Columbus Zoo Discount Tickets: 16 Cheap Deals

Check out all the available Columbus Zoo and Aquarium discount tickets 2024 so you can save on admission tickets when visiting one of the largest zoos in America. To visit the waterpark next door, check out Zoombezi Bay discount tickets for all available deals.

Columbus Zoo Wildlights 2024 – November 22 to January 5 – the event is included with zoo admission.

Columbus Zoo Discount Tickets
image by Columbus Zoo

COLUMBUS ZOO TICKETS 2024

To help you compare how much you’re going to save, here are the 2024 Columbus Zoo ticket prices if you buy them directly at the gate or online:

  • Gate Prices: Columbus Zoo tickets at the gate cost $36.99 for adults ages 10 to 59, $29.99 for children ages 3 to 9, and $34.99 for seniors ages 60+.
  • Online Price: Columbus Zoo ticket prices are $34.99 for adults, $27.99 for children ages 3 to 9, and $32.99 for seniors, plus taxes and a $2 processing fee, and $1 conservation support per ticket when you buy them online from the zoo’s website.
  • Children 2 and under can enter Columbus Zoo for free.

To save, check out all the available discount tickets to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium below. Note: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when purchasing through some of our links.


COLUMBUS ZOO DISCOUNT TICKETS 2024:

Check out all the best deals for Columbus Zoo including Franklin County Resident discounts, military discounts, group discounts, free tickets, zoo offers, and more.

1. Discount Columbus Zoo Tickets

You can buy Columbus Zoo discount tickets for only $26.99 for a child ticket, $30 for a senior ticket, and $32.99 for an adult ticket. They are available from AresTravel, an authorized ticket seller. There is a $2 convenience fee per ticket but tax is already included and you can head straight to the gate with either a printed ticket or mobile e-ticket.

Wildlights is included with Zoo admission.

With this Columbus Zoo discount, you save up to $7 per general admission ticket compared to buying them at the gate or at least a $4 savings compared to buying them online directly from the park’s website as they charge a $2 processing fee, a $1 conservation support per ticket, and tax.

You can also add parking for only $8 versus the $10 gate price.

Note: You don’t need a Columbus Zoo promo code to avail of the discount.


2. Franklin County Resident Discount

Columbus Zoo tickets for Franklin County Residents are only $24.99 per adult ticket, $18.99 per child ticket, and $23.99 per senior ticket for a 1-day admission ticket, plus taxes and a $2 processing fee, and a $1 conservation support per ticket.

Franklin County Resident Discount to Columbus Zoo is available online from the zoo’s website and probably at the zoo’s gate as well. Zoo guests will be asked to provide a valid driver’s license, state-issued ID, or a current utility bill to receive the discount pricing.

aquarium
photo by Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

3. 2-Day Columbus Zoo and Zoomberi Bay Ticket

If you want to visit both the zoo and the waterpark, you can buy the 2-day Columbus Zoo and Zoomberi Bay ticket. The ticket package includes a one-day ticket to the zoo and a one-day ticket to the waterpark. Visits do not have to be on consecutive days.

2-Day Tickets will be available for purchase by May 15 and should be available online from the park’s website. It is not discounted and if there are cheaper options for this 2-day ticket from 3rd party authorized ticket seller, we will update this post or you check AresTravel if it becomes available.

2-Day Ticket Price:
  • 2-Day Adult Pass: $59.99
  • 2-Day Child Pass: $56.99

4. Columbus Zoo Group Discount

For groups of 25 or more, you can buy discounted Columbus Zoo tickets at the gate on the day of your visit.

To purchase your tickets on the day of your visit, you must have a minimum order of 25 tickets and pay for all tickets in one transaction at the entrance. To purchase in advance, purchase your tickets 2 weeks in advance by calling(614) 724-3785 or emailing columbuszooevents@thessagroup.com

Franklin County Resident Group Pricing:
  • Franklin County Under 3: Free
  • Franklin County Ages 3-9: $17.00
  • Franklin County Ages 10-59: $23.00
  • Franklin County Ages 60+: $22.00
Non-Franklin County Residents Group Pricing:
  • Non-Franklin County Under 3: Free
  • Non-Franklin County Ages 3-9: $26.00
  • Non-Franklin County Ages 10-59: $33.00
  • Non-Franklin County Ages 60+: $31.00

5. Military Discount

Columbus Zoo Military Discount is available for active and non-active duty military personnel. To avail of your military discount to Columbus Zoo, show your military ID at the zoo’s front gate and receive a $2 discount on up to 6 tickets.


6. Reciprocal Discount

Take advantage of the reciprocal discount if you have a membership pass at another zoo.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is offering a 50% discount on zoo general admission to members of the AZA accredited zoos and aquariums. Reciprocal members must present a valid membership card in their name and photo ID for each adult listed on the membership. If you do not have a valid membership card, contact your zoo’s membership office for a replacement

To avail of the Columbus Zoo reciprocal discount, present your membership card at the zoo’s ticket window (not available on pre-purchased tickets). The reciprocal discount does not apply to Zoombezi Bay waterpark tickets and does not include parking.


7. School Discount

If you’re planning a trip to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for your school class, you may qualify for special field trip rates.

  • These rates are for students, staff, chaperones and bus drivers and are only valid Monday-Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bus drivers are free.
  • Field trip reservations must be made at least 10 days in advance or discount rates will not apply.
  • All groups must enter the Zoo before 3:30 p.m. on any weekday during Wildlights to qualify for the traditional school or community organization field trip rates.
  • Traditional school rates are NOT valid starting June 10, 2023, through September 5, 2023.
  • Minimum of 15 guests is required.
  • State-certified curriculum required.

8. Senior Discount

Seniors ages 60+ received discounted admission to the Zoo.  Franklin County senior rate is $24.99; outside of Franklin County rate is $32.99.


9. Family Access Membership

The Family Access Membership provides discounted memberships for Ohio residents that qualify for eligible programs including Medicaid or the Ohio Direction EBT card.

Admits up to two primary named adult members in the same household, plus either dependent children OR grandchildren up to age 21 (not both) to the zoo. Price: $64.99 plus a $3 conservations fee per membership.

The qualifying individual must be present to purchase this membership in-person at the zoo’ Membership and Season Pass Processing building. Photo ID, proof of Ohio residency, as well as participation in a qualifying program is required at the time of purchase.


10. Culture Pass

Free Columbus Zoo tickets are available through the Culture Pass program through the zoo’s collaboration with the Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML). At select CML locations, library cardholders can check out a Culture Pass, which will grant them a free visit to the Zoo.

At check out, CML cardholders receive a yellow Zoo Culture Pass (valid for two days), which they take to the Zoo’s entrance. The pass can be redeemed for up to six adults and/or children. The Culture Pass can be returned to one of the Zoo’s team members, so guests do not need to return the pass to their library.

Culture Pass is available at 14 library locations – Main Library, Barnett, Driving
Park, Franklinton, Hilltop, Karl Road, Linden, Marion-Franklin, Martin Luther King, Northern Lights, Northside, Parsons, Shepard and Whitehall branches.

roller coaster
by Columbus Zoo

11. Columbus Zoo Voucher for COTA Bus Riders

The 2023 Zoo Bus season has concluded and will be operational again in Spring 2024. We will update this section once the zoo releases the 2024 update.

COTA Zoo Bus riders will receive a voucher for $3 admission to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. You need to register your voucher online. After your registration is confirmed, follow the instructions on how to redeem the voucher at the Zoo’s ticket window. The number of days per week that the Zoo Bus operates depends upon the time of year. COTA’s Zoo Bus service is supported by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

2023 COTA Schedule:
  • May 13-18, 2023: Weekend service
  • May 29-September 3, 2023: 7-day service
  • September 8-October 29, 2023: Weekend service

12. AAA Tickets

Discounted Columbus Zoo AAA tickets are available to AAA members at the zoo’s front gate. AAA members can receive a $1 discount off Columbus Zoo tickets when they present a valid membership card.

Ticket deal #1 is still cheaper though than this AAA offer as it saves you $4 per ticket –  from $26.99.


13. Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Season Pass 2024

If you are planning to visit the zoo multiple times a year, then it would be economical to buy the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Season Pass 2024. They are not discounted but come with many benefits. If you buy them online from the zoo’s website, they will be priced $5 cheaper than at the gate. Franklin County Residents can also get them at a lower price.

  • Individual – Admits one named adult.
  • Individual Plus – Admits one named adult plus one unnamed guest.
  • Gold Individual – Free admission to the zoo and aquarium, free rides, free animal feedings and free admission to the 4-D Theater, PLUS free admission to Zoombezi Bay while membership is valid, and all Zoombezi Bay Season Pass Holder benefits. Child rates (ages 3-9) are available.
  • Family – Admits up to two primary named adults in the same household plus either dependent children OR grandchildren up to age 21 (not both).
  • Family Plus – Admits two (2) primary named adult members in the same household plus either dependent children OR grandchildren up to age 21 (not both). This also includes up to two named or unnamed guests.
train ride
by Columbus Zoo

14. Groupon Discount

Columbus Zoo Groupon discount is currently unavailable. Check ticket deal #1 above for the best deal on Columbus Zoo tickets.


15. Kroger Discount

You may be able to buy discounted Columbus Zoo tickets and select memberships at any of the 125 Kroger stores across central Ohio. Make sure to compare the prices from ticket deal #1 above to make sure you are getting the best price.


16. Wendy’s Discount

It’s worth checking the zoo’s social media channels, as there may be a Columbus Zoo Wendy’s promotion for a “Buy One Get One” deal on admission tickets to Wildlights – a holiday event held at the zoo during nighttime hours.


THINGS TO DO AT COLUMBUS ZOO AT AQUARIUM:

A Columbus Zoo and Aquarium discount ticket includes access to all of the zoo’s exhibits and attractions, as well as daily shows and events, such as animal shows and demonstrations. This includes popular exhibits such as the Heart of Africa and Polar Frontier, as well as the aquarium section of the zoo.

Some activities and events at the zoo may require an additional fee, such as animal feedings, and rides.

Purchase a Zoo More Wristbands at Guest Relations or at any Guest Service kiosk at the zoo to enjoy all the available rides.

Map

map
image by Columbus Zoo

Parking

Parking is $10 per car and free for buses.

Address

4850 W Powell Rd, Powell, OH 43065


BUY DISCOUNT TICKETS TO COLUMBUS ZOO – from $26.99

We are constantly updating this post so you can save time and money versus looking for Columbus Zoo coupons and promo codes that don’t really work. Check back regularly before buying your tickets.


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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. AnyTots.com has made every effort to confirm the information in this article and we try our best to update as often as possible but things can often change so we urge you to confirm every event detail like date, time, location, ticket price from the host of the event or attraction, and actual savings calculation in case of an error on our part. AnyTots does not sell any tickets but only lists reliable sources where you can buy discounted tickets, make sure to check the refund or exchange policy before buying tickets through them. AnyTots is in no way responsible for any injuries or damages you sustain while visiting an attraction or event posted on our website and you assume the sole risk of relying on any of the information in our post.