Peshawar Zoo: Timings and Tickets

Peshawar Zoo is on Palosi Road in Rahatabad, on the north-western side of Peshawar, beside the Pakistan Forest Institute and about 2 km north of the University of Peshawar. It is the first proper zoo Peshawar has had, open since February 2018 on about 29 acres, and it is open daily with a modest ticket price. For a family day out with children it makes an easy morning or late afternoon, well away from the crowds of the old city.

This guide covers timings and tickets, what's inside, and how to make the visit comfortable, especially in summer.

Timings and tickets

Peshawar Zoo is open daily, with hours generally running from around 9am to 7pm, though it's worth confirming this locally or by phone before you go, since zoo hours in Pakistan sometimes shift with the season. Ticket prices have been reported at roughly PKR 40 for adults and PKR 20 for children in recent listings, with the usual caveat that entry fees at public attractions in Pakistan change from year to year; bring a bit more cash than the figure you've read and pay whatever is posted at the gate.

Weekday mornings are quietest. Weekends, especially Friday afternoon through Sunday, draw much bigger crowds, particularly with families and school groups.

What's inside

As Peshawar's first zoo, opened in 2018, the collection is smaller and newer than long-established city zoos like those in Lahore or Karachi, but it covers a reasonable range: big cats including lions, along with other mammals, birds and reptiles, laid out along a walking path that's easy to follow with children or a pushchair. Recent visitor reports describe the animals as generally well kept, with a children's play area and park-like green spaces alongside the enclosures.

Don't expect the scale of Pakistan's older zoos. What Peshawar Zoo offers is a manageable, walkable visit rather than a full-day outing, which suits families with younger children who tire of long visits.

Planning a family day at the zoo

• Go in the morning or the last couple of hours before closing, especially from May to August, when Peshawar's midday heat makes an outdoor visit uncomfortable for children.
• Carry water. Refreshment stands inside the zoo aren't always open, so don't rely on buying drinks or snacks on site.
• Allow 2 to 3 hours for a relaxed walk around, more if children want to linger at particular enclosures.
• Check the current security situation before you travel to Peshawar at all; see below.

A simple shape for the day: arrive at opening time, walk the enclosures while it is cool, let the children use the play area, and leave by lunch. The zoo has an aviary, a children's park and a cycling track alongside the animal enclosures, which gives younger children a break from walking.

Some searches ask about a "family day" at the zoo. We could not confirm from any official source whether the zoo keeps family-only days or rules for groups of men, as some parks in Pakistan do, so if you are a group of friends without family, ask at the gate or call ahead.

If you're building a full day around it, our guide to places to visit in Peshawar has other family-friendly stops, and our one-day Peshawar itinerary shows how to combine sights across the city.

Getting there

The zoo is on Palosi Road in Rahatabad, on the north-western side of Peshawar, next to the Pakistan Forest Institute and just north of the University of Peshawar campus. It is some distance from the old city and Saddar, so a taxi or ride-hailing app is the easiest way to reach it. The nearest Peshawar BRT stop is at the university on the main road, about 2 km south, so if you're using public transport, budget a rickshaw fare for the last stretch.

Is it worth visiting?

For a family with young children, yes, as an easy, low-effort outing that doesn't demand the walking or crowd tolerance the old city bazaars do. For visitors without children, or anyone short on time, the old city's heritage trail, museum and bazaars are a better use of a limited visit to Peshawar. Combine the zoo with a nearby stop rather than making it the centrepiece of your day.

Is it safe to visit?

Peshawar Zoo itself is a normal public attraction with no particular risk of its own, but Peshawar as a whole carries a more serious security advisory. As of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel to Peshawar, so check local news and current police advice before you travel, and if you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's guidance too, since travelling against it can affect your travel insurance. Our guide to whether Peshawar is safe sets out the current picture in full.

Frequently asked questions