Membership FAQ

You can become a member right away! Join online and receive your digital card immediately.

Memberships are valid for one full year (365 days from the date of purchase) for free daytime admission on all operating days! Operating hours may vary by season. The Zoo will close for the month of January 2021. Unscheduled closures will be announced as early as possible on Facebook and this website. If you are renewing a current membership, your new expiration date will be a year from your current expiration date or 365 days from today, whichever is later.

Members may park in any of the Zoo's lots free of charge (one car per visit). All lots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking lots are located on 34th Street and on Girard Avenue. Please use your valid membership card or temporary card and photo ID to obtain parking privileges.

As a nonprofit organization, we rely heavily on membership and attendance for support. To prevent misuse of your membership card, we ask that adult cardholders show a photo I.D. when entering and parking at the Zoo. We appreciate your understanding.

Yes. At least one named adult cardholder must accompany guests for all memberships with guest privileges. Members receiving free one-time guest tickets may give those to friends and family to use at any time, even if they are not attending.

We’ve gone digital! We are currently unable to replace plastic cards. If you purchased your membership online, you may use the digital card in your order confirmation to enter and park throughout your membership year. If you have misplaced this email, or if you purchased your membership by mail, please email [email protected] for a replacement digital card.

The Zoo is no longer mailing plastic cards. You will receive a digital card immediately upon membership purchase online. For fastest processing, we recommend purchasing online. Please allow four weeks for processing of mailed membership renewals. Thank you for helping reduce our carbon footprint by going digital and supporting our mission!

Yes. The Zoo participates in a reciprocal program with zoos and aquariums across the country that entitles Philadelphia Zoo members to discounted admission. We recommend you contact the zoo or aquarium prior to your visit to confirm their policies. (View the complete list of reciprocal zoos and aquariums.) Many institutions have suspended reciprocal admission due to capacity limitations.

Memberships are nontransferable and valid only for those individuals listed on the card and the number of children covered by the membership (if applicable). A third adult name may be added to Family, Family Plus, Family Deluxe and Contributor membership for $40. Please email [email protected] with your phone number for a call back to add an adult to your membership. Names on cards may not be changed until the membership is renewed.

Remember, photo ID is required to park and enter the Zoo. The Zoo reserves the right to deny access and/or revoke memberships without refund for fraud or misuse.

Yes, you may apply the cost of your general admission tickets and parking within five days of your visit. Please note that some exceptions do apply. Please email [email protected] with details about your ticket purchase for more information.

Yes, gift memberships can be purchased online! Print your gift membership immediately for the perfect last-minute gift! Renewing a gift membership for someone? Don’t worry—the recipient will be able to activate it toward their renewal themselves. Please go through the “Gift” process instead of the renewal process to ensure that no changes are made to the member’s record.

Memberships are for personal household use only. Businesses and groups may purchase tickets at the group rate by emailing [email protected].

A membership that is valid at the time of the visit may be used for free admission for a chaperone or teacher who is a member and their own children. Guest admission does not apply to other individuals in the group.