Your Visit
AccessibilityAccessibility
Dublin Zoo strives to be an accessible and enjoyable day out for everyone.
We also have concession prices for people with additional needs and carers go free, see below for details.
Accessibility
Dublin Zoo strives to be an accessible and enjoyable day out for everyone.
We also have concession prices for people with additional needs and carers go free, see below for details.
Additional Needs Concession Prices
Visitors with additional needs may admit one accompanying carer free of charge when they purchase an additional needs adult or child ticket*. Additional needs and carer tickets are available to purchase at the entry gate to Dublin Zoo. There is no need to purchase in advance of your visit. Please ensure you have your Carer ID and relevant documentation to hand**.
*A free carers ticket can only be given when an additional needs ticket is purchased.
**Relevant ID and documentation can be an IAA Autism ID card, or an associated membership card, GP letter or hospital consultant letter which confirms the visitor is unable to visit Dublin Zoo independently without the aid of a carer or mobility aid.
**If attending Wild Lights (not day entry) tickets must be booked in advance, you can find more information on the Wild Lights homepage.
Prices:
| Adult with Additional Needs* | €15 |
| Child with Additional Needs* | €10.50 |
| Carer | Free |
Know Before Your Visit - Planned Closures and Changes
At Dublin Zoo, we recognise that for many customers it is important to be able to plan ahead and know what to expect during a visit. As well as the sensory-friendly map, social story, and planner that is currently available to customers, below you will find some regularly updated information about temporary changes that may impact your visit – for example, maintenance works that may create noise pollution, or a change to food outlet opening hours.
We will do our best to update this section in advance of any planned events that may impact your visit, however some changes cannot always be foreseen, whether it be for staff or animal husbandry reasons, and we appreciate your understanding in this regard.
- The lawn outside Haughton House is currently closed to the public (barriers in place).
- Food outlets operate seasonal hours, you can find out current opening hours here.
- The South American House is currently closed until further notice.
- Regular maintenance on-site often involves the use of machinery and large vehicles.
- You may notice squirrels, ducks, peacocks, moor hens, seagulls, and herons roaming freely in public areas.
- From time to time, our elephant team will trial indoor feeding and a keeper Q&A on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:15pm. This may lead to an increased amount of people at the indoor elephant habitat at this time.
- From the week of February 17th onwards there may be increased maintenance activity in Dublin Zoo for about one month.
- During the February midterm our Conservation Education team have a number of events scheduled from February 19th to 22nd and this may lead to an increase in activity and noise around the Discovery Centre.
- Access to the Discovery Centre and Farmyard will be limited at various times throughout the day on Friday, 21st February. For information on exact timings please ask a member of staff at the entry gate when you arrive.
- Weekends, bank holidays, school holidays, and the summer months are our busiest periods. If you prefer to visit at a quieter time then we recommend early mornings or the last 2 hours before closing time. You can find more information about our current opening hours here.
Wheelchairs Users and Rental
Dublin Zoo is 180 years old and contains a number of old buildings and structures. However, most of Dublin Zoo is accessible for wheelchair users and those with walking difficulties.
We have 20 wheelchairs available which are cleaned and sanitised before each use and are given on a first-come-first-served basis. Wheelchairs can be collected from the Visitors Operations Office at the front entrance at Dublin Zoo.
Mobility Scooter Rental
Mobility scooters are available to rent during your visit to Dublin Zoo. The cost is €25 and they can be collected from the Visitor Operations desk at the main entrance of Dublin Zoo. Mobility scooters are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please be advised the rental fee is non-refundable or exchangeable and mobility scooter rentals are subject to availability.The mobility scooter rental fee does not include entry to Dublin Zoo.
For more information please email [email protected] or call (01) 474 8900.
Please note that mobility scooters can only be hired by individuals aged 18 years and over.
Accessible Toilets
There are 9 accessible toilets at various locations within the Dublin Zoo grounds. Please ask any member of staff for the code to these toilets upon entering Dublin Zoo.
The policy of locking the toilets is to stop the misuse and damage to the accessible toilets.
Changing Places Facilities
A fully accessible Changing Places facility is available to visitors who require this facility specifically.
The Changing Places facility is located beside the Discovery & Learning Centre, behind Family Farm.
Visitors should enquire about this facility upon arrival at the front gate to get the access code. Otherwise please ask the staff in the first aid hut located right beside it or speak to the volunteers in the volunteer centre.
Assistance Dogs
Dublin Zoo does not allow dogs into the main area of Dublin Zoo but we do have a sitting area at a location in Dublin Zoo which provides temporary accommodation for assistance dogs while their owners visit. Assistance dogs will be kept in comfortable accommodation for the duration of the visit and will be provided with fresh drinking water.
Food Allergies
Dublin Zoo’s catering partner, Baxter Storey, follows all food safety protocol and provides consumer information and advice on allergens in all restaurants.
Although animals are usually fed at a distance from the public, the produce we feed our animals may contain human allergens.
As visitors are permitted to bring their own food produce on site providing an allergen-free environment is not possible.
