Universal Studios Hollywood
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Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles is both a theme park and a real film studio. You ride a tram across the backlot where films and series are made, fly over Hogwarts with Harry Potter and race in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD. On these pages you'll find everything about the attractions, shows, tickets and how to get there.
Discover Universal Studios Hollywood
What kind of park is it?
Universal Studios Hollywood is in Universal City, close to Hollywood. The park calls itself "The Entertainment Capital of L.A." and is part of NBCUniversal. The main attraction is The World-Famous Studio Tour: a tram ride across the grounds of what Universal calls the largest working film studio in the world.
Around it are themed areas based on well-known films and series, from Harry Potter and Jurassic World to the Minions and The Simpsons. Next to the park is Universal CityWalk, with restaurants, shops and a cinema. You don't need a park ticket for it.
Upper Lot and Lower Lot
The park is built against a hillside and has two parts, connected by long escalators. If you can't use the escalators, you can take a shuttle.
- Upper Lot: Hollywood (the entrance), Universal Plaza with Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Illumination's Minion Land, Springfield (The Simpsons), WaterWorld and the departure point of the Studio Tour.
- Lower Lot: Jurassic World, Transformers Metrobase, Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride and SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.
Opening times:
Opening hours vary by day and by season. Check the current hours and temporary closures in the park's calendar.
Tickets:
Buying online is cheaper than at the ticket office. Children aged 2 and under go free, and children aged 3 to 9 pay less.
Getting there:
The park is on the 101 (Hollywood Freeway) and close to the Universal City/Studio City Metro station on the B Line.
Tickets and Universal Express
Tickets are cheapest online, ideally at least two hours before your visit. Online, child prices apply to children aged 3 to 9; at the ticket office it goes by height (under 122 cm). Children aged 2 and under go free. A 2-day ticket costs from $ 149.95 for an adult and from $ 117.95 for a child; the second visit must be within 90 days (as of November 2026). You won't get a new ticket if it rains.
If you'd rather queue less, there are three types of Universal Express:
- Universal Express: a 1-day park ticket plus one use of the Express queue per attraction and seated show.
- Universal Express Unlimited: a 1-day park ticket plus unlimited use of the Express queue.
- Universal Express Add-On: one use of the Express queue per attraction, without a park ticket.
Express isn't valid for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift. For that you buy the separate Timed Express Access Add-on. Only a limited number of Express tickets are available each day.
VIP Experience
With the VIP Experience you enjoy Universal Studios Hollywood like a film star. According to Universal, you get:
- one-day park admission and unlimited Universal Express all day;
- free valet parking and access to the VIP lounge;
- a gourmet meal in the private dining room (non-alcoholic);
- a tour of at least five hours with your own guide, including a VIP trolley across the backlot, where you also get off and walk around the sets.
There are a maximum of 13 guests per guide. Children must be at least 5 years old, and under-17s must be accompanied by an adult. What you see on the backlot depends on filming. There are also the Guided Theme Park Tour Add-On (a guided tour of the park with Express and a meal) and the Backlot Photo Experience Add-On (photos at five to seven sets, such as the replica of the Hollywood sign). Prices vary by date.
Holidays and events
From 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates the holidays. Your park ticket then includes Grinchmas (with the lighting of a Dr. Seuss Christmas tree in Who-ville and a storytime with Cindy-Lou Who), the new Illumination's Merry Minions and Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with a Christmas projection on the castle. SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is decorated too.
In autumn there's Halloween Horror Nights, and the park also hosts Universal Fan Fest Nights. You need a separate ticket for these evening events.
Travelling to Los Angeles
Universal Studios Hollywood is about ten minutes' drive north of Downtown Los Angeles (without traffic, according to the park). From the Netherlands and Belgium you fly to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). For a holiday in the United States you need an ESTA. Read more about the journey and combining it with Disneyland on the California page.
For getting from LAX to the park, see the page From LAX to Universal Studios Hollywood.
Buy online
Online is cheaper than at the ticket office. On busy days the park can reach capacity, so check in advance that your day isn't sold out.
Use the app
The official app shows waiting times, showtimes and the park map. You can also reserve a Virtual Line in it. There's free Wi-Fi in the park.
Travel light
Everyone goes through a metal detector and bags are checked. Bring only a small bag.