4 Ways to Get Cheap Broadway Tickets

by Haley Davidson

Most people who come to New York City dream of getting to see a Broadway show. However, with ticket prices starting as high as $350, that dream can look out of reach.

A closer look may surprise you, though. Below, you can find four simple ways to get inexpensive Broadway tickets–including epic seats in Hamilton for only $10.

1. TKTS

The Theatre Development Fund operates TKTS booths in Times Square, South St. Seaport, Downtown Brooklyn, and Lincoln Center. At the booths, you can grab Broadway tickets discounted as much as 50%. And while you may not find Hamilton or Wicked tickets here, you’ll be able to see other great shows for cheap.

For Broadway shows, the Times Square booth is the best because it has an express line for plays. Other booths sell dance, musical, and other tickets in addition to Broadway show tickets. For all booths, keep an eye on the website for real-time listings since tickets tend to sell out quickly. You can also download the official TKTS app- and make sure you arrive at a booth early in order to get the best tickets!

2. TodayTix

TodayTix is a popular platform for highly discounted Broadway tickets for shows from Wicked to Waitress.  You can download the mobile app to grab inexpensive tickets or enter a lottery to get even cheaper tickets for more popular shows.

You can submit your lottery entry through the app about four hours before the show and wait hopefully for an email or push notification with the results. And no matter how you get the ticket, you can pay either through the app or at the box office when you arrive.

3. Same-day rush

Willing to go on more of an adventure to get your tickets? Most Broadway shows have student and same-day rush tickets available. The competition for these tickets can be fierce, so make sure you have your student ID and cash on hand in order to get prime seats for as little as $20 or $30.

Box offices tend to open around 10am, but lines start forming much earlier for more popular shows. So arrive with food, water, and comfortable clothes and be prepared for a memorable NYC experience. Click here for a complete list from Playbill of which shows offer student and same day rush tickets.

4. Lottery

Finally, one of the simplest ways to get tickets is by entering the Broadway Direct lottery. Broadway’s top shows have lotteries here. You can win Hamilton tickets for $10 or Lion King tickets for $30. You can only enter one time per show and for a max of two tickets, but get your friends to enter too and increase your chances.  

The chances are slim with these lotteries since hundreds people enter every day, but if you dedicate yourself and enter over and over again, you might get to see Hamilton before you leave NYC, after all! You can find a complete list of shows offering lotteries here.

Know other cool ways to get Broadway tickets for cheap? Email us nycintern@tkc.edu or tweet us @NYCIntern!