You don’t have to fight traffic or pay for parking to enjoy the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay – and you can get a huge discount for Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay.
The Columbus Zoo and COTA have again partnered to provide bus service from downtown Columbus, Dublin Park & Ride, and Griggs Dam Park & Ride to the Zoo, plus you’ll enjoy a huge discount on admission to the Columbus Zoo. Ride the COTA Zoo Bus and get $3 admission into the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, or $10 off admission to Zoombezi Bay!
Note: Dated/timed reservations are still required for Members and day guests until 2 p.m. After 2 p.m., Members and day guests can visit the Zoo any day without a timed entry/reservation. Starting May 29, Zoo hours are 9 am – 7 pm
If you are riding the Zoo Bus, make sure to select Zoo Bus Customer Reservation under the Daily Ticket options for your reservation prior to boarding the Zoo Bus. After your registration is confirmed, please be sure to follow the instructions on how to redeem the voucher at the Zoo’s ticket window with your registration confirmation. You will receive the coupon from the bus driver to qualify for discounted admission.
Zoo Bus Discount for Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay
Zoo Bus service runs 7 days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day for Zoombezi Bay and the Zoo, and Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for the Zoo from September 6 – October 31, 2021. You’ll receive a voucher from the bus driver for:
- $3 admission into the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, or
- $10 off each admission into Zoombezi Bay
In addition to the Columbus Zoo discount, you’ll also avoid the $10 cost for Zoo parking. The bus fare is $1-$2 each way (free for under 48 inches). You must have exact Fare, Trip Ticket or valid pass to ride -drivers do not carry cash and can not make change.
The Zoo discount ticket is only valid on the day of the bus ride.
COTA Zoo Bus Details
Zoo Bus riders can board at various locations in downtown Columbus, or leave their cars at the Griggs Dam Park & Ride (located at Riverside Drive & Nottingham Road) or Dublin Park and Ride. Meters in downtown Columbus are free on Sundays. There are 5 departure times to and from the Zoo, so you can spend as little or as much of your day at the Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay.
COTA Zoo Bus Weekday schedule
See bus schedule and details here.
COTA’s Zoo Bus leaves from the Statehouse at 8:30 AM, 10 AM, 2:45 PM, 4:30 PM, and 6 PM, making stops at High & Broad; W. Spring Street and N. Front Street; Griggs Dam Park & Ride (Riverside Dr. and Nottingham Rd.); and Dublin Park & Ride before it gets to the Zoo.
COTA’s Zoo Bus leaves from the Zoo at 9:15 AM, 10:45 AM, 3:45 PM, 5:15 PM and 7:15 PM, making stops at Dublin Park & Ride; and Griggs Dam Park & Ride (Riverside Dr. and Nottingham Rd.); before it arrives at the Statehouse & High.
For more information about COTA Zoo Bus service, visit COTA.com/ZooBus or call (614) 228-1776. For Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay hours and reservations, visit columbuszoo.org or https://zoombezibay.columbuszoo.org/
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Val says
Hi Mary, we suggest called the Zoo to discuss options. We aren’t affiliated with the Zoo, so we don’t have any special connections to the caretakers. I know that they do have wheelchairs.
Mary meister says
I have watched “secrets of the zoo” for as long as it has been on. I feel like I know all the folks on the show. Zoomania has been great!!!
Planning a visit in very near future. Is there any way I could meet just one caretaker (like of elephants, or cheetah hint hint)?
So looking forward to actually being there but I will need a wheelchair, can that be arranged ? I turned 74 in June…can’t wait much longer.
Blessings,
Ms.marty