San Diego Zoo Charter Bus Rentals

About the San Diego Zoo

Regarded as one of the best zoos in the United States, the San Diego Zoo allows visitors to see and learn about exotic animals from all over the world in an up-close, top-tier facility. The San Diego Zoo, along with their San Diego Zoo Safari Park* in nearby Escondido, pairs these experiences with education about wildlife conservation, why it’s so important, and what we can do as individuals to take care of the world around us and protect these species. Whether you’re visiting SDZ on a San Diego school field trip, riding aboard a wedding guest shuttle to a reception in the Zoofari Party Area, or just as a quick visit during your airport layover, the San Diego Zoo has something for everyone.

*The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a 40-minute drive from the San Diego Zoo, so make sure to let your reservation agent know which location your group is headed to so we can provide an accurate quote

Hours

SDZ is open 365 days a year, but the operating hours vary depending on the exact date. Typically, the Zoo’s hours are 9am-8pm in the summer, and 9am-5pm throughout the rest of the year, but you’ll want to check the Zoo’s operating hours online to confirm what they are for your visit before arriving. 

Ticket Prices and Admission

A standard one-day ticket to the San Diego Zoo will cost:

• $78 for an adult (age 12 and up)
• $68 for a child (age 3-11)
• Children under 3 receive free admission to the Zoo

If you’re looking to save money on San Diego Zoo tickets, consider:

• Plan your visit on one of their value days to take advantage of discounted ticket prices
• In the fall, San Diego Zoo holds Kids Free October, where each ticketed adult can bring up to 6 children into the zoo with them for free
• Students 18 and older can receive a 10% discount on their ticket (must provide a valid photo ID and proof of current enrollment upon purchase).
• Groups of 15 or more can receive a 10% discount, and groups of 100 or more can receive a 15% discount on the cost of their admission. For more information on group discounts and to make your group reservation, call their Reservation Sales Department at 619-718-3000.

If you’re planning to visit multiple San Diego attractions during your visit, consider purchasing a Go San Diego Pass or San Diego CityPASS, which allows you to enjoy multiple attractions at a discounted price. More information on both of these passes, along with their membership and annual pass options, can be found on the San Diego Zoo ticketing page. 

Visiting the San Diego Zoo by Charter Bus

When you reserve a bus rental in San Diego for your group trip, you’ll be matched with a licensed, experienced charter bus driver who will get you from A to B to Z without a sweat, but it’s always helpful to know where you’ll be headed before fastening that seatbelt.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up

Your San Diego charter bus can load and unload passengers at the main entrance off Park Blvd in Balboa Park.

Charter Bus Staging

There is no official charter bus staging area at the San Diego Zoo. We recommend having your charter bus remain parked until you are ready to leave the Zoo. Then, you can contact your charter bus driver to come pick up your group at the main entrance where you were dropped off.

Charter Bus Parking

For the official Zoo parking lot, your driver can navigate to 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101 for the entrance off Park Blvd. at Zoo Place. This lot can fill up quickly during high-traffic days, but there are many different parking lots available around Balboa Park that your charter bus can use if the official Zoo parking lot is full.

As of January 5, 2026, free parking is not available at the San Diego Zoo. Pricing for the official Zoo parking lot, and all parking lots operated by the City of San Diego, is:

• General parking: $16 per day ($8 if you’re a City of San Diego resident)
• Parking for oversized vehicles: $44 per day ($22 if you’re a City of San Diego resident)

Once parked, you can pay for parking on your phone or at any parking kiosk, located throughout the parking lot and at the Zoo’s main entrance. The Zoo’s official parking page does not recommend paying online before arriving at the parking lot.

For more details about the different City of San Diego parking lots around Balboa Park, check out this Balboa Park parking page from the City of San Diego’s official website. No overnight parking is permitted in Balboa Park.

Quick Tips for Your Zoo Trip

• Get there early in the day. This one may come as a no-brainer but lining up at the entrance gate a few minutes before the Zoo opens means your group will beat the heavy rush of guests that rolls in around mid-morning. Plus, having your charter bus rental in San Diego drop you off early means you’ll get to see animals at their most active before the afternoon heat sets in.
• The San Diego Zoo can get pretty packed during peak attendance periods–like the summer season, the month of December, and on major holidays. If your group would rather avoid the crowds, plan to go on a weekday in the fall or early spring (San Diego’s off-season).
• Check the online schedule before you go. You’ll be able to plan out any keeper talks or interactive shows you’d like to see and can be prepared for any potential exhibit closures.
• To beat the afternoon heat, visit areas like the aviaries or Wildlife Explorer Basecamp around midday. These areas are not only home to gorgeous feathered residents and fun children’s activities, respectively, but also feature plenty of shady trees, allowing them to stay consistently cool throughout the day. This is also a great time to head back to your charter bus to cool off and take a break with amenities like A/C, WiFi, and power outlets for charging devices.
• For getting around the Zoo once inside, take advantage of complimentary transportation like their guided bus tours, Kangaroo Bus, and Skyfari Aerial Tram. You’ll be able to see more of the Zoo and rest while doing it, which is a win-win for any group.
• The San Diego Zoo also facilitates the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido. While the Zoo proper hosts a greater variety of animals, the Safari park offers more close-up experience with the wildlife, so it’s definitely worth the 40-minute drive by Escondido charter bus.
• It takes about 3 to 4 hours, at a minimum, to see the entirety of the zoo. You could easily spend an entire day exploring the trails, and exhibits, so if your group wants to hit up the Safari Park as well, it is definitely worth splitting your adventure over the span of a couple days.

Transform Your Group’s Zoo Experience with a San Diego Bus Rental

No matter if you’re in search of a small 18-passenger minibus for a day trip from Anaheim with family or organizing a fleet of 56-passenger charter buses for a school-wide field trip, all it takes is one call to GOGO Charters San Diego to get started with your perfect match. Contact our knowledgeable team anytime, 24/7/365, at (619) 312-4991 to learn more about how we can provide a safe, secure, and efficient charter bus in San Diego for your next group trip.