Berlin: Tickets for the Tierpark in East Berlin

Tierpark Berlin gives you a full day of animals, open space, and a temporary prehistoric twist: until fall 2025, life-size T. Rex and Triceratops figures join the giraffes, tigers, and snow leopards. The park is only about 15 minutes from Alexanderplatz by public transport, but its 160 hectares make it feel far removed from the city.

I especially like the giraffe walkway, where you can meet these gentle giants at eye level, and the free electric train, which saves your feet on a very large site. The main thing to watch is the address: this ticket is for Tierpark in East Berlin, not Berlin Zoo in the west.

Key points to know before you go

• Life-size dinosaurs until fall 2025: See T. Rex, Triceratops, and other prehistoric animals alongside the regular zoo exhibits.
• Africa Savannah opened in 2023: Zebras, gazelles, wildebeests, ostriches, and giraffes share a large themed area with rock formations and waterholes.
• A truly large zoo: The 160-hectare grounds are best treated as a full-day outing, not a quick two-hour stop.
• Free electric train: Use the train to reach different stations and reduce walking between distant animal areas.
• Two easy public transport entrances: The Bärenschaufenster entrance is by U5, while the Schloss entrance is served by trams M17, 27, and 37.
• Admission only: Food, drinks, souvenirs, and guided tours cost extra.

What your Tierpark Berlin day looks like

Tierpark Berlin is less like a compact city zoo and more like a broad animal park where the spaces between exhibits matter. You can spend the day moving through wooded paths, open enclosures, themed areas, and large stretches of parkland.

Your ticket is valid for one day, so I would not plan to squeeze Tierpark between several major Berlin sights. The size is part of the appeal, but it also means you need time. A short visit may leave you seeing only a fraction of the grounds.

The park presents animals from many parts of the world. You can move from African grassland species to Himalayan animals, then continue toward the tropical setting of South East Asian tigers. The range gives the day a clear sense of variety, though the distances between areas are worth keeping in mind.

The free electric train is particularly useful for families, older visitors, or anyone who wants to save energy for the animals. It runs between various stations on the grounds and lets you reach more of the park without walking every stretch. Check the train stops when you arrive, then use it as part of your plan rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Africa Savannah and the giraffe walkway

The Africa Savannah, opened in 2023, is one of the park’s main reasons to visit now. Its broad setting brings zebras, gazelles, wildebeests, and ostriches together around rock formations, sandy rises, and waterholes.

The design gives you more than a series of small animal displays. You get a sense of how these species share an African setting, even though the area is still a managed zoo environment. The open arrangement also makes this a strong stop for families, since there is plenty to look at without moving from one small enclosure to the next.

The highlight is the giraffe walkway. It brings you up to the height of these tall animals, giving you a closer view than you usually get from a standard viewing area. If giraffes are high on your list, make this area a priority rather than hoping you will happen upon it late in the day.

You may want to plan your timing around your children’s patience. The savannah area is a good early stop because it offers several recognizable animals in one place, while the giraffe walkway provides a clear moment to look forward to.

Dinosaurs until fall 2025

The temporary dinosaur exhibition adds something unusual to a zoo visit. Life-size figures of T. Rex, Triceratops, and other prehistoric animals are displayed around Tierpark until fall 2025.

For children, this can turn the day into two adventures at once: living animals and creatures from a vanished world. Adults may appreciate the change of pace, too, especially if some members of your group are more excited by dinosaurs than by smaller zoo species.

Because this exhibition is temporary, it should not be the only reason you buy a ticket unless your visit falls within the stated period. If you are visiting after fall 2025, check the current program before booking, since the dinosaur displays may no longer be present.

The dinosaur area also helps break up a long day. After spending time at the savannah or big-cat areas, prehistoric figures offer a different kind of stop without leaving the park.

Tigers, snow leopards, and Himalayan animals

Tierpark’s animal collection covers several distinct regions. In the Himalayas section, you can look for snow leopards, takins, and other animals associated with high mountain habitats.

This part of the park gives the day a quieter, more regional rhythm. The animals are a good counterpoint to the large African species, and the setting helps you think about how different climates shape animal life. You might find that the Himalayan area appeals most to visitors who enjoy watching less familiar species rather than focusing only on famous zoo favorites.

The South East Asian section brings a stronger jungle feel, with majestic tigers as its main attraction. Seeing tigers in a themed setting can be one of the day’s most memorable stops, though the experience remains dependent on the animals’ behavior and location at the time of your visit.

That is worth remembering at any zoo. A ticket gives you access to the habitats, not a guarantee that every animal will be visible. Give yourself enough time to pause at each area instead of rushing from one name on the map to the next.

Vari Forest, birds of prey, and the petting zoo

Vari Forest offers a walk-through animal encounter, letting you enter an environment with birds. The appeal here is the change from viewing animals across a barrier to moving through their habitat area. Follow the park’s rules carefully, and do not feed animals.

The flight show brings birds of prey close overhead as they circle above you. It adds a scheduled performance element to a day that otherwise depends on your own route through the park. If you want to see it, check the timing when you arrive, since the supplied ticket information does not give a fixed show schedule.

Families with younger children will likely want to include the petting zoo. It provides a hands-on moment after larger animal exhibits, and it is the kind of stop that can keep small children interested when the walking begins to wear them down.

These areas also show why Tierpark works well for mixed-age groups. One person can be interested in rare mammals, another in birds, and children can look forward to the petting zoo and dinosaurs.

Choosing the right entrance from Berlin

You have two entrances, and the best one depends on your route.

The Bärenschaufenster entrance is by Tierpark U-Bahn station on line U5. This is the straightforward choice if you are coming from central Berlin by subway, including from the Alexanderplatz area.

The Schloss entrance is served by trams M17, 27, and 37. Check which line fits your starting point and destination, since choosing the wrong entrance can add extra walking across a very large site.

There is parking at both entrances for a daily fee of €5. That is a useful option if you are driving, but public transport is simple and avoids the need to deal with parking. Do not confuse Tierpark with Zoo Berlin. Berlin has two major zoological attractions, and this ticket is specifically for the East Berlin park in Friedrichsfelde.

That location mistake is the most important practical warning here. Before you leave your hotel, confirm that your route leads to Tierpark station or the Schloss entrance, not Berlin Zoological Garden near the western city center.

How much time should you allow?

The ticket is valid for one day, and the grounds cover 160 hectares. I would treat this as a full-day activity if you want to see the major themed areas, use the train, pause for food, and allow children time to enjoy the petting zoo and dinosaurs.

You can visit for less time, but the scale changes the value calculation. At $24 per person, the ticket makes more sense when you use several hours and see a wide range of habitats. A quick visit focused on one or two animals may feel expensive compared with a smaller city attraction.

Plan for weather, too. Much of the experience involves walking outdoors. Wear suitable clothing and bring any personal medication you need. The park itself recommends weather-appropriate clothing, and Berlin conditions can change during the day.

The final admission time changes by season. From March 25 through September 22, the last admission is 1.5 hours before the park closes at 6:30 pm. During the rest of the year, the last admission is one hour before closing. Do not arrive at the last possible moment and expect a full visit.

What the $24 ticket includes

The $24 price covers a one-day admission ticket. It does not include food, beverages, souvenirs, or guided tours.

I consider the price reasonable if you want a large, flexible day outdoors and plan to make use of the park’s many sections. The free electric train adds practical value, especially for families and anyone who does not want to walk the entire site.

The ticket is less compelling if you are looking for a short guided experience. There is no guide included, and you set your own route. That freedom is useful for families with different interests, but you will need to manage your own timing and decide which areas matter most.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the visit and the reserve-now, pay-later option make planning easier. Those policies are helpful if your Berlin schedule is still changing, but they do not change what the ticket includes once you enter.

Access, rules, and what to leave at home

Tierpark is wheelchair accessible, which makes the large grounds more practical for visitors using wheelchairs. Mobility scooters are not permitted, so check that restriction before booking if someone in your group depends on one.

You may bring a dog only if it is on a short leash. Other pets are not permitted. Bikes, skateboards, scooters, and skates are also not allowed, so plan to move around on foot or use the free electric train.

The park prohibits drones, selfie sticks, speakers, flashlights, flash photography, and indoor smoking. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted, and feeding the animals is forbidden. These rules protect the animals and help keep the walk-through areas manageable.

Bring weather-appropriate clothing and personal medication. You will have a better day if you plan for outdoor conditions rather than treating Tierpark like a quick indoor museum visit.

Who will enjoy Tierpark Berlin most?

I would recommend this ticket to families who want a full day with varied activities. The dinosaurs, petting zoo, giraffe walkway, electric train, and large animal areas give children several different things to anticipate.

It also suits animal lovers who prefer a spacious park with many regional habitats. The snow leopards, takins, tigers, giraffes, zebras, and birds of prey offer plenty of variety.

You may want to choose another Berlin activity if you have only a few hours, dislike long walks, or want a guided tour with a fixed story and schedule. The park is large and self-directed, so you need to take responsibility for your route.

The main practical choice is not just Tierpark or no Tierpark. It is also deciding if your group wants a relaxed full-day outing outside the most central sightseeing zone. From Alexanderplatz, the U5 makes the trip manageable, but this is still a dedicated excursion.

Should you book Tierpark Berlin?

Book it if you want a broad, family-friendly day with giraffes at eye level, a new Africa Savannah, a free train, and, through fall 2025, life-size dinosaurs. At $24 per person, the value improves the longer you stay and the more of the 160-hectare park you use.

Skip it if you are likely to rush in for an hour or if you might confuse it with Zoo Berlin in West Berlin. Confirm the entrance and transport route before you go. If you have the time, Tierpark offers a welcome change from Berlin’s museums and city streets, with enough variety to keep a mixed group interested.

FAQ

Is this ticket for Tierpark or Zoo Berlin?

It is for Tierpark Berlin in East Berlin. It is not a ticket for Zoo Berlin in West Berlin.

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day.

How do I reach Tierpark Berlin?

Use the Bärenschaufenster entrance near Tierpark U-Bahn station on line U5, or the Schloss entrance, served by trams M17, 27, and 37.

Is parking available?

Yes. Visitor parking is available at both entrances for a daily fee of €5.

Are the dinosaurs included?

The life-size dinosaur exhibition with T. Rex, Triceratops, and other dinosaurs is included as part of the park visit and is scheduled to run until fall 2025.

Is Tierpark wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair accessible. Mobility scooters are not permitted.