Berlin Zoo Accessibility Guide

Overview

The Zoologischer Garten Berlin (Berlin Zoo) opened in 1844 and is one of the oldest and most species-rich zoos in Europe, home to over 20,000 animals from around 1,200 species. The zoo covers 35 hectares in the heart of Berlin's Tiergarten district, directly next to the Zoologischer Garten train station. Most paths are flat and paved, making the zoo accessible for wheelchair users. The aquarium building has an elevator. Wheelchair loan is available at the entrance. The zoo is rated "Mostly Accessible" because some secondary paths have gravel surfaces, and a few older animal houses have steps at the entrance.

Getting There

• S-Bahn/U-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten (S3, S5, S7, S9, U2, U9) has elevator access. The zoo's main entrance at the Elephant Gate (Elefantentor) on Budapester Strasse is a 2-minute roll from the station on flat pavement.
• Bus: Routes 100, 200, and 245 stop at Zoologischer Garten. All use low-floor buses.
• Accessible entrance: Both the Elephant Gate (Budapester Strasse) and the Lion Gate (Hardenbergplatz) entrances are step-free. The Elephant Gate is closest to the train station.

Wheelchair Accessibility

• The main paths through the zoo are paved asphalt or smooth concrete. These paths connect all major animal houses and viewing areas.
• Some secondary paths and shortcuts use gravel or compacted earth. After rain, these can become soft and difficult for wheelchair users. Stick to the main paved routes.
• The Aquarium Berlin (a separate building connected to the zoo) has an elevator providing access to all three floors: fish on the ground floor, reptiles on the first floor, and amphibians and insects on the second floor.
• Wheelchair loan is available free of charge at both entrance gates. First come, first served.
• The panda house (opened 2017) is fully accessible with wide doorways, smooth floors, and viewing windows at various heights including seated eye level.
• Most outdoor animal enclosures have viewing areas at wheelchair height or with lowered fence sections.
• Some older animal houses, such as the antelope house, have 1 to 2 steps at the entrance. Staff can advise on which buildings are fully step-free.

Accessible Toilets

Accessible toilets are located at multiple points throughout the zoo: near the Elephant Gate entrance, at the main restaurant, near the hippopotamus house, and inside the aquarium building. All have grab rails and emergency cords. Locations are marked on the zoo map.

Tips for Visitors with Disabilities

• Admission is 18.50 EUR per adult. One companion enters free when you show a disability ID with a "B" (Begleitperson) marker. This applies to both the zoo and aquarium.
• A combined zoo and aquarium ticket costs 24 EUR. If you plan to visit both, this is the better deal.
• Feeding times are posted at the entrance and on the zoo's website. Seeing the animals during feeding is worth planning around. Popular feeding sessions include penguins (2:30pm), sea lions (3:00pm), and wolves (3:30pm).
• The zoo has multiple cafes and restaurants. The main restaurant near the center of the zoo has step-free access, movable chairs, and accessible toilets nearby.
• Plan at least 3 to 4 hours for the zoo alone, or a full day if including the aquarium. The zoo is large and covering it all requires significant rolling distance.
• Shaded rest areas with benches are found throughout the zoo. In summer, the tree-lined paths provide natural shade.
• The zoo's playground near the petting area is partially accessible, with some ground-level interactive elements.
• Stroller and wheelchair paths overlap, so weekend afternoons can be crowded with families. Weekday mornings are quietest.