Planning a Group Visit
Discover the wonders of wildlife at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C.! As you explore our 163-acre zoological park, your group can connect with hundreds of amazing species — like giant pandas and Asian elephants — while learning about the Smithsonian’s efforts to study and conserve animals in the wild.
Whether you're organizing a school field trip, family outing, or chartered tour, you can check this page for information on group entry options, reservations, bus parking, and more.
Groups of at least 16 people need to book a Group Order on our website to enter the Zoo. Smaller groups can book through our regular ticketing portal.
Walk-ins and public transportation
Walk-in admission is free of charge. To enter the Zoo, you must book a group order through our ticketing portal.
Every visitor — including teachers, parents, tour guides and/or chaperones — must be included in your booking. These bookings are only valid for the issued date and time and should be booked in advance to guarantee availability.
Note: Parking or dropping off on Connecticut Avenue is not allowed.
Arriving by bus
If you plan to arrive by school or charter bus, book a Bus Drop-Off Pass or a Bus Parking Pass on our website ahead of time.
Pre-booking
Space inside the Zoo is limited, so booking in advance is the best way to guarantee you’ll be able to secure a spot. Don't assume you're guaranteed to find parking without making a pre-booking first — there’s no “backup” lot available if spaces are sold out.
Bus parking
Purchase a paid Bus Parking Pass on our ticketing portal for bus or van parking inside the Zoo. Purchases are non-refundable.
Bus parking prices vary based on availability and time of year. Regardless of when you visit, make sure to pre-book in advance to guarantee your spot.
Here’s how much bus parking costs:
Summer* Weekday | Summer Weekend | Winter* Weekday | Winter Weekend | Holidays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
School Bus | $90 | $120 | $0 | $120 | $120 |
Tour Bus | $90 | $120 | $60 | $120 | $120 |
| * Summer: March 15 - Sept. 14 | * Winter: Sept. 15 - March 14 | ||||
Note: Passes are nonrefundable.
Bus drop-offs
Reserve a free Bus Drop-Off Pass to drop off and pick up your group at a designated time inside the Zoo. The staging area for bus drop-offs and pick-ups is at the Zoo's Vehicle Check-in Lot. Reserve a timeslot on our ticketing portal.
Entering and exiting the Zoo by bus
Buses with a Bus Parking Pass or Bus Drop-Off Pass should plan their arrival at vehicle entrance on Connecticut Avenue. Upon entry, follow along the main perimeter road to enter the Vehicle Check-in Lot for parking instructions.
Plan a Field Trip
Find all the resources you need to bring your classroom to the Zoo.
School discounts for field trips
School groups are eligible for free bus parking on winter weekdays! Provide your NCES ID number when ordering on our ticketing portal. Availability is limited, so book early.
Read our Field Trips page for more details.
FAQs About Group Visits
Groups of 16 or more people are eligible for a group ticket order. Each individual in your group must be included in the order to enter the Zoo.
Group bookings should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the desired visit date. If you do not initially find passes on the day your group would like to visit, check back on our website, as additional passes may become available.
During peak times of year, like summer and major holidays, you may need to request at least one month in advance, if possible.
If you’d like to book a Bus Parking Pass or a Bus Drop-Off Pass, please note that online presale ends 48 hours before each desired visit date.
For pedestrians: The Zoo’s main entrance is at 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW. There is a second pedestrian entrance at Harvard Street NW. The Zoo does not have a group entrance.
For Buses: Buses can unload their passengers at the Vehicle Check-in Lot, located near Panda Plaza.
Upon arrival, a staff member stationed at the entrance will ask the group leader to scan your digital entry ticket upon entry.
Groups should arrive at the date and time listed on their booking. Only those entering together can be included in the group order. Anyone arriving separately must book their own free entry pass and/or parking pass.
Zoo teams will do their best to accommodate late arrivals. However, if your group arrives an hour or more past your expected entry time, entrance is not guaranteed and will be based on capacity.
Groups can book their group order through our ticketing portal, here.
- Where applicable, payment is required upon booking your reservation.
- Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Group reservations are free of charge.
However, Bus Parking Passes have different rates depending on the time of year and type of vehicle. Bus parking reservations generally cost between $60-120 per bus, for up to 3 buses. (Have more? You’ll need to purchase additional Bus Parking Passes.)
Also, school buses are eligible for free parking on winter weekdays. Provide your NCES ID number when ordering on our ticketing website. Availability is limited, so book early.
Yes. At least one adult chaperone is required per 10 children. All children aged 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult chaperone.
Bus parking and drop-off is available inside the Zoo on a first-come, first-served basis:
- A Bus Parking Pass allows you to park your bus or large van inside the Zoo’s bus parking lot. Purchases can be made through our ticketing portal.
- A Bus Drop-off Pass lets you reserve a time slot for dropping off and picking up your group inside the Zoo’s vehicle check-in lot. Reservations can be made through our ticketing portal.
Please book in advance. If the lot is full, parking staff may be forced to turn away buses without reservations.
All buses visiting in a group must be included in one order, arrive together, and have the bus parking code visible on their windshield upon arrival.
Bus parking passes are non-refundable. Please select your visit date carefully.
No, parking or idling your bus on Connecticut Avenue is not allowed. Violators may receive tickets from the Metropolitan Police Department.
Your passes will be sent via email immediately upon booking.
- Can’t find it? Check your inbox and spam folder for an email sent from zootickets@es10.si.edu.
- Still stuck? Contact us to have your passes reissued.
Access your ticket orders by logging into your account.
You will receive your passes in a separate email from ZooTickets@es10.si.edu. Both digital and PDF tickets are valid for entry.
Exchange requests for bus parking must be sent at least two weeks before your scheduled visit and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis subject to availability. Contact zootickets@si.edu to request an exchange.
Exchange requests for bus drop-offs must be sent at least 48 hours before your scheduled visit and are reviewed on a case-by-case basis subject to availability. Contact zootickets@si.edu to request an exchange.
Per the Zoo's Terms of Sale, we do not provide refunds, so please plan carefully.
The Zoo does not currently offer group tours.
However, you can follow along with our Animal Adventure Guide, an educational visitor guide highlighting the various animals and exhibit areas you will encounter.
The best time to plan a quieter visit is during the winter months (January and February). If you plan a visit for the spring months (March through June), which are very crowded, your group may require extra supervision, and you might require additional time for your visit.