FAQs

Have you a question about coming to Dublin Zoo? Browse our frequently asked questions for help.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Don’t hesitate to get in touch

FAQs

Have you a question about coming to Dublin Zoo? Browse our frequently asked questions for help.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Don’t hesitate to get in touch

General FAQs

  • How do I get to Dublin Zoo?

    Dublin Zoo is situated in Phoenix Park in the City of Dublin. The City is easily accessible from all over Ireland by bus and train. You can catch a number of buses from the City Centre and from the central train stations. Dublin Zoo is a 20 minute walk from Heuston Station and from the LUAS Red Line stop. For more details see, head to our Getting Here page.

  • Do I still need to book tickets to visit Dublin Zoo?

    Yes, tickets can be purchased at the gate upon arrival or you could save up to 15% by pre-booking your tickets online. Click here for general sale.

    Please see the Ticketing FAQ section below for any ticketing queries.

    Annual pass holders do not need to pre-book their visit.

  • Do annual pass holders need to pre-book their visit to Dublin Zoo?

    As per Government guidelines, Dublin Zoo is now open at normal capacity and we are delighted to announce that annual pass holders no longer need to pre-book their visit to Dublin Zoo.

  • Is there car parking in Dublin Zoo

    There is no designated car parking for Dublin Zoo, however, the Lord’s Walk car park is located beside Dublin Zoo and has a capacity for approximately 260 cars. The Cricket Grounds car park is located opposite the Zoo and has a capacity for approximately 120 cars. Both car parks open daily.

    Please visit the OPW’s website for further information on parking within the Pheonix Park.

    See the map with parking areas on our Getting Here page

  • How much time does it take to get around Dublin Zoo?

    You can take all day to enjoy Dublin Zoo! We do suggest though that you need at least three hours to see all the animal habitats and longer if you would like to take a break for some food or if you have young children with you.

     

  • Can I enter earlier or later than my pre-booked time slot?

    We ask all customers who have pre-booked tickets to arrive as close to their time slot as possible to avoid long queues and car park overcrowding. However, if you are early or late for your time slot due to traffic, an important appointment, personal circumstance, etc you will not be refused entry once you arrive before the last entry time (as advertised on our homepage).

  • What is the entrance cost?

    Head to our Pricing page all prices, including concessions.

  • Are you open all year round?

    Yes, we only close on Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day. Sometimes, due to circumstances outside our control such as extreme weather events and state visits to the Phoenix Park we may be forced to close. This is for the safety of our visitors, staff and animals. For more information, head to our Opening Times page.

  • How big is Dublin Zoo?

    Dublin Zoo now covers 28 hectares and takes a minimum of about 3 hours to walk around excluding stopping for picnics and visits with young children. We recommend making a day of it!

     

  • Is my time at the Zoo limited?

    No, once you enter Dublin Zoo, your time is not limited and you can stay until we close.

    Please take a look at our last entry and closing times here. 

  • Is Dublin Zoo accessible for people with disabilities?

    Most of Dublin Zoo is accessible for people with disabilities. We have 10 wheelchairs available at the front gate. See our Accessibility page for full details.

  • Can I rent a wheelchair / mobility scooter?

    We have 20 wheelchairs available which are cleaned and sanitised before each use. These wheelchairs are available on a first-come first-served basis and a €10 deposit is required. To reserve a wheelchair, please email [email protected] with your name and the date and time of your visit.

    Mobility scooters are available to rent during your visit to Dublin Zoo. The cost is €25 and they can be collected from the Visitor Operations desk at the main entrance of Dublin Zoo. Mobility scooters are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Please be advised the rental fee is non-refundable or exchangeable and mobility scooter rentals are subject to availability.The mobility scooter rental fee does not include entry to Dublin Zoo.

    For more information please email [email protected] or call (01) 474 8900.

  • Can I bring my dog to Dublin Zoo?

    Dublin Zoo does not allow dogs into the main area of Dublin Zoo but we do have a sitting area at a location which provides temporary accommodation for assistance dogs while their owners visit Dublin Zoo. Assistance dogs will be kept in comfortable accommodation for the duration of the visit and will be provided with fresh drinking water.

  • Can my children come to Dublin Zoo without an adult?

    All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult for access into Dublin Zoo.

  • Do you have an Annual Pass Scheme?

    Yes, we do. You can become a Dublin Zoo annual pass holder as an individual or as a family. This will not only give you entry for a year to Dublin Zoo but also to Fota Wildlife Park in Cork, Edinburgh Zoo, Colchester, Twycross, Paignton Zoo’s in the UK. Head to our Annual Pass page for more details.

  • Can I bring a bike/scooter/skateboard or rollerblades with me?

    No, bicycles, scooters, skateboards and rollerblades can spoil things for other visitors. We ask that you keep these at home.

  • Can I bring a ball/balloon with me?

    No, balls and balloons can injure our animals. We ask that you keep these at home.

  • Can I bring alcohol with me?

    No, there is no alcohol permitted at Dublin Zoo.

  • Is there a cash point at Dublin Zoo?

    Yes, it is located in the main gift shop at the entrance of the Zoo.

  • Are the cafes open?

    Yes, please click here to read more about the food and beverage services at Dublin Zoo.

     

  • Are the playgrounds open?

    The Playforest and playground by Family Farm are now open.

    For updates on when the other playgrounds are open please keep an eye on our website.

  • Is there baby changing or feeding areas?

    Yes, there is a baby changing and feeding area by the Meerkat Restaurant.

    Find out more about our facilities here.

  • Are we allowed to bring in food to have a picnic?

    Yes, if you wish to bring a picnic there are lawns and picnic tables around the Zoo. Dublin Zoo also has a number of superb catering outlets that offer a range of delicious hot and cold meals and snacks. 

    Please see more information on our restaurants here.

    Please note that you cannot bring a barbecue with you to Dublin Zoo. 

  • Are the gift shops open?

    Yes, the Dublin Zoo gift shops are open.

    Alternatively, you can visit our online Zootique to purchase your Dublin Zoo gifts and have them posted to you.

  • I have luggage, where can I leave it?

    There are lockers available at the entrance. The lockers cost €5. Once you pay, you can operate the lockers via the key.

  • Food Allergy Notice - Catering

    Dublin Zoo’s catering partner, Baxter Storey, follows all food safety protocol and provides consumer information and advice on allergens in all restaurants.

  • Food Allergy Notice - Animals

    Although animals are usually fed at distance from the public, the produce we feed our animals may contain human allergens.

  • Food Allergy Notice - Other Visitors

    As visitors are permitted to bring their own food produce on site providing an allergen-free environment is not possible.

  • Can I feed the animals?

    Feeding the animals is NOT permitted. Giving them your food could make them sick.

  • What is the best ticket type to buy as a gift?

    If you are purchasing a ticket as a gift, we recommend you buy a gift card as it will be valid for 5 years from the date of purchase.

  • How can I avail of a concession/addtional needs ticket?

    Visitors with additional needs may admit one accompanying carer free of charge when they purchase an additional needs adult or child ticket. These tickets are only available to purchase at the entry gate to Dublin Zoo.

    Please ensure you have your Carer ID and relevant documentation to hand. This can be an IAA Autism ID card, or an associated membership card, GP letter or hospital consultant letter which confirms the visitor is unable to visit Dublin Zoo independently, without a carer or mobility aid.

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Ticketing FAQs

  • Do we still need to book tickets?

    Tickets can be purchased at the gate upon arrival or you could save up to 15% by pre-booking your tickets online. Click here for general sale.

    Please see the Ticketing FAQ section below for any ticketing queries.

    Annual pass holders do not need to pre-book their visit.

  • How long will my ticket be valid?

    Tickets are date specific. Tickets are valid for the chosen date of booking ONLY.

    ‘Unfortunately, we cannot issue refunds or cancellations; there is no legal right to cancel as the booking is for leisure activities to take place on a specific date as described in regulation 13 of the European Union Consumer Information (Rights) Regulations 2013 (SI 484/2013’).

    Tickets are non-transferrable.

  • Can I buy tickets at the gate when I get there?

    Yes, tickets can be purchased at the gate upon arrival or you could save up to 15% by pre-booking your tickets online. Click here for general sale.

  • What does the entrance cost?

    Head to our Pricing page for all prices, including concessions.

  • Do children under 3 go free?

    Yes, children aged under 3 go free but they must have a valid ticket to enter which can be added to your purchase free of charge.

  • How far in advance will tickets be available to book?

    Tickets will be available to book one month in advance.

  • Can I use my gift card to book a ticket?

    Yes, once you have chosen your date and time to visit Dublin Zoo, there will be an area on the online checkout to input the code from your gift card. Once accepted, the value of your gift card will be removed from your total.

  • I got a free pass when I adopted an animal, how do I use it to book a ticket?

    First off, thanks a million for supporting Dublin Zoo through our adoption programme, we really appreciate it!

    Inside your adoption pack, you will find a six-digit code – once you have chosen your date and time to visit Dublin Zoo, there will be a promo area on the online checkout to input the code from your adoption pack. Once accepted, the value of your ticket will be removed from your total.

  • Can I use my Tesco voucher to book?

    Yes, once you have chosen your date and time to visit Dublin Zoo, there will be a promo area on the online checkout to input the code from your Tesco voucher. Once accepted, the discount will be removed from your total.

    For your vouchers to be accepted, please ensure to follow the designated link supplied by Tesco along with your vouchers codes.

  • Do I need to print my ticket for entry?

    No, we don’t require tickets to be printed. E-tickets can be scanned on any mobile device.

  • I don't have my ticket confirmation, what should I do?

    You should have received an email from Dublin Zoo after booking with your ticket information, however, due to high volumes of site traffic on certain dates, this is sometimes delayed. If you have not received this, have a look in your junk/spam email folder. If you are still having difficulties, email [email protected] with your booking reference, the date you booked, the name and email address you used to book and a contact telephone number, and we will be happy to help.

  • Is my time at the Zoo limited?

    No, once you enter Dublin Zoo, your time is not limited and you can stay until we close.

    Please take a look at our last entry and closing times here.

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Cancellation Policy

Dublin Zoo does not offer refunds for tickets apart from in the event of a venue closure actioned by Dublin Zoo.

Unfortunately, we cannot issue refunds or cancellations; there is no legal right to cancel as the booking is for leisure activities to take place on a specific date as described in regulation 13 of the European Union Consumer Information (Rights) Regulations 2013 (SI 484/2013’).

In the event of a closure, attendees will be notified at the earliest convenience by email to the email address used to book the tickets. It is the responsibility of the attendees to check their emails before departing for the event to check for any updates and to make sure email addresses are correctly entered when booking tickets.

In the event of a cancellation, attendees will be given a full refund which they will receive within 15 working days of the cancelled event.

Dublin Zoo accepts no responsibility for a customer’s inability to attend Dublin Zoo due to any external factor including but not exclusive to traffic restrictions, illness, weather conditions etc.

Dublin Zoo reserves the right to change or update event timings and content up to and on the day of the event.

What happens if my event is cancelled?

Dublin Zoo reserves the right to close for any reason deemed necessary for the safety and well-being of our visitors, staff and animals including unsafe weather conditions.

In the event of a closure, attendees will be notified at the earliest convenience by email to the email address used to book the tickets. It is the responsibility of the attendees to check their emails before departing for the event to check for any updates, and to make sure email addresses are correctly entered when booking tickets.

In the event of a cancellation, attendees will be given a full refund which they will receive within 15 working days maximum of the cancelled event.

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