Field Trips Information
Welcome to our Field Trips Reservations system where you can take care of everything in one place! Book your spot, pay online, and receive your tickets in the following weeks by mail.
Note: Please read the entirety of the page before booking. Booking your field trip is confirmation that you have read and agree to all terms and conditions.
Free Field Trips: Schools with Title I accreditation and schools within Houston City Limits qualify for free admission. View the Texas Education Agency, Federal Program Compliance to see if you qualify. A $25 processing fee, payable by credit card only, is required to reserve.
Paid Field Trips: Available for all educational institutions accredited by the Texas Education Agency or the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission.
Pricing:
- Students: $15
- Additional Adults: $17
- Processing fees: $25
- Wildlife Carousel rides: $3 per ticket
Payment is due at the time of your booking. Once processed, the booking cannot be modified. A detailed receipt will be automatically sent via email. Tickets will be mailed to the school address. All tickets and processing fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Once capacity has been reached for a field trip date, it will automatically become unavailable for further bookings. No exceptions will be made.
For any field trip-related questions, please read the FAQ below.
Booking Your Field Trip
To book your field trip, you will need:
- To be an accredited educational facility
- A credit card (the only form of payment available)
- Name, address, and district of your school
- Name, phone number, and email of an official contact booking the field trip
- Number of buses
- Total number of students and their grade level or designation
- Free chaperones are automatically calculated based on student ratio*
- Name and phone number for an emergency contact while on Zoo grounds
- Number of any additional adults (not covered by the free chaperone program) or additional children (not part of the class) visiting with your group
After a booking is finalized, the field trip cannot be changed or modified. Please ensure all information is correct at the time of booking.
Complimentary Chaperone Program
*Chaperone ratios are as follows:
- One free adult chaperone for every student enrolled in Special Education Services
- One free adult chaperone for every five pre-K students
- One free adult chaperone for every ten students in grades K-12
Chaperones must accompany their groups for the duration of the visit. Free chaperone tickets are added automatically to the reservation according to the ratio above. Teachers, staff, and bus drivers are considered part of this ratio. You may purchase additional adult tickets at a discounted rate ($17). Please note that bookings cannot be modified. Tickets are not available for purchase at the gate.
Buses and Parking
All bus drivers must unload students at Hermann Park Drive curbside, between Gates 4 and 7. A Zoo Ranger/Security Officer will assist teachers and students during unloading. This area is designated as bus parking so buses may remain there once the children have been unloaded. A security officer will patrol this area for the duration of the field trip. At the end of your students’ visit, you will load students, chaperones, and teachers at the curb at Hermann Park Drive where originally dropped off. Zoo Rangers will assist with making sure all students load buses safely.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to grow in support of our mission to connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.
Adopt an Animal for Your Classroom
Calling all educators! We offer a Classroom level of our Adopt an Animal program. This includes customizable certificates and conservation bracelets for the whole class, plus an animal fact sheet, 5×7 animal photo and a cute, cuddly plush!
Find your school’s mascot, or choose one of your favorite animals from our collection. Your included Adopt e-newsletter is a great way to teach students about wildlife conservation and learn about the Zoo’s efforts on saving these beautiful animals.
Recycle Devices, Support Wildlife, and Fund Your School’s Mission!
Make your Houston Zoo field trip even more impactful! Recycle old handheld devices to help save wildlife— schools that collect and donate 50+ handheld electronics earn a Family Membership Certificate for their school to use in a fundraiser.
Explore fun on-site activities like Meet the Keeper Chats, giraffe feeding, and the Wildlife Workshop.
Ready to make a difference? Get the details below.
Questions?
For questions, please contact the Field Trip Reservation Team at 713-533-6500 or fieldtrips@houstonzoo.org.
