Quick answer: The National Zoological Park, better known as Delhi Zoo, is on Mathura Road next to Purana Qila in central Delhi. As of October 2026 it is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm in winter (16 October to 31 March) and 8:30 am to 5:30 pm in summer (1 April to 15 October), and it is closed every Friday. Entry costs ₹80 for Indian adults and ₹40 for children aged 5 to 12, according to the zoo’s official tariff, and tickets can be booked online.
Delhi Zoo at a glance
| Detail | As of October 2026 (per nzpnewdelhi.gov.in) |
|---|---|
| Address | National Zoological Park, Mathura Road, New Delhi 110003 |
| Summer timings (1 April to 15 October) | 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; booking closes at 5:00 pm |
| Winter timings (16 October to 31 March) | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; booking closes at 4:30 pm |
| Closed on | Every Friday |
| Entry fee (Indians) | ₹80 adults; ₹40 children 5 to 12; ₹40 senior citizens (60+); free under 5 |
| Entry fee (foreigners) | Non-SAARC: ₹400 adults, ₹200 children 5 to 12. SAARC: ₹200 adults, ₹100 children 5 to 12. Free under 5. |
| Phone | 011-24358500 |
| Time needed | Allow a few hours; the zoo is large and mostly seen on foot |
An earlier version of this article gave older prices (₹40 for Indian adults and ₹200 for foreigners), different opening hours, and said the zoo also closes on national holidays, which the zoo’s website does not state. The figures above are from the zoo’s current “Timing and Tariff” page. Check it again before you go, because fees and hours are revised from time to time.
Tickets, slots and other charges
Tickets can be booked on the zoo’s website (nzpnewdelhi.gov.in). According to the zoo’s rules page:
- online bookings are made for a time slot, and you must leave the zoo by the end of your slot;
- each ticket allows one entry;
- tickets cannot be rescheduled on the day of the visit, but can be rescheduled up to the day before;
- carry a valid ID if you are claiming a concession, such as the senior citizen rate.
Other official charges include:
- Battery-operated vehicle (run by a licensed private agency): ₹93 per adult and ₹53 per child aged 5 to 12, free under 5. Whole vehicles can be hired per trip.
- School groups: free for classes 1 to 5, ₹20 for classes 6 to 8, ₹40 for class 9 and above.
- Parking: ₹66 for a car, auto or taxi and ₹40 for a two-wheeler.
- Cameras: still and amateur cameras are free. Documentary and film shoots need permission and pay a daily fee.
- Cloakroom: ₹5 per item. Wheelchairs are available free.
History of the National Zoological Park
India had no zoo in Delhi at Independence. At its first meeting in 1952, the Indian Board of Wildlife (now the National Board for Wildlife) recommended zoos in the country’s larger cities. An ad hoc committee of Delhi nature lovers, including Indira Gandhi, was formed to plan one, and on 9 September 1953 it approved the site between Purana Qila and Humayun’s Tomb.
N.D. Bachkheti, a forest officer from Uttar Pradesh, was appointed superintendent on 1 October 1955. Major Weinmann, director of the Ceylon zoological gardens in Colombo, prepared an initial plan. Carl Hagenbeck of the famous animal park in Hamburg, West Germany, then suggested open moat enclosures and drew up a general layout in March 1956, which the Government of India approved, with changes, on 31 December 1956.
By the end of 1959 the roads, waterways, moats and animal houses on the northern half of the site were ready. Animals gifted by state governments and individuals had been kept in temporary enclosures around Azimganj Sarai, an old Mughal travellers’ inn on the site. The park was formally inaugurated as Delhi Zoo on 1 November 1959 by Punjabrao Deshmukh, a Union minister. In 1982 it was given the status of National Zoological Park, with the aim of making it a model zoo for the country.
Animals to see
The zoo’s own animal list includes many species protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, such as:
- Big cats: Royal Bengal tiger, Asiatic lion and leopard, as well as the jaguar from the Americas.
- Large mammals: one-horned rhinoceros, Asian and African elephants, hippopotamus and gaur (Indian bison).
- Deer and antelope: swamp deer (barasingha), brow-antlered deer, hog deer, sambar, spotted deer, blackbuck, chinkara and nilgai.
- Primates: chimpanzee, hoolock gibbon, lion-tailed macaque and hamadryas baboon.
- Others: Indian wolf, sloth bear, Himalayan black bear and striped hyena.
The zoo also keeps birds and reptiles. Animals are moved, born and transferred all the time, so not every species will be on view on a given day. The zoo publishes an annual animal inventory on its website.
Zoo rules
The zoo’s regulations do not allow:
- food of any kind, except milk for infants (the canteen is outside the entrance);
- polythene bags or packets;
- bags, except a ladies’ purse or a laptop or camera in its case;
- tobacco, alcohol, matches, lighters or anything inflammable;
- musical or sound-producing instruments, pets, firearms or sharp objects.
Do not feed or tease the animals, and do not cross the barriers. Animals are on a balanced diet, and outside food can make them ill. Breaking the rules can lead to a fine or removal from the zoo. The whole zoo is under CCTV surveillance.
How to reach Delhi Zoo
- Metro: The zoo lists Supreme Court (formerly Pragati Maidan, Blue Line), Khan Market (Violet Line) and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Violet Line) as the nearest stations, each about 2 km away. An earlier version of this article named Pragati Maidan station, which has since been renamed Supreme Court.
- Bus: DTC routes listed by the zoo include 894-A and 445 from New Delhi Railway Station, 402 and 403 from Old Delhi Railway Station, and 405, 425 and 429 from the ISBT. Routes change, so check before travelling.
- Distances given by the zoo: about 6 km from New Delhi Railway Station, 5 km from Sarai Kale Khan bus terminal and 2 km from India Gate.
Tips for visiting
- The zoo covers a large area and involves a lot of walking. Wear comfortable shoes, or use the battery vehicle.
- Winter mornings are pleasant for walking; in summer, go early, carry water and expect many animals to rest in the shade at midday.
- Weekends and school holidays are busy. Book a slot online in advance.
Places to visit nearby
The zoo shares its boundary with Purana Qila, and Humayun’s Tomb and Nizamuddin Dargah are a short ride south. India Gate is about 2 km away.
Frequently asked questions
On which day is Delhi Zoo closed?
Every Friday.
What is the Delhi Zoo ticket price?
As of October 2026, ₹80 for Indian adults and ₹40 for children aged 5 to 12 and senior citizens, according to the zoo. Children under 5 enter free.
Can I take food into Delhi Zoo?
No. Only milk for infants is allowed. There is a canteen outside the entrance.
Is there a safari at Delhi Zoo?
No, there is no safari. You walk around the enclosures, or use the paid battery-operated vehicles to get around.
Which is the nearest metro station to Delhi Zoo?
The zoo lists Supreme Court, Khan Market and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium stations, each about 2 km away.
Timings, ticket prices, rules and history were checked in October 2026 on the National Zoological Park’s official website. Fees and hours change, so check the zoo’s site before you visit.
