Field Trips

Only educational institutions accredited by the Texas Education Agency or the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission qualify for school field trips. We also accept requests from schools recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education. Requests made by affiliate programs will be denied.

Public and private schools located within the Houston city limits and Title 1 schools in outlying cities qualify for free field trips. Processing fees apply.

Autumn months are ideal for a school field trip to the Zoo. The weather is cooler, the animals are more active and there are fewer crowds. Since most testing occurs toward the end of the school year, booking your trip early will limit the probability that your trip will interfere with test schedules.

Any adult accompanying your group is required to have an adult chaperone ticket. If a chaperone has a Houston Zoo Membership, they are able to use the membership for entry. (Please note that all students must have a field trip ticket and cannot enter with a membership.)

All tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you choose to cancel your reservation, we will do our best to reschedule based on availability. All reschedules are subject to a $25 reprocessing fee. The Houston Zoo reserves the right to cancel any program due to minimum enrollment, inclement weather, or unforeseen circumstances, in which case a full refund will be issued. Cancellations are official upon receipt of confirmation from the Houston Zoo.

Field trips can be booked September through May. If your school group is planning a visit to the Houston Zoo this summer (June through August), you are eligible to receive discounted admission for groups of 20 or more. Please visit Group Admission Discounts for details.

The Zoo is open rain or shine. We have many indoor facilities, and if you dress for the weather, you can still thoroughly enjoy your visit! If you choose to cancel your reservation, we will do our best to reschedule, provided there is availability at a later date. All reschedules are subject to a $25 reprocessing fee.

We have made changes to our bus parking protocols, so please make note of the following instructions.

Upon arrival to the Houston Zoo, we ask that all bus drivers unload all students, chaperones and teachers curbside at Parking Lot F, which is next to the Hermann Park mini train. We will have Houston Zoo Ranger in the area to help the group unload properly and safely. Once everyone has been unloaded, please drive to our new off-site bus parking area located at 1505 Cleburne St. Once you arrive at the off-site location, another Houston Zoo Ranger will direct the bus driver where to park. The lot will have patrolling security throughout the duration of the field trip. At the end of your students’ visit, you will load students, chaperones and teachers back at Lot F by the curb in the same area you dropped them off.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue grow in support of our mission to connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.

Directions from the Zoo to the off-site parking:
6102 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030 to 1505 Cleburne St, Houston, TX 77004
Click here for a map

Directions from off-site parking back to the Zoo:
1505 Cleburne St HOUSTON TX 77004 to 6102 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Click here for a map

We ask that you distribute all tickets to your students before approaching the main entrance. You will be directed by a member of our staff to line up before proceeding through the gate. Zoo maps will only be distributed to the group chaperones.

No, you do not need to check in. A few days leading up to your visit, you will receive an email reminder requesting the contact information of the person who will be on-site the day of your visit should there be an emergency while your group is on Zoo grounds.

Tickets for late arrivals may be left at Guest Relations for pick up. Upon checking in and retrieving their ticket, they will then be granted entry separate from your group.

We recommend that chaperones purchase their tickets in advance in order to enter when your group arrives. Chaperones do not receive a special price at the gate, but they are welcome to use their Membership.

We are unable to add additional tickets to your order on the day of your visit. Please review your invoice thoroughly before submitting your payment. If you need to add additional tickets to your order after payment has been made, please contact fieldtrips@houstonzoo.org for assistance. Additional tickets will not be mailed but will be available to pick up at Guest Relations. Regular gate price applies to any ticket not purchased in advance.

We ask that any extra tickets be returned to Guest Relations before your departure. As a reminder, unused tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please note that tickets are only valid for individuals in your group.

You are welcome to bring outside food and drink, however, there is no storage area available for these items. We have several picnic and shady areas around the Zoo where you may enjoy your lunch. We suggest choosing a place ahead of time and communicating that location to your group. We appreciate you reminding students to pick up after themselves before departing.

If you are in need of assistance while on Zoo grounds, look for a Zoo Ranger wearing a red polo shirt. If you are unable to locate a Ranger, call 713-533-6500.

Before you arrive, please visit the Guest Services page to review all rules regarding food and drink and which items you can and cannot bring into the Zoo. There is also a list of reminders to “Mind Your Zoo Manners” on our Zoo maps. An adult chaperone should accompany your students at all times.