Speak with a theme park expert: 321-966-4300.png){kind=small}
Email Us 
How to Get Cheap Universal Orlando Express Passes
How to Get Cheap Universal Orlando Express Passes
How to Get Cheap Universal Orlando Express Passes
This article is your complete guide on how to get cheap Express Pass tickets for Universal Orlando! The Universal Express pass can cost you an additional $200+ in addition to your park ticket! That’s why we are breaking down all of the best tips and tricks to getting a cheap express pass that we have picked up while helping over 10,000 clients with their Universal Orlando tickets.
We hope you find this post helpful! Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next Universal Orlando vacation! If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando be sure to check out the latest deals on Universal Orlando vacation packages and our discounted Universal Orlando tickets which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Universal Orlando, check out our Universal Crowd Calendar!
How to Get Cheap Universal Orlando Express Pass Tickets?
We’re going to start this guide with the most popular question we receive: how do I get cheap Universal Express pass tickets? As a general rule of thumb, we find that upgrading and staying at a Universal Orlando signature resort – Hard Rock Hotel, Royal Pacific Resort, and Loews Portofino Bay Resort which offers Express Pass tickets for free, purchasing your tickets as far in advance as possible, taking advantage of Universal Orlando multi-day express tickets, and making sure that you’re purchasing the right fit Universal express passes are the easiest ways to buy cheap express pass tickets.
And as you’ll see this is one of my favorite topics here at The Park Prodigy, as one of the main reasons I started the business was that I realized how confusing buying theme park tickets can be during my time selling tickets as a Walt Disney World cast member. This is especially true when it comes to the different skip-the-line passes that are offered at all of the Orlando theme parks. In this article, we are going to provide some of the easiest ways to ensure that you are purchasing the cheapest Universal Express Pass tickets.
How do you get discounted Universal Express Pass tickets for Universal Orlando?
- Purchase Universal Orlando Express multi-day tickets
- Stay at a Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, or Loews Portofino Bay
- Always buy your Universal Orlando Express Pass tickets in advance vs. the park gates
- Purchase a discounted Universal Orlando Vacation package
- Make sure that you’re purchasing the right fit Universal Express Pass for your family
Related Page: Is the Universal Orlando Express Pass Worth it?
Purchase Universal Express Pass Multi-Day Tickets
The Universal Orlando Express pass multi-day tickets are cheaper the more days you stay. So if you get the 5-day express pass, it will cost you $59 per day compared to $100 per day for 2 days. Now of course, we know you are ultimately spending more however this is one of the best ways to get the cheapest Universal Orlando Express passes. In many cases, we have seen our clients save up to a couple of hundred dollars per person just by purchasing the multi-day tickets vs the Express Passes one day at a time, especially during busy times of year.
2-Day, 3-Park Universal Orlando Express Ticket Example
Here is how you can buy cheap 2-Day Universal Studios tickets by the numbers:
- Average cost of 2 Day Universal Express Pass for Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, and Epic Universe = $234.99
- Average cost of 2 Day Ticket – 2 Parks – Includes Epic Universe = $370.99
Related Page: Discount Universal Orlando Express Pass Tickets
Stay at a select Universal Orlando Signature Resort
Did you know there is a way to get free Universal Orlando Express Pass tickets? Guests who stay at one of the three select Universal Orlando signature resorts will receive a free Universal Express Unlimited pass for each day they stay at the hotel. The following hotels offer guests an Express Pass for each day they stay at the hotel, including check-in and departure days.
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando
- Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel
- Loews Royal Pacific Resort
It is important to note 2 things that will impact your trip. First, Loews Sapphire Falls and Helios Grand Hotel although in the “signature collection,” will NOT include the Universal Express Unlimited Pass. Next, the Universal Express Unlimited Pass that is offered at these select 3 resorts (Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Portofino Bay) will NOT be valid at Epic Universe. Only the regular Universal Express Pass (not unlimited) can be used at Epic Universe.
When helping our clients at The Park Prodigy book discount universal vacation packages we have found the signature collection resorts will typically cost between $550-$650 per night. However, if you have three or four people in your family and you purchase the express passes separately, each Express Pass could cost an average of $175 per person per day (the price fluctuates during the year based on anticipated park attendance). So you can see that guests could potentially spend $700 on just the Universal Express Pass tickets per day, which is why getting the Express Pass tickets for free is such a great deal especially when you still need a hotel for your vacation. Remember that you do not receive a free Universal Express Pass for Universal Volcano Bay or Epic Universe for staying at these resorts. That will need to be purchased separately if you want it.
Always Buy Your Universal Orlando Express Pass Tickets in Advance vs. the Park Gates
Very similar to buying the cheapest Universal Orlando tickets, another one of the best ways to get discount Express Passes for Universal Orlando is to buy your tickets in advance. We would also add that buying your tickets as far in advance as possible is beneficial, mainly because Express Passes tickets fluctuate and will increase as you get closer to your travel date. We have found that most families will book their Universal Orlando tickets within 30 days of their travel date. However, from our experience, the price change for Express Pass tickets can be significant, and guests can end up paying hundreds of dollars more compared to when the Express Pass ticket price is typically released around November or December of the previous year.
It’s also important to note that the Universal Orlando Express Passes can sell out during the busier times of the year. So not only will this tip save you money but it will also guarantee that you will be able to take advantage of the Express Pass benefits during your vacation.
Related Page: How Much Does the Universal Express Pass Cost?
Purchase a Discount Universal Orlando Vacation Package
Another great way to get a great deal on Universal Express Passes is to book an official Universal Orlando vacation package! This is true for a few reasons, one of the main ones being that guests can often book official Universal Orlando vacation packages at one of the Universal Signature resorts before express pass prices for the next year are even released. We also find that Universal will also run special deals and promotions throughout the year, which allow guests to save up to 30% off their entire vacation package, which would allow you to get an even better deal on the express pass tickets included in that package.
It’s also important to note that not only will guests save money on the express pass, but booking an official Universal Orlando package through a Universal-preferred travel agency like The Park Prodigy will allow each family to put as little as $50 per person down and pay their vacation package off over time. This is different from buying Universal express passes on their own, as they would have to be paid in full at the time of purchase.
Example Universal Orlando Vacation Package with Express Pass
- September 10 – 13, 2025
- 2 adults, 2 children
- Stay at Terra Luna Resort
- 2-Day Universal Express Pass with Epic Universe – $894.56
- 3-Park 2-Day Park-to-Park PLUS 1-Day Universal Epic Universe Ticket – $2,014.92
- Total Package Price – $3,669.64
Related Page: Discount Universal Orlando Hotels With Free Express Passes
Purchasing the Right Fit Universal Express Pass
Just like in most cases in life, sometimes the easiest way to save money is to make sure you understand your options and purchase what best fits your family. There are currently six variations of the Universal Express pass for Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, Epic Universe. If you’re only looking to go to each attraction one time or you’re trying to get everything done within one day at Universal Orlando, you might want to consider purchasing the basic Universal Express Pass. This will always be the cheapest option for only one day when compared to Universal Express Unlimited. Also, Epic Universe will ONLY accept the basic Universal Express pass which is important to keep in mind when visiting the new park.
As discussed in this article, guests do need to be mindful that Volcano Bay does have a completely separate Express Pass for their parks, so it’s important to budget that in as you are getting ready for your next Universal Orlando vacation!
Related Page: Do You Need a Reservation for Universal Orlando?
How to Get Cheap Universal Express Pass Tickets FAQ
What is the cheapest Universal hotel with Express Pass?
Based on our experience helping our clients book their Universal Orlando packages, we typically see the Loews Royal Pacific resort to be the cheapest Universal hotel with free express passes. Nightly rates can range between $405 per night to $835, and we typically see Express Pass prices fluctuating in that same range compared to the average family of four.
How do you get a free express pass to Universal Orlando?
Guests can get free Universal Express Pass tickets at one of the three Universal Orlando resorts, including the Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Portofino Bay Resort, or Loews Royal Pacific Resort. This free express pass is only valid at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure. Express pass for Universal Epic Universe will have to be purchased in addition to your free express pass.
Is Express Pass more expensive at Universal?
Universal Studios express pass cost all depends on the travel dates for your Universal Orlando vacation. The Universal Orlando Express Pass tickets can sell out during some of the busier times of the year like Spring Break and Christmas. During those same periods, the prices for the Express Passes will go up as you get closer to your trip and will be more expensive at the park gates.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Universal Orlando?
Our Universal Orlando Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down the park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices by day, and average temperature.
Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Universal Orlando Trip?
If you are planning a trip to Universal Orlando, be sure to check out our discounted multi-day Universal Orlando tickets and Universal Orlando vacation package deals which include EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
And to stay up to date on everything going on inside the theme parks be sure to check out our partners at Themeparktoday.com!
Who We Recommend
Michael Belmont
