Do You want Cheap Broadway Tickets?
Anyone traveling to New York City will likely have seeing the Statue of Liberty and a Broadway show on their “short-list”. That is, until they find out the cost. To me it always seemed extravagant but I still wanted to see them. As it turns out, a little research yielded some good ways to get cheap Broadway tickets.
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Table of Content: Cheap Broadway Tickets
- How much are full price tickets? Yeah, more than we want to pay!
- How to score cheap broadway tickets.
- TDF, if you are in one of their membership categories;
- Get lucky in lotteries! How to enter and which shows have them;
- Rush tickets. What are they? and how to get them;
- Broadway Week! Buy One, Get One free!
- Be flexible when choosing your show. Maybe Hamilton is not the most frugal option;
- Caveat Emptor. Whatever you do, do not buy from random street sellers!
- Go somewhere else! Sometimes it’s cheaper to travel somewhere else if you insist on seeing one of the popular (expensive!) shows.
- Conclusion
How Much are Full Price Tickets?
As I mentioned, shows can be expensive. Currently, the average price of a Broadway show ticket is well over a $100, with outliers like Hamilton being closer to a $1000. So, if you want to take a family to a show, things add up pretty fast.
Here are some recent examples:
- Book of Mormon $199.50 (sounds better than $200, right?)
- Phantom of the Opera $159
- Mean Girls $185.50
- Wicked $165
- Hamilton $549 were the cheapest I could find. Ouch. Of course it still is better than paying $2,500 per Hamilton ticket.
As you can see, this ranges from “pretty expensive” to “over the top”, so let’s look at some options to save money on ticket prices. Luckily my husband has been to many shows and taught me some tricks to get cheaper tickets.
How to Score Cheap Broadway Tickets
1. The Easiest: TODAY TIX
No standing in line, you can get cheap Broadway tickets right from your phone or computer. Check out the Today Tix website.
Get Broadway tickets for under $50!2. TKTS for Discounted Same Day Tickets
Many people know about the TKTS booths. But do you know about their history? Almost 50 years ago, in 1973, TDF (Theatre Development Fund) opened the first TKTS booth where people could get same day tickets at a discount. The discounts range from 20% to 50% off regular prices. The philosophy of TKTS is to let everyone experience the arts in New York City at affordable prices by offering many Broadway and Off Broadway musicals, plays, and dance productions.
Where are the TKTS booths and which one is best?
TDF operates three Discount Booths in New York City. Although their most famous one is in the heart of Times Square, they now have satellite booths at South Street Seaport and Lincoln Center. During the day, TKTS shares live updates about which shows are on offer and their price range. In addition, they have an application to get real time TKTS information right on your phone.
TKTS Times Square booth
Location and opening times: “under the red steps” in Father Duffy Square at Broadway and 47th Street. Most days it is open from 10am to 2pm for same day matinees and then from 3pm to 8pm for evening performances.
This location often has long lines, although they claim that they move fast. For us, we have used this booth when we traveled by ourselves and didn’t care which show we would be watching. But when we traveled with two teens, we didn’t use the Times Square booth because we were more picky and we didn’t want to wait till 3pm to find out which show we would end up with.
TKTS Lincoln Center Booth
Location and hours: in the David Rubenstein Atrium at 61 West 62nd Street. This booth opens daily at noon, and usually closes at 7pm. They offer both evening and matinee performances, even for the next day matinees.
The Lincoln Center booth is our current favorite, because we could get evening tickets earlier than at the Times Squares booth. Last month, arriving at the Lincoln center about half an hour before opening, and there was already a line. We liked the way they organized the line-up, there was no pushing or shoving and they gave information about which shows were cash only that day. In addition, it is indoors, and has air conditioning which makes it a lot more comfortable during a heat wave or when it is raining or snowing.
We ended up with Mean Girls tickets, which our teens had hoped for. As they say in Mean Girls, “I’m not like a regular mom, I’m a cool mom”
TKTS South Street Seaport Booth
Location and opening hours: at the corner of Front and John Streets, at 190 Front Street. Opens daily at 11am and usually closes at 6pm. Like the Lincoln Center TKTS booth, they offer next day matinees in addition to both same day evening and matinee performances.
Although the hours of the Seaport TKTS booth are even more convenient, the distance to that location was farther from midtown where we were staying. If you don’t mind the travel time, this booth would be best for getting tickets as early in the day as possible. Meanwhile, for us the Lincoln Center TKTS booth was best, and we have had good experiences at the Times Square one also.
Additional TKTS considerations
We have had good luck with TKTS, but it is a disadvantage that you have to go there in person to get your tickets. In general, the average price of a Broadway ticket at the booth will be between $75 and $95. Top prices for Off Broadway shows are somewhat less expensive than Broadway shows. Generally, an Off Broadway show will cost around $50. Check out the TKTS FAQ for more information about methods of payment (some shows are cash only), ticketing fees and more.
3. TDF For More Flexibility
A few years ago we found out that Theatre Development Fund (TDF) has an additional program where members can buy cheap Broadway tickets on line. TDF membership costs $40 a year and will gain you immediate access to specially-priced tickets from $11 to $49!
The tickets sold via TDF are different from the TKTS offerings and you can buy them days or weeks in advance. Unlike at the TKTS booths, you can not pick a specific seat, so you will not know your exact seat ahead of time. Online ticket purchases may only be picked up at the theatre 30 minutes before curtain time on the day of the performance. Tickets may not be picked up at any other time.
You can only become a TDF member if you are in one of the following categories:
- Full-time students
- Full-time teachers and school faculty
- Recent graduates (26 years of age and under)
- Full-time union members
- Retirees (no longer working and 62 years of age or older)
- Individuals on federal disability
- Full-time government employees/civil servants
- Full-time staff members of not-for-profit organizations
- Non-exempt employees (full-time and eligible for overtime pay)
- Arts professionals (Full-time)
- Members of the armed forces
- Freelancers
- Full-time clergy
As you can see, their membership requirements are quite broad and it will most likely save you at least the annual $40 membership fee. When we used them we got Miss Saigon tickets for a lot less than they were going for at the box office and we could do it from the comfort of our home.
A TDF membership, in addition to getting discounted Broadway tickets, provides much needed support to the theater community. Your membership (along with every ticket you buy) supports TDF’s many far-reaching arts education and theatre accessibility programs.
4. Get Lucky in Lotteries
In-Person Lotteries
If you have time to stand in line at the show’s theater, there sometimes is the option of entering one of the lotteries in person. Usually you enter a paper stub, and have to be there at the drawing. If you are the lucky winner, you get to buy a good seat for that day’s show for a sharply discounted price. Generally you can only buy two tickets this way.
Broadway Ticket Lottery Schedule has good info on lotteries, including same day in-person ones. At the moment, these are available for Beetlejuice, Wicked, and Come From Away.
Digital Lotteries
Of course, most of us don’t have the flexibility to spend many hours waiting in a lottery line in New York City. so that is where the digital lotteries come in. You still want to be in or close to New York City. Although you don’t have to wait in line at the theater, you might have to travel on short notice. Most lotteries I checked out will only notify you on the day of the performance which doesn’t give much travel time. Some however will notify you the day before.
Some examples:
- Alladin: $30 Alladin Lottery entries start at 7PM the day prior and continue up until 8:30am on the day of the performance. At that time, the lottery for that performance will be closed and winners will be notified.
- Hamilton: $10 The Hamilton lottery opens at 11AM two days prior to the performance and closes at 9AM the day before. Notifications will be sent at approximately 11AM. You get till 4pm that day to pay for your tickets. You still need to be close enough to New York City to get there within a day.
- The Book of Mormon: $32. Enter at The Book of Mormon Daily Ticket Lottery beginning one week prior until 11am the day before the performance. Winners are notified by noon the day before the performance. Tickets must be purchased by 10pm the day before the performance.
Lotteries at Broadway Direct is good for entering lotteries for other big shows. To get links to more lotteries and student prices for these shows, visit the website Broadway for Broke People.
5. Rush tickets
If you are in the city and don’t mind standing in line, you can go to the theater and get so-called RUSH tickets for that day’s performance. Some of them are for students only, but a lot are for the general public. Check out Broadway for Broke People to see which shows offer them.
6. Broadway Week Buy One, Get One Free
Twice a year, NYC Broadway week happens. This year Broadway week is September 3–16, and you can start browsing shows and buy 2-for-1 tickets on Aug 14. A few years ago we used this deal to take four teens on a “first Broadway show, first time in NYC” weekend trip. We stayed for free in a Hilton hotel and had a blast! See the official Broadway Week page.
Be Flexible in Choosing your Show
When you can be flexible in what you want to see, you have more options than if there is only one show you have your heart set on. For me, I haven’t seen many Broadway shows so TKTS usually has something that I would like to see. Flexibility is the key.
And while you are in New York City, find good and affordable food to eat in a so-called Bib Gourmand Michelin restaurant.
Do Not Buy Broadway Tickets from Random People
As you walk around New York City, there may be many random people trying to sell you lots of stuff, including Broadway tickets. Or you might find a great deal on Craigslist. Don’t do it! These may be scams. Most, if not all, of these are not sanctioned by the box offices and you will end up spending money, but not being able to see the show.
Playbill has a good Broadway tickets guide about which venues are the official sellers for a particular theater, so check them for ticket prices and availability.
Go Somewhere Else!
If you want to see a popular musical, which is too expensive (or far away) on Broadway, think globally! Hamilton plays in many US cities, like Chicago, Washington DC, Seattle and others for more affordable prices. Alternatively, go abroad. One of my friends for example traveled to London to see Hamilton and paid less for travel plus show than if he had seen it on Broadway.
Conclusion for Cheap Broadway Tickets
If you are flexible (dates and/or shows), there are many ways to get cheap Broadway tickets. TDF offers a good way to get discounted tickets longer in advance than the other choices. TodayTIX offers discounted tickets on Broadway and all over the USA and the world. It all depends on your personal circumstances. I hope this guide gave you enough info to enjoy a cheap Broadway show.
Have you been to Broadway? Which show did you see? Do you know other ways of getting cheap Broadway tickets? Please comment and let us know.
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Comments
28 responses to “How To Get Cheap Broadway Tickets 2021: Insider’s Guide”
Great tips. What’s your favorite show on Broadway right now?
Hmmm, that is a hard choice. I really liked Les Miserables, but frankly I have liked every show I have seen so far. All the performers are so talented and I just love the music and the Broadway atmosphere.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Ooh wow! Didn’t know tickets are so crazy expensive. Thank you so much for sharing about the ways to get them for a much more normal price. Going to see the show on Broadway is definitely a must on my New York travel list.
I was totally shocked when I first find out about the prices of Broadway tickets, but had fun figuring out how to get them for cheap. My next project will be to enter the lottery when we are going to New York City anyway. I think I have entered the Hamilton lottery twice, but no luck yet and that was from home when it would have been hard to make it to New York City in time.
Hope you will make it to New York City and get a cheap Broadway ticket!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I wish you all the luck!
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Thanks for sharing ways to get broadways tickets on the cheap. Going to a broadway show in New York City is on my bucket list. And I know tickets are crazy expensive. I’d love to see Mean Girls on broadway someday too I’ve been listening to the soundtrack on repeat lately.
Our teens were totally into Mean Gilrs, I knew nothing about it. I loved the show and the music, it would have been even better if I had prepared like you did ^^ It seems that Mean Girls often comes up on TKTS, so you could have a good chance of getting them cheaper that way.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
These are great tips! We got same day tickets from the Times Square booth last time and managed to save some money there but tickets in general are crazily expensive. I can’t believe how expensive Hamilton tickets are!! x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
Glad you discovered the Times Square booth, that is where I started before discovering these other ways. Yeah, no way I am going to Hamilton any time soon ^^
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
So many food options and a few I have used but several didn’t know about. Great resource.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Hope you get to see a Broadway show some day.
I have been to NYC many times and I have yet to go to a broadway show. Thanks. For the tips
I hope you will be able to find an affordable ticket to a Broadway show on one of your next visits. The experience is pretty amazing!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Next month I am traveling to NYC and I want to go for a brodway show. Before I read the post I was not sure where should I buy and how to find cheap tickets. so, thank you for your post. You helped me a lot!! 😊😍
Very welcome! Let me know which show you ended up seeing!
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These are great tips!
Thank you for sharing in your lovely blog 😀
Thank you! I was surprised how many different ways there were to get more affordable tickets to Broadway shows!
This is great information! I would love to visit New York at some point and see my first broadway show. I will have to remember this so that I can get tickets at a decent price.
Oh, I so hope that you will get to visit New York City some day and can attend a fantastic show! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Interesting shows, I hope I wil get some day..
Yes, I hope you will make it over to our continent one day and experience the awesomeness and craziness of the big apple. And now you will know how to afford a Broadway Show!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing. Those tickets can get pretty spendy. Looks like a lovely time!
These are great tips! I would love to visit New York one day and would love to see a show but they can be pretty expensive!
Great post! This is a very helpful and inclusive guide that I will definitely be keeping in mind when I’m finally able to make it to NYC. Thank you so much for sharing!
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