How to Buy Universal Studios Hollywood Discount Tickets: 15 Cheapest Ways

Universal Studios Hollywood discount tickets are available from authorized resellers at up to $170 off gate prices. Gate pricing is the most expensive option, so buying in advance from any legitimate source will save you money.

I’m a travel advisor who helps families plan Southern California vacations, and theme parks are one of the biggest expenses. This guide covers the best verified ways to save, whether that’s through our partner site, a sightseeing pass like Go City with up to 50% off, your Costco membership, military discount, or an annual pass you already have. The SoCal resident deal is currently live.

We’ve helped readers purchase over 76,000 tickets since 2015, and our team verifies pricing and promo codes weekly to keep this guide accurate. Below you’ll find 15 options, starting with the best value for most visitors.

Understanding Universal Studios Hollywood Ticket Pricing

If you know what kind of park admission tickets to purchase, you can skip to the best ticket discounts.

All standard admission tickets include access to rides, shows, and the World-Famous Studio Tour. They do not include SUPER NINTENDO WORLD early access or the Power-Up Band, which are purchased separately (details below).

Gate Ticket Prices (Why the Gate Is the Most Expensive Option)

Universal Studios Hollywood uses date-based pricing online, meaning ticket prices increase on weekends, holidays, and peak seasons. Gate prices are fixed at the highest tier, which is why buying at the entrance costs more. Children under 3 are free.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Add-Ons (Optional)

Regardless of where you buy your admission tickets, two add-ons can significantly enhance your visit to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. Both are purchased separately.

• Early Access Ticket (Recommended): $20–$30 per person. One hour early entry to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD and early Studio Tour access before 11 a.m.
• Power-Up Band: An optional interactive band sold inside the park that tracks game progress via the Universal Studios app.

1. The #1 Best Deal: Cheapest Authorized Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets

Best Deal For: Visitors who want the lowest legitimate price and simple, straight-to-the-gate entry.

This is the option most travelers choose. Tickets are sold through aRes Travel, an authorized Universal Studios Hollywood seller based in San Diego that I’ve worked with for years. Pricing is consistently lower than buying direct, with clear terms and no surprise fees.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Early Access can be purchased directly from Universal for the same date and works alongside these tickets.

• 76,000+ tickets sold to readers (Thank you for supporting our small business.)
• Instant e-tickets • Scan at the gate
• Choose your visit date at checkout
• Real human support: You can call my dedicated aRes Travel line at (888) 795-3715. Or, email tickets@lajollamom.com.

2. Go City Los Angeles Sightseeing Pass

Best Deal For: Travelers visiting multiple Southern California theme parks

The benefits of a Go City Los Angeles pass include up to 50% off admission to more than 40 top attractions, tours, and theme parks in Los Angeles and Southern California, including Universal Studios Hollywood.

Use it when you plan 2–3+ major attractions on the same trip. The park is only included on the All Inclusive Plus pass, which also covers these theme parks:

• Knott’s Berry Farm
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour
• Universal Studios Hollywood
• LEGOLAND California and San Diego Zoo

How it works: buy online → add to the Go City app → reserve if required → show at participating attractions.

Note: Same-day reservations are required to visit Universal Studios. Don’t forget to use my special discount. I use Go City when I travel.

See also: 9 Benefits of the Go City Los Angeles Pass

3. Los Angeles CityPASS

Best Deal For: Travelers wanting sightseeing specifically in Los Angeles

The Los Angeles CityPASS can be a good value if you plan to visit Universal Studios Hollywood and several other paid attractions on the same trip. It advertises savings of up to 50%, but actual savings depend on your dates and choices.

You need to choose one or both of the headline attractions at the time of purchase:

• Universal Studios Hollywood (1-Day general admission)
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour

Then, also get one-time admission to three of the following attractions (you can choose these later):

• GRAMMY Museum
• La Brea Tar Pits and Museum (I always enjoy this)
• Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
• Madame Tussauds Hollywood
• Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
• SoFi Stadium Tours
• Starline Tours

Reservations are required for Universal Studios Hollywood, Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, and Starline Tours. Instructions for doing this are included with your pass.

4. Create Your Own Combo Tickets

Best Deal For: Travelers wanting more control over multi-attraction trips

If you are not opting for the Go Los Angeles sightseeing pass, the best way to save on multiple parks is to add them to your cart individually. They are all discounted!

• Universal Studios Hollywood
• Disneyland (not on Go City Los Angeles – promo code SAVEMORE works on non-promo multi-day tickets)
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park (use promo code lajollamom to save $8 on 1-Day tickets)
• San Diego Zoo (use promo code lajollamom to save $8 on 1-Day tickets)
• Legoland California (promo code SAVEMORE will save on most tickets)
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood

Six Flags Magic Mountain hasn’t been participating in sightseeing passes or combo tickets lately, so you’ll need to purchase tickets to this theme park separately. Knott’s Berry Farm participates in Go City sightseeing passes.

5. Universal Studios Hollywood Vacation Packages: Hotels in All Price Ranges + Discounted Tickets

Best Deal For: Travelers wanting Universal Studios Hollywood vacation packages

I offer a way for people to combine discounted admission with hotel bookings on our ticket site. Bundle cheap tickets with a vacation package that includes 71 hotels, ranging from budget to luxury. Choosing nearby hotels has many benefits, including (hopefully) skipping notorious L.A. traffic.

Tip: Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and other famous attractions are within a short distance of Universal City. As a travel agent, I can also view pricing and build packages through Universal Parks & Recreation, giving me insight into the best deals.

6. Luxury Hotels with VIP Programs + Discounted Tickets

Best Deal For: Travelers wanting discount Universal Hollywood tickets who like to stay in really nice hotels

It’s not an official vacation package, but by combining our discounted tickets with stays at Los Angeles luxury hotels that offer VIP benefits, you’ll get significantly better value than booking each one individually.

7. Discounted California Resident Tickets and Passes

Best Deal For: Locals who plan to visit twice or more in a year

California residents sometimes receive limited-time 1-day offers and a resident Neighbor Pass (details on this are in our annual pass section).

The availability changes throughout the year, but it does appear during off-peak seasons. We’ll keep an eye on these tickets and let you know when they’re available again!

8. Military Discounts

Best Deal For: Travelers who are active or retired U.S. military personnel

Year-round discount options are available to all active and retired U.S. military personnel. These military tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood must be purchased in advance at participating MWR/ITT offices throughout the United States. They are unavailable at the gate.

Alternatively, military members can access discounts online through Universal’s website by verifying their affiliation with ID.me. Offers include savings on 1-Day General Admission, Universal Express tickets, and select annual passes.

9. Costco Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets & Season Pass

Best Deal For: Costco members who will visit twice or more

Costco sells a season pass for $179.99 (sometimes with a $10-off promotion) that includes over 180 days of access with blockout dates similar to the California Neighbor Pass.

Unlike the Neighbor Pass (valid 9 months), the Costco pass is valid for 11 months from your first visit. You’ll also need to register for your first visit. Registration for your first visit can close up to 7 days in advance. If you are visiting within the next week, please don’t buy this pass unless you’ve confirmed that registration is still open for your date.

Note: For the most up-to-date information on Universal Studios Hollywood tickets from Costco, please check the details.

10. Discounted AAA Universal Studios Tickets

Best Deal For: Travelers who have AAA memberships

If you’re a member, you can benefit from AAA’s discount Universal Studios Hollywood ticket prices online through the club’s portal. Savings and available products vary by club and date, but you’ll typically see 1-Day General Admission, Universal Express, and VIP Experience at a member rate.

How to compare (quickly):

• Sign in to your club site and review your zip-code-based offers.
• Compare the final total (after taxes/fees) to the Cheapest Tickets section above. On many dates, my authorized deal matches or beats AAA.
• Review refund/change terms before you pay; some AAA tickets are non-refundable.

What to bring on the day: A photo ID that matches the name on the ticket (standard Universal policy).

11. Group Discounts

Best Deal For: Parties, school trips, or large family vacations

Universal Studios Hollywood discount tickets are available for groups of 10 or more people by calling 1-800-959-9688 (Universal Group Sales).

12. College Student Discounts

Best Deal For: College students, primarily for colleges in SoCal

Universal Studios Hollywood partners with numerous colleges, primarily in California, to offer discounted student tickets starting at $99. Go to the College Discounts page. Verify your student status there.

See if you can save on 1-Day, California Neighbor, and Universal Express tickets. You can also pre-pay for parking, but the price remains the regular rate.

13. AARP Discount for Seniors

Best Deal For: Seniors ages 50+ who are AARP members

If you are an AARP member, you can save about 10% on Universal tickets. Our discount is better, but this is another legitimate way to save.

14. Groupon Deals on Universal Tickets

Best Deal For: People who like to use Groupon, but this isn’t the best price.

Yes, Groupon sells tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood. They are not currently priced lower than our discounted tickets.

You can check whether there are Groupon deals. At the time of this writing, there are none worth drawing your attention to.

15. Universal Annual Passes (Gold, Silver, Platinum)

Best Deal For: Southern California residents who plan to visit the park multiple times a year

One of the most significant differences among the choices is the Pass Member blackout dates, which include holidays and some weekends.

• Quick rule: An Annual Pass can cost less than two single-day tickets on many date patterns.
• Best for Locals or repeat visitors, especially during peak weekends/holidays when day-ticket prices spike.
• What to check: Your dates vs. blackout calendar; whether parking and merchandise discounts tip the math.
• Where to buy/compare: Check the pass price vs. your planned day-ticket total. If you only need one day, see Cheapest Tickets above. You can buy annual passes through Universal.
• Current promotion: Get three months free with any annual pass!

California Neighbor Pass

• Price: $179
• Valid for 9 months with over 170 days of access, including more than 25 weekends.
• Benefits include special event invitations, discounts on general admission tickets for friends and family, opportunities to participate in sweepstakes, discounted Halloween Horror Nights tickets, and 10-15% off at participating CityWalk locations.

Silver Annual Pass

• Price: $219
• Valid for 15 months with over 370 days of access, including more than 75 weekends.
• It includes all the benefits of the California Neighbor Pass with fewer blackout dates.
• 10-15% off at participating CityWalk locations.
• Discounted Halloween Horror Nights tickets

Gold Annual Pass

• Price: $299 online
• Valid for 15 months with over 330 days of access, including over 105 weekends
• 10-15% off at participating CityWalk locations.
• Discounted Halloween Horror Nights tickets..
• You’ll receive a 15% discount on in-park food, beverages, merchandise, free general parking (entry before 6 p.m.), and the benefits offered in the Silver Annual Pass.

Platinum Annual Pass

• Price: $599 online
• Valid for 12 months with no blackout dates.
• This pass includes all the benefits of the Gold Annual Pass, plus Universal Express access to participating rides and attractions after 3 p.m., a free Halloween Horror Nights ticket, and additional special event invitations.

Universal Studios Hollywood Parking Tips

Parking prices vary by arrival time and proximity to the entrance. Here’s what to expect:

• General Parking: $40 before 5 p.m., $10 after 5 p.m.
• Preferred Parking: Starting from $60 before 5 p.m., $20 after 5 p.m. (prices vary by date)
• Front Gate Parking: Starting from $75 (closest to the entrance)
• Valet Parking: $25 for the first 2 hours, $60 after that

Prices may be higher during Halloween Horror Nights and other special events.

Tip: I use the Universal Studios Hollywood app to set a parking reminder. This way, I don’t forget where my car is parked.

If you stay at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City or Sheraton Universal Hotel, you won’t need to move your car. The hotels share a shuttle to the park, or you can walk.

Fun Things to Do During Your Visit

Here are some highlights you shouldn’t miss:

• World Famous Studio Tour
• Super Nintendo World
• Live Entertainment
• Universal CityWalk
• Wizarding World of Harry Potter
• Super Silly Fun Land
• Shopping to grab exclusive merch
• Holiday events like Halloween, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve
• Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift (NEW for summer 2026) is Universal’s first high-speed outdoor roller coaster

See also: My Tips for visiting Universal Studios Hollywood

FAQs About Universal Studios Hollywood Discount Tickets and More

After many years of selling these tickets, I’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions that I continue to receive.

How do you buy Universal Studios Hollywood discount tickets?

Learn also how to find the best prices for:

• Disneyland tickets
• Knott’s Berry Farm tickets
• Six Flags Magic Mountain tickets
• San Diego Zoo tickets
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets
• LEGOLAND California tickets
• SeaWorld San Diego tickets
• Universal Studios Orlando tickets
• Walt Disney World tickets
• Six Flags Discovery Kingdom tickets
• SeaWorld Orlando tickets

Reviews of Hotels Near Universal Studios Hollywood:

• Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City
• Sheraton Universal City

All Universal Studios Hollywood posts:

• Universal Studios Hollywood Guide