National Zoological Park, New Delhi – A Wildlife Escape in the Heart of the Capital

If you’re in Delhi and looking for an economical, educational, and refreshing day out, the National Zoological Park (NZP) is an excellent choice. Established in 1959, this expansive zoo near Purana Qila is a green haven spread across 176 acres, home to over 1,300 animals and birds, some of which are part of endangered species breeding programs.


Accessibility

By Road:
Reaching the zoo by road is effortless. There’s ample paid parking available right next to the ticket counters, which makes it convenient for car and taxi users.

By Metro:
The zoo is centrally located between multiple metro stations—Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Khan Market, and Supreme Court. From any of these stations, you can take an e-rickshaw or a hired taxi, and you’ll be at the zoo in under 5 minutes.


Timings (Important!)

Normal Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Entry Closes: Around 4:00 PM

Weekly Off: Closed on Fridays

Note: Saturdays are reserved for school groups, so weekends can be very crowded. Plan your visit accordingly for a smoother experience.


Arrival & Ticketing

There are nearly 20 offline ticket counters, but it’s highly recommended to scan the QR codes placed near the gate to book your ticket online and skip the queues.

Ticket Price (Indian adult): ₹80
Children (5 to 12) and Senior Citizen : ₹40
Below 5 : Free

Children and senior citizen rates are lower, making the visit very affordable overall.

The entry ticket allows access to the zoo only. For transport you have to pay separately. There are multiple photo spots along the way, especially near the entrance.


Touring the Zoo

The National Zoological Park was originally designed by a German zoologist, then adapted to suit Indian climatic and ecological conditions. The space is vast, and exploring it on foot can be exhausting, especially during peak sun hours. If you’re with young children or elderly members, plan accordingly.

E-Ferry Services (Highly Recommended)

After entering, you’ll find e-ferry points, you must decide right here if you want to go by yourself walking all along or hire a ferry . These ferries pick and drop visitors at key locations throughout the zoo.

You must purchase a ferry ticket to receive a wristband, which allows unlimited rides from any stop.

On Saturdays, ferries are often reserved for school children, so lines may be long.

Only wristband holders are allowed on ferries. Others must walk.

Full booking of ferry is permitted with certain conditions but on Saturdays it wasn’t possible. You can book your own ferry under 1000 rupees.

Ferry ticket for adults : ₹ 77
Kids : ₹ 44
I strongly suggest booking the ferry as walking under the sun can be tiring. Many visitors end up skipping the rear sections of the zoo where elephants and tigers are located.


Amenities

The zoo is well-equipped with amenities:

Water coolers and clean washrooms are present at every major stop.

Dairy booths offering ice creams and snacks are available at some points.

Beware of monkeys—they’re fast and cheeky and might snatch food right out of your hands, especially near the snack stalls!


Must-Watch Attractions

There’s a lot to see and experience. My personal highlights include:

Majestic Elephants – healthy, lively, and blissful to watch.

Royal Bengal Tiger

White Tiger

Hippos

Bird House – It full of n number bird species. Home to dozens of colorful parrots and parakeets, a visual treat!

The zoo is also involved in breeding programs for endangered species, helping maintain and repopulate declining animal numbers across India.


What’s Allowed / Not Allowed

Allowed:

Cameras and mobile phones for photography

Not Allowed:

Food items from outside

Certain items like cribs or large luggage (please refer to the official website for a complete list)


Gallery


If you’re planning a visit to Delhi or even if you’re a local, the National Zoological Park is worth exploring for a fun-filled and educational outing. It’s green, spacious, well-managed, and surprisingly affordable!

15 Likes

Thank you @Trail_blazer for sharing your experiences at Zoological Park on this Zoo Lovers Day. I seen this Zoo while visiting Purana Qila during the Local Guides Convention.

Beautiful images and accessibility information you have put through this post.

1 Like

Yes, @Rahul001 indeed great place to hangout. Well I’m glad you found a day for zoo as well :joy::call_me_hand:t2:
Btw zoo is massive you need lots of leisure time to cover it full.

1 Like

@Trail_blazer excellent article, written in good , plain english. Definitely on my bucket list.

1 Like

Sounds like a fantastic and worthwhile way to spend a day in Delhi!

Thank you for sharing.

1 Like

Yes @MarkAuchincloss most welcome. Pretty easily accessible and economical. And beautiful animals and birds all around.

1 Like

Yes @NareshDarji bhai worth visiting. Do have some time in hand to take the full tour.

Thank you, @Trail_blazer bhai, for another informative post about the Zoo. I enjoy reading the post. The details are very helpful for planning a visit. I appreciate the time you took to share so many details and stunning photos.

1 Like

@PrasadVR most welcome :call_me_hand:t2:

1 Like