Columbus Zoo doesn’t have a discount for individual teachers, but a class booked through its school trips program can get special field trip rates. The groups that qualify are 15 or more students and school staff, and buses, school-marked vehicles and bus drivers are free. Chaperones pay the school group rate at the gate.
If you’re the one lining up the permission slips and the bus, start with the school trips page. For the per-student price, email the Field Trip Booking Team.
How To Get The Columbus Zoo Teacher Discount
There’s no teacher ticket to buy, so the way in is a school group registration:
- Pick a day Monday to Friday, since the school rates are only for visits before 3:00 p.m. Check the zoo’s hours for that day, because they change through the year.
- Use the Book your trip button on the school trips page, or email the Field Trip Booking Team. Registration opens month by month, and you can register up until 48 hours before your visit.
- Give them your group count. Estimate on the higher side: the numbers you present at check-in are final, and refunds are available for unused tickets.
- Pay by credit card or purchase order. If you ask for a purchase order, request a higher amount than your estimated total, since you’re only charged for what you use.
If money is tight, the zoo also says scholarship opportunities may be available for qualifying school trips, and it gives special pricing to accredited schools through its school scholarships.
Who Qualifies For The School Rates
The school rates are for groups of 15 or more, students and school staff only, and the visit has to follow a state-certified curriculum. Chaperones with your group aren’t free. They pay the school group rate at the gate, so tell parents who are coming along to expect that.
The page also lists summer dates when the school rates aren’t valid, so look at that before you settle on a day.
Homeschool And Virtual Groups
Virtual and homeschool groups have their own line: groups of 25 or more, valid on weekends. If your group is 100 or more, the zoo asks you to register two weeks ahead.
Extras For Your Class
Meal vouchers are available if you email the booking team. You can store lunches free of charge in the pavilion outside the main entrance. Field trip groups can also use the Goosechase app for digital scavenger hunts around the zoo, but those have to be reserved ahead of time. The zoo has virtual field trip videos too, if you want to prep the class before you go.
The educator page has activity packets with pre-visit and post-visit activities for the classroom, a Teacher Advisory Council, a newsletter, a Facebook group for educators, and the email teacher@columbuszoo.org.
Visiting On Your Own
For a weekend with your own family, online admission for ages 10 to 59 starts at $34.95, or $24.95 if you live in Franklin County, and parking is $12. Franklin County guests show a valid driver’s license, state-issued ID or a current utility bill to get the lower price.
The discounts page has a few ways to pay less that anyone can use. Columbus Metropolitan Library cardholders can check out a Culture Pass at select branches for a free visit, good for up to six adults and/or children. If you have a membership at another AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium, the zoo takes 50% off general admission when you show your membership card and a photo ID for each adult on the membership. Any group can also buy walk-up tickets at the entrance with a minimum order of 25 tickets.
Q&A
Does Columbus Zoo give teachers a discount?
No, not to individual teachers. A class booked through the school trips program can get special field trip rates, and the buses are free.
Who can book the school rates?
Groups of 15 or more, students and school staff only, following a state-certified curriculum, Monday to Friday before 3:00 p.m.
How far ahead do I book?
At least 48 hours ahead. Registration opens month by month.
Can we pay with a purchase order?
Yes. The zoo accepts credit cards and purchase orders for school trips.
Are chaperones free?
No. Chaperones with a registered school group pay the school group rate at the gate.
Can a homeschool group book?
Yes, with a group of 25 or more on a weekend.
More Information:
Columbus Zoo’s school trips page has the booking button and the rules for school groups. For more days out, see our entertainment discounts for teachers.