Are you looking everywhere online trying to figure out where to find cheap theme park tickets for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?
No need to look any further, I have the best recommendations for you!
Thrilling, belly drop roller coasters; live safari animals; and a sky high gondola…those are just a few of the reasons you NEED to visit Busch Gardens Tampa, if you haven’t already.
But, as you already know, like with any other theme park you visit, these awesome experiences don’t come free.
In fact, without a Busch Gardens coupon, you won’t even be able to enter the park without shelling out $135!
And as much as we all love theme parks, we have to admit, that’s pretty darn expensive!
…So what can you do to satisfy your theme park craving and your budget?
Well, today we’ve got you covered with the best places to get discounted Busch Gardens tickets, and money-saving tips and tricks!
So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
Some of these deals have expiration dates after all!
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Busch Gardens Tampa Tickets at a Glance:
- Groupon is my favorite place to get discounted tickets for Busch Gardens Tampa
- With the money you’ve saved from your cheap Busch Gardens tickets above, you can buy some other ticket add-ons to make the most of your park visit!
- For a LIMITED TIME, tickets for Busch Gardens Tampa start at $99
- Upgrade your ticket to a Fun Card where you PAY FOR A DAY & GET ALL OF 2024 FREE!
1. The Official Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Website!
Ok, I know this one sounds a little obvious if you’re looking to find your discounts, but it’s still worth mentioning!
BuschGardens.com oftentimes has their own exclusive deals that no other website can compete with, especially now!
And, the best part? They drop them straight into your email inbox!
So, how can you sign up and be among the first to hear about cheap Busch Gardens tickets?
Click this link to get to the Busch Gardens homepage. There, a pop up box will alert you that you’re eligible to receive the “Deal of the Day!” Exciting, right?
The deals you get are random, which may not be quite the consistency you were looking for in a Busch Gardens deal, but it’s still a fun, reliable option nonetheless!
Additionally, Busch Gardens is currently running an exclusive online offer for guests who purchase admission tickets online, ahead of their visit.
Visit this link right here for access to those Busch Gardens coupons and discounts.
Among them you’ll find $25 off a “date specific ticket,” $40 off a two park ticket, and “the rest of the year free” with your purchase of a Busch Gardens Tampa Fun Card, which will be valid until the end of this year.
P.S. If you don’t know what a Fun Card is, no worries, we got you covered with an in depth explanation right here!
2. Use Groupon (Favorite Way to Get Cheap Busch Gardens Tickets)
As you probably already know, the savings available at Groupon.com are seemingly endless…but did you know they have Busch Gardens coupons too?
It’s true!
Simply check out this link for the most current deals they are running for Busch Garden Tampa: which as of now, is almost 40% off single day tickets, and discounted Howl-O-Scream tickets!
However, as always applies with Groupon, do be sure to read the fine print prior to purchasing.
Some deals have limitations such as specific dates the tickets can be used, when the discounted tickets expire, and how many you are allowed to purchase.
Read: Groupon Busch Gardens: Money-Saving Travel Deals You Must Get TODAY!
3. Tampa Bay CityPASS
If in addition to being a ThemeParkHipster you are also a city hopping enthusiast, then you’ve probably heard of CityPASS before.
But, just in case you haven’t, I’m happy to give you a brief overview.
Basically, think of CityPASS like a park hopper ticket, but for various attractions in big cities. Places like New York City, Chicago, and OF COURSE, Tampa apply!
You simply pay a flat fee, and then have access to multiple excursions, usually saving you big bucks in the long run by bundling multiple attraction tickets together into one purchase.
And of course, we’re happy to report that Tampa Bay’s CityPASS includes admission into Busch Gardens.
What does that mean for you?
If you’re looking to do multiple attractions in the Tampa area, including The Florida Aquarium, Museum of Industry and Science, and more, you’ll save 51% on all of those admission tickets in the long run.
So while this option may not be a good Busch Gardens coupon, if you’re just looking for a theme park discount and nothing more…
It’s a GREAT money saving option for those adventurers who like to pack in LOTS of experiences for a LITTLE bit of money.
Get your cheap Busch Gardens Tickets with CityPASS TODAY!
4. Undercover Tourist
If you’ve Googled “discounted theme park tickets Orlando” before, you’ve likely heard of UndercoverTourist.com. The thing is, most people wonder…is the site legit?
All the ticket bundles, discounts, and resort offers are too good to be true, right? Wrong!
I’m happy to report that this site is 100% legit and has thousands of happy customer reports to back them up.
And, in addition to discounted Busch Gardens Tampa park tickets, they even have “Discovery Cove Bundles!”
Meaning for a discounted rate you can visit Busch Gardens, Discover Cove, Aquatica, and/or SeaWorld Orlando for one great price!
5. Waves of Honor Program
If you or an immediate family member are active members of the military, then you can receive complimentary passes to Busch Gardens!
How? Simply head to this link on the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay website and select which passes you’d like to redeem.
*Hint* it can be for any SeaWorld Entertainment park, which includes SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place, and Busch Gardens!
Read: How to Go to Busch Gardens Alone (11 Easy Solo Travel Tips)
6. AAA Discount
If you’re a AAA member, then your theme park hopping days just got a whole lot cheaper!
AAA members can save up to 45% on Busch Gardens Tampa admission, and no, we don’t just mean for a single day ticket.
AAA members have the option to use their cheap Busch Gardens tickets on a single day ticket, single day ticket with an all-day dining pass, Busch Gardens Fun Card, Busch Gardens and Adventure Island Fun Card, or any annual pass!
Get Your Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Tickets Today! CLICK HERE.
7. Viator
Similar to Undercover Tourist, Viator is an authorized seller of discounted theme park tickets, including Busch Gardens Tampa.
You’re likely to save at least $13 per person on a single day Busch Gardens pass at Viator, if not more.
And remember, as usual, the more tickets you buy, the more you save!
So, don’t hold back – buy that multi-day or multi-park ticket bundle, because it actually saves you more money in the long run!
Get Your cheap Busch Gardens Tampa Bay tickets with Viator TODAY!
8. Search Your Local News/Radio Stations’ Websites
Sometimes, there’s no better source of news than your local news or radio station.
Many of their websites will have a travel section that’s filled with theme park deals. Especially the Florida based new stations.
Read: Your Perfect Itinerary for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Florida Theme Park)
9. Local Groceries Stores
Many of the chain grocery stores, especially in the South, like Publix and Costco, offer discounted theme park tickets for places like Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
So, always double check these places when you’re looking to buy your theme park tickets.
Hipster Power Tip: Don’t forget to check out Florida Vacation Home Rental companies like Top Villas who also offer discounted tickets to Busch Gardens. So, you can book your vacation rental and theme park ticket with one company.
10. Use an Authorized Busch Gardens Tampa Vacation Planner (THEY’RE FREE!)
There are a lot of authorized travel agents in the Central Florida area. I personally use The Park Prodigy as my theme park vacation planner.
Travel agents can help you put your whole plan together. They usually know the different Busch Gardens Tampa Bay discounts and deals that are available right away before anyone.
They know the time frames that are best for you to book AND they’re also really good with when it comes to planning a customizable Florida vacation.
Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!
3 Top Tips for Visiting Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Now that you know where to find cheap Busch Gardens tickets, let’s go over a few tips to help you have a great visit!
1. Don’t Forget about Howl-O-Scream!
With Disney’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights both in Orlando, you might be worried about where you can get your theme park thrills this fall in Tampa.
Luckily for you though, Busch Gardens Tampa offers their own Halloween event called Howl-O-Scream . You can read our sinister to the event right here.
Read: Which is Better, Halloween Horror Nights or Howl-O-Scream?
2. Consider Purchasing Some Ticket Add-Ons
With the money you’ve saved from your cheap Busch Gardens tickets above, you can buy some other ticket add-ons to make the most of your park visit!
One of these add-ons is called “Quick Queue.” Think of it like Universal’s Express Pass, a paid benefit that lets you skip most of the lines.
This is definitely a timesaver if you plan on visiting Busch Gardens during high season aka: the holiday season, and is an average of $20 per one day visit.
Another one of our favorite, worthwhile add ons is the All-Day Dining Pass. This is definitely a recommended purchase if you plan eating more than 2 meals at the park. Why?
Well, at Busch Gardens, the typical adult can plan on spending $15 – $20 per meal, and of course, as is typical for theme parks – the price is a little steep!
But, with the All-Day Dining Pass, you pay $50 and can get one drink, one entrée, and one side or dessert…every hour and a half! Can you say delicious deal?!
Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!
3. Don’t Forget about the Animals!
Well ThemeParkHipster, I know you might be curious about the Busch Gardens deals because you love all the rides and the theme park atmosphere…
…but remember, at Busch Gardens there’s a WHOLE other kind of attraction to keep in mind: the animals!
While you might just want to visit them randomly as you go about your day, we also want to give you a few tips and tricks so you can see them in the most efficient way possible.
The first being that many of the animals at Busch Gardens Tampa, including the lions, tigers, and cheetahs, tend to nap…a lot! Especially on hotter days.
So, if you’re looking forward to seeing some active and awake animals, definitely consider going first things in the morning, before it gets too hot.
Additionally, remember that the Serengeti Railway is the best way to see all the animals without sacrificing a lot of time- and yes, it’s included in park admission!
If you’re worried about fitting in food, rides, and wildlife, worry no more! The Serengeti Railway will ensure you see all the wildlife in a flash!
Read: 17 Busch Gardens Must Do’s You Have to Experience
What to Know Before You Go to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Now that you have some of my best tips for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, let’s go over a few questions that you may have for your upcoming trip.
What is and isn’t included in Busch Gardens Tampa park admission?
I get it, Busch Gardens Tampa has A LOT going on. From crazy coasters to special events…so what actually is included in admission?
Well, with admission you can access all rides, including the Serengeti Railway. Additionally, you can view all the animals and shows on property.
What isn’t included in my Busch Gardens Tampa ticket?
- Food
- Drinks
- Parking
- Quick Queue (discussed above)
- Admission to Adventure Island Water Park
- The Serengeti Safari Tour ($40 to be a passenger in an open-air vehicle that allows you to pet, feed, and interact with the animals across the 65 acre preserve like never before)
- After hour events like Howl O’ Scream
Save on admission to Orlando’s famous attractions with Tripadvisor TODAY!
What’s new at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay?
The new Iron Gwazi roller coaster has officially opened and is a revamped version of the crowd favorite wooden Gwazi coaster.
This is North America’s TALLEST AND WORLD’S FASTEST & STEEPEST HYBRID COASTER!
The Serengeti Flyer has also opened at Busch Gardens Tampa and is one of the most intense rides in the park!
Check out my latest theme park adventures on Instagram TODAY!
What am I permitted to bring inside of Busch Gardens Tampa?
Bags, backpacks, and the like are ok to bring into Busch Gardens Tampa.
However, know that for the majority of the rides, belongings larger than a fanny pack cannot be brought on with you- and actually will end up costing you money!
What do I mean by this?
Well, since a lot of the roller coasters in Busch Gardens Tampa are pretty intense, if your bag is larger than a fanny pack, you’ll have to pay to put it in a locker for safety purposes.
Plus, lockers run by day ($15 for Standard, $20 for Large, and $25 for Jumbo) or by hour ($2 for the first two hours, plus $1 for each hour after).
So basically, if you want to save even more money during your Busch Gardens Tampa trip, travel light!
Additionally, unlike other popular Florida theme parks, food and drinks (outside of bottled water) are not permitted in the park…
So, that’s what makes the All-Day Dining Pass so worth it in my opinion!
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My Final Thoughts on Finding Cheap Busch Gardens Tickets
Well, I hope this article provided you with everything you were looking for!
From cheap Busch Gardens tickets to insider tips and tricks, I did a lot of research so you don’t have to!
Because, after all, a theme park trip is only as good as its preparation, and there’s nothing we enjoy more at ThemeParkHipster than setting you up for success for your next park visit!
So, have you ever tried any of the Busch Gardens discounts we mentioned above? Or, did we mention any new discount theme park ticket websites you haven’t tried out yet, but can’t wait to?
Let us know in the comments below. We can’t wait to hear about all the ways you plan on saving money during your next theme park adventure!
Unit next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Gina is a former Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line Cast Member who enjoys reliving the magic by writing helpful tips and tricks for future guests!
Check out more about her Disney adventures and writing endeavors at www.ginaarfi.net.
UP NEXT: Your Guide to Busch Gardens Annual Pass Benefits, Membership Plans, and More!
(Original Article Date: February 21, 2021/Updated by Editor on January 19, 2024)