How Much Does it Cost to Go Bowling?

Bowling is a fun way to get out and active, especially during those hot summer months in Texas! With a variety of fun ways to engage, bowling is the perfect indoor activity for family outings, date nights and corporate/group outings. When it comes to bowling, the cost can vary from place to place and type of bowling. Below are factors that can impact the price of bowling and a comparison of prices to other attractions: 

What is the Average Cost to go Bowling in Texas? 

Bowling pricing is most often broken down into two categories: per game and time based. The per game cost is set based on the game itself rather than the time it takes to complete 10 frames while the time based structure gives a set amount of time to play as much as you can. On average, bowling costs per game in Texas ranges from $8 - $10. Time based play on the other hand ranges from $25 on the low end up to $50 per hour. 

What Affects Bowling Prices? 

When it comes to bowling pricing, location, type and add-ons all factor into total cost. Locations of course vary in price but different venues have different vibes that in turn affect the pricing. For instance, more upscale bowling centers like Pinstack have a higher cost for hourly bowling than more traditional bowling alleys like Bowlero. Some centers, like Alley Cats, have a mixture of traditional and upscale vibes. 

The type of bowling also affects the overall pricing. Traditional bowling alleys have Ten Pin Bowling which is the most common type. Within Ten Pin though, some centers offer Cosmic or Glow bowling where lanes and pins glow under neon lighting. Standard Ten Pin bowling being the most common as the most predictable pricing models as those mentioned above. Some Family Entertainment Centers offer a smaller version of traditional bowling called Duckpin and/or String Bowling. These are often smaller scale versions of Ten Pin and have shorter, faster handheld balls. Smaller scale bowling often averages on the lower side of around $8-$10 per game or $25-$30 per hour. 

Finally, add-ons to a bowling experience can impact the pricing. For example, shoe rental at some locations is a separate charge of $4 - $6 per person on average. Other locations offer deals that include shoes with the bowling such as Alley Cats “Best Day Ever” Pass. 

How does Bowling Compare to Other Activities Cost Wise? 

Compared to activities like a trip to the zoo or a water/amusement park, bowling comes in on average cheaper per person. However, bowling is more limited on time than spending an entire day at a zoo or amusement park. While whole day experiences are more expensive than bowling, hourly/time based attractions such as trampoline parks fall in line with average bowling costs per hour with total cost coming in anywhere between $25 - $40 per hour per person. 

How do I Save Money if I want to go Bowling? 

Saving money bowling can be done if you think about times, specials and free offers. Weekday bowling is always cheaper than weekends so if you are needing to save some money look at going on a weekday rather than a weekend. Often, centers have specials for bowling at different times or paired with additional offerings such as food, beer or even arcade play. Look for the best value bundles in addition to the cheapest price on the hourly or per game pricing. Finally, centers like Alley Cats offer a special in the Summer months called “Kids Bowl Free” where kids can bowl 1 game per day for free in the Summer. To claim this offer, all you have to do is sign up here. 

Bowling is a great way to get out, active and connected with others. If you are thinking about going bowling, consider pricing based on time, location and type.