How to Buy Tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the best theme parks to visit to relive childhood memories. Not only is it home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Jurassic World: The Ride, but it’s also unveiled a new theme park for the minigamer in all of us, Super Nintendo World! There’s so much to see and do here that you’ll definitely want to plan out your days in advance to get the most out of your time. 

Once you know how many days you’ll spend at the theme park, you can narrow down which Universal Studios Hollywood ticket is best for you and your group. Several tickets and packages are available, but where to buy tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood and the best ticket for you really depends on how you want to experience the park!

Quick Answer – How to Buy Tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood: The best way to buy tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood is online in advance here. These tickets allow you to skip the line and are refundable up to 24 hours in advance. If you want to go behind the scenes of the world’s largest movie studio and theme park, book this VIP tour instead.

Best Ways to Get Tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood

The type of ticket to Universal Studios Hollywood you get and how you purchase it affect how much you can see and do. So, before we go into how much tickets cost, we want to share with you how to buy a ticket for Universal Studios Hollywood, potentially saving you hours in the sun trying to get a ticket into the park! 

Line Up in Person (Not Recommended)

It is possible to purchase tickets at the front gate of the park, but we highly recommend against trying this. The first problem with purchasing in person at the gate is that same-day gate tickets are more expensive than pre-booked online tickets. The second issue is that there’s no guarantee you’ll get to purchase a ticket to the park. The tickets available each day are limited, and the park sells out online in advance for most days. 

It’s also beneficial to purchase in advance for kids, especially if they’re tall for their age. The price of tickets at the gate is based on height, whereas the online price goes by age.

Book Online (Recommended)

Booking tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood online in advance is the best way to guarantee you’ll get into the park. You can buy tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood through the official website or a third-party seller like GetYourGuide. We recommend the latter, as tickets booked through the official website are nonrefundable, nonexchangeable, and nontransferable. 

If you purchase your tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood on GetYourGuide, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before your visit. If you’re worried about the pricing being different, then you’re right, but it’s not what you’d expect: Buying on GetYourGuide is actually cheaper than on the official website most of the time. Sometimes the official website is cheaper, as Universal Studios frequently tests beta marketing techniques and offers discounted tickets to some visitors who purchase online. But since it’s no guarantee you’ll receive a discount, we recommend booking a one- or two-day ticket through GetYourGuide. 

Book a Universal Studios VIP Tour and Ticket

To get the most out of visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, check out this VIP Universal Studios Tour and skip-the-line ticket. This guided tour of Universal Studios Hollywood includes a behind-the-scenes look at the movie studio that produced famous films like Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible III, Meet the Fockers, and The Cat in the Hat. The package also includes free valet parking, priority seating at select shows, access to the VIP dining lounge, a skip-the-line ticket to all rides, breakfast and a full gourmet buffet lunch, a tour of the prop department, and early access to The Wizarding World and Ollivander’s Wand Shop. 

Useful Information for Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood

What’s the Best Time to Visit Universal Studios Hollywood?

The best time to visit Universal Studios Hollywood is from September to early November (before Thanksgiving) and from January to the end of February (before students go on spring break). It’s also better to visit the park on a weekday, when locals are at work or school. Of course, we recommend getting to the park as early in the day as possible so you get the most out of your day! 

What Are the Universal Studios Hollywood Hours of Operation?

Universal Studios Hollywood is open every day from 8 or 9 a.m. until 9 or 10 p.m., depending on the day. It’s possible to enter the park before it opens if you purchase an early entrance ticket. Universal CityWalk is open every day from 11 a.m. until 9 or 10 p.m., depending on the day. 

How Do You Get to Universal Studios Hollywood?

Universal Studios Hollywood is located near Griffith Park on the northwest side of Los Angeles. The best way to get there is by driving, but we know how horrible LA traffic can be, so leave as early and late as possible to avoid rush hours. 

You can also take the Metro B (Red) Line from Downtown Los Angeles to the park in about 40 minutes. Several hotels even offer shuttle services (some free, some paid) to Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood, so check with your accommodations to see if you can take a shuttle and avoid paying for parking! 

How Do Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets Work?

There is one general admission ticket for Universal Studios Hollywood, which you can purchase as a one- or two-day pass. This pass grants you access to all areas of the park, including shows. The second-level ticket is the Universal Express Pass, which is essentially a skip-the-line ticket to Universal Studios Hollywood attractions that you can use once per ride or show. You can also add tour packages for movie sets and prop rooms onto your pass. 

How Much Do Tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood Cost?

The pricing for Universal Studios Hollywood tickets can get quite complicated, being based on the date you want to go and the package you want. 

Generally speaking, a regular one-day admission ticket on Universal’s website for an adult costs $109 to $149, and a one-day admission ticket for a child age 3 to 9 costs $103 to $143. Children 2 and under get in free. More popular dates (such as summer holidays or weekends) are more expensive, which also applies on GetYourGuide. However, with GetYourGuide, you can get a full refund up to 24 hours before your visit, and it’s almost always cheaper by a few bucks.

If you go all out and book the Universal Studios VIP Tour and ticket, it will cost $362 to $470 per ticket, depending on the day. Tickets for children 4 and under are free. 

What Are the Best Hotels Near Universal Studios Hollywood?

Trust us, you don’t want to get caught up in LA traffic. We recommend finding accommodations close to Universal Studios Hollywood in order to avoid sitting in traffic for hours. 

For a pet-friendly hotel with a pool, check out Sheraton Universal. This four-star hotel is about a 10-minute walk from Universal Studios and offers plenty of fantastic amenities, including an on-site cocktail lounge, a fitness center, and private parking. 

A great budget-friendly option is The Tangerine, a Burbank Hotel. You can start your day with a complimentary breakfast at the hotel before heading out to tour Universal Studios Hollywood. Other amenities include an outdoor pool and free parking. 

If you want to get into the true LA spirit at a bougie Hollywood Hills hotel, book a room at The Prospect Hollywood. This gorgeous hotel features a colorful but classic California motif with a garden courtyard, complimentary breakfast, a terrace, and a bar. 

What’s the Security Process at Universal Studios Hollywood?

Each visitor to Universal Studios Hollywood has to go through security to get into the park. Security checks for these prohibited items:

• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Illegal drugs 
• Hard coolers
• Soft coolers larger than 8.5 by 6 by 6 inches
• Large coolers filled with food (except food necessary for medical use)
• Glass containers
• Any weapons or explosives (such as firearms, fireworks, chemical-dispensing devices, clubs or sticks, and knives)
• Segways (except as ADA mobility devices) and hoverboards
• Drones

What About Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood With a Disability?

There’s good news for visitors who have a disability or travel with someone who does: Universal Studios is very accessible! Several rides, parking garages, and restaurants accommodate wheelchairs, and the accessible rides each have a separate entrance for riders with disabilities. The park provides free amplified headsets or an assistant to visitors with hearing difficulties, and service animals are allowed almost everywhere in the park. To learn more about accessibility at Universal Studios Hollywood, click here. 

FAQs: Facts About Universal Studios Hollywood

When Did Universal Studios Hollywood Open?

Universal Studios Hollywood opened its doors in July 1964, making it one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood film studios still in use.

Can I Bring My Pet Into the Park? 

Unless your furry friend is a service animal, no, they will not be allowed in the park. Universal Studios Hollywood does not provide boarding or kennels either, but there are several options nearby. 

Are There Lockers Inside?

Yes, you can rent a locker for the day or a few hours to store bags, coats, or other items you don’t want to drag around the park with you. 

Are There Wheelchairs and Strollers for Rent? 

Yes, you can rent both wheelchairs and strollers across from the Universal Studios Store at the main entrance. 

Will Reservations Be Required for Super Nintendo World?

Generally speaking, no, you won’t need a reservation to visit Super Nintendo World. However, if this park area has filled up for the day of your planned visit, you may be required to pick a time slot. 

Now you have all the information you need to plan a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood. Just remember to pack lots of water and sunscreen, as the California sun can be quite strong. You’re allowed to bring up to 2 liters of water into the park, and staying hydrated is one way to have the best day at Universal Studios. So have fun, be safe, and say hello to Shrek for us!