Theme park · Tampa
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: free military tickets, prices & hours
Africa-themed theme park and zoo in Tampa with big coasters (Iron Gwazi, SheiKra, Montu) and a Serengeti safari plain.
Independent guide, not the official Busch Gardens Tampa website. Official links are under Sources.
Busch Gardens Tampa is free for some visitors, not for everyone.
- Free for: Waves of Honor: one free single-day visit a year for active-duty military and up to 3 direct dependents (through 31 Dec 2026).
- Otherwise: single-Day Ticket bought online (lowest date price) — $61.99.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- Waves of Honor: one free single-day visit a year for active-duty military and up to 3 direct dependents (through 31 Dec 2026): Claim online only: verify active-duty status with ID.me on the park's military page (create a free ID.me account), then print or save the eTicket. Spouses claim under the service member's ID.me login.
- Claim the free ticket online through ID.me on the park's military page before you go - it is not handed out at the gate. Spouses claim under the service member's login.
- The free visit is one park per year: if you already used it at SeaWorld or Busch Gardens Williamsburg in 2026, it is gone for Tampa too.
- Family of more than four? Extra tickets are 50% off (up to six) through the same login, or buy discounted tickets at a base MWR/ITT office.
- Veterans and retirees get no free ticket here in late 2026 - only the discounted Military Pass.
- Not valid at Adventure Island next door or for Howl-O-Scream nights.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free forWaves of Honor: one free single-day visit a year for active-duty military and up to 3 direct dependents (through 31 Dec 2026) | military members and families | U.S. active-duty military, activated or drilling reservists and National Guard. Service member plus up to 3 direct dependents. One free admission per person per year at ONE park only (Busch Gardens, SeaWorld or Sesame Place Philadelphia) - using it elsewhere uses it up. Valid U.S. military ID (or dependent ID) matching the eTicket name, shown at the gate. Not valid at Adventure Island or for Howl-O-Scream and other separately ticketed events; blackout dates may apply. Not eligible: veterans, military retirees, inactive/standby/retired reserve, U.S. Merchant Marine and DoD civilians. | Yes |
Official prices
Busch Gardens Tampa ticket prices
| Single-Day Ticket bought online (lowest date price) — Date-based pricing: the online price changes by date; the compare-at gate price shown was $150.99. Parking and taxes extra. | $61.99 |
| Waves of Honor guest tickets: 50% off up to 6 single-day tickets (active-duty member must be present) — For extra family or friends beyond the 3 free dependents. | — |
| Military Pass - Busch Gardens Tampa Bay & Adventure Island, 12 months, no blockout dates, free parking (active duty and veterans, online via ID.me) — Unlimited visits for a year; also open to veterans. | $152.99 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (single-day ticket bought online (lowest date price)). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Busch Gardens Tampa
Timed-entry ticketTampa: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Ticket & Multi-Park Options★★★★☆ 4.1 · 398 reviewsfrom $96.67
Timed-entry ticketBusch Gardens Tampa: Entry Ticket with Optional Quick Queue★★★★☆ 4.4 · 122 reviewsfrom $89
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
Hours vary by date (late October 2026: mostly 10am-5pm, some days to 6 or 7pm); check the park calendar for your date.
10165 N McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
FAQ
Busch Gardens Tampa: common questions
Is Busch Gardens Tampa free?
Busch Gardens Tampa has no free entry for everyone. Also free: Waves of Honor: one free single-day visit a year for active-duty military and up to 3 direct dependents (through 31 Dec 2026). Otherwise the official ticket costs $61.99.
Who gets free entry to Busch Gardens Tampa?
Military members and families — u.S. active-duty military, activated or drilling reservists and National Guard. Service member plus up to 3 direct dependents. One free admission per person per year at ONE park only (Busch Gardens, SeaWorld or Sesame Place Philadelphia) - using it elsewhere uses it up. Valid U.S. military ID (or dependent ID) matching the eTicket name, shown at the gate. Not valid at Adventure Island or for Howl-O-Scream and other separately ticketed events; blackout dates may apply. Not eligible: veterans, military retirees, inactive/standby/retired reserve, U.S. Merchant Marine and DoD civilians..
Do I need to book for free entry to Busch Gardens Tampa?
Claim online only: verify active-duty status with ID.me on the park's military page (create a free ID.me account), then print or save the eTicket. Spouses claim under the service member's ID.me login.
How much is a ticket to Busch Gardens Tampa?
Single-Day Ticket bought online (lowest date price) costs $61.99 on the official site.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Busch Gardens Tampa
No reviews yet. Been here? Tell others how it went — especially on a free day.
Write a review
Sources
Where this comes from
- buschgardens.com/tampa/tickets/military-discount/ · checked Tuesday, 27 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.