Spread across nearly 380 acres near Mir Alam Tank, Nehru Zoological Park is Hyderabad’s biggest and most popular wildlife destination, home to well over a thousand animals housed in a genuinely thoughtful, zoologically ordered layout. Since opening to the public back in 1963, it’s remained a favourite weekend spot for families across the city, offering a mix of walking trails, a battery-operated safari, a toy train and a large aquarium, all in one visit. Here is a complete and updated guide to Nehru Zoological Park Timings , ticket prices and everything else worth knowing for 2026.
Location and Address
Nehru Zoological Park sits close to Mir Alam Tank in Bahadurpura, on the southwestern side of Hyderabad, and is easily reachable from most parts of the city.
Address: Nehru Zoological Park, Zoo Park Main Road, Kishan Bagh, Bahadurpura, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500064
The park lies along NH 44, roughly 9 kilometres from central Hyderabad, keeping it a manageable drive whether you’re coming from the old city or the newer parts of Hyderabad.
Nehru Zoological Park Timings 2026
The zoo’s operating hours shift with the season to work around daylight and animal comfort, and it consistently closes one day a week for maintenance.
| Season | Timings |
|---|---|
| April to June | 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM |
| July to March | 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (some sources list up to 5:00 PM) |
| Weekly closure | Monday |
There’s a bit of inconsistency across sources regarding the exact July to March closing time, with some listing 4:00 PM and others closer to 5:00 PM, and a small number of older listings even mention Tuesday as the closure day instead of Monday. Given how often this detail shifts and varies by source, it’s genuinely worth double-checking the current timing with the zoo directly, especially if you’re planning to arrive later in the day, since ticket counters typically stop selling entry passes about 30 minutes before the official closing time.
Lion and Tiger Safari Timings
The park’s safari section, which takes visitors through enclosures in a vehicle rather than on foot, runs on its own separate schedule.
| Activity | Timings |
|---|---|
| Lion and Tiger Safari | 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Since the safari has its own cut-off time that’s earlier than the general park closing time, it’s worth prioritising this if it’s a must-do part of your visit, particularly if you’re arriving later in the day.
Nehru Zoological Park Ticket Price
Entry pricing was revised starting March 2025 to help fund ongoing facility improvements and maintenance, and the updated rate remains the current standard reported across most recent sources.
| Category | Ticket Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | ₹100 |
| Children (3 to 12 years) | ₹50 |
| Children below 3 years | Free |
A number of older listings still show a lower pre-revision rate, generally around ₹50 for adults and ₹30 for children, along with a separate weekday and weekend pricing structure that was reportedly in place at an earlier point. Given how much these figures have shifted, ₹100 for adults and ₹50 for children represents the most consistently confirmed current rate, but it remains worth checking at the counter on the day of your visit.
Safari and Toy Train Charges
Beyond the standard entry ticket, a couple of the park’s most popular add-on experiences come with their own separate pricing.
| Activity | Adult Price | Child Price |
|---|---|---|
| Toy Train Ride | ₹80 | ₹40 |
| Lion and Tiger Safari | ₹150 to ₹300 | Lower rate, confirm at counter |
The safari runs on quiet, environment-friendly battery-operated vehicles, offering a genuinely hassle-free way to see the bigger animals compared to walking the entire zoo on foot, which makes it one of the more popular add-ons despite the extra cost.
Best Time to Visit
Late morning, roughly between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, is the most commonly reported window among visitors, striking a balance between avoiding the very first rush at opening and still catching the animals reasonably active before the afternoon heat sets in. In terms of season, the park is considered enjoyable throughout the year, though the cooler months make for a more comfortable walk given how large the property is. Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends, so if avoiding queues at both the entry counter and the safari ticket window matters to you, plan your visit for a weekday rather than a Saturday or Sunday.
How to Reach
Nehru Zoological Park’s location along NH 44 keeps it accessible from across Hyderabad.
- By road: Approximately 9 kilometres from central Hyderabad via the Hyderabad-Bangalore National Highway, easily reached by taxi, auto or private vehicle.
- By bus: Regular city buses connect to the Bahadurpura and Kishan Bagh area.
- By metro: Hyderabad Metro connectivity is available to nearby stations, with onward local transport covering the last stretch to the park.
- Parking: Available near the main entrance for visitors arriving by private vehicle.
What to See Inside
Nehru Zoological Park’s biggest claim to fame is that it was the first zoo in India to arrange its animals in proper zoological order, grouping species according to their evolutionary and taxonomic relationships rather than a more arbitrary layout. With more than 1,500 animals across the property, visitors can expect to see Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions, Indian rhinos, panthers, Indian elephants, pythons, deer and antelope, among many others. The large aquarium adds a completely different dimension to the visit, showcasing both freshwater and marine species in one dedicated section. The toy train offers a relaxed way to cover ground between enclosures, particularly useful for young children or anyone who’d rather not walk the entire 380-acre property on foot, while the battery-operated safari vehicles give visitors a closer, quieter look at some of the park’s larger and more elusive residents.
Facilities Available
The park is well set up for a full day visit, with food stalls and rest areas scattered throughout the grounds, and outside food is generally permitted inside the zoo, giving families the flexibility to carry their own snacks and meals if they prefer. Plastic bottles, plastic bags and polythene covers are not allowed inside, in keeping with the park’s broader environmental focus, so it’s worth carrying reusable containers or being prepared to switch to permitted alternatives at the entrance. As of recent updates, only cash is accepted for ticket bookings at the counter, so it’s worth carrying sufficient cash rather than relying on card or digital payments.
Tips for a Smooth Visit
Most visitors report needing anywhere from 3 to 6 hours to properly cover the park, depending on how many of the add-on experiences like the safari and toy train are included, so it’s worth planning your day with that time frame in mind rather than expecting a quick hour-long walkthrough. Since ticket counters typically stop selling entry passes about 30 minutes before closing, arriving with a comfortable buffer before the listed closing time is a sensible precaution, particularly during the shorter July to March operating window. If the safari is a priority, keep in mind its earlier 4:30 PM cut-off compared to the general park timing, and plan to reach that section of the park well before then.
Latest Update
This article was last checked and updated in 2026 to reflect the entry fee revision that came into effect in March 2025, along with the most consistently reported seasonal timings and safari schedule for Nehru Zoological Park. Since a few sources continue to report slightly different closing times and weekly off days, and prices at government-run zoological parks are periodically revised, it’s a good idea to confirm the current timing and ticket rate directly with the park before finalising your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Nehru Zoological Park timings?
The park generally operates from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM between April and June, and from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM between July and March, with Monday as the weekly closure day.
What is the current entry ticket price?
Following the March 2025 revision, adult tickets are priced at ₹100 and children’s tickets (ages 3 to 12) at ₹50, with children below 3 entering free.
Is the safari included in the general entry ticket?
No, the Lion and Tiger Safari is charged separately, generally priced between ₹150 and ₹300, and runs on its own schedule from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Is outside food allowed inside the zoo?
Yes, outside food is generally permitted, though plastic bottles, bags and polythene covers are not allowed.
What is the best time of day to visit?
Late morning, roughly between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, is the most popular and comfortable window for most visitors.
Conclusion
Nehru Zoological Park remains Hyderabad’s most complete wildlife destination, combining a genuinely large and well-organised animal collection with the added convenience of a safari, toy train and aquarium all in one visit. With a little planning around seasonal timings and the safari schedule, it makes for an easy and thoroughly enjoyable full day out for families and wildlife enthusiasts alike.
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