NOTE TO MEDIA: Images are available through this link. Photo credits are contained in the file name (Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium).

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) announced today that the Zoo Bus is making a return for Summer 2025, beginning this holiday weekend, providing daily trips from downtown Columbus to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay.

Daily Zoo Bus Service begins Saturday, May 24, 2025 and will run seven days a week through Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2025, and three days a week (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) after Labor Day until October 31, 2025. Customers can board the Zoo Bus at the Statehouse downtown, the Griggs Dam Park & Ride, or the Dublin Park & Ride.

The Zoo Bus operates five trips per day, with the first departing from State and High Streets at 8 a.m. and the last vehicle leaving the Zoo at 6:15 p.m., returning downtown at approximately 7 p.m.

Fare each way for the Zoo Bus is $2 per adult, $1 for children under age 12, and no charge for children under age 5. Customers can also enjoy incredible savings when they ride the bus. Every customer who rides the Zoo Bus receives admission to the Columbus Zoo for only $5 or receives $10 off admission to Zoombezi Bay. A family of five can spend the entire day at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for under $50.

When customers board the Zoo Bus, they will need to ask the Operator for a Zoo Bus coupon, which will be distributed one per customer. Once arriving at the Zoo, customers will go to the admission window for the Zoo or Zoombezi Bay, where they will be asked to show the coupon to verify discount eligibility.

For more information about Zoo Bus, visit COTA.com/ZooBus or call COTA Customer Service at (614) 228-1776. Admission prices and hours can be found by visiting the Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay websites at ColumbusZoo.org and ZoombeziBay.com.