How to get cheaper theatre tickets in London

If you're searching for cheap theatre tickets, you'll see a lot of attractive headline prices. Promo codes, "from £x" headlines, and prices that can look very different once you've picked a date and seats. On this page, we explain how theatre discounts really work, plus a few straightforward tips to help you get the best deals (whether you book with us or not).

Quick takeaways

Discounts are usually limited. Shows choose the dates and seat areas that can be reduced.
Midweek is normally cheaper. Weekends, holidays and peak dates tend to cost more.
Cheapest often comes with trade-offs. Higher levels in the theatre, side view, restricted view, or tighter legroom.
Go for best value, not just the lowest price. Spending a little more can be the difference between "fine" and "brilliant".

How theatre ticket discounts work

Most West End shows don't discount every seat for every performance. Instead, they release specific batches of tickets at lower prices to help fill quieter dates and keep the venue looking busy.

Discounts tend to appear when:

a performance is quieter than expected (often Monday to Thursday)
a show wants to boost sales for a particular week or month

That's why you can see a great price on a Tuesday, then nothing similar for Saturday night.

What counts as a real discount?

A lot of "discount" pricing falls into two buckets.

A proper offer. The show is actively reducing the price of certain seat areas on certain performances. You'll normally see it presented as something like "save up to x%" or "tickets from £x".

The cheaper price bands that are already there. Most shows have a spread of prices all the time. The lowest bands aren't always advertised as a discount, but they're often the first to go, especially on popular dates.

Either way, don't judge it by the headline. Ask two things: which seats are included, and is that good value for what you're getting?

Do you need a discount code?

Simple answer: Most of the time, no.

A lot of the best prices are simply:

cheaper performances (off-peak pricing)
lower price bands
limited-time offers that apply automatically at checkout

Discount codes do exist, but they are becoming less and less common.

How to get cheap theatre tickets on the day (for today or tomorrow)

If you're flexible and you just want to get in, last-minute can work well. It usually comes from:

late releases of seats (these are often great seats, but not often sold at discounted prices)
end-of-day price drops on quieter performances (not guaranteed)

What to expect:

choice can be limited, especially for popular shows
you may need to move quickly when something decent appears, as they might not be around for long

Leicester Square and same-day deals

When people think "cheap theatre tickets", they often think Leicester Square, mainly because that's where the famous same-day ticket booth is.

It can be a good shout if you're being spontaneous. Just go in with the right expectations:

You might need to queue, especially at busy times
Availability can be hit and miss, so go with a few shows in mind
You might not get the best seats
The strongest bargains are usually for quieter performances, not peak Friday and Saturday nights

If you're deciding between going to the booth and booking ahead, use this simple rule: if you care about show, date and seat choice, book. If you're flexible and just want to see something, Leicester Square can work very well.

Student, NHS, Blue Light and teacher discounts

These discounts can exist, but they're not universal and can take a bit of finding (as they're not widely advertised).

Typical rules to bear in mind:

Availability is usually limited and often midweek
You may need to show a valid ID at the venue

If you're booking around one of these discounts, the key is to check whether the seats included are actually good value. If not, a standard discounted allocation can be the better buy.

When to book for the best discounts

There's no single perfect rule, but these patterns hold up:

Best chance of low prices: Monday to Thursday evenings, and quieter matinees.
Hardest dates for discounts: Friday nights, Saturdays and school holidays.
Good-value sweet spot: booking a little ahead for an off-peak date, when there's still seat choice.
Sales: London Theatre Week style sales pop up three or four times a year and can be one of the best moments to book, because lots of shows discount at once. The best-value prices tend to go first, so it's worth looking early. Boxing Day sales are another popular time for offers, with plenty of promotions landing at once.

Cheap tickets vs best value tickets

Very low prices often come with trade-offs. That's not a problem if you know what you're getting.

Common compromises with the cheapest seats:

Restricted view (part of the stage blocked by railings, pillars, or the circle front)
Side view (you might miss some staging if the show has action towards the side of the stage)
Height and distance (Upper Circle and Balcony can be great, but it depends on the theatre)
Comfort (tight legroom in some areas, and steeper stairs)

Are discounted tickets legit?

Yes, when they're sold through reputable, authorised sellers.

Our approach is simple:

We stick to legitimate sources
We're clear about what you're buying
We'll flag anything that affects the experience, like restricted view

If you ever want to double-check before you book, please ring us.

Fees and totals, no nasty surprises

Most ticket sellers charge booking fees. That's normal, and it's part of how ticketing works.

The issue is when the price creeps up as you click through. A "from £x" headline, then a different total once you've picked a seat, chosen delivery, and reached checkout.

On Hit The Theatre, we show all-in prices up front. The price you see is the price you pay. If anything looks odd, give us a shout and we'll explain it.

FAQs

Where can I buy cheap theatre tickets in London?: Start with off-peak performances and be flexible on dates. If you want the quickest route to good options, call us and we'll shortlist the best-value choices for your budget.
Why are Saturday tickets so much more expensive?: Demand is higher at weekends, so shows often price tickets at a premium. Discounts are usually focused on quieter dates.
Are matinees cheaper?: Sometimes, yes, especially weekday matinees. Weekend matinees can still be pricey for the biggest shows. There are some shows that appeal more to audiences that prefer matinees. These shows tend to actually be more likely to do discounts in the evenings than in the afternoons.
Can I choose my seats on discounted tickets?: Usually yes, but some offers restrict you to certain areas. If you book by phone, we can help you pick the best option within the offer.
What does "restricted view" actually mean?: It means you may not be able to see the full stage. Sometimes it's minor, sometimes it's significant. We'll always flag it clearly. In the West End, there are actually some fantastic restricted view seats which we feel are not restricted at all!
Do you sell rush tickets?: We're not a rush-ticket service and we're not the TKTS booth. But we're happy to explain the options for your date and point you towards the best-value route.
I just want the cheapest ticket possible, can you help?: Yes. Tell us your budget, the show and date, and we'll be straight with you about what's available and what the trade-offs are.
Want help choosing the best-value deal?: If you tell us the show, date, and budget, we'll give you honest advice and help you avoid the classic "cheap ticket mistake". Call 020 7193 9050.

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