige Pass: Exclusive access for $225.
Check to see which season pass works best for you.
4. Kings Island Military and First Responder Discounts
Active or retired military personnel/veterans nd first responders are eligible for cheaper single-day tickets than they would otherwise buy at the gate. Kings Island military discounts are valid during every operating day.
Additionally, veterans and active military personnel are typically granted free admission to the park during Memorial Day weekend.
Take advantage of these savings online and see updates on availability, but register for ID.me. These discounts don’t apply to special events like WinterFest unless otherwise indicated.
5. Sam’s Club
You can also log into your Sam’s Club account and see any available tickets. The prices on the dates fluctuate depending on the day, so there is a dynamic pricing element.
6. Meijer Kings Island Tickets
Select Meijer stores in Ohio typically sell discount Kings Island tickets with Cedar Point tickets. They aren’t available online now, so you’ll need to check in person.
Reports we’ve received show that this option is becoming challenging to find, but it doesn’t hurt to enquire about it in your local store.
7. Costco
Costco rarely sells individual theme park tickets online. It could be worth checking your local store in person to see if they sell cheaper Kings Island tickets. My store does not sell them. However, this policy is always subject to change.
8. Kings Island Kroger Tickets
Check the customer service counter at your local Kroger store for discounted tickets. Not all stores offer them; readers also report that these are difficult to secure lately. However, if you can find them, you’ll pay less than at the gate.
9. AAA Kings Island Discount Tickets
Contact your local AAA to see if you can secure discount Kings Island tickets. Availability depends on where you live. To give you an idea, we can’t secure these tickets in California currently, but they are available in the Midwest.
10. Group Discounts
Gather your friends and head to Kings Island for less. If you need 15 – 99 tickets, you can save a lot. You’ll receive one free admission for every 15 tickets you buy. If you have 100 or more people, the savings are even greater. Details on group tickets are on the park’s website.
Important Kings Island Tips
Chaperone Policy
A chaperone policy applies if children 15 and under want to stay inside the park after 4 p.m. An adult 21 or older must be with them. The details on this are subject to change, so be sure to check the age requirements before you go.
Check Kings Island Hours
When visiting Kings Island and Soak City water park, check the calendar for opening dates and hours. Both parks are seasonal, so they are not open year-round. They are typically open daily from May to Labor Day Weekend. After that, Kings Island will stay open on select dates through November 1.
The theme park (not the water park) stays open on weekends after Labor Day because of the annual HalloWeekends Halloween and Winterfest celebrations. Double-check the calendar as hours fluctuate.
Always Read Ticket Terms and Conditions
Understand the ticket expiration dates, refund policies, transfer policies, and whether they can be used on days with special events.
Kings Island Directions and Parking
Kings Island is located in Mason, Ohio, about 25 miles northeast of Cincinnati.
📍 Kings Island Address
6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, Ohio 45034
The park’s website has a map and more information on getting there. (Many theme park enthusiasts combine a visit with Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky.)
Frequently Asked Questions about Kings Island Tickets
When does Kings Island close?
Kings Island is an amusement park with a season that typically starts in the spring and closes in the late fall. The park also usually opens for a few weeks during the holiday season for its popular Winterfest event.
How much is a Fast Pass at Kings Island?
The Kings Island equivalent of a Fast Pass is called a Fast Lane Pass. You can choose between a regular Fast Lane Pass, a Fast Lane Plus Pass, and a 2026 Season Pass Fast Lane Plus. The latter includes unlimited rides on Orion, Kings Mills Antique Autos, The Beast, Mystic Timbers, and Flight of Fear. 2026 Season Pass Fast Lane starts from $699.
How much does it cost to get into Kings Island?
General admission tickets start at $45 before taxes and fees if purchased online.
How much is parking at Kings Island?
If you avail a season pass, you don’t have to worry about parking because it is included. If you are having a one-day ticket, Kings Island parking usually costs $30 per car per day for regular parking and $40 for preferred parking.
How do you buy discount Kings Island tickets?
See also how to buy:
Katie Dillon
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