The 2-Visit Pass Explained: You Probably Already Paid for the Safari Park
The most common thing we hear from visitors: “Wait — our Zoo ticket covers the Safari Park too?” If you bought the 2-Visit Pass, yes. Here is exactly how the pass works in 2026 and how to actually use both visits.
TL;DR
2-Visit Pass = both parks (or one park twice), valid one year, $130 adult / $120 child — $52 over a single-day ticket. The Zoo is downtown; the Safari Park is 35 miles away in Escondido with no transit. EGT’s Two-Park Pair covers both rides from $295 flat. Call (858) 522-0264.
How the 2-Visit Pass actually works (verified July 2026)
| Ticket | Adult (12+) | Child (3–11) | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Pass | $78 | $68 | One park, one day |
| 2-Visit Pass | $130 | $120 | One visit each to Zoo + Safari Park, or two visits to one park — any days within one year of purchase |
No reservation is required for either visit, and the visits do not need to be on consecutive days — a common myth is that the second visit must happen within 7 days; the current pass gives you a full year. Tickets at zoo.sandiegozoo.org/tickets. Prices verified July 2026 and can change; the pass “cannot be combined with other discounts.”
The two parks are nothing alike — plan them differently
San Diego Zoo (Balboa Park, ~100 acres): dense, shaded, walkable, five minutes from downtown hotels. Best in the morning; six hours covers it. Parking now costs $10–$16/day for non-residents.
Safari Park (Escondido, 1,800 acres): open savanna habitats, the Africa Tram, ziplines and safari upgrades. Hotter than the coast, more walking, a genuine full day — and 35 miles from your hotel with no train and no direct bus. Parking $20–$55.
The split that works for most visitors: Zoo early in the trip (it is close — easy jet-lag day), Safari Park mid-trip with a booked round trip, leaving departure day free.
The missing piece: the 35-mile leg
Every 2-Visit Pass sold to a visitor staying downtown contains a hidden transportation problem. EGT publishes the fix as flat rates: Zoo round trip from $120, Safari Park round trip from $195, or the Two-Park Pair from $295 — both days, timed return pickups, all-in, no surge. Details on the two-park transportation hub.
Frequently asked
Does the San Diego Zoo 2-Visit Pass include the Safari Park?
Yes. The 2-Visit Pass ($130 adult / $120 child) covers one visit each to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park - or two visits to the same park - valid one year from purchase, no reservation required. The parks are 35 miles apart; EGT runs flat round trips to both.
Do both visits have to be within 7 days?
No - that is an outdated rule. The current 2-Visit Pass is valid for one year from the purchase date, and the two visits can be on any days you choose.
Is the 2-Visit Pass cheaper than two separate tickets?
Yes: two 1-Day passes cost $156 adult; the 2-Visit Pass is $130 - the Zoo advertises savings up to $26. Against a single $78 day, the pass adds a whole second park for $52.
How do I get to the Safari Park without renting a car?
There is no train and no direct transit. Elite Green Transportation runs a flat electric round trip from any San Diego hotel: $195 BMW i7, $235 Rivian R1S, $275 Escalade IQ-L, with a guaranteed timed return - or both parks over two days from $295. Call (858) 522-0264.
Reserve your ride — Two-Park Pass Days
Tell us the date, party size and your plan and EGT calls you back to confirm. Prefer to skip the form? Call (858) 522-0264 or text us — an owner answers.
Use both visits
Two-Park Pair: Zoo round trip one day, Safari Park round trip another — from $295 flat, timed returns both days.
Call (858) 522-0264Plan the rest of your San Diego days
· Zoo & Safari Park transportation hub — all rates