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The St. Louis Zoo is planning to move to a fully cashless payment system by the end of the 2026 season, joining several other major attractions in the area. Zoo officials say the change reflects visitor habits, noting that only about 11% of guests used cash last year.
While zoo admission will remain free, purchases such as parking, food and merchandise will require digital payment options, including credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay. Some vendors will begin phasing out cash as early as March 2026.
To help visitors who still carry cash, the zoo plans to install reverse ATMs that allow guests to convert cash into prepaid debit cards. The zoo expects to complete the transition by November 2026.