Houston Zoo tickets are date-based, and most non-member visitors need to reserve online before arriving at the Houston Zoo in Hermann Park. The 55-acre zoological park has standard daytime hours of 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with last entry at 4:00 p.m.; you can reach it by car, park in Hermann Park, or take METRORail.
- Location: 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030.
- Standard daytime hours: Open daily
- Tickets: Online reservations are required for non-member guests.
- Parking: Free spaces are available in Hermann Park, but they are limited.
Where the Houston Zoo Is
The Houston Zoo is inside Hermann Park at 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030. It opened in 1922 and covers 55 acres, making the park setting part of the visit from the moment you arrive.
Hermann Park is about an 11-minute drive from Raintree Inn, a Houston motel, a useful reference when planning the trip from your hotel. The zoo itself has no dedicated lot, so decide on parking or transit before setting out.
Tickets and Timed Entry
Non-member guests must reserve Houston Zoo tickets online, and the zoo does not sell tickets on site. General admission categories are adults ages 13–64, children ages 3–12, seniors ages 65 and older, and infants ages 2 and under.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 9 AM–5 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
The zoo uses Flex Pricing, so ticket prices vary by date; child and senior tickets are 20% off the price shown. Online reservations are not needed for members, while CityPASS ticket holders can show their tickets to a ticket taker without reserving in advance.
Choose your arrival slot carefully: the selected time is your assigned arrival time, but after arriving within that window you may stay until closing. Tickets do not have refunds or exchanges, so review the details before completing a purchase.
Free Zoo Days take place on the first Tuesday of each month, from opening until closing. Non-members still need to reserve online, and tickets are not available at the gate.
Houston Zoo Hours and When to Plan
The zoo is open seven days a week, with standard daytime hours of 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. and last entry at 4:00 p.m. Arriving within your reserved time slot gives you the rest of the day until closing, so check the hours that apply to your visit before choosing a ticket.
Hours can vary, and the zoo’s operating schedule and ticket details may change. Check the official site before you go.
How do you get to the Houston Zoo and where can you park?
Hermann Park offers free parking, but spaces are limited and the lots are not owned or operated by the zoo. Lots G, F, E, H, and I are the closest; expect an estimated 5–10-minute walk from those lots to the zoo entrance.
Centennial Gardens Lot C is another free option, with a longer estimated 15–20-minute walk to the entrance. It has a three-hour parking limit and is accessed from Hermann Drive and Crawford Street.
To arrive by METRORail, take the Red Line to Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo, then walk through the Commons in Hermann Park; the zoo estimates a 10-minute walk from the stop. Hermann Park/Rice U is another Red Line stop, with a route through the Japanese Gardens.
METRORail fares are $1.25 standard and 60 cents for seniors; children age five or younger travel free. Fare information can change, so confirm it with the transit operator when planning your trip.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science parking garage at 5555 Hermann Park Drive is available daily, with a general public rate of $30 and an HMNS member rate of $10.
Other nearby paid parking options include Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza Parking Garage, AU Lot, Garage 8, and Horizon Garage; rates vary by garage. If you plan to visit the museum too, the Houston Museum of Natural Science visit guide covers its hours and planning.
Making a Day of Hermann Park
Pairing a zoo visit with time in Hermann Park lets you make the most of the same destination. The zoo’s Red Line directions through the Commons or Japanese Gardens also offer a park-side approach, depending on which stop you use. The Hermann Park visitor guide covers the park’s hours, parking, and sights.
For broader trip logistics, Houston’s transit options can help you plan local transport alongside your zoo visit.
FAQs
Do you need to reserve Houston Zoo tickets in advance?
Non-member guests need online reservations, and tickets are not sold at the zoo entrance. Members do not need to reserve, and CityPASS holders can present their tickets without an advance reservation.
How late can you enter the Houston Zoo?
During standard daytime hours, last entry is 4:00 p.m. The selected ticket slot is your assigned arrival time, and you may stay until closing if you arrive within that time frame.
Is parking free at the Houston Zoo?
There is no zoo-owned parking lot. Free parking is available in Hermann Park, but spaces are limited; paid garages are also available nearby.
Which METRORail stop serves the Houston Zoo?
Take the Red Line to Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo for an estimated 10-minute walk through the Commons. Hermann Park/Rice U is another Red Line option, with a walk through the Japanese Gardens.