Parking at the Moscow Zoo: where to park your car in

Are you planning to visit Moscow Zoo by car, but don't know where to park? This problem is familiar to thousands of visitors: the zoo’s territory is located in the center of Moscow, where parking spaces are always in short supply. The official parking lot of the zoo is small, and the streets around it are a paid parking zone with high rates. In this article we will analyze all parking options: from official parking lots up to alternative solutions, and we’ll also tell you how to save on parking and avoid fines.

It is important to consider that Moscow Zoo consists of two territories - Old (Bolshaya Gruzinskaya st., 1) and New (Krasnaya Presnya st., 12). Their parking conditions are different: in the Old Territory, parking is extremely limited, while in the New Territory it is a little more spacious, but there are also traffic jams there on weekends. We've analyzed all the latest data for 2026, including prices, opening hours and customer reviews, to help you choose the best option.

Official parking of the Moscow Zoo: addresses and prices

The zoo has own paid parking, but it is small and often crowded. Main details:

• 📍 Address: st. Krasnaya Presnya, 12 (next to the main entrance to the New Territory). There is no official parking on the Old Territory (Bolshaya Gruzinskaya Street).
• 💰 Cost: from 300 to 500 rubles per hour depending on the day of the week. On weekends and holidays the rate is higher.
• ⏰ Working hours: from 9:00 to 20:00 (coincides with the zoo’s opening hours). The parking lot is closed at night.
• 🚗 Number of seats: about 150–200 parking spaces. During peak hours (11:00–15:00) there are almost no free places.

You can pay for parking through terminals on site or using mobile applications (Parking Moscow, Telemat). Important: Official parking is not reserved in advance - spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If you plan to come on a weekend, be prepared to have to look for an alternative.

⚠️ Attention: Valid in official parking number control. If you left the car without paying or exceeded the time limit, the fine will be 2,500–3,000 rubles. Photo recording works around the clock.

For visitors from disabilities Free parking spaces are provided (supporting documents must be presented). Their number is limited - only 5-7 places, so it is better to arrive early.

Paid parking near the zoo: map and tariffs

If the official parking lot is busy, you can use commercial parking nearby. Their advantage is that there are more free places, but their disadvantage is that the price is often higher than that of a zoo. Below are the current options for 2026:

Address	Cost (rub/hour)	Number of seats	Features
st. Krasnaya Presnya, 10 (parking "Presnya")	400–600	~300	Covered parking, 24 hours a day. Free shuttle to the zoo.
st. Bolshaya Gruzinskaya, 27 (parking "Gruzinsky")	350–500	~200	Open parking, payment via app Parkline.
st. Zoologicheskaya, 13 (parking "Zoological")	250–400	~150	Closer to the Old Territory. Often busy on weekdays.
st. Krasnaya Presnya, 14 (underground parking of the shopping center)	500–800	~500	The most expensive, but most reliable option. Video surveillance.

It is worth noting that rates may vary depending on the season. For example, in summer and on holidays prices rise by 20–30%. Some parking lots offer hourly discounts when paying through their mobile applications. For example, in Parkline You can get a 10% bonus on your first use.

Lifehack: If you plan to spend the whole day at the zoo, look for parking lots with daily rate. For example, in a parking lot on the street. Krasnaya Presnya, 14-day parking costs 1,500–2,000 rubles, which is cheaper than hourly fees.

Free parking near the Moscow Zoo: where to look

There are almost no free parking spaces near the zoo, but there are a few legal ways save:

• 🅿️ Streets outside the Moscow Ring Road: If you are willing to walk 10–15 minutes, you can park your car on free street sections 2nd Zvenigorodskaya or Konyushkovskaya (behind the intersection with Krasnaya Presnya Street). There is no paid parking, but watch the signs - sometimes parking is only allowed on even/odd days.
• 🏢 Business center parking: On weekends, some office centers (for example, on Gruzinsky Val Street) open their parking lots to visitors. Cost: 100–150 rubles/hour.
• 🚇 Intercept parking near the metro: At the stations "Barricade" and "Krasnopresnenskaya" There are paid parking lots (200–300 rubles/hour), but cheaper than next to the zoo. From there it's a 10-15 minute walk to the zoo.

Important: Don't park on lawns, sidewalks or in the courtyards of residential buildings. In the center of Moscow, tow trucks are actively working, and the fine for illegal parking is 5,000 rubles. They are especially strictly monitored on the streets. Big Gruzinskaya and Krasnaya Presnya.

⚠️ Attention: Recently, scammers have been placing homemade signs near the zoo that say “Parking - 200 rubles/hour” and issuing “receipts” on behalf of non-existent companies. Paying such “parking attendants” does not guarantee the safety of your car. Use only official parking lots or verified applications.

What to do if the car is towed?

If your car has been towed, call 8 (495) 539-54-54 (single information center of the State Public Institution "AMPP"). Check the address of the impound lot and prepare documents: license, vehicle registration certificate, passport. The fine for evacuation is 3,000 rubles + payment for tow truck services (from 5,000 rubles).

Parking for disabled people and families with children

For visitors from disabilities and families with small children The Moscow Zoo provides preferential parking conditions:

• ♿ Disabled people of groups 1–2: Free parking in the official zoo parking lot (must show proof of disability and vehicle ID). The seats are located closer to the entrance.
• 👶 Families with children under 3 years old: 50% discount on parking upon presentation of the child's birth certificate. Valid only in official parking areas.
• 🚼 Large families: On some days (usually Wednesdays) there is a promotion - free parking for families with many children (you need to show your ID). Check on the zoo's website.

Unfortunately, preferential seats are often occupied, so beneficiaries are advised to arrive before 10:00. You can also use social taxi (order through State Services), which will take you directly to the entrance.

For the convenience of families with strollers, the official parking lot has wide parking spaces and ramps. However, their number is limited, so it is better to arrive early.

Certificate of disability (if available)|Birth certificate of a child (up to 3 years old)|Identification card for a large family|Car document (STS or PTS)-->

How to get to the zoo without a car: alternatives to parking

If you don't want to waste time and money finding parking, consider alternative ways get to the zoo:

• 🚇 Metro: Nearest stations - "Barricade" (5 minutes walk to the Old Territory) and "Krasnopresnenskaya" (7 minutes to New Territory). From the metro to the zoo you can follow the signs or take trolleybus No. 6.
• 🚌 Public transport: Buses t6, 12, 64 and trolleybus 6 stop right at the entrance. The fare is 60 rubles (using a Troika card).
• 🚖 Taxi: Convenient if you are traveling with children or luggage. The average cost of a trip from the metro to the zoo is 150–200 rubles. You can order a child seat.
• 🚲 Bicycle: There are rental stations near the zoo Velobike. Cost - 5 rubles per 1 minute. Bicycle parking is available at both entrances.

Advantages of public transport: you avoid traffic jams Garden Ring and don't pay for parking. For example, travel by metro for a family of 4 people will cost 240 rubles (versus 1,500–2,000 rubles for parking).

If you still decide to go by car, but are afraid of not finding a place, you can use carpooling services (for example, BlaBlaCar). Often drivers driving past the zoo agree to give you a ride for a nominal fee.

Tips for visitors: how to avoid parking problems

So that your visit to the zoo is not overshadowed by searching for a parking space, use these practical advice:

1. Come early. There are usually free spaces in the official parking lot until 10:00. After 11:00 the influx of visitors begins.
2. Use mobile apps. Parking Moscow, Yandex.Maps and 2GIS show available parking spaces in real time.
3. Park on the outskirts. There are free places on the streets Konyushkovskaya and 2nd Zvenigorodskaya (10–15 minutes on foot).
4. Pay for parking in advance. Some parking lots (for example, on Krasnaya Presnya St., 14) allow you to book a space through the website.
5. Watch for the signs. There are many in the center of Moscow paid parking zones and dedicated lanes. The fine for stopping in a bus lane is 3,000 rubles.

What to do if the parking lot is full?

• 🔄 Drive around the block. Sometimes seats become available within 10–15 minutes.
• 📱 Look for parking in apps. Service Parkopedia shows all nearby parking lots with prices.
• 🚶 Park further and walk. For example, on the street. Druzhnikovskaya (20 minutes to the zoo).

If you came to large vehicle (minibus, camper), check in advance whether parking is suitable for you. In the official parking lot of the zoo, height restrictions are no more than 2.2 meters.

Frequently asked questions about parking at the Moscow Zoo

❓ How much does parking cost in the official zoo parking lot?

The cost of official parking for the Moscow Zoo in 2026 is 300–500 rubles per hour. On weekends and holidays the tariff is higher - up to 600 rubles/hour. Daily parking costs 1,500–2,000 rubles.

❓ Is it possible to reserve a parking space in advance?

No, official zoo parking lot does not support advance booking. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. However, some commercial parking lots nearby (for example, on Krasnaya Presnya St., 14) allow you to book a space through their website or app.

❓ Where can I find free parking near the zoo?

There are no completely free parking areas near the zoo, but you can park on the streets 2nd Zvenigorodskaya or Konyushkovskaya (behind the intersection with Krasnaya Presnya Street). There is no paid parking, but watch the signs - sometimes parking is only allowed on even/odd days. You can also use interceptor parking near the Barrikadnaya metro station (200–300 rubles/hour).

❓ Are there discounts on parking for large families?

Yes, in the official parking lot of the zoo there are discounts for large families (50% of the cost) upon presentation of an ID. In addition, on Wednesdays there are sometimes promotions with free parking for families with many children. Check the information at official website of the zoo.

❓ What happens if you don’t pay for parking?

Valid in official and commercial parking lots photographic recording. If you do not pay for parking, you will receive a fine of 2,500–3,000 rubles. In some cases, the car may be towed (fine + tow truck fee - from 5,000 rubles). Always check that the payment has gone through (a receipt should appear in the application or on the terminal).