Special offers

Animal’n’Rail Basel Zoo

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of animals at an affordable price

At Basel Zoo, you can experience a variety of habitats in a unique park landscape. Basel Zoological Garden, popularly known as “Zolli,” is a green oasis in the middle of the city. On your tour through the natural enclosures and habitats, you can see over 500 fascinating animal species from all over the world! There is always something new to discover at the Zolli: okapis in the antelope house, curious meerkats, or dazzling Garibaldi fish. Here you can experience biodiversity up close.

You can travel quickly and easily to Basel by train. The zoo is a ten-minute walk from the train station.

10% discount on admission

Take advantage of the following price benefit when purchasing your outward and return journeys by public transport at the same time:

10% discount on admission to Basel Zoo

Purchase

Highlights

Discover over 500 animal species and exciting animal houses such as the monkey house or the Africa enclosure.
Embark on a digital safari, solve puzzles, and learn lots of interesting facts along the way.
Be there when the animal inhabitants are fed.

Special offer

You can benefit from the discount with any ticket, such as a standard public transport ticket, a day ticket, a saver ticket, a regional travelcard, a Half-Fare travelcard, or a GA travelcard.

RailAway offer: 01.11.–30.11.2025

10% discount on admission to Basel Zoo

RailAway hit: 01.12.–31.12.2025

50% discount on admission to Basel Zoo
Discounts of up to 50% on the journey to Basel SBB and back*

RailAway offer: 01.01.–31.01.2026

10% discount on admission to Basel Zoo

RailAway hit: 01.02.–28.02.2026

30% discount on admission to Basel Zoo

RailAway offer: 01.03.–31.03.2026

10% discount on admission to Basel Zoo

*Please note: The number of discounted tickets for public transport is limited each month. Once the 50% discount tickets have been used up, the discount will be reduced to 30%. Once the 30% discount tickets have been used up, the price reduction will no longer apply. Discounted public transport tickets are only available when booking online.

Attractions

Monkey house

The Geigy enclosure for apes and small monkeys opened in 2012 and offers gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans five spacious outdoor areas covered with nets. Small monkeys such as marsh monkeys, white-headed sakis, and spider monkeys live in an indoor enclosure and in the roof aviaries.

Etosha enclosure

The Etosha enclosure comprises two houses, several outdoor areas, and an exhibition, conveying impressions of the savanna world. In addition to big cats, insectivorous birds, snakes, and spiders also live here. The enclosure not only shows the diversity of predators, but also how humans interact with their natural environment—and that we ourselves are part of this nature.

Vivarium

Selected fish, reptiles, and amphibians from a wide variety of habitats showcase the impressive diversity of life. As ambassadors for their species, they remind us of the importance of protecting countless animal species. The house is divided into an aquarium area with marine and freshwater species and terrariums for reptiles and amphibians.

Tembea enclosure

With Tembea, Basel Zoo offers a modern elephant enclosure. The animals have access to a spacious outdoor area with around 100 feeding stations and a bright indoor area with a bathing pool. Visitors can see the elephants both in the free-range hall and in the natural savanna landscape. The house is also home to elephant shrews, harvester ants, and various fish species.

Working in the Children's Zoo

Under the guidance of an animal keeper, children aged 8 and above learn how to care for the animals, whether it's cleaning the stables, preparing a fresh straw bed or filling the drinking troughs. The meeting point is in front of the Children's Zoo stable every day at 8:05 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. No registration is required.

Opening hours Today (Friday) open

Basel Zoo is open 365 days a year.

January to February
8.00 to 17.30 hours
March to April
8.00 to 18.00 hours
May to August
8.00 to 18.30 hours
September to October
8.00 to 18.00 hours
November to December
8.00 to 17.30 hours

Fixed feeding times

Pelicans: 15.00 hours, daily
Sea lions: 15.30 hours, including information from the zookeepers, daily
Vivarium: between approx. 14.00 and 16.00 hours, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays

Food and drink

Picnics are permitted throughout the zoo, except in the restaurants. The self-service restaurant offers a daily changing menu with something to suit every taste. Popular with children: the “Zolli Binggis Säckli” with a little surprise inside. From May to October, a food truck complements the offering, serving mini hot dogs, fresh smoothies, or coffee, depending on the location.