Two zoos, one great plan. This two-day pass pairs the San Diego Zoo’s open-air neighborhoods with the Safari Park’s wide-open “feel like you’re on safari” enclosures. It also bundles the fun transport pieces and the shows, so you’re not just wandering and guessing.

What I like most is how easy it is to make the day feel full without stress. I especially love the Zoo’s Skyfari Aerial Tram option (when it’s available) and the Safari Park’s Africa Tram Safari, because both help you cover ground and spot animals you might otherwise miss. I also appreciate that you get guided help at the Zoo, plus shows and presentations included.

One thing to plan around: the skip-the-line perk is limited. You can skip the admission ticket line, but it does not apply to the Africa tram, so that part may still involve waiting.

Key highlights to focus on

• Two parks in two days: one Zoo visit and one Safari Park visit, or two visits to the same location
• Trams and safari transport included: Skyfari at the Zoo (subject to availability) and Africa Tram Safari at the Safari Park
• Big animal variety: 4,500+ animals at the Zoo and 3,000+ animals across 1,800 acres at the Safari Park
• Must-see zones: Polar Bear Plunge, Elephant Odyssey, plus Safari Park areas like Sumatra, Tiger Trail, and Lion Camp
• Shows and presentations are included, so schedule them instead of treating them as extras

How the 2-Day Zoo + Safari Pass Fits Together

This ticket is built for flexibility. You get entrance over any 2 days, and you can either do one visit at the Zoo plus one visit at the Safari Park, or do two visits to the same location. Either way, both visits must happen within 1 year of purchase, and the ticket is non-transferable, meaning it has to be used by the same person.

That setup matters because both parks are big in different ways. The Zoo is compact and easy to navigate on foot, with lots of paths and viewing areas close to the action. The Safari Park is the “open space” experience, where the animals have room to roam and you cover distance differently. Doing both in a two-day window is a smart way to get the best of each vibe.

Also note the practical stuff: you’ll meet at the Zoo address or the Safari Park address, and the ticket does not include hotel pickup. Food, drinks, and parking are on you, so build those costs into your day.

San Diego Zoo: Open-Air Animal Neighborhoods (and Where to Start)

The San Diego Zoo is known for open-air enclosures and a strong conservation focus, and that shows in the way the exhibits feel. Instead of one huge “theme loop,” you move through connected areas, often with botanical-leaning paths that make the whole park feel like a walk-through habitat.

I love the feeling that you’re always close to something new: koalas, Galápagos tortoises, tigers, eagles, flamingos, great apes, and more. There are also headline stops that are easy to build your route around, like Polar Bear Plunge and Elephant Odyssey. Those are perfect anchors because you can map the rest of the day around them instead of roaming without a plan.

Two helpful add-ons come with this ticket at the Zoo. First, there’s an express bus option and the Skyfari Aerial Tram, but it’s subject to availability. Second, there’s a guided bus tour at the Zoo included. Even if you’re not a “bus tour person,” this is a good way to get context fast—what you’re seeing, where animals tend to be active, and how to prioritize if your feet start to feel it.

A quick reality check: the Zoo can be great in rain, but weather changes how much you’ll want to walk. If the forecast is iffy, I’d keep the flexible “tram and guided tour” parts toward when conditions are best, so you don’t lose your momentum.

Zoo Transport You’ll Actually Use: Skyfari and the Zoo Guided Bus

This is the part that often turns a good zoo day into a smooth one. The Skyfari Aerial Tram (when available) gives you a view that helps you understand the layout. It can also make spotting animals feel easier because you’re seeing how areas connect from above.

The guided bus tour is also a big value because it turns time into meaning. Instead of only recognizing animals by name, you get guided context on what the zoo is trying to do for animal welfare and conservation. And since the ticket includes all shows and presentations, you can plan your day so you’re not forced to choose between a “viewing day” and a “show day.”

If you’re traveling with kids or anyone who gets tired quickly, the transport and included programming give you a built-in rhythm. You can see more without turning the day into a forced march.

Safari Park: Big-Space Enclosures Across 1,800 Acres

If the Zoo feels like a walk through animal neighborhoods, the Safari Park feels like you’re traveling through space. This park covers 1,800 acres and is home to more than 3,000 animals representing more than 375 species, with many living in wide-open field enclosures.

That open layout is the key difference. You’re not just looking at animals behind glass or in tight settings. The whole experience is built around animals having room, with viewing designed so you can still spot them as they use their habitat.

One of the smartest parts of the ticket is that it includes the Africa Tram Safari. If you want a day that feels like “safari” rather than “parking-lot to exhibit,” this is your shortcut. The Safari Park also includes Cheetah Run, plus Africa Tram Safari and all shows and presentations included in your pass.

Then there are the zones and trails that help you set priorities. Sumatra is a standout area, and you can see animals such as tigers, orangutans, rhinos, and elephants. Tiger Trail is another great choice when you want a focused theme, especially if you’re curious about how tigers are doing today. And Lion Camp is where you can get up close to an African lion pride experience.

The Safari Park also ties into conservation beyond the park. Your participation supports species conservation here and in more than 35 countries, which gives the day an added purpose.

Safari Park Day Planning: How to Combine Tram Time and Walk Time

Here’s the approach that keeps the day fun instead of exhausting. I like building the morning around the included tram and any early presentations, then using the rest of the day for targeted exploration around the areas you care about most.

The reason is simple: trams help you get perspective and reduce backtracking. Once you understand where you are, walking feels more intentional. And because the Safari Park is spread out, you’ll feel the difference between a planned day and a wander-only day.

Also, keep in mind the skip-the-line limitation. The ticket lets you skip the admission ticket line, but it does not apply to the Africa tram. So even though admission may be quick, the tram part could still involve time waiting, and you should plan your schedule with that in mind.

What’s Included (and What You Should Prioritize)

Your ticket doesn’t stop at entry. It includes the transport pieces and the programming that most people end up paying extra for if they buy separately.

At the San Diego Zoo, look for:

• Express bus and Skyfari Aerial Tram (subject to availability)
• Guided bus tour
• All shows and presentations
• Children’s Zoo (nice if you’re traveling with kids)

At the Safari Park, look for:

• Africa Tram Safari
• Cheetah Run
• All shows and presentations

If you only remember one prioritization rule, make it this: schedule the included “transport + show” moments first. Once those are locked in, your personal animal favorites are easy to plug into the rest of the day.

Price and Value: Is $152 for Two Days Fair?

At $152 per person for two days, the value depends on how you like to travel. If you’re the type who wants to see both parks and also wants the included extras (trams and shows), the package style is usually a win. You’re also getting a stated 20% savings when you buy the two-day pass together as a package.

What makes this ticket feel like better-than-entry pricing is that it includes more than just “walk through and hope.” The Skyfari option at the Zoo (if available), the Africa Tram Safari at the Safari Park, guided touring at the Zoo, and included shows all add up to time you don’t have to spend deciding or paying later.

Your main added costs are straightforward: food and drinks, plus parking. Since those aren’t included, it helps to plan simple meals or budget for snacks so you don’t get surprised mid-day.

Also consider this: the ticket is non-refundable, and it’s non-transferable. That’s not automatically bad, but it means your plan should be realistic. If you’re unsure you’ll make both days, check the operating hours before you commit.

Practical logistics: Meeting points, entry, and staying sane

You’ll start at the San Diego Zoo address or the Safari Park address, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. There’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll want to plan your driving, ride share, or public transport time accordingly (parking isn’t included either).

The skip-the-line perk can help a lot, especially in busy stretches. Just know it applies to admission ticket lines only. The Africa tram is a separate piece, so treat it as its own timed experience.

Finally, treat the day like two-part planning: animals you care about most plus the included “big moments.” This keeps you from getting lost in the size of the parks or spending the best light of the day in the wrong section.

Who This Two-Day Zoo + Safari Ticket Is Best For

I think this is a strong match if you:

• Want both animal styles: Zoo closeness plus Safari Park open-space viewing
• Like guided structure (Zoo bus tour, included shows and presentations)
• Have kids or multi-age groups and need built-in pacing
• Enjoy big animal variety without doing separate ticket shopping

It may feel less ideal if you’re looking for only one or two exhibits. Both parks are full-day experiences in different ways, and you’ll get the most out of the package when you actually use both days.

The good news: the ticket is wheelchair accessible, which matters if you need the trip to be manageable across different walking tolerances.

Should You Book This Two-Day San Diego Zoo + Safari Ticket?

Yes, if your goal is to see the Zoo and the Safari Park in one smooth plan, with the included trams and shows doing the heavy lifting. The package price makes sense when you’re going for the full “two worlds” experience, and the included Safari Park transport plus Cheetah Run help make the safari side feel complete.

I’d book with confidence if you can commit to two visits within the next year and you’re okay paying for food and parking on your own. If you’re flexible with timing and you like animal encounters built around exhibits and habitat, this is a solid use of your day in San Diego.

FAQ

What does the two-day ticket include?

It includes entrance to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park for two days total (or two visits to the same location), with express bus and Skyfari Aerial Tram at the Zoo (subject to availability), a guided bus tour at the Zoo, Africa Tram Safari at the Safari Park, Cheetah Run at the Safari Park, the Children’s Zoo, and all shows and presentations.

Can I use the ticket for two visits to the same place?

Yes. The ticket covers one visit to the San Diego Zoo and one visit to the Safari Park, or two visits to the same location. Both visits must be within 1 year of purchase.

How long is the ticket valid?

Your ticket is valid for 1 year from the date of purchase.

Do I need a specific start time?

Starting times depend on availability, so you should check availability to see what’s offered.

Does the ticket let me skip the line for everything?

You can skip the admission ticket line, but the skip-the-line benefit does not apply to the Africa tram.

Is this ticket refundable, and are kids free in October?

The ticket is non-refundable. Also, kids go free in October when accompanied by a paying adult.