How to Get Cheap London Theatre Tickets

Going to the theatre isn’t always cost-effective, especially when premium ticket prices can sometimes reach over £200 for some big-name West End musicals and plays. 

Don’t worry – seeing a show in London doesn’t have to be expensive. Below, we’ve compiled the best discounts, schemes and seat hacks to help you score the best London theatre tickets within your budget.

When to Book London Theatre Tickets for the Best Deals

Knowing when to book London theatre tickets is the key to snapping up tickets for less, whether you’re after a West End classic or a brand-new production. We’ve compiled some top tips and things to look out for below. 

How long has the show been running for?

Typically, shorter-running productions have a higher demand, meaning tickets are harder to get hold of. Especially if the cast has a few stars that aren’t usually on the West End. For longer running productions, such as The Phantom of the Opera or The Lion King, there is often good availability both in advance and closer to your chosen date. So, if you’re planning to catch a West End staple – you might have some flexibility when it comes to booking tickets. 

Off-peak VS peak performances

If you’re flexible with when you can visit the theatre, weekday performances are typically cheaper than weekend performances, which is when ticket demand spikes. Off-peak evenings offer better ticket availability and sometimes, more affordable price points. It’s important to consider other peak visiting times such as school holidays, bank holidays and Christmas. 

Seasonal promotions

Many ticketing providers offer deals throughout the year, ranging from New Year’s promotions to London Theatre Week and Kids Week, where children go free with an adult. These discounts can offer access to otherwise sold-out performances, however, tickets go fast so be sure to keep your eyes peeled!

Preview performances

West End productions typically have previews 3-4 weeks before the show’s official opening. As the cast and crew are settling into their roles, tickets are often priced lower while they iron out the final details. This way you get a sneak peek before everyone else whilst saving a few pounds on tickets!

Cheap Day Seats in London

If tickets are unsold on the day of a performance, they may become available at a reduced rate. You can find these tickets at the theatre box office, at the box office’s official website or via ticket sellers like TKTS and SeatPlan. 

Some ticketing websites also include dynamic pricing, which means the cost of tickets can drop as the performance date gets closer. This doesn’t apply to the cheapest price band, but for mid to top-price tickets, you may be able to nab a saving! We’ve seen productions like Les Miserables, Moulin Rouge and Hamilton reducing the price of tickets on the day, however, we recommend researching prices beforehand to ensure you’re getting the best deal within your budget. 

Some London shows allocate a number of tickets that are released on the day, this may be through Rush or Lottery schemes, which we cover below. However, a handful of theatres offer standing tickets which are usually located at the back of the Grand Circle and are released the day of the performance. For example, ATG releases standing tickets for Operation Mincemeat at 12pm on the day of a performance and the Lyceum sell £20 standing room tickets once a performance has sold out. 

Rush and Lottery Theatre Tickets

Rush and Lottery ticket schemes are great ways to land tickets to some of the best West End shows at budget-friendly prices. With a bit of luck and timing, you may find yourself sat in the very front row! 

Rush Tickets

Tickets are released on the same day as the performance in the morning, usually around 10am. They’re available on a first-come, first-served basis and are heavily discounted, meaning you can nab amazing seats for less. 

We recommend setting a reminder so you’re ready to grab the tickets as soon as they’re released. Most Rush tickets are available via the TodayTix app or National Theatre Friday Rush website, which both have a dedicated page to browse current Rush offers. 

Lottery Tickets

Much like your normal lottery, you can enter for the chance to score tickets through a random draw but for free! Many long-running shows such as Hamilton, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Cabaret offer ticket lotteries – for more information, we recommend checking the show’s official website. 

If you win, you’ll be in for a chance to grab 1 or 2 tickets, sometimes for as low as £10. Most lotteries operate with a chance to win tickets to the following week’s performances. If you win, you’ll be notified to claim and pay for your tickets right away – so keep an eye on your notifications! 

Similar Schemes

For Disney productions, they offer £29.50 tickets for that week’s performances for West End productions such as The Lion King. These tickets go on sale at 12pm each Monday.

London Theatre Ticket Returns

Returns are another good way to enjoy a last-minute bargain. If someone returns their tickets, they will be put back on sale, and they’re sometimes discounted as well. Returns are usually available online – they’ll show on the seating map like all the other available tickets – but if you try your luck in person at the theatre, keep in mind that queues can get long at popular shows. Always have a backup option in mind so your trip into central London isn’t a wasted one.

Cheap Standing and Restricted View Theatre Tickets

Standing and restricted-view tickets can be great ways to enjoy a West End show on a budget. These options allow you to experience musicals and plays for a fraction of the usual price, as long as you don’t mind a restricted viewing experience. 

Standing Tickets

These tickets don’t come with a seat – they’re reserved areas at the back or side of the auditorium and are offered for some of West End’s most popular shows such as Operation Mincemeat, The Lion King and Hamilton. We don’t recommend these tickets for anyone with mobility issues, as you must be able to stand for the duration of the production.

Restricted View Tickets

These budget-friendly seats are often towards the side of the stage or have an obstruction in front (such as a pillar or balcony rail) and may not offer a perfect view of the entire stage. Theatres will openly list which seats offer a restricted view, so you’ll know in advance if you will have an obscured view. We recommend checking SeatPlan for seat reviews and images from real-life theatregoers so you can set your expectations before buying a ticket. 

2-for-1 and Discount Theatre Tickets London

London theatre ticket deals and discounts are a great way to enjoy West End shows on a budget, especially if you’re going with friends, family or a date! 

2-for-1 Ticket Deals

These tickets are typically available through special promotions, especially Kids Week which takes place in August. Children aged 17 or under can attend participating shows when an accompanying adult purchases a full-price ticket. Usually included in the promotion are a range of musicals, plays and children’s shows, so there’s plenty for all the family. 

Some banks, supermarkets and travel providers offer 2-for-1 theatre tickets through loyalty schemes, such as Tesco’s Clubcard perks and NatWest’s Black Ticket Service. It’s important to remember that these deals might not always be available. 

Discount Theatre Tickets

We’ve mentioned ways to get cheaper tickets, however, it’s important to pop key dates in your calendars for when discounts usually go live. For example London Theatre Week typically happens during the last week of August, where a range of shows have huge savings on select tickets. 

By keeping an eye on these offers, you can treat yourself to some of London’s best theatre for a fraction of the usual price! 

London Neighbourhood Theatre Discounts

If you live in the same London borough as a theatre, check their website for resident discounts. Theatres offering this include the Young Vic for Southwark and Lambeth and Lyric Hammersmith free theatre tickets for Hammersmith and Fulham.

£10 Theatre Tickets London

It’s quite rare to find a £10 face-value ticket in the West End, but several shows and theatres sometimes offer tickets at this price. These include Old Vic £10 tickets for preview performances, Matilda £10 tickets for young people, and £10 standing tickets at Shakespeare’s Globe. Several theatres also release £10 tickets for the following week, including the National Theatre and Young Vic.

Discounted Theatre Tickets for NHS Staff

Some London theatres and ticket providers offer exclusive discounts and perks as a thank-you to essential workers. These discounts allow NHS employees to see some of the best shows in the West End at reduced prices. 

We recommend checking Blue Light Card and NHS Staff Discounts to find the latest, up-to-date information. These sites are updated frequently and list the best offers and discount codes for West End shows. 

Certain theatres also offer NHS discounts, especially during off-peak times or during previews. The Mousetrap and other West End productions occasionally run NHS appreciation days or release specific discounted tickets for healthcare workers.

If you have an HR or Rewards scheme linked to your job, check this for any extra theatre-related perks. For example, CharlieHR offers WOWPoints on a variety of theatre booking sites including TodayTix and ATG. 

Students and 16-25 Discount Theatre Tickets

If you’re a student or you’re between the ages of 16-25 and hoping to find theatre tickets cheap, you may be able to access West End theatre ticket discounts that make it easy to visit the theatre without breaking the bank. 

There are many young people schemes that are ongoing throughout London, these include Donmar Warehouse’s YOUNG+FREE scheme, National Theatre’s 16-25 reduced-rate tickets and the Barbican Theatre’s Young Barbican discount scheme. You can find more schemes and further information in our London Theatre For Students and Young People guide.

It’s important to remember that proof of age may be required when purchasing or picking up tickets from various box offices. 

Free London Theatre Tickets Schemes

There are lots of seat-filling schemes you can sign up for that give you access to free or heavily discounted theatre tickets. You might have to pay a membership or admin fee, but the savings are huge. The top schemes to look at include Central Tickets seat fillers, Show Film First membership and The Audience Club.

How to Save With Theatre Group Bookings

If you want to share the magic of theatre with a group of friends, family, colleagues or students you may be able to unlock some huge savings. Most West End productions offer exclusive discounts for groups. 

Many shows offer reduced rates for groups, with discounts started for as few as six to ten people. Here are some of the best group discounts available:

Mamma Mia

• Groups of 10+, Monday-Friday evenings and Thursday matinee: from £42.50
• Groups of 20+, Monday-Friday evenings and Thursday matinee: from £39.50
• Senior groups of 10+, Thursday matinee only: from £30
• School groups of 10+ Monday-Friday evenings and Thursday matinee: from £17.50

 Hamilton

• Groups of 10+, Monday – Thursday including matinees: from £49.50
• School groups of 10+, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings: from £25

The Mousetrap

• Groups of 10+, Monday to Friday: from £25
• School groups of 10+, Monday to Thursday: from £20

Mrs Doubtfire the Musical

• Groups of 10+, Tuesday to Friday: from £45
• School groups of 10+, Tuesday to Thursday: from £25

We recommend checking the production’s official website for group booking rates. Typically, you’re unable to book group tickets online and will need to contact the venue directly via email or telephone to secure them. 

Hotel and Theatre Packages London

If you’re travelling to London, one way to save money is by combining your theatre and hotel booking into one London theatre break package. Sites like Omega Breaks and Hotel Direct offer packages for West End musicals which could save you money. As always, make sure to check the price difference before committing to a package deal. 

Top Websites and Apps for Cheap Theatre Tickets London

TodayTix is a website and app that typically has cheap and last-minute theatre ticket offerings. It’s the home of many Rush and Lottery ticket schemes and also serves many other cities, including New York, LA, Perth, Brisbane and many more.

If you’re looking to snag tickets on the day, we recommend TKTS. They have a physical booth in Leicester Square or you can check their daily listings online, too. They offer same-day discounts for a variety of West End and off-West End productions. 

SeatPlan and Theatre Monkey can help you find the best deals for West End and regional theatres, whilst also providing real seat reviews and theatre insights, so you know exactly what you’re getting for your money. 

Top 7 Tips for Saving Money 

Book in advance or go last minute

Booking early helps you secure cheaper price-point seats, especially for popular productions. Alternatively, Rush schemes and ticket lotteries are a great way to be in for a chance of scoring premium seats for as little as £10 on the day. 

Attend off-peak performances

Weekday evenings and matinees are often cheaper than weekend performances, with many theatres lowering prices during these quieter times. 

Use discount websites and apps

Check ticketing websites and compare prices such as TodayTix and SeatPlan. Deals and offers frequently change depending on seasonality, if you see a deal you like we recommend booking as soon as possible. 

Check cashback schemes

You can make some decent savings on theatre trips by signing up to websites such as Top Cashback and Quidco, which guarantee a percentage of money back on your purchase. Eligible sites include ATG Tickets, London Theatre Direct and Ticketmaster.

Some banks also offer cashback or discounts including Natwest Black Account, Club Lloyds, and Barclaycard. 

Try standing or restricted view tickets

These options can offer huge savings and still let you experience the full magic of the West End. They’re perfect for anyone on a budget who doesn’t mind a slightly obscured view. We always recommend checking the view from a seat on SeatPlan before purchasing tickets. 

Keep your eyes out for seasonal promotions

Theatre promotions such as Kids Week and London Theatre Week happen every year and offer huge savings for some of the most popular productions. These promotions typically happen in Summer, so keep your eyes peeled! 

Consider doing an at home musical party

Use your money towards plenty of popcorn and comfy blankets and use our How to Watch Musicals at Home for Free guide to watch your favourite West End or Broadway production from the comfort of your sofa – arguably, the best seat in the house!