Finding the Best Deals for Broadway Tickets in New York

Catching a Broadway show while you’re in New York is a must-do on most tourists’ to-do lists. Most backpackers will see this as an activity that’s unaffordable. However it doesn’t have to be. The key isn’t just knowing how to find the best tickets. It’s also about having an understanding of how ticket pricing works. This will help to be at a better advantage when it comes to finding the more affordable prices. This article is going to take a look at how you can find the best deals for Broadway tickets in New York. 

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.

Choosing a Show

The first step is to find out what is on Broadway right now. This will give you an idea of what’s on offer and help you to pick something you will enjoy. There’s no use in finding a cheap ticket if you’re not going to enjoy the show anyway. It’s important to make sure you’re looking at which shows are on for specifically when you’re in New York. Especially as it’s common for shows to take a break or even come on and off Broadway. 

Having an understanding of ticket pricing can help you to find the best deals. Especially as there are a number of factors that can affect the price of a ticket. This includes the popularity of the show, the location of your seat, the day of the week, the time of day and seat demand. You may find ticket prices dramatically increase for a show if it’s in its final week or if its a limited run. 

Being aware of these factors can help you to be more flexible and look in areas where tickets are typically more affordable. For example if you’re able to look for a show during the week or filter for specific seats. Being flexible and open to different options is the best way to get the best deals. One type of ticket that is generally a lot cheaper is standing-room tickets. Not all shows offer this option.

For those who do you can stand and watch the performance in a designated area of the theater. These tickets tend to be a lot cheaper but you will be standing for the whole show. Some Broadway shows last up to 3 hours so it’s important to be prepared to stand. 

Discount Booths

A great option when looking for tickets is to find discounted Broadway tickets which you can find in a number of different areas in New York. These tickets are mostly sold on the day of the show where you can usually get a discount between 20% and 50% off. However it’s important to note that the tickets sell very quickly therefore you must arrive at the ticket booth early. 

This can be a great option if you don’t have a preference for a show especially as you’re more likely to get tickets for less popular performances or even off Broadway shows. If you have a particular show in mind you should book ahead to avoid disappointment. It’s also important to be cautious and ensure you’re buying tickets from licensed booths to avoid scams. 

Rush Tickets

A rush ticket is when a Broadway theater offers a selected amount of discount tickets on the day of the performance. These tickets will usually be sold on a first-come, first-served basis which means you need to arrive early. You may even see people lining up from 6 am. If you’re interested in rush tickets you may want to choose accommodation closer in order to get there early.

 Rush tickets are usually only available at the box office and you must be there in person to purchase them. You should also make sure to do your research before turning up especially as there may be policies attached to a rush ticket. For example a rush may have a limit on tickets per person or be for students for example. Following a show on social media and looking at their website can help you to find out.

This may also open you up to other offers too. While rush tickets can be a great way to score some great discounts, it’s also important to remember that there are no guarantees. Booking ahead is the best way to avoid disappointment. 

Lottery Tickets

Lotteries are very common on Broadway with many shows offering daily lotteries which provide where entering to win could provide you with the chance to purchase a very discounted ticket. Most shows will hold their lottery a few hours before the show starts. A great tip is to enter multiple lotteries. This is a great way to increase your chances of winning. However there is also the chance that you might end up with nothing. If you’re in New York for a longer period of time then this can be effective. But if you’re only visiting for a short time then this can be a much less reliable option. 

Discount Websites

Booking ahead can be a good way to get a great deal when traveling especially as it also helps you to avoid disappointment. There are a number of online websites where you can get great deals for Broadway shows like Hello Tickets for example. Booking online can be a great way to keep your trip organized. While New York is still a great destination for a budget backpacker it can also be expensive. This means you might not have a lot of time in the city which is why booking ahead can be important. 

Keeping an eye out online in the lead-up to your trip can be a great way to find deals. Additionally, following on social media and signing up for newsletters can make it a lot easier to stay up to date too. Keep an eye out on a theater’s website too especially as they may also have their own special deals and promotions throughout the year. 

So there you have it, a number of great options and methods for finding the best deals for Broadway tickets. The key is to be flexible and open to different options. You need to act fast and if you want to avoid disappointment plan ahead. While it’s great getting a good deal you may only be in New York once. So sometimes paying that little extra to book in advance could end up being worth it. 

Buy Us a Coffee!

A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!

You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂