Bioparco (Rome Zoo) tickets

Gate price vs online price

The Bioparco runs two price lists. At the gate prices are fixed: €19 adults, €14 for children taller than 1 metre up to age 10 and for over-65s. Online, on the zoo's own site, fixed-date tickets use dynamic pricing; the zoo itself says you may find them cheaper or dearer than at the gate. Online fixed-date tickets are non-refundable and only valid on the day you picked.

Not sure which day? The Open ticket costs €20 (adult) or €16 (reduced) and works any day for 6 months. It's a euro or two above the gate price and removes the weather gamble.

Note that young children are priced by height, not just age: under 1 metre tall is free.

Real discounts

• Last Minute, €9 for adults and children, gate only, in the 2 hours before closing. With a 5pm winter closing that means arriving after 3pm with not much time left.
• Wednesdays: €9 for over-65s.
• Free under 1 metre, and for visitors with 100% disability plus a companion.

Tiqets, Headout and GetYourGuide sell entry and a couple of combos (ticket plus sandwich, or zoo plus city bus tour). The plus is a phone ticket with flexible dating or a ready-made combo; still, compare with the gate price before you pay.

Hours, and the bit people miss

The park opens daily at 9:30am and closes only on 25 December. From late October it shuts at 5pm; from late March to late October at 6pm, with 7pm closing on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays between late March and early October. The ticket office and last entry are one hour before closing.

The part people miss: some areas close early. Reptiles and big cats close 60 minutes before the park, chimps 45, giraffes, bears, elephants and rhinos 30. If your kids want lions, go there first.

Getting there

The Bioparco is inside Villa Borghese, at Piazzale del Giardino Zoologico 1. The easiest ride is tram 19 to the Bioparco stop. Buses 3, 52, 53, 217, 360 and 926 run here too, and the 910 stops at the gate at weekends and on holidays. By metro, take line A to Flaminio or Spagna and walk up through the park.