What time is best to stand in line at TKTS?
Jan 21st, 2000 | 08:56 AM
#2
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I know you'll get a host of responses on this from people more informed than I, but I'll start off by suggesting you go to the TKTS in the World Trade Center, NOT the one in Times Square. It's in the same building as the elevator to the observation deck, so you could combine the purchase with a great birdseye view of Manhattan and New York Harbor. I have never seen a long line at that one, and it is indoors. I may be misremembering but I believe I've used a credit card there.
Jan 21st, 2000 | 09:10 AM
#3
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TKTS is cash only. Figure around $30-$40 per ticket. Also, the one at World Trade does have shorter lines, and the advantage is that it is the only location where you can buy saturday matinee tickets on Friday. If you get to the one at World Trade about 15 minutes before it opens (I think it opens at 11), you will have no problem with getting good tickets and you may even be first in line.
Jan 21st, 2000 | 09:24 AM
#4
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For the main TKTS booth in Times Square, the obvious answer is: The earlier the better! For matinees on Wednesday and Saturday, try to get in line by 9 a.m. (The windows open at 10.) The line builds very quickly after that time, and sometimes even before! For evening performances, get in line by 2 p.m. (The windows open at 3.) To give you an idea of how long you'll wait once the windows open: Each block-length-long line takes about a half to move the length of a block. (The lines can sometimes snakes the equivalent of four-five blocks!)
Sometimes you can get there late (i.e., 1:30 for matinees and after 5:30 for evening performances) and luck in, as sometimes theaters will drop of blocks of unsold seats late. An advantage of going to the TKTS booth late is that there is rarely a line! At the same time, however, you may not have as much of a choice.
It's a cash only line (though I think they also take travelers checks).
And yes, the main TKTS booth in Times Square is open seven days a week, but you can only get tickets for the performance that day. (On matinee days, the 10 a.m. opening is for matinees only, while the 3 p.m. opening is for that evening only.)
Sometimes you can get there late (i.e., 1:30 for matinees and after 5:30 for evening performances) and luck in, as sometimes theaters will drop of blocks of unsold seats late. An advantage of going to the TKTS booth late is that there is rarely a line! At the same time, however, you may not have as much of a choice.
It's a cash only line (though I think they also take travelers checks).
And yes, the main TKTS booth in Times Square is open seven days a week, but you can only get tickets for the performance that day. (On matinee days, the 10 a.m. opening is for matinees only, while the 3 p.m. opening is for that evening only.)
Jan 21st, 2000 | 11:14 AM
#5
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You guys are terrific! Thanks for the info. I have a college student visiting me from Virginia who has never been in NY. She will be here for one week and I would like to treat her to a show, among other things, so I am trying to keep the price of tickets down. I also read somewhere that one can purchase standing room only tickets. Do you have any info? Thanks again - Patty
Jan 21st, 2000 | 11:18 AM
#6
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We got there (Times Square)at 2:20 pm. There were about 8-10 people in front of us. About 5 minutes after opening we walked away with two tickets for Miss Saigon (it was our choice). Great seats. We paid $80.00 for both tickets plus $5.00 service charge. I would spend more time traveling on subway to the trade World Center. If your time is limited in New York City you need to take this under consideration.
Jan 21st, 2000 | 02:44 PM
#7
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Patty:
Yes, you can get standing room for most shows. Of course, they're usually available for sold-out shows. The last I heard, they sell for about $20. From what I recall, they are available the day of the performance. Just get to the box office when it opens at 10 a.m. (All box offices open at that time.)Incidentally, some shows (like Rent) sell special tickets for $20. Also, some shows have specially priced tickets just for students, so your friend would quality!
One final suggestion: Log onto the Playbill website (playbill.com) and join its club--there's no charge and it's open to everyone. Once you're a member you can get discount tickets for many shows. In many of the cases, you just run off the information and take the sheet to the box office for the discount price (or you can call and pay the usual $5-$5.50 charge for phone orders). It's worth checking out. I've used it several times and usually get very good seats.
So, now, you have all the options!
Yes, you can get standing room for most shows. Of course, they're usually available for sold-out shows. The last I heard, they sell for about $20. From what I recall, they are available the day of the performance. Just get to the box office when it opens at 10 a.m. (All box offices open at that time.)Incidentally, some shows (like Rent) sell special tickets for $20. Also, some shows have specially priced tickets just for students, so your friend would quality!
One final suggestion: Log onto the Playbill website (playbill.com) and join its club--there's no charge and it's open to everyone. Once you're a member you can get discount tickets for many shows. In many of the cases, you just run off the information and take the sheet to the box office for the discount price (or you can call and pay the usual $5-$5.50 charge for phone orders). It's worth checking out. I've used it several times and usually get very good seats.
So, now, you have all the options!
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Jan 21st, 2000 | 03:10 PM
#8
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Here's a link to TKTS's schedule, from the horse's mouth:
http://www.tdf.org/programs/tkts/index.html
http://www.tdf.org/programs/tkts/index.html
Jan 22nd, 2000 | 09:36 PM
#12
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You just never know, and you have to pay with cash. If you're going all the way to NYC and really want to see a particular show, it's best to book way ahead for tickets to the show and day/time you prefer. If you just want to see "something", you could waste a lot of time in line (and be quite uncomfortable, depending upon the weather) doing same. I, for one, always purchase tickets ahead of time for preferred shows in terrific seats, then plan the rest of my visit.
Jan 25th, 2000 | 08:20 PM
#13
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Lot's of great ticket information but as one would guess, buy early, sounds like the right way to go. I have been looking for information on shows for the last week of April and the first week of May. Where does one find the information on what is playing and who to call to order tickets in advance.
Jan 26th, 2000 | 05:22 AM
#14
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A few observations/reactions:
1. Obviously, people who wait in line at the TKTS booth are doing it to save money. Not everyone can afford $70-$80 a ticket!
2. As far as wasting your time in line? Well, there are lists of what's available (which, obviously, are continuously updated). So, you can see ahead of time what's available. (If you're alone in line, just as the person in front or back of you to hold your space while you look at the list. They'll do it for you.)
3. Tony: As for finding out what's playing and what numbers to call, buy a copy of New York Magazine. There is a theater listing in the back section, with the phone number for order tickets with each listing. Or, get a copy of the Sunday New York Times. No matter what part of the country you're in, its edition of the Times will still have an arts section. There is a complete listing of all shows in the section. (Note: The daily Times may not have the listing. It depends on which edition your location gets.) Tony, if you want more help/info, let me know.
1. Obviously, people who wait in line at the TKTS booth are doing it to save money. Not everyone can afford $70-$80 a ticket!
2. As far as wasting your time in line? Well, there are lists of what's available (which, obviously, are continuously updated). So, you can see ahead of time what's available. (If you're alone in line, just as the person in front or back of you to hold your space while you look at the list. They'll do it for you.)
3. Tony: As for finding out what's playing and what numbers to call, buy a copy of New York Magazine. There is a theater listing in the back section, with the phone number for order tickets with each listing. Or, get a copy of the Sunday New York Times. No matter what part of the country you're in, its edition of the Times will still have an arts section. There is a complete listing of all shows in the section. (Note: The daily Times may not have the listing. It depends on which edition your location gets.) Tony, if you want more help/info, let me know.
Jan 26th, 2000 | 09:07 AM
#15
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Tony,
You could also check:
http://www.playbill.com/
Have used this site and purchased tix for various shows that are sometimes deeply discounted. The site also gives current listing of plays on Broadway and Off Broadway and includes diagram of most of the theaters.
Hope this helps!
You could also check:
http://www.playbill.com/
Have used this site and purchased tix for various shows that are sometimes deeply discounted. The site also gives current listing of plays on Broadway and Off Broadway and includes diagram of most of the theaters.
Hope this helps!
