Phoenix Zoo daytime admission costs $39.95 for adults, $29.95 for ages 3 to 13, and $0 for children 2 and under.
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The zoo’s headline price is simple: adults pay $39.95, children ages 3 to 13 pay $29.95, and toddlers 2 and under enter free. For travelers pricing how much the Phoenix Zoo costs, the real budget comes from discounts, special events, membership math, and paid add-ons like guided tours.
Daytime admission is the price most visitors need. Special events such as ZooLights, private visits, school trips, and backstage programs use separate pricing, so treat the standard ticket as the base cost, not the whole ceiling.
How Much Does Phoenix Zoo Admission Cost?
Phoenix Zoo admission costs $39.95 for guests ages 14 and up and $29.95 for children ages 3 to 13. Children 2 and under do not need a ticket for daytime general admission.
That means a simple two-adult visit costs $79.90 before any food, souvenirs, or add-ons. A family with two adults and two ticketed children costs $139.80 for daytime admission.
After you know your group size, compare current Phoenix Zoo ticket availability before you build the rest of the day’s budget:
Phoenix Zoo Cost Breakdown For Tickets And Add-Ons
Phoenix Zoo pricing changes by visitor type, discount eligibility, and whether you add a guided tour. The official adult and child admission figures come from the Phoenix Zoo Tickets & Hours page, which also lists current seasonal hours and visitor rules.
Use this table as the cleanest starting point, then check your exact date before paying.
| Ticket Or Cost Item | What It Covers | Current Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Adult daytime admission | One daytime zoo entry, ages 14 and up | $39.95 |
| Child daytime admission | One daytime zoo entry, ages 3 to 13 | $29.95 |
| Child age 2 or under | No daytime admission ticket required | $0 |
| Arizona EBT discount | Up to four daytime tickets with Arizona EBT card and photo ID, Tuesdays and Sundays only | $10 each |
| Senior discount | Ages 60 and up with valid photo ID, daytime admission discount | $5 off |
| Military, veteran, student, or Arizona educator discount | Daytime admission discount for the identified cardholder with valid ID | $5 off |
| Affiliate zoo or aquarium member | Daytime admission through a participating reciprocal membership | 50% off |
| Discovery Tour add-on | Guided cart tour; zoo admission is not included | $49 per person |
| Individual membership | One adult with free daytime admission during the membership term | $129 |
| Family membership | Two adults and four children with free daytime admission during the membership term | $289 |
Discounts That Cut The Phoenix Zoo Price
Phoenix Zoo discounts can lower the ticket price a lot, but many require valid photo ID and may not apply to online or advance tickets. The biggest standard discount is the Arizona EBT program: eligible guests can get up to four $10 tickets on Tuesdays and Sundays only.
Other common daytime admission discounts include $5 off for seniors 60 and up, military and veterans ages 18 and up, students ages 14 and up, active Arizona educators, and eligible first responders outside the zoo’s larger monthly first-responder offer. Reciprocal zoo or aquarium members may get 50% off if their home institution participates.
Price check: the zoo says discounts may change without notice and may not be combined, so bring ID and confirm the rule before you arrive.
Your Phoenix Zoo Ticket Inclusions
A standard daytime ticket gets you into the Phoenix Zoo during regular zoo hours, not into every special event or paid add-on. ZooLights, backstage programs, guided tours, private events, food, retail, and photo purchases can raise the day’s total.
The Phoenix Zoo is in Papago Park at 455 North Galvin Parkway, and the daytime hours change by season. Summer visits are shorter and earlier, with June through August hours listed as 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; winter and spring windows are longer, so the same ticket can buy more walking time in cooler months.
Guests under 14 must enter with a guest who is at least 14. That rule matters for teen groups, school groups, and families letting older children split off inside the zoo.
Tours And Extras That Raise The Total
Phoenix Zoo add-ons are optional, but they can double the cost for a visitor who wants a guided experience. The Discovery Tour is listed at $49 per person, and regular zoo admission is separate.
Backstage Adventures and animal-focused programs can also require advance planning. Some experiences must be booked ahead, and children under 16 need a paid adult with them for tours.
- Lowest-cost visit: daytime admission only, no paid add-ons.
- Family value visit: use eligible discounts, bring refillable water, and go during cooler hours.
- Higher-budget visit: add a Discovery Tour or backstage program after buying admission.
Is Phoenix Zoo Membership Cheaper Than Tickets?
Phoenix Zoo membership is cheaper than regular tickets only if your group visits enough times during the membership term. A solo adult needs four regular $39.95 visits before a $129 Individual membership clearly beats paying each time.
The family math changes faster. Two adults and four ticketed children would pay $199.70 for one regular daytime visit at the current individual ticket prices, so a $289 Family membership can pay off on the second visit for a full covered group.
Membership also includes free daytime admission and discounts inside the park, but it does not mean every special event is free. ZooLights and some member preview nights can still require separate paid tickets.
Where To Stay Near Phoenix Zoo
Phoenix Zoo sits in Papago Park, close to central Phoenix, Tempe, and Scottsdale. Downtown Tempe works well for Arizona State University, Old Town Scottsdale works well for restaurants and nightlife, and central Phoenix works well if the zoo is one stop in a wider city trip.
For a short Phoenix stay, compare hotel areas after you pick your zoo day so you do not overpay for a room far from the parts of the city you will use most:
Ticket Verdict For Each Visitor
Most one-time visitors should buy regular daytime admission and plan the visit around cooler morning hours. Discount-eligible visitors should buy only after checking whether their discount must be handled onsite with ID.
- One adult: pay $39.95 unless you qualify for a discount or plan four visits.
- One child ages 3 to 13: budget $29.95 for daytime admission.
- Child age 2 or under: daytime admission is free.
- Arizona EBT cardholder: plan for a Tuesday or Sunday if the $10 ticket rule fits your schedule.
- Two adults and two children: budget $139.80 for standard daytime admission before extras.
- Repeat local family: compare the $289 Family membership against your likely number of visits.
- Visitor adding a guided tour: add $49 per person for a Discovery Tour, plus regular admission.
Once you know the right ticket category, check the available Phoenix Zoo ticket dates in one place:
References & Sources
- Phoenix Zoo.“Visit the Phoenix Zoo: Tickets, Hours, & More.”Provides current daytime admission prices, seasonal hours, discount notes, and visitor address.