<p>Free entry for the youngest is common at zoos and aquariums, but the cut-off varies: some stop at the first birthday, others run until a child turns four, and a few go by height. This list covers the venues on our site that state a clear rule, and notes which still need a free ticket.</p>
Last checked: November 2026. These rules come from the family facts on our attraction pages, which draw on each venue’s own information. Zoos can change their prices and age bands, so confirm on the official site before you travel.
Free entry for the youngest is common at zoos and aquariums, but the cut-off varies more than you might expect. Some stop at the first birthday, others run until a child turns four, and a few go by height. Some still want you to book a free ticket. This list covers the venues on our site that state a clear rule. It isn’t a ranking, and a zoo that isn’t listed may still have a free rate.
Quick answer
- A common cut-off: under 3, as at London Zoo, Prague Zoo, Antwerp Zoo and ZooParc de Beauval.
- More generous: under 4 at Zoo Berlin, Tierpark Berlin and Valencia Bioparc.
- Less generous: Chester Zoo gives free entry to under-1s.
- Book anyway at some: Zoo Berlin, Tierpark Berlin and ZooParc de Beauval need a free ticket.
Europe: free entry by country
| Country | Venue | Free for |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | Haus des Meeres | Under 3 |
| Belgium | Antwerp Zoo | Under 3 |
| Czech Republic | Prague Zoo, Brno Zoo, Ostrava Zoo (with proof of age), Olomouc Zoo, Zoo Pilsen, Liberec Zoo, Jihlava Zoo, Zlín-Lešná Zoo, Chomutov Zoo | Under 3 |
| Denmark | Knuthenborg Safaripark, The Blue Planet | Ages 0 to 2 |
| France | ZooParc de Beauval (free ticket needed), La Palmyre Zoo, Aquarium de Paris | Under 3 |
| Germany | Zoo Berlin, Tierpark Berlin (free online ticket needed at both) | Under 4 |
| Italy | Bioparco | Under 1 m tall |
| Netherlands | Safaripark Beekse Bergen | Under 3 |
| Netherlands | Wildlands, Dierenpark Amersfoort | Ages 0 to 2 |
| Netherlands | Apenheul Primate Park | Up to 2 |
| Portugal | Lisbon Oceanarium | Babies up to 2 |
| Serbia | Belgrade Zoo | Under 3 |
| Spain | Valencia Bioparc | Under 4 |
| Spain | Zoo Aquarium de Madrid | Under 3 |
| Spain | Aquarium Barcelona | Ages 0 to 2 (no ticket needed) |
| UK | London Zoo, Whipsnade Zoo | Under 3 |
| UK | Dartmoor Zoological Park | Aged 2 and under |
| UK | Sea Life London Aquarium | Under 2 |
| UK | Chester Zoo | Under 1 |
United States
| Free for | Venue |
|---|---|
| Ages 4 and under | Monterey Bay Aquarium |
| Under 3 | Zoo Atlanta, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, North Carolina Zoo, Living Desert Zoo and Gardens |
| Aged 2 and under | New York Aquarium, San Antonio Zoo, Minnesota Zoo, California Academy of Sciences |
| Under 2 | San Francisco Zoo, Philadelphia Zoo, Detroit Zoo, Oregon Zoo, Honolulu Zoo |
Note that the wording matters. “Aged 2 and under” means a child goes free until their third birthday, the same as “under 3”. “Under 2” ends on the second birthday.
Elsewhere in the world
| Country | Venue | Free for |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Territory Wildlife Park | Ages 0 to 4 |
| Australia | Sydney Zoo, Cairns Aquarium | Under 3 |
| Australia | Featherdale Sydney Wildlife Park | Aged 2 and under |
| Australia | Melbourne Aquarium, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Sea Life Sunshine Coast | Under 2 |
| Canada | Vancouver Aquarium | Under 3 (no ticket needed) |
| New Zealand | Wellington Zoo | Under 3 |
| Singapore | River Wonders | Under 3 |
| Egypt | Hurghada Grand Aquarium | Under 4 |
| Brazil | São Paulo Zoo | Up to 3, with ID or birth certificate |
| Brazil | AquaRio | Under 3 (up to 2 years and 11 months) |
Things to check before you go
- Free ticket or no ticket? At Zoo Berlin and Tierpark Berlin, each child needs a free online ticket. ZooParc de Beauval also says under-3s need a free ticket issued. At Sydney Zoo and Vancouver Aquarium, the zoos say no ticket is needed. Sea Life venues in Australia ask you to pick an “Under 2” ticket when booking online.
- Proof of age. Ostrava Zoo asks for proof, such as a health insurance card, and São Paulo Zoo asks for ID or a birth certificate. Carry a document for your child wherever you’re near a cut-off.
- Book together. Where a child needs a free ticket, make that booking at the same time as the adults’ tickets.
- Extras may be charged. Free entry doesn’t always cover rides. At Oregon Zoo, for example, carousel and train rides are free for under-2s, and children aged 2 to 11 pay.
Next steps
Choosing a zoo? See our lists of the best zoos and aquariums in Europe and in North America, or zoos where kids can touch and feed animals. Comparing theme parks too? Read theme parks where under-3s go free in Europe.
Tickets & tours for these places
Bookable tours via GetYourGuide. Affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Final thoughts
<p>Check the exact wording of the age rule, book a free ticket where the zoo requires one, and carry proof of age if your child is close to a cut-off. Rules change, so confirm on the zoo's own site before you travel.</p>
Frequently asked questions
Is London Zoo free for toddlers?
Under-3s go free at London Zoo and at Whipsnade Zoo.
Is Chester Zoo free for under-3s?
No. Chester Zoo's free rate is for under-1s.
Do you need a ticket for a free child at Berlin Zoo?
Yes. Children under 4 go free, but each needs a free online ticket booked in advance.
Which zoos are free for under-4s?
On our list: Zoo Berlin, Tierpark Berlin, Valencia Bioparc and Hurghada Grand Aquarium. Monterey Bay Aquarium goes further, with ages 4 and under free, and so does Territory Wildlife Park, at ages 0 to 4.
Are there zoos that go by height?
Yes. At Bioparco, children under 1 m tall get in free.
