How to Buy Discounted Tickets to the San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is our city’s number one attraction and a great add to nearly every itinerary. It is definitely possible to buy San Diego Zoo discount tickets. Which method you choose depends on how many other San Diego attractions are on your itinerary and perhaps any memberships.

The options chosen here are by far the most reliable to eliminate the need to scour the web for promo codes that simply don’t work.

See also: 13 San Diego Discounts: Experience the City for Less

1. Go San Diego Card (Most Popular Bundled Attractions Pass)

The Go San Diego Card saves up to 50% off of admission to nearly 40 top San Diego attractions in three simple steps:

1. Choose the pass option that best suits you (you can buy an all-inclusive pass or build your own) and buy your pass in advance.
2. Get your pass on a mobile device or print it at home.
3. Show the pass at any eligible attraction and you’re in for free.

See also: 10 Benefits of the Go San Diego Card Discounted Attractions Pass

The passes are available in 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7-day options, each at different prices. Make sure the attractions you’d like to visit are listed on the option you buy. This by far the most popular discounted, bundled San Diego attractions pass. Tip: Be careful where and how you buy the Go San Diego Card. If you buy through them directly, you will not have to redeem a voucher at a specific attraction in order to activate the card.

2. aRes Travel (Most Popular for Single Attraction Tickets)

aRes Travel is a San Diego based, authorized ticket seller to major California attractions. They offer a myriad of ways to buy San Diego Zoo discount tickets in addition to other popular San Diego attractions such as LEGOLAND, Disneyland and SeaWorld San Diego.

If you are looking to buy individual tickets to only the San Diego Zoo, this is by far your best choice. Passes can be printed at home and presented at the gate. You do not need to redeem a voucher at the ticket booth.

1-Day Pass

The 1-Day Pass includes unlimited use of the Guided Bus tour, Kangaroo Express Bus, Skyfari Aerial tram, all shows, and exhibits. Parking at the San Diego Zoo is free. (Prices: $49/adults and $39/kids plus a $2 convenience fee)

2-Day Pass

The 2-Day Pass includes one visit to the San Diego Zoo and one visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park or two visits to the San Diego Zoo or two visits to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Parking at the Zoo is Free. Parking at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is not included in the price of the ticket. (Prices: $85/adult and $78/kids plus a $2 convenience fee)

Family Pack Buy 3 or More Tickets  for $47/each

Buy 3 or more 1-day passes and the price per pass is just $47. Includes unlimited use of the Guided Bus tour, Kangaroo Express Bus, Skyfari Aerial tram, all shows and exhibits. Parking at the San Diego Zoo is free.

San Diego Zoo & Old Town Trolley Combo Deal

This Combo Pass includes 1-Day San Diego Zoo ticket and 1-Day Old Town Trolley “Hop-on Hop-Off” Tour. Explore San Diego by hopping on and off the Trolley and enjoy a full day at the San Diego Zoo. This pass is ideal for people who would like to go carless in San Diego. The Old Town Trolley stops at a myriad of other locations from Coronado to, of course, Old Town. (Price: $81/adult and $58/child). Kids Free October 1-31!

Balboa Park Multi-Day Explorer Pass

The Balboa Park Multi-Day Explorer Pass includes admission to the Balboa Park museums for seven consecutive days AND one-day admission to the San Diego Zoo. This is super convenient because the Zoo is right next door to Balboa Park. This San Diego Zoo ticket includes one-day admission, guided bus tour, and Skyfari aerial tram. Tip: Some museums are closed Mondays; The San Diego Museum of Art is closed Wednesdays. (Price: $101/adult and $66/child)

LEGOLAND California, San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park Combo Deal

This combo deal includes 1 day at LEGOLAND California, 1 day at the San Diego Zoo, and 1 day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Current price is $186 for adults (ages 12+) and $161 for children (ages 3-11).

San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park and SeaWorld San Diego Combo Deal

This combo deal includes 1 day at the San Diego Zoo, and 1 day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and 7 consecutive days at SeaWorld San Diego. Current price is $161.99 for Adults and $142 for kids.

3. Bundle Your Hotel with San Diego Zoo Tickets

Lions, Tigers, and Panda Bears, Oh My! – The San Diego Zoo or Safari Park Package

This package allows you to bundle tickets to the San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park with the hotel of your choice (at the time of this writing there are over 108 hotels to choose from).

The Best of San Diego! Choose Your Own Adventure Package.

Customize your own San Diego vacation package! Package includes your choice of tickets to 5 popular San Diego theme parks: SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Aquarium and hotel accommodations.

4. AAA

The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park offer a special 10% discount for AAA members when you show your card.

5. Military Discounts

The San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park offer special military discounts and even free tickets.

• U.S. Armed Forces personnel receive a complimentary 1-Day Pass to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park upon presenting a Common Access Card (CAC) or Uniformed Services ID Card at any ticket window. Complimentary admission is reserved exclusively for active duty service members, however.
• Military spouses and eligible dependents receive a 10% discount off the 1-Day Pass at both the Zoo and Safari Park, when showing a valid dependent ID card.
• Check with MWR Departments for other applicable San Diego Zoo discount tickets.

6. Trusted Tours & Attractions

Trusted Tours also offers a discount on 1-day passes to the San Diego Zoo. At the time of this writing, aRes Travel’s discount is a bit better but it never hurts to check.

7. Southern California CityPASS

Southern California CityPASS provides admission to popular Southern California attractions. It is valid for 14 consecutive days starting on the first day of use. Eligible attractions covered by CityPASS include:

• Disneyland Park
• Disney California Adventure Park
• SeaWorld San Diego
• LEGOLAND California
• San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park (optional add-on).

This pass is excellent for those on a Southern California road trip itinerary that includes three days at Disneyland Resort. If Disneyland Resort can be your point of pick-up, you will save money by purchasing the Southern California CityPASS through aRes Travel.

8. Go In A Group

Groups of 15 or more can receive a 10% discount off of the regular 1-Day Pass ticket price.

9. Senior and Student Discount

Ages 65 and older are eligible for a 10% discount off of the regular 1-Day Pass ticket price. Students ages 12 and above are also eligible for a 10% discount off of the adult 1-Day Pass ticket price. Neither can be redeemed online as a photo ID will need to be presented at a Zoo ticket booth window in order to be eligible for the discount.

10. San Diego Zoo Gift Cards

The holidays are around the corner. Did you know that it’s possible to give San Diego Zoo gift cards? This could provide great value to zoo lovers and enable them to save off of San Diego Zoo tickets, one of their many special experiences or an annual membership. These gift cards can be purchased in denominations of $50 and above.

See also: Book Early Morning with the Pandas at the San Diego Zoo

11. San Diego Zoo Membership

Regular visitors should absolutely consider a San Diego Zoo membership that will allow multiple entries per year for one flat rate. There are multiple membership tiers to consider that come with a variety of perks.

12. San Diego 3 -For-1 Pass (Zoo, Safari Park, Sea World)

This San Diego 3-For-1 Pass entitles one person to a single visit at each of the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Safari Park, and to Sea World San Diego. Valid for 7 consecutive days from the date of the first visit. Must be used by the same person on all days. Pass is non-transferable and non-refundable.  Parking is not included.  Print-at-Home and FedEx delivery options, as well as in-person pick-up. Tickets purchased on the Zoo website cannot be picked up in person at Sea World San Diego, however. Price is currently $149 per Adult (ages 10 and up), and $139 per Child (ages 3-9). Valid for visits through January 6, 2019.

How do you buy discounted tickets to the San Diego Zoo?

 

Learn also how to buy discount tickets for:

• San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• SeaWorld San Diego
• LEGOLAND California
• Disneyland