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EKKA Discounts: How to Get Cheap EKKA Tickets 2023!

Are you looking for EKKA discounts tickets and cheap EKKA tickets for your family this year?

Disclaimer: This article is not yet updated with the latest Ekka information for 2024. When it is, we will let you know! (Especially if you sign up to our emails!) 😉

With the countdown to the ‘the Royal Queensland Show’ on, the Ekka at the Brisbane Showgrounds are offering families opportunities to save again this year by pre-purchasing their EKKA tickets online for the 10 days of show. We have a range of family discount passes including single parent families, ride packages and more.

Families Magazine are the recognised experts in providing trustworthy Ekka resources, as evidenced in our multitude of Channel 9 News appearances showing you how to save at the Ekka! In this article we have listed all the current discounts for the EKKA and deals we know of for 2023.

BUT FIRST: Make sure you read our detailed EKKA Guide so you know everything we know about making the most of your EKKA experience!

Ekka Rides - EKKA Discounts

VIP subscribers deals for entry tickets

We know how you can enjoy an exclusive 15% off tickets! Plus, harvest an even sweeter deal by attending on a Super Saver Day which are 20% cheaper than weekends and the public holiday!

Use my promo code PEARL10: and click here.

This year, ticket purchasers are required to select a day to attend so the EKKA can manage daily capacities. If you’re looking at returning on multiple days, a new transaction is required for each different date. Remember, when you buy your tickets that some days are cheaper than others…

Save a further 20% by attending on any of the Super Saver Days – either Monday 14th August, Tuesday 15th August, Thursday 17th August or Friday 18th August 2023.

Families save BIG

Buy a Family Ticket and adults get in at kid’s prices!* Even better, combine a Family Ticket with the code above + attend on a Super Saver Day and you’ll SAVE over 30% off on tickets! That is only $59.84 for 2 adults + 2 kids!

Use my promo code PEARL10: and click here.

EKKA discounts for rides and food

This year there are are a range of ways you can save money at the Ekka. Below we have listed the discounted you can get on rides and food.

If you want to know how much the rides cost in 2023 you can see all the Ekka ride prices here.

Food & ride passes available in 2023

These have now been confirmed for 2023. Make sure to pre-purchase your food and ride cards! Save up to 20% on rides, and get food cards at a discount too – $50 in value for only $45 (digital).

*note the EKKA is adding a ‘service fee’ charge on these which add a few cents per order!

Type of food tickets – valueCost
Digital Only $50 Food Card$45
Physical $50 Food Card$47.00
Digital Only $50 Ride Card$45.00
Physical $50 Ride Card$47.00
Digital Only $100 Ride Card$85.00
Physical $100 Ride Card$87.00
Digital Only $150 Ride Card$120.00
Physical $150 Ride Card$122.00
Discount food prices at the 2023 EKKA

Ride cards details

NOT VALID FOR GAMES. ONLY VALID FOR CARNIVAL RIDES.

Ekka ride card scanner

Ride Cards are valid at all B105 Sideshow Alley and Kids Carnival area. Discount Rides Cards are only available for purchase online while stocks last.

The ride operators can let you know the balance of your ride card after each use. If you forget to ask or need to know later in the day there is a ‘rides card scanner’ that you can use to see how much balance you have left on your ride card. We found the scanner in Sideshow Alley, on the fence near the train line side.

Food cards details

VALID AT PARTICIPATING FOOD & BEVERAGE OUTLETS ONLY.

Food Cards are valid at participating food & beverage outlets. Excludes Ekka Strawberry Sundae. Discount Food Cards are only available for purchase until stocks last.

How to redeem your food & ride cards

If you have opted for a DIGITAL Ride or Food Card, there will be a downloadable link to add it to your e-wallet in your ticket confirmation email. It can be stored in your Apple/Android wallet for scanning.

If you have opted for a PHYSICAL Ride or Food Card, you must redeem these at one of the information booths at the Ekka located on either Gregory Terrace; Lower Level Royal International Convention Centre, Sideshow Alley or Machinery Hill. To redeem, please present your ride or food card pdf ticket at the information booth.

Read our 2022 EKKA SHOWBAG review here

Make sure you follow us on Facebook because I will be posting about my visit to the show on the first morning including where to get the cheapest coffee, where to find the cleanest bathrooms, where to park this year, the best value showbags and my favourite rides (and how to get discounts!).

RNA Membership

You can become an RNA member for an annual fee of between $130 (Country Adult) and $145 (City Adult). Among other benefits, members receive one member pass and one transferable guest pass, enabling free 9 day admission to Ekka for you and a guest (bring a different friend each day).

Membership badges will be posted from late June.

Click here to find out more and to become a member

How much do rides cost at the EKKA this year?

Experience the thrills and excitement of the Ekka with two adrenaline-charged carnival precincts.

If you’re a serious adrenaline junkie or looking for the classic family favourites like the giant Ferris wheel, head to Sideshow Alley. The 100+ rides and games will have you laughing (or screaming!) for hours.

While the little daredevils are guaranteed a fun-filled time at the Children’s Carnival near the RACQ Animal Nursery.

The average cost of a ride at the EKKA is around $10 this year with some being cheaper and some being more expensive.

2 for 1 rides at the EKKA!

STOP THE PRESSES!!! I have just confirmed directly with the Ekka – for the first time ever they have two for one rides every day of Ekka – from 9am-10.30am each day! That’s 2 rides for the price of 1. TELL EVERYONE!

Read about all the rides and the prices for this year by clicking here.

ekka rides prices and passes

FREE things to do at the EKKA

RACQ Animal Nursery Ekka

There are more than 300 free things to do and see each day at the EKKA this year which makes it a family friendly, low budget opportunity if you plan your day/s appropriately.

But take our advice and DO IT NOW as many of the discounts WILL END before the EKKA starts!

Transport options to get to the EKKA

Buses to the EKKA

Herston busway station is the main bus hub this year, with shuttles from Carindale and Eight Mile Plains and route 330, 333 and 340 buses from Chermside.

No trains directly to the EKKA in 2023

Due to the construction of Cross River Rail, Exhibition station won’t be operating during Ekka in 2023. You’ll still be able to catch a ride to the Ekka with public transport options including trains from nearby stops and stations.

  • Catch a train to Fortitude Valley station and follow the Ekka signs to the show gates, which is only a short 550-metre walk (7-minute).
  • Accessible transfers will be available for customers with accessibility needs.

Timetables are available on the TransLink website and by calling 13 12 30.

Uber and taxis as transport to the EKKA

It’s only a short Uber or taxi ride to the Ekka from the city. Leave your car in the city and catch an Uber or taxi directly to the Brisbane Showgrounds.

Cycling to the EKKA

Although cycling inside the grounds is off limits, there are secure bike racks located in Carriage and King Streets.

EKKA last day specials

If you are like me and love a bargain, you might want to consider going to the Ekka again on the last day! On the last Sunday of show, designated outlets around the Ekka grounds will be offering 2 for 1 of your favourite food items – double the fun without blowing out the budget

Looking for EKKA parking?

Sadly this year, Secure Parking is not offering discounted parking. 🙁 But we have written about the best options for their parking stations nearest the EKKA so you can compare prices to find one that suits you! AND I have even found FREE places to park within walking distance of the EKKA! #winning Click here for your parking discounts for the Ekka.

Want more EKKA fun?

As the sun sets over Brisbane the EKKA excitement ramps up with a HUGE 1.5 hour EkkaNITES program sure to delight families. We’ve got the low down on Ekka fireworks!

EKKA for toddlers can be amazing offering new experiences, cute animals, and plenty of FUN for Queensland’s youngest residents! Read our post detailing the best things at Ekka for Toddlers.

Photo of author

Janine Mergler

Janine Mergler is a veteran Queensland teacher, graduating from QUT with a BEd majoring in Social Sciences. After many years in the classroom, Janine moved on to academia. She has proudly trained new generations of teachers in her role as a lecturer at Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Education. She has also worked in the Queensland Government as an education specialist, developing education resources and delivering community awareness programs to help families conserve water. Currently she is the owner and editor of Families Magazine, a publication specifically targeted at parents who value a quality education for children.  Janine leads a team of professionals who write about family lifestyle, early childhood, schools and education information and family-friendly events.

15 thoughts on “EKKA Discounts: How to Get Cheap EKKA Tickets 2023!”

  1. Can anyone give me advice on cheapest options to go to Ekka im a songle mum of a 13yr old and have never been to the Ekka , want to take him this year obviously hell want to go on some rides , ive looked at all the passes snd ss ususl a family 2x ad 2x kids thy look like great concessions but im a fam 1x ad 1x child ….
    I want to budget so he can do some rides slso does anyone kn9w its confussing when u try and work it out

    Please help

    Reply
  2. Adult and child $42 ticket. If you go Tuesday 9th there are 2 for 1 rides all day. If you are a member of RACQ you can also get Unlimited Rides band $50 but this is for Thursday only 10am-2pm. Entry tickets are same price there also. Rides are $8-$12 each normally. ?

    Reply
  3. Take your own drinks and food. This saves a bundle. Set a limited one food sample bag & one novelty bag. Two rides.
    Spend the day looking at the free displays and animals. So much more to the EKKA than rides & bags.

    Reply
  4. Where do I buy or get EKKA tickets for a family (2 adults & 2 children) either cheaper then normal entry, half-price or less, or free entry. I am a low-income family with concession card.

    Reply
  5. EKKA is offering discounted food and ride passes the same as you mentioned NOT being offered for 2019 from 5.1 in your table of contents.
    What I can’t find is if a single $150 ride pass is able to be used by all members of the family or just one individual.

    Reply
  6. Hi, thanks for all the info. Your promo code doesn’t work, unfortunately. When trying to add it during checkout, the Ekka website says it’s expired, though your page says it’s for this year.

    Reply

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