Member Asia Trail/Panda Pass Reservations

Member Asia Trail/Panda Passes get reserved quickly. Passes open on a rolling basis, one month out, so please check back often throughout the summer. If you're looking for passes for a specific date, check back 30 days before your intended visit.

Asia Trail/Panda Passes are also available for reservation on-site at the Zoo on the day of your visit. Learn more about reserving passes on-site here. Remember, if you didn't make a Panda Pass reservation online, you'll need to reserve entry passes or a parking pass for your group.

To keep our visitors, staff and animals safe, capacity limits are in place for the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. The Smithsonian is constantly re-evaluating the safe number of visitors to the Zoo. We hope to be able to increase capacity as the summer progresses. All Zoo visitors, including members, must reserve a FREE timed Asia Trail/Panda Pass to visit the giant panda exhibit. This summer, Smithsonian National Zoo Members have access to reserve Asia Trail/Panda Passes online in advance of their visit. 

Reserve a Panda Pass

How to Reserve an Asia Trail/Panda Pass Online

  1. Find your member ID number.
    Check your email for your membership purchase receipt, or look for an email with the subject line “Your Smithsonian National Zoo Charter Membership” that also included your member number.
  2. Visit the Etix Asia Trail/Panda Pass website. Select the date of your visit and a time slot to visit Asia Trail. 
    Remember to check the next calendar month for available passes. Passes open on a rolling basis, one month out, so check back often throughout the summer.
    Reserve a Panda Pass
  3. Enter your member number and reserve up to six Panda Passes.
    Online advance Panda Pass reservations can be made once per week, Monday-Sunday (up to six passes per membership).
  4. Your Asia Trail/Panda Pass is also your admission to the Zoo.
    • If you plan to drive and park at the Zoo, your Panda Pass reservation automatically includes parking for one vehicle.
    • Make sure you have a Panda Pass reserved for everyone in your group.
  5. On the day of your visit, arrive early and show your Panda Pass for admission to the Zoo.
    Arrive at the Zoo before the time designated on your Panda Pass, so you have plenty of time to walk to the Asia Trail entrance.
  6. When your Panda Pass reservation time is coming up, scan your pass at the Asia Trail entrance.
    It's located across from the Visitor Center on the Zoo's main path, near the Connecticut Avenue entrance (see Zoo map).

Member Asia Trail/Panda Pass FAQs

No. Your Asia Trail/Panda Pass is also your admission to the Zoo. Make sure you have a Panda Pass for everyone in your group.

If you plan to drive and park at the Zoo, your Panda Pass reservation automatically includes parking for one vehicle. When you arrive at the Zoo, show your Panda Pass to the parking attendant.

Be sure to arrive at the Zoo early before the time selected for your Asia Trail/Panda Pass, so you have plenty of time to walk to the Asia Trail entrance and redeem your Panda Pass.

No. Asia Trail/Panda Passes are required to visit Asia Trail and the giant panda exhibit. Asia Trail/Panda Passes are available for advance reservation online to members only and also serve as admission to the Zoo.

You may also reserve Panda Passes at the Zoo on the day of your visit. If you choose not to reserve Asia Trail/Panda Passes online in advance, you’ll need to reserve timed entry passes or a parking pass for admission to the Zoo.

To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff and animals, a limited number of Panda Passes are available each day. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Members have access to reserve Asia Trail/Panda Passes in advance online. A limited number of Panda Passes are also available to reserve at the Zoo on the day of your visit.

To reserve online, visit the Etix website and make sure you have your member ID ready. Select the date of your visit and a time slot to see the giant pandas. Enter your member number and the number of Panda Passes you’d like to reserve (up to six per membership). Make sure you reserve a pass for everyone in your group.

If you plan to drive and park at the Zoo, your Panda Pass reservation automatically includes parking for one vehicle. When you arrive at the Zoo, just show your Panda Pass to the parking attendant.

Be sure to arrive early, before the time selected for your Asia Trail/Panda Pass, so you have plenty of time to walk to the Asia Trail entrance and redeem your Panda Pass.

If you plan to visit the Zoo on a day when Panda Passes have already sold out online, you can reserve a Panda Pass in designated areas throughout the Zoo on the day of your visit. For more information, see the Asia Trail/Panda Pass FAQs.

Remember, if you don't reserve Asia Trail/Panda Passes online you must reserve a parking pass or entry passes for admission to the Zoo.

To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff and animals, a limited number of Panda Passes are available each day. We cannot guarantee a Panda Pass for every Zoo visitor.

Advance reservations for members begin Friday, May 14, at 12:25 p.m.

Panda Passes are available every 15 minutes beginning at 8 a.m. when the Zoo opens. The last available time slot is 3:30 p.m. The Zoo closes at 4 p.m.

Yes. Guests of all ages must have their own Panda Pass.

Online advance Panda Pass reservations can be made once per week. You can reserve up to six Panda Passes per membership. Reserve your passes on the Etix website.

If you will be accompanying friends and family who are not members, you may reserve up to six Panda Passes for your group. The ability to reserve Panda Passes in advance is open to members only and is non-transferable.

No. While you do need your member number to reserve Panda Passes online, your membership card is not required to enter the giant panda exhibit. We encourage you to carry your membership card with you at the Zoo to take advantage of additional benefits, including discounts on food and merchandise.

You may either show your Panda Pass on your smart phone or print your Panda Pass and bring it with you.

Your timed Panda Pass will be delivered via email. Your Panda Pass is also your admission to the Zoo. If you did not receive your passes when you placed your order, please check your spam email folder, or call Etix at 1-800-514-3849 ext. 1 to have your passes reissued.

Panda Passes will be scanned at the entrance to Asia Trail across from the Visitor’s Center on the Zoo’s main path (Olmsted Walk). You will walk through Asia Trail to get to the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat. Please arrive at the Asia Trail entrance as close as possible to the designated time on your Panda Pass and remember to remain socially distant (6 feet apart) while waiting in line and on the trail.

If Panda Passes are not available online, we encourage you to check for availability on another day or visit the Zoo and try to reserve a Panda Pass once on-site — there are additional passes available on-site. You must have a Panda Pass to visit the giant panda habitat.

To ensure the safety of our visitors, staff and animals, a limited number of Panda Passes are available each day. We cannot guarantee a Panda Pass for every Zoo visitor.

Remember, if you don't reserve Asia Trail/Panda Passes in advance online, you'll need to reserve timed entry passes or a parking pass for admission to the Zoo. See the Entry Passes page for more information.

Within 24-48 hours of becoming a member, you’ll receive an email with your member ID and other details about your membership. Once you have your member ID, you can reserve your Asia Trail/Panda Passes online. If you’re a new member, please log in to your membership account to find your member ID. If you still need help, please email ZooMembership@si.edu.

If your membership number is not working, please email ZooMembership@si.edu.

Here are a few ways that you can find your member number:

  • Log in to your membership account
  • Check your inbox for an email with the subject line “Your Smithsonian National Zoo Charter Membership,” which included your member number.
  • If you haven't renewed your membership recently but still have an active membership, check your FONZ member card. Your member number has not changed.
  • Still have questions? Email ZooMembership@si.edu.

If you can't reserve enough Panda Passes for your entire group, try selecting a different time or date for your visit.

You also have the option to reserve separate timed entry passes for the rest of your group. A limited number of Asia Trail/Panda Passes are available for reservation on-site at the Zoo.

We hope so, but giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and Xiao Qi Ji always have a choice of where they spend their time. You may not see Xiao Qi Ji during your visit if he is napping in his den or spending time in another off-exhibit area. He’s still a cub, and like human babies, he sleeps most of the day. If he is snoozing out of sight on your first visit, rest assured that members will be able to reserve advance passes all summer long.

Xiao Qi Ji tends to be active in the early morning and early afternoon. However, please be aware that, at this age, he takes frequent naps and his activities may vary from day to day.