How Budget-Savvy Tourists Can Save Money On A Trip To Kings Island Amusement Park

Nothing screams summer like a trip to the amusement park. There's something so sweet and nostalgic about gathering your family and friends and spending a sun-soaked day enjoying heart-pumping thrills. Roller coasters, water slides, and mouth-watering treats are the perfect recipe for an unforgettable summer day. If you're passing through the US Midwest, Kings Island is the ideal place to go for amusement park fun. The park is located in southwest Ohio, about 30 minutes from Cincinnati, which is quickly becoming a top tourist destination.

Today, Kings Island is one of the largest theme parks in the Midwest, but it's been around since the early-'70s, when it opened with the slogan "C'mon Get Happy!" It quickly became famous for its massive replica of the Eiffel Tower and a wooden roller coaster called the Racer, which is still in the park today. Popular television programs like "The Brady Bunch" and "The Partridge Family" filmed episodes there, and Kings Island exploded in popularity. It's remained a must-visit spot for Midwestern families and travelers since, and is often listed among the best amusement parks in the country. 

When Kings Island first opened, tickets cost just $5.50.In 2025, a ticket at the gate costs $90. The price of extras like snacks, meals, and beverages have also increased quite a bit. Luckily, there are great ways for budget-conscious travelers to save money on a visit to Kings Island, so you can spend the day focusing on fun and not finances.

Spontaneity is a beautiful thing. Some of the best travel experiences happen when you leave room in your itinerary to make last minute plans and go wherever the wind takes you. That being said, it's usually better for your wallet if you do some planning ahead of time — especially when it comes to ticketed events and activities. Visiting Kings Island is no exception. Unless you're willing to shell out the big bucks for day-of tickets at the gate, you should plan your trip to Kings Island well in advance and purchase tickets ahead of time.

You can score a big discount just by heading to Kings Island's website before your visit and purchasing tickets online. The online prices allow you to save up to 50% off the price at the gate.

The only caveat with buying tickets online is that you'll need to select which day you'll be visiting, so make sure to check the weather before purchasing. Ticket sales are final, and there are no refunds if there's bad weather. The park is open rain or shine. There's a four phase weather plan for storms. Phase one begins when lightning is detected 15 miles away and the tallest rides close down. Indoor rides stay open until phase four. Rides reopen when weather has passed and it's deemed safe by park officials. I grew up in Ohio and spent many summer days at the park. In my opinion, rainy (but not stormy) days are some of the best times to visit Kings Island if you want to avoid the crowds.

Kings Island is a massive amusement park. There are over 364 acres of fun rides and attractions to explore, and ten unique locations throughout. Each has different themes as well as rides, games, and spots to grab a bite. There are more than 15 different roller coasters. Soak City, the onsite water park, has 40 different water slides. Millions of people visit the park each year, and on busy days you might have to wait in line to ride popular rides for up to an hour. It's really challenging to experience all there is to see and do in just one day, so you may find yourself longing to come back for more. If you think you might visit more than once, investing in a season pass could be the most budget friendly option.

The Silver Pass is the least expensive at $120. It includes unlimited admission to the park until Labor Day. If you think you might return for seasonal events like Halloween Haunt or Winterfest, you can purchase a Gold Pass for $150. If you plan on visiting other Six Flags Parks you can purchase an add-on All Park Passport with your pass that grants unlimited access to amusement parks all over North America for even more thrills and family fun. 

If a season pass isn't the right choice for you, consider booking a ticket on a discounted day. Tickets are slightly cheaper on some weekdays and you can purchase a day-pass online for as low as $45. Head to the official website and browse through the calendar to find the best rates.

Saving money on your tickets to Kings Island is great, but food and beverages are where the costs of visiting an amusement park really add up. There are around 40 different places to eat and drink around the park, and after a few hours of heart-pumping roller coasters you're going to work up an appetite. Options range from super casual fast food to slightly more upscale sit-down restaurants. There are even alcoholic beverages for the grown-ups. Meals can cost anywhere from $10-$50 depending on which restaurant you choose and how hungry you are, but you can save a lot of money by purchasing a meal package in advance.

The admission and dining bundle is an excellent bang for your buck. The price starts at just $70, and you'll enjoy a ticket to the park and food all day. You can treat yourself to a single entree and a side every 90 minutes for the entire day at participating restaurants. You can also purchase the all-day dining plan as an add on for $34.99. Drinks are not included. The $46.99 premium all-day dining option includes an entree and a side, or a snack every 90 minutes as well as a fountain beverage every 15 minutes. You can also purchase a single meal in advance for under $20, which includes an entree, a side, and a fountain drink.

Kings Island has a strict "No Outside Food" rule, so purchasing a food or beverage package is a great option to save money and avoid overspending. Alternatively, you can leave the park for your meal — just make sure to request a re-entry ticket if you plan to return the same day.

Visiting an amusement park can be a wonderful thing to do for solo travelers, but you can save serious money if you have a friend who's a season pass holder. At time of writing, Kings Island offered special "Bring-A-Friend" tickets for just $25. The offer is only available to season pass holders, and you can bring up to six people per day at the discounted rate.

If you're planning a big family vacation, consider looking into Kings Island's group discounts. If you have a group of 15 people or more, you can purchase tickets at the group rate of $43 per person. It may seem like just a few dollars, but with a large group it adds up quickly.

If someone in your group is a member of the military or a first responder, they can score a great rate for the whole group. Each person who's a member of the military or a first responder can purchase up to six tickets at discounted rates as low as $40 per person.

Parking at Kings Island costs $30 per car. The parking lot is massive, so if you don't want to walk you'll need to splurge for preferred parking which costs $40 per car. You can save on the hefty parking fees by booking accommodations nearby. 

Camp Cedar Cincinnati is conveniently located just over a mile from Kings Island, and offers a free shuttle to the park for guests. There are sites for RVs, rental RVs, and cottages. The property has two swimming pools, a restaurant, a cafe, and an ice-cream shop on-site. The cabins sleep up to eight people and cost $300 or less depending on options chosen. Sites for RVs start at $115 per night, and rental RVs cost around $250. Great Wolf Lodge is a great place for families who hope to continue the fun even after they leave Kings Island. It has an indoor waterpark that's open late, and fun themed suites that sleep up to eight people. There's a walking path from the lodge to Kings Island, and the walk takes just a few minutes. Quality Inn in Mason, Ohio is a great budget friendly choice with rooms for under $100 per night. It's only 1.5 miles from the park and offers a free hotel shuttle.

Public transportation is another great way to save money. The Cincinnati Metro has a shuttle that departs from downtown Cincinnati on weekdays. It stops in various neighborhoods and suburbs along the way, and a few different departure times are available. The fare is $3 each way. For more information check out the Metro's website.