If you’re planning a visit to Thorpe Park in 2025, this guide contains everything you need to know—including opening times, how to get there & which rides are actually worth the hype!
I just turned 31—and naturally, I decided to celebrate like any mature, responsible adult would…
By throwing on a ridiculous costume, grabbing my bestie, and spending the day screaming our lungs out at Thorpe Park, a theme park located just outside of London.
I still remember riding my first rollercoaster at age 12—right after hitting the height requirement—and from that moment, I was hooked. Since then, I’ve been seeking out the most adrenaline-inducing rides at iconic theme parks around the world.
To be honest, I went to Thorpe Park with zero expectations. I didn’t even know how big the park was or what kind of rides it had on offer.
But let me tell you—I was seriously impressed. Thorpe Park has one of the best collections of rollercoasters I’ve experienced—and if you’re an adrenaline junkie like me, you’re going to want to add it to your UK bucket list.
Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your visit!
Thorpe Park Opening Hours
Thorpe Park opening hours can vary depending on the season, day of the week, and special events. That said, here’s a general idea of what you can expect in 2025:
- Park Opening Time: 10:00 AM
- Park Closing Time: Typically between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM
You’re best to check the official Thorpe Park website for the most up-to-date opening times and event schedules before planning your visit.
When should you arrive at Thorpe Park?
Get there early—ideally before the gates open at 10am. We arrived just 30 minutes after opening and had to queue for about 45 minutes just to get through security.
If you want to make the most of your day (and beat the crowds to the big rides), aim to arrive at least 20–30 minutes before opening time.
When are Thorpe Park Fright Nights?
Fright Nights at Thorpe Park run on select weekends from early October and almost daily in the lead-up to Halloween, ending around November 2nd.
During this time, the park stays open late—until 9pm—with scare mazes, themed shows, and the chance to ride coasters in the dark.
When does Thorpe Park Close for Winter?
Thorpe Park usually closes for the season in early November, right after Fright Nights wrap up. The park stays shut over winter for maintenance and reopens around late March. If you’re visiting toward the end of the season, check the official site for exact dates, as they can vary.
How to Get to Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park is located just outside of London and is easily accessible whether you’re driving or using public transport. Either way, it’s a quick and straightforward day trip from central London.
By Train
Take the train from London Waterloo to Staines, which takes around 35–40 minutes. From there, you can hop on the Thorpe Park shuttle bus.
Thorpe Park Shuttle Bus
The Thorpe Park shuttle bus runs regularly from Staines train station and drops you right at the park entrance. It’s a quick and convenient option, especially if you don’t want to deal with parking.
- Cost: £4.50 for a return ticket (contactless or exact cash)
- Frequency: Every 15–20 minutes during opening hours
Driving and Parking
If you’re driving, Thorpe Park is about an hour from Central London, depending on traffic. There’s a large on-site car park.
- Car Park Cost: £12 per day (pay online in advance or at the machines)
Thorpe Park Ticket Costs for 2025
Planning a visit to Thorpe Park in 2025? Here’s a breakdown of the different ticket options and prices to help you plan your trip:
Day Tickets
Booking your ticket online in advance is well worth it—you can save up to £37 per person just by planning ahead.
- Advance Online Price: From £29 per person
- On-the-Day Price: Up to £66 per person
Children under 1.2m tall can enter for free, but you’ll still need to pre-book their ticket.
Short Break Packages
If you’re planning a full theme park weekend, the short break packages are great value and a nice way to turn a day trip into a mini staycation. They include:
- A stay at the on-site Thorpe Shark Cabins
- Two-day park entry
- One-hour Fastrack (excluding Hyperia)
- Buffet breakfast, free parking, and Wi-Fi
Price: From £62 per person
Annual Passes
Annual passes are a great option if you plan on visiting more than once. You’ll get unlimited entry during the season, plus perks like discounts on food, merchandise, and Fastrack upgrades.
The Merlin Pass also gives you access to other top UK attractions like Alton Towers, Chessington, and Legoland Windsor.
- Thorpe Park Annual Pass: From £99 per person
- Merlin Annual Pass: From £99 per person
Queue Times at Thorpe Park
Like any popular theme park, queue times at Thorpe Park can vary massively depending on when you visit. On quieter weekdays, you might wait 20–30 minutes for the big rides, but on weekends and school holidays, wait times can easily stretch to over an hour.
Live Queue Times on the Thorpe Park App
Your best bet is to download the Thorpe Park app where you can live queue times. This is going to let you plan your day around them and help you hit all the rides you want without wasting half the day standing in line.
Thorpe Park Fastrack Tickets
If you want to spend less time waiting and more time actually riding, Fastrack tickets are seriously worth considering—especially during weekends, school holidays, or special events when queues can get seriously long.
Here’s a breakdown of the main Fastrack options available:
Fastrack Bundles
- Thrill Fastrack (From £20 per person)
Includes one Fastrack entry to a selection of thrill rides. - Coasters Fastrack (From £35 per person)
Includes one Fastrack entry to the park’s biggest coasters, like Colossus, Nemesis Inferno, Stealth, SAW – The Ride, and The Swarm. - Hydration Fastrack (From £10 per person)
Includes one Fastrack entry to water rides like Tidal Wave, Storm Surge, and Rumba Rapids.
Unlimited Fastrack Options
- Ultimate Fastrack (From £125 per person)
Gives you unlimited Fastrack access to 18 rides (excludes Hyperia). - Ultimate+ Fastrack (From £175 per person)
Includes unlimited Fastrack access to all rides in the park—including the brand-new Hyperia.
Are Fastrack Tickets Really Worth It?
In my opinion: yes. Especially if you’re visiting during peak times. It honestly makes the whole experience so much better—you’re spending your day on rides, not stuck in queues.
We went for the Unlimited Fastrack option and it was the best decision ever. We got to skip the lines and fit in way more rides than we would’ve otherwise.
Food and Drink at Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park has two sit-down restaurants along with lots of grab-and-go options serving up classic theme park food. Here’s a quick guide to the food and drink options available in the park:
Sit-Down Restaurants
- Vibes Bar & Kitchen (Gastropub-style dining)
- Pasta & Pizza Buffet (All-you-can-eat)
Takeaway Options
- Burger King (Fast food)
- KFC (Fried chicken)
- Amity Kebabs (Halal wraps)
- Tacotaria (Mexican street food)
- Spice Kitchen (Indian-inspired)
- Boulevard Bites (Quick bites)
Snacks & Drinks
- Costa Coffee Shack (Coffee & pastries)
- Bubble Tea Bar (Cold drinks)
- Cadbury Chocolate Lodge (Chocolate treats)
- Donut Factory (Fresh donuts)
- Cloud Nine Treats (Waffles & sundaes)
- Churros & Shakes (Sweet treats)
Are there any dietary-friendly food options?
There are also a few vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options scattered throughout the park, but if you have specific dietary needs, it’s probably worth packing a few snacks.
Can you bring your own food and drink to Thorpe Park?
Yes, you can bring your own food and drinks into Thorpe Park as long as it’s sealed. There are plenty of picnic benches throughout the park to eat it, I wasn’t that keen on eating theme park food on my birthday so I grabbed picnic supplies from M&S at waterloo station for lunch.
The Best Rides at Thorpe Park
If you’re heading to Thorpe Park for the thrills, these are the rides you absolutely have to check out. Whether you’re into speed, height, loops, or theming, there’s something here for every adrenaline junkie.
Hyperia
Let’s start with the newest—and possibly the wildest—ride in the park. Hyperia is now officially the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster, hitting speeds of over 80mph. It’s sleek, intense, and honestly one of the smoothest rides I’ve ever been on. It completely lives up to the hype.
SAW – The Ride
I don’t usually get nervous before a ride, but this horror-themed coaster seriously had my heart racing. From the creepy atmosphere in the queue to the brutal vertical drop, this one is not for the faint-hearted. It’s intense, chaotic, and totally unforgettable.
The Swarm
This winged coaster makes you feel like you’re flying, with dramatic near-miss elements that take you soaring past crashed planes, fire engines, and signage. It’s super smooth, well-themed, and not quite as intense as the others—which makes it a solid choice even if you’re not a total thrill addict.
Nemesis Inferno
An inverted coaster that throws you through multiple twists and turns while your legs dangle mid-air. It’s a solid ride with lots of upside-down moments and some cool theming, though I’d say it was probably my least favourite coaster of the day—still fun, just not as memorable as the others.
Stealth
I was absolutely gutted that Stealth was closed when I visited, because this is so my kind of ride. It launches you from 0 to 80mph in under two seconds and sends you soaring straight up 205 feet before dropping you right back down. High-speed, high-intensity—definitely one for the bucket list.
Colossus
We queued up for Colossus but it unfortunately went down for maintenance just before we could ride. It definitely looks a bit rougher than some of the newer coasters, but with a record-breaking 10 inversions, it’s a must-do if you love twisty, loopy chaos.
Thorpe Park Map
Final Thoughts: Is Thorpe Park worth visiting?
If you’re a thrill-seeker like me, then yes—Thorpe Park is absolutely worth it. With high-speed coasters, heart-racing drops, and plenty of scream-worthy moments, there’s more than enough to keep you entertained all day.
The main downside? It lacks the immersive theming you’d get at places like Disneyland or Universal Studios. So if you’re more about the atmosphere than the adrenaline, it might not hit the same. It’s definitely geared more toward teens and adults than younger kids.
I went in with low expectations and left pretty impressed. Whether you’re after a fun day trip near London or, say, looking for a very mature way to celebrate your 31st birthday—Thorpe Park is 100% worth the visit.
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