NOTE TO MEDIA: Images are available through this link. Photo credits are contained in the file name (Amanda Carberry, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Summer adventures just got easier and more affordable. The Zoo Bus is officially back for Summer 2026, giving families a convenient, budget-friendly way to visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay all season long.
Beginning Saturday, May 23, 2026, the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) will offer daily Zoo Bus service from downtown Columbus to the Zoo and waterpark through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. After Labor Day, service will continue Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through October 31, 2026.
The Zoo Bus provides guests with a stress-free way to enjoy a full day of family fun while taking advantage of incredible savings. Riders receive admission to the Columbus Zoo for just $5 or $10 off admission to Zoombezi Bay.
A family of five can spend the entire day at the Zoo for under $50 when taking advantage of the Zoo Bus program.
The Zoo Bus will operate five trips daily, with the first departure leaving State and High Streets downtown at 8 a.m. The final bus will depart the Zoo at 6:15 p.m., returning downtown at approximately 7 p.m.
Guests can board the Zoo Bus at:
- Statehouse downtown (State and High Streets)
- Griggs Dam Park & Ride
- Dublin Park & Ride
Zoo Bus fares are:
- $2 each way for adults
- $1 each way for children under 12
- Free for children under 5
To receive discounted admission, riders should ask the COTA Operator for a Zoo Bus coupon. Coupons will be distributed one per customer and must be presented at the Zoo or Zoombezi Bay admission window to get discount.
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.
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About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Home to more than 600 animal species from around the world, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads by making a positive impact on people, wildlife, and wild places. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a wildlife conservation organization with regional, national and global impact, annually supporting conservation and research projects locally and worldwide. For more information, please visit ColumbusZoo.org.
About Zoombezi Bay, A Waterpark with a Purpose
Zoombezi Bay is a 22.7-acre water park that features 19 state-of-the-art water attractions, including the aquatic adventure area, Otter Banks; themed water slide, SoundSurfer; the multi-level play structure, Baboon Lagoon; the Pelican Point interactive water playground for the youngest guests; a wave pool; an action river; a lazy river; and more. During the regular summer season, admission to Zoombezi Bay includes the Columbus Zoo, and proceeds from the water park support the Zoo’s operation and mission. Please visit ZoombeziBay.com for more information.
About COTA
The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is the region’s mobility solutions provider, driven each day to connect people to prosperity through innovation, dedication, and teamwork. By utilizing technology and data, establishing community partnerships, and applying sustainability principles, COTA provides access to jobs, healthcare, and education. COTA is modernizing public transit through the $8 billion LinkUS initiative, which includes expansion of bus service, launching rapid corridors, and working with communities to build 500 miles of sidewalk, trails, and bikeways to make transit more accessible for Central Ohioans. You can learn more at COTA.com and LinkUSColumbus.com
