Accessibility
Discover our accessibility resources and plan for your trip
Dublin Zoo strives to be an accessible
and enjoyable day out for everyone
Use the information below to plan your visit and access available supports.
See our social story, planner and map for planning your day at Dublin Zoo:
Quick Links – What You Need To Know
Need assistance?
Email: [email protected] or call (01) 474 8900
Book your visit now about this
Before You Visit
Additional Needs Concession Prices:
Price List
A free carers ticket can only be given when an additional needs ticket is purchased*
- Adult with Additional Needs* – €15.50
- Child with Additional Needs* – €11.00
- Carer – Free
Carer Tickets
Visitors with additional needs may admit one accompanying carer free of charge when they purchase an additional needs adult or child ticket*. Additional needs and carer tickets are available to purchase at the entry gate to Dublin Zoo and online. Please ensure you have your Carer ID and relevant documentation to hand**.
Accepted Documentation
Relevant ID and documentation 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 the aid of a carer or mobility aid.
If attending Wild Lights (not day entry) tickets must be booked in advance, you can find more information on the Wild Lights homepage.
Additional Needs Group Bookings
If you are part of an organisation that works with adults or children with an additional need please contact the Discovery & Learning Department to arrange your booking.
If you are a teacher participating in School Summer Programme/July Provision, please contact Discovery & Learning about your visit.
Email: [email protected] or phone: (01) 4748932.
Know Before Your Visit – Planned Closures and Changes
At Dublin Zoo, we recognise that for many customers it is important to be able to plan ahead and know what to expect during a visit. As well as the accessibility-friendly map, visual social story, and planner (and our Animal Bricktacular Guide) that is currently available to customers, below you will find some regularly updated information about temporary changes that may impact your visit – for example, maintenance works that may create noise pollution, or a change to food outlet opening hours.
We will do our best to update this section in advance of any planned events that may impact your visit, however some changes cannot always be foreseen, whether it be for staff or animal husbandry reasons, and we appreciate your understanding in this regard.
- You may notice a small number of our playgrounds are undergoing an exciting transformation! We appreciate your patience while we complete these upgrades – for information about which playgrounds remain open, you can ask a member of staff when you arrive, or call us on (01) 474 8999.
- Food outlets operate seasonal hours, you can find out current opening hours here.
- Regular maintenance on-site often involves the use of machinery and large vehicles.
- You may notice squirrels, ducks, peacocks, moor hens, seagulls, and herons roaming freely in public areas.
- Weekends, bank holidays, school holidays, and the summer months are our busiest periods. If you prefer to visit at a quieter time then we recommend early mornings or the last 2 hours before closing time. You can find more information about our current opening hours here.
- Dublin Zoo is located within the Phoenix Park, which falls under the remit of the OPW and the Park Superintendent’s Office. From time to time the OPW may order the closure of certain roads and/or gates to vehicular traffic due to events or road races taking place within the park. For information about upcoming road and gate closures please visit www.phoenixpark.ie/road-and-gate-closures/
- Sometimes an animal may not be visible due to essential habitat maintenance or for animal care reasons. While we always aim to give visitors as much notice as possible, this isn’t always possible. For the most up to date information about your favourite animals, call (01) 474 8999 (phoneline open 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) or ask a member of the team when you arrive.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.
Assistance Dogs
Dogs and other domestic pets are strictly forbidden from entry into Dublin Zoo. For visitors who arrive with a guide dog, Dublin Zoo will provide temporary accommodation for the guide dog while their owner enjoys everything Dublin Zoo has to offer. Guide dogs will be kept in a comfortable space and will be provided with fresh drinking water.
Getting Around
Wheelchairs Users and Rental
Dublin Zoo is 1over 195 years old and contains a number of old buildings and structures. However, most of Dublin Zoo is accessible for wheelchair users and those with walking difficulties.
We have 12 wheelchairs available which are cleaned and sanitised before each use and are given on a first-come-first-served basis. Wheelchairs can be collected from the Visitors Operations Office at the front entrance at Dublin Zoo.
Mobility Scooter Rental
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.
Please note that mobility scooters can only be hired by individuals aged 18 years and over.
Facilities
Accessible Toilets
There are 9 accessible toilets at various locations within the Dublin Zoo grounds. Please ask any member of staff for the code to these toilets upon entering Dublin Zoo.
The policy of locking the toilets is to stop the misuse and damage to the accessible toilets.
Changing Places Bathroom
A fully accessible Changing Places bathroom is available to visitors who require this facility specifically.
The Changing Places bathroom is located beside the Discovery & Learning Centre, behind Family Farm.
Visitors can enquire about this facility upon arrival at the front gate to get the access code. Otherwise please ask the staff in the first aid hut located right beside it or speak to the volunteers in the volunteer centre.
Food Allergies
Dublin Zoo’s catering partner, Baxter Storey, follows all food safety protocol and provides consumer information and advice on allergens in all restaurants.
Although animals are usually fed at a distance from the public, the produce we feed our animals may contain human allergens.
As visitors are permitted to bring their own food produce on site providing an allergen-free environment is not possible.
ISL & Communication Tools
ISL Keeper Talks
Experience the wonder of our Keeper Talks like never before! Dublin Zoo is proud to partner with Chime to bring Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpretation to our daily talks.
Watch here
In line with our shared mission to foster an inclusive community, this initiative ensures more of our visitors can learn directly from our keepers. We are thrilled to work with Chime, the National Charity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People, to help everyone participate fully in the Dublin Zoo experience.
Communication Boards
We want everyone to enjoy their day at Dublin Zoo. That’s why in collaboration with Finding Charlie’s Voice, we’ve installed visual communication boards throughout the Zoo to support visitors with additional communication needs.
These boards allow visitors to point to symbols to ask questions, share how they are feeling, or make choices during their day. You can find them at the:
- Main Plaza
- Playforest
- African Plains
- Gorilla Rainforest
- The Farmhouse
Need a hand? Our team is always happy to help you use the boards to navigate your way around or find your favourite animals 💚
