Field Trips, The Houston Zoo

Field Trips Information

Welcome to our Field Trips Reservations system where you can take care of everything in one place! Book your spot, pay online, and receive your tickets in the following weeks by mail.

Note: Please read the entirety of the page before booking. Booking your field trip is confirmation that you have read and agree to all terms and conditions.

Free Field Trips: Schools with Title I accreditation and schools within Houston City Limits qualify for free admission. View the Texas Education Agency, Federal Program Compliance to see if you qualify. A $25 processing fee, payable by credit card only, is required to reserve.

Paid Field Trips: Available for all educational institutions accredited by the Texas Education Agency or the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission.

Pricing:

Students: $15
Additional Adults: $17
Processing fees: $25
Wildlife Carousel rides: $3 per ticket

Payment is due at the time of your booking. Once processed, the booking cannot be modified. A detailed receipt will be automatically sent via email. Tickets will be mailed to the school address. All tickets and processing fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Once capacity has been reached for a field trip date, it will automatically become unavailable for further bookings. No exceptions will be made.

For any field trip-related questions, please read the FAQ below.

Booking Your Field Trip

To book your field trip, you will need:

To be an accredited educational facility
A credit card (the only form of payment available)
Name, address, and district of your school
Name, phone number, and email of an official contact booking the field trip
Number of buses
Total number of students and their grade level or designation
Free chaperones are automatically calculated based on student ratio*
Name and phone number for an emergency contact while on Zoo grounds
Number of any additional adults (not covered by the free chaperone program) or additional children (not part of the class) visiting with your group

After a booking is finalized, the field trip cannot be changed or modified. Please ensure all information is correct at the time of booking.

Complimentary Chaperone Program

*Chaperone ratios are as follows:

One free adult chaperone for every student enrolled in Special Education Services
One free adult chaperone for every five pre-K students
One free adult chaperone for every ten students in grades K-12

Chaperones must accompany their groups for the duration of the visit. Free chaperone tickets are added automatically to the reservation according to the ratio above. Teachers, staff, and bus drivers are considered part of this ratio. You may purchase additional adult tickets at a discounted rate ($17). Please note that bookings cannot be modified. Tickets are not available for purchase at the gate.

Buses and Parking

All bus drivers must unload students at Hermann Park Drive curbside, between Gates 4 and 7. A Zoo Ranger/Security Officer will assist teachers and students during unloading. This area is designated as bus parking so buses may remain there once the children have been unloaded. A security officer will patrol this area for the duration of the field trip. At the end of your students’ visit, you will load students, chaperones, and teachers at the curb at Hermann Park Drive where originally dropped off. Zoo Rangers will assist with making sure all students load buses safely.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to grow in support of our mission to connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.

View map online.

Adopt an Animal for Your Classroom

Calling all educators! We offer a Classroom level of our Adopt an Animal program. This includes customizable certificates and conservation bracelets for the whole class, plus an animal fact sheet, 5×7 animal photo and a cute, cuddly plush!

Find your school’s mascot, or choose one of your favorite animals from our collection. Your included Adopt E-newsletter is a great way to teach students about wildlife conservation and learn about the Zoo’s efforts on saving these beautiful animals.

ADOPT AN ANIMAL

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for field trips?

Only educational institutions accredited by the Texas Education Agency or the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission qualify for school field trips. Requests made by affiliate programs will be denied.

Which schools qualify for free field trips?

Public and private schools located within the Houston city limits and Title 1 schools in outlying cities qualify for free field trips. Processing fees apply and are not refundable.

Who is considered a chaperone?

Any adult accompanying your group is required to have an adult ticket (either a complimentary chaperone ticket or a paid adult ticket). If a chaperone has a Houston Zoo Membership, they are able to use the membership for entry. (Please note that all students must have a field trip ticket and cannot enter with a membership.)

What is your cancellation policy?

All tickets and processing fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Houston Zoo reserves the right to cancel any program due to inclement weather, or unforeseen circumstances, in which case tickets will be refunded. For more questions, email us at fieldtrips@houstonzoo.org.

How do I schedule a field trip in the summer?

Our field trip program runs from September through May, please schedule accordingly. If you plan a visit to visit Houston Zoo this summer (June through August), discounted admission is available for groups of 20 people or more. Please visit our Group Admission Discounts page for details.

What if it rains on the day of our visit?

The Zoo is open rain or shine. We have many indoor facilities, and if you dress for the weather, you can still thoroughly enjoy your visit!

Where do buses park?

All bus drivers must unload students at Hermann Park Drive, curbside between gates 4 and 7. A Zoo Ranger/Security Officer will assist teachers and students during unloading. This area is designated as bus parking so buses may remain there once the children have been unloaded. A security officer will patrol this area for the duration of the field trip. At the end of your students’ visit, you will load students, chaperones and teachers back at the curb at Hermann Park Drive where originally dropped off. Zoo Rangers will assist with making sure all students load buses safely.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to grow in support of our mission to connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.

View map online.

How does my group enter the Zoo?

We ask that you distribute all tickets to your students before approaching the main entrance. You will be directed by a member of our staff to line up before proceeding through the gate.

What if a student or chaperone in my group is arriving late?

Tickets for late arrivals may be left at Guest Services for pick up. Upon checking in and retrieving their ticket, they will then be granted entry separate from your group.

What if I do not have enough tickets or a chaperone needs to buy a ticket?

Any extra adult tickets not already booked for your field trip will need to be purchased, in advance, on the website like other general admission tickets.

If you need more tickets, you are welcome to book through the field trip page for additional tickets if capacity allows (enter zero for bus quantity), or purchase regular tickets online as regular guests, either through discounted group tickets or daytime admission tickets.

No tickets are sold onsite.

What if I have extra tickets?

We ask that any extra tickets be returned to Guest Services before your departure. As a reminder, unused tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Please note that tickets are only valid for individuals in your group.

Where can we store our lunches?

You are welcome to bring outside food and drink, however, there is no storage area available for these items. We have several picnic and shady areas around the Zoo where you may enjoy your lunch. We suggest choosing a place ahead of time and communicating that location to your group. We appreciate you reminding students to pick up after themselves before departing.

What must I do if an emergency occurs while we are at the Zoo?

If you are in need of assistance while on Zoo grounds, look for a Zoo Ranger wearing a red polo shirt. If you are unable to locate a Ranger, call 713-533-6500.

What rules should we follow during our visit?

Before you arrive, please visit the Guest Services page to review all rules regarding food and drink and which items you can and cannot bring into the Zoo. There is also a list of reminders to “Mind Your Zoo Manners” on our Zoo maps. An adult chaperone should accompany your students at all times.

How do I find information about the train in Hermann Park?

The train is owned and operated by the Hermann Park Conservancy. For more information about hours and tickets, visit their website at www.hermannpark.org/visit/train-pedal-boats/

Questions?

For questions, please contact the Field Trip Reservation Team at 713-533-6500 or fieldtrips@houstonzoo.org.