Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is two parks in one: a large zoo, with giraffes, rhinos and zebras roaming an African-style plain, and one of the most intense roller coaster parks in the country. It's in Tampa, about an hour and a half from Orlando, which is why many people search for "Busch Gardens Orlando" even though it isn't there. If your group mixes thrill-seekers with people who'd rather watch animals, it's one of the few parks where everyone leaves happy. This guide covers Busch Gardens tickets with prices from its website as of November 11, 2026, the rides to prioritize, how to get there from Orlando and how not to lose half the day in lines.
First things to know
- Where. North Tampa, near the University of South Florida, about 135 km (85 miles) from Orlando.
- Price. A date-specific one-day ticket was down to $71.99 on the official site; the any-day ticket cost $119.99.
- Parking. Paid separately; only the four-park pass includes it.
- Who it suits. Coaster fans and families with kids who want to see animals up close.
Which ticket to buy
Busch Gardens belongs to United Parks & Resorts, the same group as SeaWorld, and sells tickets with dynamic pricing: rates change by date and there's almost always a promotion. These were the prices published in November 2026.
| Ticket | Price | When it makes sense |
|---|---|---|
| One day, fixed date | from $71.99 | You've picked your day |
| One day, any date | $119.99 | You're unsure of the day or worried about rain |
| 2027 Fun Card | $89.99 | You'll visit twice or more in the year |
| Fun Card with Adventure Island | $118.99 | You also want the water park next door |
| SeaWorld Orlando + Busch Gardens | $93.99 total | You're visiting both parks on the trip |
The Fun Card costs less than two single-day tickets and gives unlimited visits during its validity; bought in late 2026, check whether it also covers the rest of the year, since these promotions often include it. If you're already planning SeaWorld Orlando, the two-park ticket works out to under $47 a day, among the cheapest you'll find in Florida.
No single-park ticket includes parking. Add it to your budget, along with food, which is pricey inside the park.
The coasters, from mild to extreme
Busch Gardens has record-setting coasters, and the order you ride them shapes your day.
- Iron Gwazi (2022). A wood-and-steel hybrid, the tallest of its type in North America and the fastest and steepest hybrid in the world. It's the park's star and has the longest line: ride it first.
- SheiKra (2005). North America's first dive coaster: it holds you at the top, staring at the ground, then drops you 200 feet at 90 degrees.
- Montu (1996). An inverted coaster with your feet dangling. When it opened it was the tallest and fastest of its kind in the world, and it remains a fan favorite.
- Cheetah Hunt (2011). Three launches and a long, fast, low course that runs past the cheetah habitat. Good for riders who don't love big drops.
- Tigris (2019). Short and intense, with forward and backward launches.
A recent change: Kumba, the classic 1993 coaster with seven inversions, closed in August 2026. If you read older reviews recommending it, it's gone.
For young children there's a kids' area, Sesame Street Safari of Fun, with rides at their scale and beginner coasters.
The animals: the half many people underrate
The park opened in 1959 as a garden attached to the Anheuser-Busch brewery, and animals are still its foundation: more than 12,000 animals from over 200 species, according to its own figures. The centerpiece is the Serengeti Plain, a 65-acre savanna where giraffes, zebras, rhinos and antelope live together. You see it from the train that circles the park and from several coasters that pass overhead.
To get closer, the park sells open-truck safaris that drive onto the plain and let you feed the giraffes. They cost extra and have limited spots; book them when you arrive or online. There's also the gorilla and chimpanzee habitat at Myombe Reserve and the tigers in the Jungala area.
Food: the all-day dining plan
Eating inside the park is expensive, and Busch Gardens knows it: that's why it sells tickets with All-Day Dining, which lets you eat at participating restaurants all day. In November 2026, the fixed-date ticket cost $71.99 alone and $111.99 with dining, so $40 extra. If you'll have lunch and dinner inside, plus a drink and a snack, it nearly pays for itself. If you plan to arrive at 10 and leave at 5 with one lunch, it doesn't.
Another way to save is to bring a reusable bottle and refill it at water fountains; in Florida heat you'll drink far more than you think.
How to get to Busch Gardens
The park is at 10165 N. McKinley Drive, in north Tampa.
- From downtown Tampa or the airport. 20 to 25 minutes by car or Uber.
- From Orlando. About an hour and a half on I-4, longer with traffic, which on that route is frequent.
- Without a car from Orlando. Agencies and tour operators sell transportation with admission included; compare the price against renting a car for a day.
You can reach it by HART bus from downtown Tampa, but the trip is long with transfers. If you don't drive, Uber is the practical choice.
How to plan the day
Arrive before opening. Head straight to Iron Gwazi, then SheiKra and Montu before noon, when lines grow. At midday, when the heat bites, do the calm stuff: the train, the animals, indoor shows. In the afternoon, go back for the coasters you missed. In summer, afternoon thunderstorms are almost daily and close outdoor rides for a while; have an indoor plan.
The best time to visit is October to May, when the heat eases and storms are fewer. In the fall the park runs Howl-O-Scream, its nighttime horror event, which requires a separate ticket.
Is it worth it if you're staying in Orlando?
Yes, if you love big coasters: Iron Gwazi and Montu are among the best in Florida and have no equivalent in Orlando. Also if your kids enjoy animals more than characters. If your trip is five days or less and you already have Disney and Universal, you probably won't have time. In that case, save it for a Tampa-based trip and pair it with the beach at Clearwater Beach, about 45 minutes away.
Frequently asked questions
How much is admission to Busch Gardens Tampa?
With a fixed date, from $71.99 according to the official site in November 2026; the any-day ticket was $119.99. Parking is extra.
Is Busch Gardens in Orlando?
No. Busch Gardens is in Tampa, about 135 km and an hour and a half from Orlando on I-4.
What rides does Busch Gardens have?
Coasters such as Iron Gwazi, SheiKra, Montu, Cheetah Hunt and Tigris, plus animal areas including the Serengeti Plain, gorillas and tigers. Kumba closed in August 2026.
What is the most intense coaster at Busch Gardens?
Iron Gwazi, the tallest hybrid coaster in North America. SheiKra, with its vertical drop, is the other one that intimidates most.
Is the Busch Gardens Fun Card worth it?
Yes, if you'll go twice or more. It costs $89.99, less than two single tickets, and gives unlimited visits while valid.