Hellabrunn to adjust admission prices in two stages

This is due to the significant rise in operating, energy, feed and staff costs over recent years. The aim of the adjustment is to secure the zoo’s long-term operation and to ensure that the high standards of animal care, species conservation, education and visitor services are maintained in the future.

“Our aim is to ensure that Hellabrunn Zoo continues to maintain the high standards that our visitors know and appreciate. Despite intensive efforts to achieve sustainable cost savings and operate more efficiently, the sharp rise in expenditure unfortunately makes an adjustment to admission prices unavoidable,” explains Zoo Director Dr h.c. Rasem Baban.

Rising energy prices, in particular, are placing a strain on the zoo’s day-to-day operations. At the same time, the cost of high-quality animal feed has also risen significantly in recent years. Fresh fruit and vegetables, cereals, dietary supplements, as well as fish and meat, now cost considerably more than they did just a few years ago. Added to this are increased costs for the complex veterinary care required for the zoo’s extensive animal population. However, Hellabrunn will not compromise on the quality of care and welfare provided to its animals in future. Staff costs have also risen. As a municipal zoo, Hellabrunn bears responsibility for its approximately 200 employees. Remuneration is based on the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD) and continues to evolve in line with collective bargaining agreements.

In order to keep the financial burden on visitors as low as possible, the increase in day ticket prices is being implemented deliberately in two moderate stages. On 1 October 2026, the adult day ticket price will rise by 3 euros. This will be followed by a further increase of 2 euros on 1 October 2027. Children’s day tickets will increase by 1 euro in each stage. The Small Family Day Ticket will be adjusted by 3 euros in each of the two stages. For the Large Family Day Ticket, the increase will be 6 euros in the first stage and 5 euros in the second stage.

Annual passes will remain unchanged. This means they will continue to be the most attractive option for year-round visits to the zoo, particularly for Munich residents and all regular visitors. “The price adjustment is not intended to generate profit, but solely to secure the zoo’s ongoing operations in the long term under the changed economic conditions,” emphasises zoo director Dr h.c. Rasem Baban.

Even after the adjustment, Hellabrunn remains one of the most affordable zoos in Germany when compared with other major zoological institutions. The admission revenue enables the zoo’s day-to-day operations, the care of the animals, necessary maintenance, educational programmes and its involvement in international species conservation. The additional revenue generated by the price adjustment will be used exclusively to offset the increased operating, energy, feed and staff costs and to safeguard the quality of the zoo in the long term.

New admission prices at a glance

Translated by Deepl /AI