Berlin Zoo, Berlin: Ticket prices, hours & visitor guide (2026)

When I first walked through the famous Elephant Gate at Berlin Zoo, what caught me off guard wasn’t the ornate architecture — though those carved elephants flanking the entrance are magnificent — it was the sheer density of species. Over 20,000 animals from 1,000 different species occupy 35 hectares next to Berlin‘s Tiergarten, making this the most species-rich zoo in the world. The layout feels like a Victorian explorer’s fever dream: you’ll turn a corner from the panda enclosure to find yourself facing a hippopotamus house, then suddenly you’re in Europe’s largest bird house. It’s chaotic in the best possible way.

Quick overview

Berlin Zoo admission costs between €16 and €25 for adults (online prices are cheaper) and €7.50 to €12.50 for children aged 4-15, depending on whether you book online or buy at the gate. Combined Zoo and Aquarium tickets cost €24-€37. Children under 4 enter free. The zoo is open daily from 9:00am, closing at 4:30pm in winter (January-February) and 6:30pm in summer (April-September). Last admission is one hour before closing. Buy tickets online to save money and skip queues.

At a glance

How much does Berlin Zoo cost?

Standard admission costs €16 (online) or €25 (at the gate) for adults, and €7.50 (online) or €12.50 (gate) for children aged 4-15. Online tickets are significantly cheaper — up to €9 less for adults. Students aged 16+ with valid ID pay €9-€14.

Annual passes are available from €63 for adults and €34 for children, paying for themselves after four visits. Family passes offer additional savings. All ticket prices include a voluntary €0.50 conservation contribution supporting the zoo’s wildlife programme, which you can deselect when booking.

Important restriction: Dogs are not permitted anywhere in Berlin Zoo or the Aquarium. They are allowed at Tierpark Berlin (the city’s other zoo in the east).

Is Berlin Zoo free to enter?

No. Admission to Berlin Zoo requires a paid ticket. Children under 4 receive free entry. Companions of severely disabled visitors (with B/H notation on ID) also receive free admission — only one accompanying person per disabled visitor.

What time does Berlin Zoo open?

Berlin Zoo opens daily at 9:00am, including public holidays. Closing times vary by season: 4:30pm in winter (January-February), 5:30pm in early spring/late autumn (March, October-November), and 6:30pm in summer (April-September).

Last admission is one hour before closing time. All animal houses and restaurants close 30 minutes before the zoo itself. After last admission, only the Elefantentor exit remains open.

The zoo closes at 2:00pm on 24 December and 31 December. Budget at least three hours for a complete visit — more if you’re particularly interested in the animals or travelling with children.

These Berlin Zoo opening hours and prices were checked and verified in January 2026.

Do I need to book Berlin Zoo tickets in advance?

Strongly recommended, yes. Online tickets are significantly cheaper (up to 36% savings) and allow you to skip the queues at the ticket booths. During busy periods — weekends, school holidays, sunny days — queues can be long.

You don’t need to select a specific entry time when booking online, just a date. Tickets are valid for the entire day. On-the-day tickets are available at the gate if space permits, but you’ll pay substantially more.

No customer account required: You can book online without creating an account, making the process quick and straightforward.

A brief history

Berlin Zoo opened on 1 August 1844, making it Germany’s oldest zoo and the ninth in Europe. The project was championed by naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, explorer Martin Hinrich Lichtenstein, and landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné. King Friedrich Wilhelm IV donated animals from his menagerie and pheasantry in the Tiergarten to form the initial collection.

The zoo thrived through the 19th century. By 1939, it housed 4,000 animals. The Second World War devastated it — bombing and the Battle of Berlin in 1945 destroyed most buildings and killed thousands of animals. Only 91 animals survived from a pre-war population of 4,000.

Post-war rebuilding began immediately under director Katharina Heinroth, the first female zoo director in Germany. The zoo reopened in 1945, remarkably quickly given the destruction around it. Over subsequent decades, enclosures were modernised and expanded. The famous Elephant Gate, built in 1899, survived the war and remains the main entrance today.

In 2017, the zoo welcomed giant pandas Meng Meng and Jiao Qing on loan from China, complete with a purpose-built enclosure and Chinese musical pavilion. The pandas attracted enormous crowds. In 2019, Meng Meng gave birth to twins Pit and Paule (later named Meng Xiang and Meng Yuan), making Berlin the only city in Germany with panda cubs.

Polar bear Knut, born in 2006 and hand-raised after his mother rejected him, became a global celebrity. His story generated international media attention and brought millions of visitors to the zoo before his premature death in 2011.

What you’ll see at Berlin Zoo

The zoo’s 35 hectares contain ten themed “worlds of experience” covering different geographical regions and habitats. The layout is deliberately old-fashioned — winding paths connect ornate 19th-century buildings with modern enclosures.

Panda Garden — The highlight for many visitors. Meng Meng and Jiao Qing occupy a large enclosure with indoor and outdoor areas. Viewing can be crowded; arrive early or visit during feeding times (posted daily). The Chinese-style pavilion adds atmosphere.

Hippopotamus House — Floor-to-ceiling windows let you watch hippos underwater. The indoor tropical setting also houses Nile crocodiles.

Bird House — Europe’s largest, spanning multiple storeys. Free-flight halls contain tropical and subtropical species flying overhead. Some areas are temporarily closed due to avian flu precautions — check current restrictions before visiting.

Nocturnal Animal House — Reverse day-night lighting lets you observe bats, lorises, and bush babies active during your visit. Your eyes adjust quickly; the animals are easier to spot than you’d expect.

Elephant House — Modern facilities housing Asian elephants with spacious outdoor areas. The elephants are rotated between different enclosures to simulate varied environments.

Big Cat Facilities — Lions, tigers, and leopards in enclosures designed for enrichment. Many rooms appear empty at any given time because cats are regularly moved between spaces. This is intentional — it prevents boredom and encourages natural behaviour.

Seal Enclosure — Wave pool simulates ocean tides and waves, creating a more naturalistic environment. Daily feeding shows draw crowds (check feeding schedule on arrival).

Petting Zoo — Popular with children. Goats, sheep, geese, and a donkey. Animals can retreat to areas inaccessible to visitors when they need a break.

Daily feeding times and talks are scheduled throughout the day. The Panda Talk (11:00am) and California Sea Lion feeding (2:00pm) are particularly popular. Schedules are posted at entrances and on the zoo website.

What’s included with your ticket?

• Admission to all 35 hectares of the zoo
• Access to all animal houses and enclosures (except temporarily closed areas)
• Daily feeding demonstrations and keeper talks
• Use of playgrounds and petting zoo
• Access to gardens and walking paths
• Toilet facilities and baby-changing rooms

Not included: Aquarium admission (unless you purchased a combined ticket), food and drinks, souvenir photos, guided tours (available separately).

Things to do near Berlin Zoo

Aquarium Berlin (adjacent to zoo, same complex) — One of the world’s most important public aquariums, housing 13,000 animals including sharks, piranhas, and jellyfish. The second floor is currently closed for renovations; first and third floors remain open. Combined tickets available.

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (450m, 5-minute walk) — War-damaged church deliberately left partially ruined as a peace memorial. The 68-metre hollow tower, nicknamed the “Hollow Tooth” by Berliners, stands alongside a modern bell tower built in the 1960s. Mosaics and Cross of Nails inside.

Kurfürstendamm (500m, 6-minute walk) — West Berlin‘s premier shopping boulevard, often compared to Paris’s Champs-Élysées. High-end boutiques, department stores, cafés, and restaurants line the 3.5km street. The KaDeWe department store (luxury goods) is nearby.

Tiergarten Park (1km, 12-minute walk) — Berlin’s largest park, covering 210 hectares of woodland paths and gardens. Completely free. The Victory Column sits at the park’s centre with viewing platform (€4.50). Popular with joggers and cyclists.

Reichstag Building (2.5km, 30-minute walk or 10-minute train) — Home to German parliament with Norman Foster’s glass dome offering panoramic city views. Free admission but advance booking essential — book weeks ahead. Security screening required.

Elsewhere in Berlin, you can enjoy Bearpit Karaoke in the Mauerpark, canoe along the path of the Berlin Wall, imagine life in East Germany at the DDR Museum and admire Berlin Cathedral.

Practical tips

• Location: Hardenbergplatz 8, 10787 Berlin (main entrance via Elephant Gate)
• Getting there: S-Bahn or U-Bahn to Zoologischer Garten station (100m walk). Multiple bus routes stop directly outside: M19, M29, M46, X9, X10, X34, 100, 109, 110, 145, 200, 204, 245. Limited street parking nearby.
• Time needed: 3-4 hours minimum for a full visit. Budget 5-6 hours if you’re visiting with children or want to see feeding demonstrations.
• Photography: Permitted throughout. Flash may disturb some animals — use discretion. Professional equipment (tripods, large lenses) may require special permission.
• Dress code: None. Comfortable walking shoes essential — the zoo covers 35 hectares with varied terrain.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible throughout with ramps and paved paths. Accessible toilets available. Wheelchairs can be borrowed free at the entrance (deposit required). Some older buildings have limited access.
• Crowds: Weekday mornings (9:00am-11:00am) are quietest. Weekends and school holidays get very busy, especially around popular animals (pandas, elephants). Avoid midday during summer heat.
• Food: Multiple restaurants and kiosks throughout the zoo. You can bring your own food and drinks — picnic areas and benches provided. No BBQ facilities.
• Weather: Many animal houses are indoors, making the zoo viable on rainy days. The Aquarium is entirely covered.

FAQs

Can I bring my dog? No. Dogs are strictly prohibited in Berlin Zoo and Aquarium. However, dogs on leads are welcome at Tierpark Berlin (the city’s other zoo in Friedrichsfelde).

Do I have to visit the zoo and aquarium on the same day? Yes, if you purchase a combined ticket. You cannot leave the zoo and re-enter. The aquarium must be visited on the same day. Combined tickets are only available until 3:00pm on your visiting day.

Can I buy tickets on the day? Yes, at the ticket booths near the entrance, but they cost significantly more (€25 vs €16 for adults). Online booking is strongly recommended for cost savings and to avoid queues.

How long does it take to see everything? Most visitors spend 3-4 hours. If you want to attend multiple feeding demonstrations, see all animal houses, and visit the petting zoo, allow 5-6 hours.

Are there lockers or luggage storage? The zoo has limited locker facilities near the main entrance. Large suitcases are discouraged — consider using luggage storage at Zoologischer Garten station before your visit.

What happened to Knut the polar bear? Knut, the hand-raised polar bear who became a global celebrity in 2007, died unexpectedly in 2011 at age four from encephalitis. His story brought unprecedented attention to the zoo. A memorial sculpture stands near the polar bear enclosure.

Is Berlin Zoo different from Tierpark Berlin? Yes, they are separate zoos. Berlin Zoo (this guide) is in western Berlin near Zoo station and is Germany’s oldest zoo. Tierpark Berlin is in eastern Friedrichsfelde and covers 160 hectares, making it Europe’s largest by area. Different admission fees apply; combination annual passes available.