TLDR: You should never pay full price for Broadway tickets. The TKTS booth sells same-day tickets at up to 50% off. Digital lotteries can get you orchestra seats for $10 to $40. Rush tickets are available at the box office each morning. And the TodayTix app offers advance discounts on dozens of shows. From the Wales Hotel, take the 4/5/6 to Grand Central, then the S shuttle to Times Square. About 25 minutes.
The Four Ways to Get Cheap Broadway Tickets
Full-price Broadway tickets run $80 to $300 depending on the show and seat. Some premium seats go even higher. But almost nobody who lives in New York pays full price. Here are the four methods locals use.
Method 1: The TKTS Booth (50% Off Same-Day Tickets)
The TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day tickets at 20% to 50% off the regular price. It’s operated by the Theatre Development Fund, a nonprofit. The discounts are real.
The main booth is at 47th Street and Broadway, on the red steps. It opens at 3pm for evening performances and 10am for Wednesday and Saturday matinees. Sunday matinee tickets go on sale at 11am.
The line can be long, especially on Saturdays. Typically 20 to 40 minutes. But there’s a trick: the TKTS booth at Lincoln Center (Broadway and 65th Street) sells the same tickets with a much shorter line. It opens at 11am on Tuesday through Saturday.
Download the TKTS app before you go. It shows which shows are currently available and at what discount level, so you can decide what you want to see before you stand in line.
Method 2: Digital Lotteries ($10 to $40 Orchestra Seats)
Most Broadway shows now run digital lotteries for a limited number of discounted tickets each performance. We’re talking $10 to $40 for seats that normally cost $150 or more. Often orchestra or front mezzanine.
You enter online the day before the show through the show’s website or app. Winners are notified by email or text. If you win, you pay the discounted price and pick up your tickets at the box office.
The odds vary by show. Newer, less popular shows have better odds. The biggest hits might have thousands of entries per performance. But entering is free and takes about 30 seconds per show.
Insider Tip
Don’t buy at full price. The TKTS app shows what’s available before you queue. Digital lotteries are free to enter and can get you $30 orchestra seats. Enter every lottery for every show you’d see. You can always decline if you win multiple. Most visitors don’t know about lotteries, so you already have an edge.
Method 3: Rush Tickets (First Come, First Served)
Some shows offer rush tickets at the box office when it opens, usually at 10am. These are sold first-come, first-served at a steep discount. Prices range from $20 to $40.
The catch: you need to show up early. For popular shows, people line up an hour or more before the box office opens. And not every show offers rush tickets, so check the show’s website first.
Rush tickets work best for people with flexible schedules who don’t mind the early morning wait. If that sounds like your vacation style, it’s one of the cheapest ways to see a show.
Method 4: TodayTix and Other Apps
The TodayTix app is the digital version of discount ticket buying. It offers advance purchase at reduced prices for many shows, plus last-minute deals. You can browse, compare prices, and buy tickets from your phone.
Prices aren’t always as low as TKTS or lotteries, but the convenience factor is high. You can buy tickets days in advance instead of waiting until show day. Good for people who want to lock in plans.
Getting to the Theater District from the Wales Hotel
Take the 4, 5, or 6 from 86th Street to Grand Central-42nd Street. Transfer to the S shuttle (one stop) to Times Square-42nd Street. Total time: about 25 minutes.
Most theaters are clustered between 41st and 54th Streets, from Broadway west to Eighth Avenue. Once you’re in Times Square, everything is within a 10-minute walk.
Show Schedule and Curtain Times
Broadway shows typically run Tuesday through Sunday. Monday is the traditional dark night when most theaters are closed.
Evening curtain times are 7pm or 8pm depending on the show. Matinees are usually at 2pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Check your specific show’s schedule, as there are exceptions.
Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before curtain. Latecomers may not be seated until a scene break, and some shows won’t seat you at all once the performance starts.
Where to Eat Before the Show
Do not eat in Times Square. Walk one block west to 9th Avenue where the real restaurants are. Restaurant Row on 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues has pre-theater menus designed to get you fed and out the door in time for curtain.
If you’d rather eat near the hotel before heading downtown, check our Upper East Side restaurant guide for options close to the Wales Hotel. Or see our neighborhood guide for a full overview of what’s near the hotel.
Broadway vs. Off-Broadway
Broadway theaters seat 500 or more people and are located in the Theater District. Off-Broadway theaters are smaller (100 to 499 seats) and spread across Manhattan. Off-Off-Broadway is under 100 seats.
Off-Broadway shows are often cheaper, more experimental, and just as good as Broadway. Some of the best theatrical experiences in New York happen in smaller venues. TKTS sells Off-Broadway tickets too.
If you’re open to something different, Off-Broadway is where you’ll find shows that take risks. Many eventually transfer to Broadway after building an audience in smaller theaters.
Your Theater District Home Base
Stay on the Upper East Side and you’re 25 minutes from Broadway by subway. Quieter streets, better value, and easy access to the Theater District when the curtain calls.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cheapest way to see a Broadway show?
Digital lotteries. Many shows offer tickets for $10 to $40 through online lotteries the day before the performance. Entering is free and takes seconds. If you don’t win a lottery, the TKTS booth offers 20% to 50% off same-day tickets.
How does the TKTS booth work?
Show up, wait in line, and choose from whatever shows are available that day. You won’t know exactly which shows are offered until you get to the window, but the TKTS app shows current availability so you can check before lining up. You pay at the window and receive your tickets immediately.
When should I get to the TKTS booth?
The Times Square booth opens at 3pm for evening shows. Arriving around 2:30pm puts you near the front of the line. By 4pm the line can be quite long. Alternatively, the Lincoln Center booth opens at 11am with shorter lines.
Are Broadway shows appropriate for kids?
It depends on the show. Family-friendly musicals like The Lion King and Aladdin are specifically designed for all ages. Other shows have mature content. Check individual show ratings before buying tickets for children.
How long is a typical Broadway show?
Most musicals run 2 to 2.5 hours including one intermission. Plays are often shorter, around 90 minutes to 2 hours. Some shows run straight through without an intermission. Check the runtime on the show’s website.
What should I wear to a Broadway show?
There’s no dress code. You’ll see everything from jeans and sneakers to cocktail dresses. Smart casual is the most common look. Wear whatever you’re comfortable in.
Can I use my phone during a Broadway show?
No. Turn your phone completely off before the show starts. No texting, no checking the time, no photos. The light from screens is distracting to performers and other audience members. Ushers will ask you to put it away.
What day is best to see a Broadway show?
Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and Wednesday matinees tend to have the best availability and the easiest TKTS lines. Saturday evening is the hardest time to find discounted tickets. If you’re flexible on the day, midweek gives you the best options.