Columbus, Ohio (WSYX) — The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) has announced the return of the Zoo Bus for Summer 2025, starting this holiday weekend. The service will provide daily trips from downtown Columbus to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and Zoombezi Bay.
The Zoo Bus will operate seven days a week beginning Saturday, May 24, through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1. After Labor Day, the service will continue three days a week—Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays—until October 31.
Passengers can board the Zoo Bus at the Statehouse downtown, the Griggs Dam Park & Ride, or the Dublin Park & Ride. The service includes five trips per day, with the first bus departing from State and High Streets at 8 a.m. and the last bus leaving the Zoo at 6:15 p.m., returning downtown around 7 p.m.
Fares for the Zoo Bus are $2 per adult and $1 for children under 12, with no charge for children under 5. Riders can also benefit from significant savings on admission. Each Zoo Bus passenger receives admission to the Columbus Zoo for only $5 or gets $10 off admission to Zoombezi Bay.
To receive these discounts, customers must ask the bus operator for a Zoo Bus coupon, which will be distributed one per customer. Upon arrival at the Zoo, customers should present the coupon at the admission window to verify discount eligibility.
For more information about the Zoo Bus, visit COTA.com/ZooBus. Admission prices and hours are available on the Columbus Zoo and Zoombezi Bay websites.
