Are you trying to figure out the BEST way to park at Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
No need to worry! Today I will give you all of the details when it comes to parking at this Virginia theme park.
When you drive to Busch Gardens Williamsburg, you have four parking options upon arrival.
The options vary in price and what they offer so it is best to understand the differences before your visit.
Lucky for you, I’ve got your back with this Busch Gardens Williamsburg parking guide. If you have a question about parking at BGW, keep on reading, you are sure to find the answer!
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Cost of Parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg at a Glance:
- General Parking – From $32.00 per day
- Preferred Parking – From $42.00 per day
- VIP Parking – From $53.00 per day
- Multi-Day Parking – $55 for seven consecutive days
Keep reading this full guide to see which option is best for you!
Why You’ll Love Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Not only is Busch Gardens Williamsburg the leading theme park in Virginia but it has also been rated the World’s Most Beautiful Theme Park for over 30 years.
The theme park is bursting with exciting thrills, unique shows, and incredible animal encounters.
Providing fun for all ages, Busch Gardens Williamsburg offers one unforgettable day out.
Located just off Route 60, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is ideally positioned just three miles east of Williamsburg.
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How Much is Busch Gardens Williamsburg Parking in 2024?
The cost to park at Busch Gardens Williamsburg falls into four different categories with prices starting from $32.00.
To understand how much you’ll be paying for parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, we need to look into the different categories.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg Parking Options
- General Parking – From $32.00 per day
- Preferred Parking – From $42.00 per day
- VIP Parking – From $53.00 per day
- Multi-Day Parking – $55 for seven consecutive days
Prices are dependent on the date of visit and vary depending on seasonal crowd levels.
General Parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
General Parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg spans the Germany, Italy and Ireland lots.
From all three lots, you can walk or catch the tram to the park.
On busy park days, overflow parking is also available across the street in the Scotland and Bavaria parking lots.
Both of these parking lots offer tram only access.
Preferred Parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Preferred Parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg gets you closer to the park gates.
The two parking lots used are France and England with park access walking only. Preferred Parking must be reserved at least 24 hours in advance.
VIP Parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
VIP Parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is the closest parking to the park gates.
Vehicles with VIP Parking get a reserved parking space and guests access the park through a special entrance.
VIP Parking must be reserved at least 24 hours in advance.
Multi-Day Parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
If you are visiting Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA over multiple days, you will save money by purchasing Multi-Day Parking.
It is valid at both parks for seven consecutive days, allowing you to park for less than $8 per day.
How to Get Free Parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Parking on-site at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is charged per vehicle, per day.
The only way to get free parking on-site is if you have a Busch Gardens Williamsburg membership.
This is a great option for anyone who lives locally and frequently visits the park.
Unlimited, Premier, and Platinum members all have free parking benefits.
For Preferred Parking, Unlimited members receive a discount while Premier and Platinum members are automatically upgraded based on availability.
The alternative option is to park locally and Uber in. However, the convenience parking on-site gives you is worth the cost.
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What Time Does the Parking Lot Open at Busch Gardens Williamsburg?
The parking lots typically open one hour before the gates at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
However, the tram doesn’t start transporting guests from the parking lots to the entrance until 15 minutes before opening time.
To be the first at the gates, you would need to walk from the parking lots to the park entrance.
Does Busch Gardens Williamsburg Have Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles?
At present, Busch Gardens Williamsburg doesn’t have charging stations for electric vehicles.
The nearest charging point is a Tesla Supercharger, located at the DoubleTree by Hilton Williamsburg. However, this is exclusive to hotel guests and parking is charged at a nightly rate.
The next closest that is available to the general public is also a Tesla Supercharger, located at 842 Merrimac Way.
8 Easy Tips for Your Busch Gardens Williamsburg Visit
Now that you know what to expect when it comes to parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, let me give you a few tips to make the most of your visit.
1. Book your parking in advance
Pre-paying for parking online will save you time on arrival, allowing you to enjoy the park quicker.
2. Park in the Germany lot if you can
If you book General Parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, try and get a spot in the Germany lot.
Of the three lots in General Parking, Germany is closest to the park gates. While you can walk from all three, your walk will be a lot shorter if you park in Germany.
3. Skip Preferred Parking
I recommend that you skip Preferred Parking at Busch Gardens Williamsburg.
You can walk from all three parking lots in General Parking and on low crowd days, General Parking is often diverted to France and England parking lots.
You may receive Preferred Parking without paying the additional cost.
4. Book Multi-Day Parking if you’re visiting for more than one day
At a set price of just $55, if you’re visiting for more than one day, you will save money on parking if you choose the Multi-Day Parking.
This ticket allows you to park for seven consecutive days at both Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA.
5. Get a Busch Gardens membership for free parking
If you live locally to Busch Gardens Williamsburg and plan to visit multiple times in a year, a Busch Gardens membership is a great option to save money.
Unlimited, Premium, and Platinum members all receive free parking as a benefit.
6. Stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Williamsburg
A handful of local hotels offer transportation to the park gates. If you’re planning to stay overnight anyway, the best hotel for this option is DoubleTree by Hilton Williamsburg.
Self-parking is available at $10 per night and the hotel has the closest electric vehicle charger to the park.
It is also the closest hotel to the park with a shuttle service available.
7. Take advantage of Add-ons
When booking your Busch Gardens Williamsburg tickets, you can add on other upgrades alongside parking.
I recommend the All-Day Dining Deal AND Quick Queue.
You can also select stroller or wheelchair rentals during the add-on process.
8. Use the Park’s Mobile App
Make sure to download the Busch Gardens mobile app before you visit.
The app provides you with the daily schedule of show times and notifies you of any changes.
It also provides you with directions between attractions and shows so you don’t need to worry about getting lost in the park.
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My Final Thoughts for Your Upcoming Trip
Unless you are staying at a hotel nearby, parking on-site at Busch Gardens Williamsburg is the best option.
Each category of parking has its own unique benefits, but I personally recommend General Parking and visiting on a low crowd day.
What are your thoughts about parking at this Virginia theme park? Let us know in the comments section below.
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Steph is a UK-based freelance travel writer and theme park enthusiast.
She currently lives in England with her partner and son but is passionate about exploring the world.
