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 mini-gamer in all of us, Super Nintendo World! There’s so much to see and do that you’ll want to plan your days ahead to make the most of your time.
Best ways to get tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood
Line up in person (not recommended)
It is possible to purchase tickets at the front gate of the park, but we strongly advise against doing so. The first problem with buying in person at the gate is that same-day gate tickets are more expensive than pre-booked online tickets. The second problem is that there’s no guarantee that you’ll get a ticket into the park. The number of tickets available each day is limited and the park sells out online in advance on most days.
It’s also a good idea for children to buy in advance, especially if they’re tall for their age. The price of tickets at the gate is based on height, whereas the online price is based on age.
Book online (recommended)
Booking tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood online in advance is the best way to guarantee you’ll get into the park. You can buy tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood through the official website or through a third-party seller such as GetYourGuide. We recommend the latter as tickets booked through the official website are non-refundable, non-exchangeable and non-transferable.
If you purchase your Universal Studios Hollywood tickets on GetYourGuide, you can cancel them up to 24 hours before your visit for a full refund. If you’re worried about the price difference, you’re right, but it’s not what you’d expect: Buying from GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than buying from the official website. Sometimes the official website is cheaper, as Universal Studios often test beta marketing techniques and offer discounted tickets to some visitors who buy online. However, there’s no guarantee you’ll get a discount, so we recommend booking a one or two day ticket through GetYourGuide.
Book a Universal Studios VIP tour and ticket
To make the most of your visit to Universal Studios Hollywood, book a Universal Studios VIP tour and skip-the-line ticket. This guided tour of Universal Studios Hollywood includes a behind-the-scenes look at the movie studio that has produced famous films such as Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible III, Meet the Fockers and The Cat in the Hat. The package also includes complimentary valet parking, priority seating at selected shows, access to the VIP Dining Lounge, a skip-the-line ticket for all rides, breakfast and a full gourmet lunch buffet, a tour of the props department and early access to The Wizarding World and Ollivander’s Wand Shop.
When is 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 late February (before students go on spring break). It’s also better to visit the park on a weekday when the locals are at work or school. Of course, we recommend getting to the park as early in the day as possible to get the most out of your day!
What are the opening hours of Universal Studios Hollywood?
Universal Studios Hollywood is open every day from 8 or 9am until 9 or 10pm, depending on the day. It’s possible to enter the park before it opens if you purchase an early admission ticket. Universal CityWalk is open every day from 11am until 9pm or 10pm depending on the day.
How do I 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 car, but we know how terrible LA traffic can be, so leave as early and as late as possible to avoid rush hour.
You can also take the Metro B (Red) line from downtown Los Angeles to the park in about 40 minutes. Some hotels even offer shuttle services (some free, some paid) to Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood, so check with your accommodation to see if you can take a shuttle and avoid paying for parking!
How do Universal Studios Hollywood tickets work?
Universal Studios Hollywood has a General Admission ticket which can be purchased as a one or two day pass. This gives you access to all areas of the park, including shows. The second tier 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 film set and prop room tour packages to your pass.
How much do Universal Studios Hollywood tickets cost?
Pricing for Universal Studios Hollywood tickets can get quite complicated as it depends on the date you want to go and the package you want.
Generally speaking, a regular one-day ticket on Universal’s website for an adult costs between $109 and $149, and a one-day ticket for a child aged 3 to 9 costs between $103 and $143. Children under 2 get in free. More popular dates (such as summer holidays or weekends) are more expensive, which is also true 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 dollars.
If you go all out and book the Universal Studios VIP tour and ticket, it will cost you between $362 and $470 per ticket, depending on the day. Children under the age of 4 get in free.
What are the best hotels near Universal Studios Hollywood?
Trust us, you don’t want to get stuck in LA traffic. We recommend staying close to Universal Studios Hollywood to avoid sitting in traffic for hours.
For a pet-friendly hotel with a pool, try the Sheraton Universal. This four-star hotel is about a 10-minute walk from Universal Studios and offers many great amenities, including an on-site cocktail lounge, fitness centre and private parking.
A great budget-friendly option is The Tangerine, a Burbank hotel. Start your day with a complimentary breakfast at the hotel before heading to Universal Studios Hollywood. Other amenities include an outdoor pool and free parking.
If you want to soak up the LA vibe at a boutique hotel in the Hollywood Hills, book a room at The Prospect Hollywood. This gorgeous hotel features a colourful but classic Californian motif with a garden courtyard, complimentary breakfast, terrace and bar.
What’s the security procedure at Universal Studios Hollywood?
Every visitor to Universal Studios Hollywood must go through security to enter the park. Security checks for these prohibited items:
Alcohol
Marijuana
Illegal drugs
Hard coolers
Soft coolers larger than 8.5 x 6 x 6 inches
Large coolers filled with food (except food required for medical purposes)
Glass containers
All weapons or explosives (such as firearms, fireworks, chemical dispensers, 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 are travelling with someone who does: Universal Studios is very accessible! Several rides, parking garages and restaurants are wheelchair accessible, and accessible rides have separate entrances for riders with disabilities. The park provides free amplified headsets or an assistant for visitors with hearing impairments, and service animals are allowed almost everywhere in the park.