Cheap Broadway Tickets And How To Get Them

One of the best things about living right outside of Philadelphia is how close we are to New York City. I have had an ongoing love affair with the city that never sleeps since I was a little girl. My family and I often take road trips or hop on the train to spend the weekend or even a day exploring New York and its nearby boroughs. We love any chance we get to take in a Broadway show, but they can be pricey. During a recent trip to the city we scored really cheap Broadway tickets last minute and I want to share how you can get them too.

The show my daughter really wanted to see while we were in New York City, which is a great weekend getaway idea, was Spongebob on Broadway (she even wore her pineapple skirt for good luck), but unfortunately the tickets were way too expensive.

Like more than admission to Disney World type of expensive, unless you are a Disney Dreamer, or are able to visit on budget.

Before we left in the morning for NYC, my husband and I both entered a lottery to try to win a spot to purchase discount tickets to the show. Throughout the day we received emails that neither of us won, but I wasn’t ready to give up that easy, especially since the show only had two weeks left on Broadway.

Can you buy Broadway tickets at the box office?

You can always buy tickets right at the theater’s box office. The good thing about getting your tickets in person is that there are no additional service or handling fees.

Since I heard before that sometimes there are last-minute cancellations, we decided to head over to the box office about 15 minutes before showtime to see if anything was available.

There were four tickets available in four separate areas of the theater for $75 each. I definitely didn’t want us all to sit separately so we said no and walked away.

Instead of actually leaving the theater though we stood outside of the Palace theater, which is in the midst of Times Square, and watched as people excitedly walked on by. I looked at my daughter’s sad face plus pineapple skirt, which she was so sure was going to bring us luck, and knew we couldn’t give up.

Are Broadway tickets cheaper at the box office?

Most people seem to think the cheapest Broadway tickets can be found online, but in my experience when it’s last minute, Broadway tickets are cheaper at the box office.

Even though the show we wanted to see was starting in less than 5 minutes, I asked my husband to go back to the box office. I saw him talking excitedly and then he waved us over.

With about 2 minutes until showtime there were FOUR TICKETS available in a box for ONLY $30 EACH! We rushed into the theater and as the usher showed us to our private box under the sea in Bikini Bottom he confirmed that scenario actually happens pretty often.

The usher explained that most people think they need tickets way in advance, but when it comes to Broadway sometimes it pays (well actually saves) to wait until minutes before the show and keep asking the box office staff in order to score cheap Broadway tickets (or four).

Where can I buy cheap Broadway tickets?

People want to know how to get cheap broadway tickets, for shows that are playing both on and off-Broadway. I will admit that actually getting a ticket is kind of like playing a game of chance, but if you can score one it’s so worth it.

Besides buying tickets right at the box office, TKTS Discount Booths are a great option for buying Broadway tickets, as well as a variety of productions for between 20-50% off.

There are three locations in New York City, and since inventory can change so quickly it is recommend that you visit one of these discounts booths earlier in the day.

Use the TKTS app or check their website which provides real-time ticket listings and availability.

One of the best parts about purchasing your tickets from TKTS is that you are supporting a non-profit organization that is focused on sustaining and sharing the arts.