Al Ain Zoo is home to more than 4,000 animals. It sits on Nahyan The First Street in Shiab Al Ashkhar, about 12 kilometres southwest of Al Ain Mall and close to Jebel Hafeet. From Abu Dhabi or Dubai, the drive takes roughly 90 minutes.

You can get there by car, taxi, public bus or the zoo’s own free shuttle. This guide walks through every option, then covers Al Ain Zoo tickets, timings and the safari.

How to Go to Al Ain Zoo

Step-by-Step Guide: Reaching Al Ain Zoo

Al Ain Zoo Tickets and Prices

Al Ain Zoo Timings

Al Ain Zoo Safari

Facilities and Accessibility

Tips for Visitors

Key Takeaways

FAQs

How to Go to Al Ain Zoo

Getting to Al Ain Zoo is easy, with several convenient transport options available. If you’re travelling within Al Ain, public bus route 900 stops directly at the zoo. From Abu Dhabi, the free Al Ain Zoo Express and Experience Abu Dhabi shuttles offer convenient ways to visit without a car. Travelling from Dubai? Simply take an intercity bus to Al Ain, then continue to the zoo by taxi or local bus.

Free parking is available near the main entrance, making it convenient for visitors arriving by car.

Step-by-Step Guide: Reaching Al Ain Zoo

Route 1: Bus 900 from Al Ain Bus Station (Within Al Ain)

1. Go to Al Ain Bus Station or any stop on route 900.
2. Board bus 900 towards the zoo.
3. Get off at the Al Ain Zoo stop, right by the zoo.

Public buses in Al Ain are air-conditioned and run regularly. This is the simplest choice if you’re staying in the city and don’t want to pay for a taxi.

Route 2: Al Ain Zoo Express (From Abu Dhabi or Al Ain)

4. Check the Al Ain Zoo Express timetable on the zoo’s Getting Here page.
5. Go to one of the designated pick-up points in Abu Dhabi or Al Ain.
6. Board the shuttle. It’s free, with comfortable seats and Wi-Fi.

Seats are first come, first served, so arrive at the pick-up point early, especially at weekends and during school holidays.

Route 3: Experience Abu Dhabi Shuttle (From Abu Dhabi)

Experience Abu Dhabi offers free shuttle buses to several Al Ain attractions, including the zoo, Al Ain Oasis, Al Jahili Fort and the Camel Market.

7. Check the routes and timetable on the Visit Al Ain website.
8. Board the shuttle that stops at Al Ain Zoo.
9. Check in with the QR code on board.

Route 4: Intercity Bus from Dubai

10. Go to Al Ghubaiba Bus Station or Al Aweer Bus Station in Dubai.
11. Take an intercity bus to Al Ain Central Bus Station. The trip takes about two hours.
12. From there, take a taxi or bus to the zoo, about 15 to 20 minutes away.

Check the latest intercity schedule on the RTA website or app before you travel.

Al Ain Zoo Tickets and Prices

You can buy Al Ain Zoo tickets at the gate or online. Booking online currently gives 10% off. Here’s the Al Ain Zoo ticket price list for general admission:

If you’d rather not walk the whole park, the Single Ticket with Shuttle Service costs AED 73.50 for adults and AED 31.50 for juniors. It adds a hop-on, hop-off shuttle that stops at the main zones. Regular visitors can also buy an annual pass, priced at AED 236.25 for adults and AED 94.50 for children.

Al Ain Zoo Timings

Al Ain Zoo timings this month are 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, every day of the week. Closing times change with the seasons, so check the zoo’s Opening Hours page before you go. Plan for three to four hours to see the main areas.

Al Ain Zoo Safari

The Al Ain Zoo safari takes you into the Savannah Plains to see the zoo’s larger animals up close, with Emirati guides leading the tours. There are two main options:

• Safari Truck: AED 210 per guest, including a single entry ticket. Children under 5 can’t ride the truck.
• Safari SUV: AED 1,050 for a private vehicle of up to six guests.

The zoo also offers special experiences. Breakfast with Giraffes costs AED 252 per guest and runs on Saturday mornings. Dinner with Lions is AED 3,300 for up to six guests.

Facilities and Accessibility

• Free parking near the main entrance, including family and special-needs spaces
• Strollers to rent: AED 42 for a single and AED 73.50 for a double
• Wheelchairs from Guest Relations near the main entrance
• Restaurants, cafes, picnic areas and playgrounds
• Free Wi-Fi

You’re also allowed to bring your own food and drinks, which keeps costs down on a family trip.

Transport Options Summary Table

Tips for Visitors

• Book online for 10% off your Al Ain Zoo ticket.
• Arrive early in warmer months to avoid the midday heat.
• Get to Express pick-up points early, as seats aren’t reserved.
• Children under 5 can’t go on the Safari Truck, so plan the safari around your family.
• Use the shuttle ticket if you have young children or older relatives with you.

Key Takeaways

Al Ain Zoo is easy to reach from anywhere in the UAE. In Al Ain, bus 900 stops at the gate. From Abu Dhabi, the free Express and Experience Abu Dhabi shuttles save you the drive, and from Dubai an intercity bus plus a short taxi ride does the job. Tickets start at AED 28.35 online, and the safari adds a closer look at the Savannah Plains. Make a day of it with our list of things to do in Al Ain, or compare it with other zoos in the UAE.

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