Tickets
Online ticket purchases are coming to the Buffalo Zoo in early 2018!
Until this feature is live, please call 716-837-3900 for additional ticket information and visit the zoo to purchase tickets at the box office.
Visiting the Buffalo Zoo
The Buffalo Zoo is currently open 7 days a week from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Walk-up admissions are accepted. However, we encourage all guests to purchase their tickets online to get to the fun faster! No reservation date or time is required. Tickets purchased are good for 365 days from the date of purchase. Buffalo Zoo Members do not require an admission ticket purchase.
Online tickets will have a separate admission queue during busy days allowing these guests to bypass walk-up admission lines. Click ‘buy now” below to purchase your tickets today!
If you have any questions about the animal experiences we offer to the Buffalo, NY area or you would like to host a kids birthday party, contact us today! We have a number of event spaces for you to choose from.
Zoo for All Program
Click the link below to learn more about how you can take advantage of the Buffalo Zoo’s reduced admission price program:
Zoo for All
Group Visits
FIELD TRIPS AND GROUP VISITS
Bring your friends, family, school, or organization to the Buffalo Zoo! Group tickets are available for groups of 15+, making the Buffalo Zoo the perfect educational field trip destination in Buffalo, NY. Please click HERE to download our Buffalo Zoo Group Visit Guide.
School Groups with 15 or more paid guests will qualify for $15.00 admission tickets for all ages. School Group tickets can be purchased online or at the admissions window upon arrival. Payment must be made by day of visit; no purchase orders. To book group tickets online, click HERE. Here you will create your own account or log in if you have already created an account.
When booking online, schools have the option to pay with a credit card at the time of booking or be emailed the invoice and mail-in payment. If schools choose to mail in their payment, the invoice must be included and payment must be received before the group visit to qualify for the discount. Schools can log back into the account and increase the number of tickets needed at any time, however, the amount cannot be decreased. Schools can add school lunches to their order, as long as they are booking at least five (5) days in advance of the visit date.
Other groups with 15 or more paid guests will receive 10% off the daily ticket price. Group tickets can be at the admissions window upon arrival. Payment must be made by day of visit; no purchase orders. For more information please call (716) 837-3900.
If you are a member coming as part of a group or school, you will not be counted towards the group total. Please check in as you normally do. Member benefits do not apply to group visits for children unless the named adult/caregiver accompanies them.
Looking for group transportation to the zoo? Our partners at CharterUP offer services around New York State.
Rides & Attractions
Rides and attractions at the Buffalo Zoo are seasonal and weather-dependent. Train and carousel tickets are good for one year from the date of purchase.
Train: $5 per ride – Weather Dependent
Carousel: $5 per ride – Weather Dependent
Parking Fees
Parking Fee | Rate | How to Purchase |
Year Round | Parking is available for a fee. Hourly rates: $6.00 first two hours, $2 per hour after that with a maximum of $12. *Parking prices may vary during events or busy days. | Parking can be paid for upon exiting the Zoo at the kiosk located outside Zootique or as you exit the parking lot. |
Encounters
Enhance your visit to the Buffalo Zoo with an animal encounter! Get up close and personal with some of your favorite Zoo animals. When you purchase an encounter, you’ll have the opportunity to go behind the scenes in an exhibit and learn about our animals from the care professionals who work with them every day. Each animal encounter is a private experience for a 6–8 guests depending on the encounter. Age restrictions apply. Guests ages two and younger must be held in the arms of an adult for the entire session. Closed toe shoes are recommended. Book one or all four encounters today!
For the safety of our guests and animals, guests are not permitted to touch animals during encounters with the exception of goat feedings. Thank you for your understanding.
Giraffe Encounter
Go behind the scenes and meet our giraffe herd, learn about their daily life at the Buffalo Zoo, including diets, enrichment, training, and much more. This private, 25–30 minute experience is head and shoulders above the rest!
When: Available Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesday and Thursday. Only one session is available per day.
Who: Available for one party per session for up to six guests.
Price: $150 per group
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR GIRAFFE ENCOUNTER TODAY!
Rhino Encounter
During this private, 25–30 minute encounter, our experienced keepers will take you behind the scenes to come face-to-face with one of our rhinos, learn about their daily care, and our conservation efforts in the wild.
When: Available every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Only one session is available per day.
Who: Available for one party per session for up to six guests. This encounter is only available for ages six and above.
Price: $150 per group
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR RHINO ENCOUNTER TODAY!
Bison Encounter
Go behind the scenes and meet our Bison, learn about their daily life at the Buffalo Zoo, including diets, enrichment, training, and much more during this private, 25–30 minute experience.
When: Every Saturday–Monday at 12:00 pm.
Who: Available for one party per session of up to eight guests.
Price: $150 per group
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR BISON ENCOUNTER TODAY!
Sloth Encounter
Get an up-close experience with Flash the Sloth! Learn all about our two-toed friend during this private, 25–30 minute session. Don’t forget to snap the ultimate #slothselfie before you leave!
When: Available Saturdays at 10:15 am. Only one session is available per day.
Who: Available for one party per session of up to eight guests.
Price: $150 per group