Diergaarde Blijdorp: Visiting Rotterdam Zoo with Kids

This guide is for internationals living in Rotterdam who want a clear plan for a day at Diergaarde Blijdorp, whether you have a toddler, school-age children or no children at all. It covers how ticket pricing works, how to get there, what makes the day easier with kids, and how to work out whether the annual membership pays off for your household.

• Planning your day
• Day tickets and pricing categories
• Getting there by tram, car or bike
• Blijdorp with children (and without)
• Is the unlimited-access membership worth it?
• FAQ

Planning your day

Blijdorp is open every day of the year. Hours are longer in the summer season than in winter, and the official FAQ has the current opening times. Check them before you go, especially in autumn and spring when the seasons change.

Crowds matter more than most first-time visitors expect. The zoo says weekends and Wednesdays are often busy, and that weather and school holidays play a big role. The Plan your visit page has a calendar that labels each day as Quiet, Lively or Busy. If you have any flexibility, pick a Quiet day. You get shorter queues, calmer children and better views at the popular enclosures.

The same page lists the day’s feeding times, which can include animals such as penguins, California sea lions, Dalmatian pelicans and cownose rays. Children love these, so it is worth building your route around one or two of them. For navigation, use the interactive map in the free Blijdorp app, or buy the printed Expedition Map for €1.00 when you book your tickets.

Day tickets and pricing categories

Blijdorp uses four pricing categories that change from day to day, depending on the season, the day of the week and expected crowds. The 2025 prices published on the FAQ page are:

• Category A: €27.50 for ages 13 and up, €22.50 for children aged 3 to 12
• Category B: €29.50 for ages 13 and up, €24.50 for children aged 3 to 12
• Category C: €30.50 for ages 13 and up, €25.50 for children aged 3 to 12
• Category D: €31.50 for ages 13 and up, €26.50 for children aged 3 to 12

Low season runs from November to March and uses categories A and C. High season runs from April to October and uses categories B and D. The online ticket shop shows a calendar with the category for each date, so you know the price before you commit. Quiet days in low season are usually the cheapest way in.

If you do not want to fix a date, there is a flexible ticket at €32.50 for ages 13 and older and €27.50 for children aged 3 to 12. It is valid for one year from purchase and works on any day you choose. It makes a good gift for friends or family visiting from abroad. The pages do not list a price for children under 3, so check the ticket shop for the current details.

Getting there by tram, car or bike

Public transport. Both entrances can be reached by public transport. The entrance on the Riviera hall side is about a 10-minute walk from the back of Rotterdam Central Station, which makes this the easiest option if you live near a train or metro line.

Car. The zoo has its own car park (P1) in front of the main entrance at Blijdorplaan 8. Take exit 13 ‘Blijdorp’ on the northern part of the Rotterdam ring road and follow the signs. Parking for the day costs €12.50, and there are 8 charging points for fully electric cars. Note for newcomers: parking tickets are sold at the ticket machines and cash desks and are pin only, which means card payment. If you only carry cash, plan ahead.

Bike. This is how many Rotterdam families arrive. There are bicycle racks in the middle lane of the car park on the Oceanium side, and space to the left of the Riviera hall entrance.

Blijdorp with children (and without)

The zoo has thought about families with small children. You can rent strollers at the entrance for €3.50, which is useful if your toddler walks well for the first hour and then refuses to move. There are microwaves in the restaurants for heating baby food and bottles. There is also a changing room and adapted restroom with a lockable door, and the app shows you how to find it.

For school-age children, Expedition Blijdorp is the main attraction outside the animals themselves. It is free for every visitor and runs through the app. Children follow routes, answer questions at enclosures, earn badges and level up, and they can receive rewards in the park when they reach new levels. If your child has a school presentation about an animal coming up, the zoo also lends a Show & Tell Kit. You can also book children’s birthday parties at the zoo.

If you need a break from the noise, the restaurant De Lepelaar has two separate rooms that can be used as quiet spaces or prayer rooms. The app also shows which restaurants are open that day. The whole zoo is smoke-free.

For adults, or older children with a real interest, there are guided tours covering animal care, the zoo’s history and behind-the-scenes work, plus a photography workshop and a breakfast at the zoo. There is also a special tour for visually impaired visitors that uses touch.

The park is accessible for wheelchair and mobility scooter users, with plenty of benches along the route. Wheelchairs can be reserved by phone on 0900-1857 with a €50 cash deposit. If you are bringing an assistance dog, call the same number at least one day in advance.

Is the unlimited-access membership worth it?

For families who live in Rotterdam, this is the real question. The membership page lists prices for a single adult, one adult with up to five children, and two adults with up to five children, with supplements for a third adult or a sixth child aged 3 to 17. You can pay once a year, by annual direct debit, or by monthly direct debit, where you pay the first 3 months up front.

The simplest test: add up what your household pays for one visit using the category prices above, then compare that with the membership price for your family on that page. Count how many visits it takes to break even, and be honest about how often you will actually go. The membership works best when you live close enough to drop in for an hour after school or on a Sunday morning, without feeling you have to see everything to get your money’s worth.

The extras add up too. Members get reduced parking, discounts on guest tickets and in the zoo’s restaurants and souvenir shops, and up to 50% off at partner parks, including Archeon, DierenPark Amersfoort, Ouwehands Zoo Rhenen and Toverland. In the app, members start Expedition Blijdorp at Level 2 and get exclusive content such as live webcams.

Practical points: you can buy a membership online on any day of the year, and it is valid for one year from purchase. You collect your pass, with your photo, at Visitor Service at the main entrance, and you can use it straight away. If you hold a Rotterdampas, a discounted membership is available only at the ticket counter, and everyone added to it must have their own Rotterdampas.

FAQ

When is the quietest time to visit?

The zoo says weekends and Wednesdays are often busy, and that weather and holidays also affect crowds. Use the Quiet, Lively and Busy calendar on the Plan your visit page to choose a calmer day.

Can I warm a baby bottle at the zoo?

Yes. There are microwaves in the zoo’s restaurants for heating baby food and bottles. There is also a lockable changing room, which you can find using the free app.

Can I pay for parking with cash?

No. Parking tickets are sold at the ticket machines and cash desks and are pin only, so bring a bank card. A day of parking at P1 costs €12.50.

Can I cancel my membership by phone?

No. You can cancel online through My Membership, by emailing abonnement@diergaardeblijdorp.nl, or in person at the ticket counter or Visitor Service. Cancelling by phone is not possible.

Official sources: diergaardeblijdorp.nl · diergaardeblijdorp.nl · diergaardeblijdorp.nl

Last checked: 8 October 2026 against the pages linked above. Prices, opening hours and programmes change; the venue’s own site always has the current details.