What Is The Best Busch Gardens Deal

The best way to buy discount Busch Gardens Tampa tickets will depend on several factors. These include whether you intend to visit any other nearby SeaWorld Entertainment Parks, how long you expect to stay in the park, and what you plan to do once inside.

I've scoured the internet and trusted sources in my network to find the cheapest offers so that you can avoid testing promo codes, deals, and coupons that don't work. I specialize in helping people save money on theme park tickets and may be compensated should you purchase tickets via links in this article.

2021 Update: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is open, requires reservations to visit, and suggests pre-paid parking to minimize in-park transactions. You can read more about health and safety measures to expect during your visit.

Why visit? This African-themed park features nine roller coasters but is also Tampa's largest zoo with over 200 animal species.

Many people who are visiting Orlando theme parks include a visit to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Getting there is easy, thanks to a free shuttle service to the park from SeaWorld Orlando and other stops within Orlando.

Busch Gardens Tampa Ticket Prices, Reservations & Upgrades

A giraffe walks across a field at Busch Gardens in Florida. — Giraffe at Busch Gardens in Florida

Kids ages 0–2 are always free. Right now, you have to purchase tickets online to make your park reservation. Even though most tickets are etickets, you will need to bring your reservation, a photo ID, and your ticket with you to the park.

However, for comparison purposes, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay ticket prices at the gate for ages 3 and older are:

Single Day: $123.61
Single Day + All-Day Dining: $166.60
Two Park Ticket (no blockout dates): $183.81
Three Park Ticket (no blockout dates): $196.71
Four Parks: Unlimited Visits + Free Parking: $232.99

Multi-park tickets include your choice of SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando (the water park across the street from SeaWorld), Busch Gardens Tampa, and Adventure Island Tampa (open seasonally).

It's important to read all terms and conditions before purchasing Busch Gardens Tampa Bay tickets. Be sure that they do not expire before your visit and check refund or transfer policies.

Two Ways to Upgrade Your Day

If you're going to spend a full day at this Tampa theme park, you may want to skip lines and purchase a dining package. And, yes, they can be added to discount Busch Gardens Tampa Bay tickets. Here's how they work.

1. Special Offers From Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Online

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers numerous different admission ticket options via its website.

Please note that they charge a $9.99 service fee and tax on every online order. So, it may make more sense to use option #2 below depending on how the taxes and service fee impact your group.

You must make a reservation to visit the park once you have purchased a ticket.

Multi-Park tickets include these SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment theme parks: SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Adventure Island Tampa (open seasonally).

2. Discount Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Only and Multi-Park Tickets

I can offer discounted tickets to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay that are powered by aRes Travel, an authorized ticket seller to major attractions across the United States.

These tickets are issued in a print-at-home or a mobile format so that you can head straight to the gate without the need to redeem a ticket voucher.

The link to make the Busch Gardens Tampa reservations will be included on your ticket voucher. You will still need to bring your ticket and reservation confirmation with you to the park.

Two, Three, and Four Park ticket options include SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, and Adventure Island Tampa (open seasonally).

All taxes and fees are included in the ticket prices below.

Families ride a Busch Gardens Tampa roller coaster.

3. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Fun Card

Fun Cards are very popular SeaWorld Entertainment park tickets for guests who plan to visit more than once a year.

In the case of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, a Fun Card entitles the pass holder to unlimited visitsthrough December 31, 2021, and throughout 2022. Some blockout dates apply that include:

July 3-4, 13, 15, 20, 22
December 30

Fun Cards are not valid for parking, meals or drinks, or admission to select special events. Please read the fine print for details.

You can also buy a Fun Card that includes Adventure Island Tampa Bay. Adventure Island blockout dates are July 3-4, 7, 9, 21, 23.

A female lion at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

4. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Annual Passes

If you want to visit this Florida theme park more than once, a Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Annual Pass can be an even better option for you because it comes with member perks and additional discounts.

There are four different annual passes. Annual pass members are also required to make park reservations.

Bronze Annual Pass

The Bronze Annual Pass is valid for unlimited Busch Gardens Tampa Bay visits across 12 months with 8 blackout dates. You'll also receive admission to 2021 events, 10% off merchandise purchases, and other savings.

Silver Annual Pass

The Silver Annual Pass also includes unlimited visits for 12 months and free admission to 2021 events. You'll also receive free General Parking and two free Guest Tickets. Discounts include 10% off dining, 20% off merchandise purchases, 20% off Quick Queue, and more benefits.

Gold Annual Pass

Gold Annual Pass holders enjoy unlimited visits for 12 months, free admission to events, free Preferred Parking, four free Guest Tickets, 15% off of dining, 30% off merchandise purchases, 30% off of Quick Queue, and other perks.

Platinum Annual Pass

This is the annual pass for amusement park enthusiasts. You'll receive unlimited admission to 11 SeaWorld Entertainment parks across North America, including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, for 12 months.

It also includes free admission to events, free Preferred Parking, six free Guest Tickets, 20% off dining, 50% off merchandise purchases, 50% off Quick Queue, and much more.

5. CityPASS Tampa Bay

Do you plan to combine a visit to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with visits to other Tampa attractions?

The Tampa Bay CityPASS can save you up to 55% off of admission to five top things to do in Tampa Bay, including:

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Florida Aquarium
Zoo Tampa at LowryPark
Clearwater Aquarium or Chihuly Collection
Museum of Science & Industry or Tampa Boat Tours

All you need to do is buy your pass in advance, and get it on a mobile device or print it at home. Show the pass at any eligible attraction, and you're in for free.

Tampa Bay CityPASS is valid for nine consecutive days from the date of first use. As with any sightseeing pass, make sure the attractions you'd like to visit are included.

6. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Tickets and Vacation Packages

You will save money with a vacation package or special cheap Busch Gardens Tampa tickets packages. Current promotions include:

Kids Free Package with free child's admission with every paid adult admission.
Eat Free Package with one free All Day Dine per person.
Buy 2 Nights, Get 1 Free at various hotels.
SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Combo Package.
CityPASS Tampa Bay Packages that includes a hotel stay and a Tampa Bay CityPASS.

An adult and girl look at a cheetah through glass at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

7. AAA Discounts For Florida Residents

Florida residents who are AAA members can be entitled to purchase discount Busch Gardens Tampa tickets, in addition to other promotional offers.

However, be mindful that it can be less expensive to use one of the other discount options detailed above.

8. Military Discounts

Active military receives special offers through the Waves of Honor program. Active duty military, reservists, and national guardsmen, as well as up to and three direct dependents, will each receive one free ticket per year.

FAQs About Busch Gardens Tampa Tickets

Aerial view of Busch Gardens in Florida. — Roller coaster fun.

Is Busch Gardens Tampa Open?

Yes, the theme park is open daily, except for Wednesdays. Check the park calendar before purchasing your discount Busch Gardens Tampa tickets, as hours and days are subject to change.

What Are the Current Health and Safety Requirements?

You'll notice that tickets to most theme parks now have language that says that they can't guarantee guests won't be exposed to illnesses while in the park.

Guests are required to participate in temperature screening before entering Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, maintain the required distance between other guests, and wear face coverings if over age 2.

What If I Had Purchased Tickets for When the Park Was Closed?

If you had purchased admission before the park closure, rest assured that expiration dates have been extended. Single-Day and Unused Multi-Day tickets can be used until December 31, 2021.

If you purchased internationally, your tickets are extended until the first week of 2022. Annual passes will be automatically extended for the length of time the park was closed.

How Far Is Tampa Bay from Orlando?

It's roughly 65 miles from Orlando to Tampa Bay. The drive should take just over an hour.

Is there a Free Shuttle from Orlando?

Yes. Call 1-800-221-1339 to make free shuttle reservations on the Busch Gardens/SeaWorld Shuttle Express if you have purchased a multi-park ticket.

The list of departure locations includes SeaWorld Orlando, but you can call for other pick-up points. The shuttle departs from Orlando in the morning and returns from Tampa at the end of the day.

How do you buy discount Busch Gardens Tampa tickets?

Learn also how to buy discount:

Universal Orlando tickets
LEGOLAND Florida tickets
SeaWorld Orlando tickets
LEGOLAND California tickets
San Diego Zoo tickets
San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets
Disneyland tickets
Universal Studios Hollywood tickets
Knott's Berry Farm tickets
Aquatica San Diego tickets
Six Flags Magic Mountain tickets
Walt Disney World tickets
Cedar Point tickets
Kings Island tickets
SeaWorld San Antonio tickets
Six Flags Fiesta Texas tickets

Katie Dillon is the managing editor of La Jolla Mom. She helps readers plan San Diego vacations through her hotel expertise (that stems from living in a Four Seasons hotel) and local connections. Readers have access to exclusive discounts on theme park tickets (like Disneyland and San Diego Zoo) and perks at luxury hotels worldwide through her. She also shares insider tips for visiting major cities worldwide like Hong Kong, London, Paris, and Shanghai that her family has either lived in or visits regularly (or both).