San Diego Zoo

Planning your next trip to the Zoo? Don’t let Panda-monium become parking pandemonium! MTS runs direct, frequent service to the Zoo from downtown and central San Diego. Rapid 215 and Route 7 can get you from downtown to the Zoo in 15 minutes or less, and buses run every 15 minutes or better, daily.

Rapid 215 and Route 7 use dedicated bus lanes along Park Blvd north from downtown, allowing buses to more easily travel past vehicle traffic. Get off at the Zoo Place stop.

Connecting to Rapid 215:

  • From Downtown San Diego: Take the Trolley to Santa Fe Depot or City College stations
  • South County: Take the UC San Diego Blue Line Trolley or Rapid 225 to City College
  • From North County: Take the UC San Diego Blue Line south to Santa Fe Depot, or Rapid 235 to Boulevard Transit Plaza (I-15 and El Cajon Blvd), or City College
  • From East County: Take the Green Line Trolley to SDSU Transit Center

Connecting to Route 7:

  • From Downtown San Diego: Take the Trolley to City College
  • From North County: Take Rapid 235 to City Heights Transit Plaza (I-15 and University Ave)

Key Travel Times:

  • Santa Fe Depot to the Zoo: 14 minutes
  • City College to the Zoo: 6 minutes
  • Boulevard Transit Plaza to the Zoo: 17 minutes
  • SDSU to the Zoo: 34 minutes

Please note, there may be longer than expected travel times due to increased vehicle traffic around the Zoo. For the most accurate updates, please use the OneBueAway app for real-time arrival information, and check the Alerts & Detours page for any delays or service changes.

Rapid 215 at Santa Fe Depot

Park & Ride Lots

MTS’ network of free parking stations can help you cut down on your travel time. Free parking for transit users is available at many Trolley stations, as well as select Rapid transit stations. See some more popular stations below, or view the full list of available park and ride lots.

  • Old Town Transit Center (Green Line or Blue Line, 9 minutes to Santa Fe Depot)
  • Morena/Linda Vista (Green Line, 12 minutes to Santa Fe Depot)
  • Tecolote Trolley Stations (UC San Diego Blue Line, 13 minutes to Santa Fe Depot)
  • Balboa Avenue Transit Center (UC San Diego Blue Line, 18 minutes to Santa Fe Depot)
  • Euclid Avenue Transit Center (Orange Line, 19 minutes to City College)
  • 70th Street Transit Center (Green Line, 5 minutes to SDSU and Rapid 215)
  • Grossmont Transit Center (Green Line, 9 minutes to SDSU and Rapid 215 or Orange Line, 38 minutes to City College)
  • E Street (UC San Diego Blue Line, 21 minutes to City College)
  • H Street (UC San Diego Blue Line, 23 minutes to City College)

Paying for your Fare

Riders have more options than ever before to buy a transit fare with ease:

Kids ride FREE.

If making a trip with youth 18 and under, they can ride free with the Youth Opportunity Pass program (requires PRONTO app or card). Youth can register online (please plan ahead and allow a few days for approval), or call the PRONTO Support Team (619-595-5636) for more immediate assistance. Learn more about the Youth Opportunity Pass program.

Children 5 and under ride MTS free at all times, no PRONTO fare card needed.

In addition, two kids 12 and under can ride free on weekends (Saturdays and Sundays), with each paying adult as part of the MTS Family Weekends promotion.

Contactless Payments

Just making a one-way or round-trip? Simply tap your contactless credit or debit card, including your mobile or smartwatch wallet, on a validator before you board. An adult one-way fare ($2.50) will be charged to your card, and includes free transfers for two hours (you must use the same credit card every time you tap!) Visa, Mastercard and Discover cards are accepted.

Keep in mind that you cannot pay for more than one passenger with the same card.

Mobile App

Ready to explore more of San Diego for the whole day? Download the PRONTO app and load $6 to your card (the value of a Day Pass). Scan the QR code at a PRONTO validator, and a one-way fare ($2.50) will be deducted from your balance (includes free transfers for two hours). If you make more than two trips in a day, you will stop being charged at $6, and will have unlimited transfers the rest of the day!

At this time, you cannot pay for more than one passenger per mobile app.

Reduced Fares for Senior and Disabled Passengers

Senior (65+) and disabled riders are eligible for discounted transit fares ($1.25 on-way or $3/day). Apply for a discounted Senior, Disabled or Medicare (SDM) fare online (please plan ahead and allow a few days for approval), or call the PRONTO Support Team (619-595-5636) for more immediate assistance. Learn more about Reduced Fares.

Traveling with Kids on MTS

Tips for Traveling with Children

Strollers and Wagons

MTS allows collapsable wagons and strollers on board (measuring less than 30" tall, 18" wide, and 18" deep (not including handle and/or wheels).

  • All MTS vehicles are equipped with ramps to allow for easier boarding. Press the Blue ADA button on Trolley doors, or ask the bus operator to deploy the ramp for you.
  • Be mindful to not block aisles. Please collapse strollers and wagons, and keep items out of the aisles to allow for clear walking paths for other passengers.

Stay Seated:

  • Trains and buses can be very exciting for little humans (we love them too!) For their safety, please encourage your child to stay seated at all times, or to hold on to a hand rail if standing. (You too, mom – dad – grandpa – auntie, etc.)

Food and Drinks:

  • Drinks must be in spill proof or screw-top containers. Please keep lids on cups at all times while on board.
  • Please refrain from eating on board – snacks and food items should be consumed before boarding or after exiting vehicles.

Trash:

  • Trash cans are available at all Trolley stations, and many bus stops. Please throw any trash away in the proper bin to help keep our stations and vehicles clean for others.

Looking for more tips? Visit our Respect the Ride (etiquette) or Think FAST (safety) pages for more info.