How to Find Cheap Theatre Tickets in London: Apps and Timing

London theatre tickets can cost over £100 for a popular West End show - but you don’t have to pay that much. Thousands of people see cheap theatre tickets in London every week for under £30, and many for under £15. It’s not magic. It’s timing, apps, and knowing where to look.

Know When to Buy - Timing Matters More Than You Think

The biggest mistake people make? Buying tickets as soon as they decide to go. The cheapest seats aren’t on sale first. They appear later - often just hours before the show.

Most major theatres in London release a block of discounted tickets 24 to 48 hours before performance time. These are unsold seats that the box office doesn’t want to lose. You’ll find them on the official website, but rarely on third-party sites like Ticketmaster or See Tickets. That’s because those sites take a cut - and the theatres keep more money by selling direct when they’re desperate to fill seats.

Try this: check the official site of the theatre you want to see - like the Royal Opera House, the National Theatre, or the Lyceum - at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the day before the show. That’s when staff update availability. You’ll see last-minute deals pop up, often with 50% to 70% off. A £95 ticket for Hamilton can drop to £29. A £70 ticket for The Lion King can drop to £22.

Weekday shows - Tuesday to Thursday - are almost always cheaper than Friday and Saturday. Evenings are pricier than matinees. A 2:30 p.m. show on a Wednesday? You might pay half what you’d pay for the 7:30 p.m. show on Saturday.

Use These 5 Apps - They’re Free and Real

Forget websites that charge extra fees. The best deals come from apps built by theatres themselves or trusted local services. Here are the five that actually work in 2026.

1. TodayTix - This app is the most reliable for last-minute deals. It shows real-time discounts across 40+ West End and Off-West End theatres. You can filter by price, location, and show. The ‘£20 or Less’ section updates hourly. I once got a front-row seat for Wicked at £18 using this app on a Tuesday afternoon.
2. London Theatre Direct - Not just an app, but a website too. They have a ‘Special Offers’ section that updates daily. They don’t mark up prices. They just list what theatres are selling cheap. Look for ‘Rush Tickets’ and ‘Standing Room Only’ - these are often £10 to £15.
3. TKTS Booth (official) - Yes, it still exists. There’s a physical TKTS booth in Leicester Square, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. But here’s the trick: the app version (called TKTS by Society of London Theatre) shows the same discounts, and you can buy without standing in line. Same prices. No extra fee. Same seats. Just faster.
4. Official Theatre Apps - Every big theatre has its own app. The National Theatre app, the Royal Shakespeare Company app, the Shakespeare’s Globe app - they all push exclusive deals to subscribers. Sign up for push notifications. You’ll get alerts for £15 tickets to new productions before they go on general sale.
5. Stage Door - This one’s for locals. It’s a community-driven app where people resell tickets they can’t use. Prices are set by sellers, but most are under £25. You’ll find tickets for shows that sold out weeks ago. Just check the seller’s rating. Avoid anyone with no reviews.

Where to Sit - The Secret to Saving Hundreds

You don’t need a front-row seat to feel the magic. In fact, the best value is often in the back.

In most West End theatres, the upper circle (also called the balcony) has the best sightlines for under £30. The front rows of the upper circle are sometimes cheaper than the back rows of the stalls. Why? Because people think ‘stalls = better’ - but in theatres like the Palace or the Apollo, the upper circle gives you a clear, unobstructed view of the whole stage.

Avoid the side seats in the stalls. They’re angled. You’ll spend half the show looking sideways. The middle of the upper circle? Perfect. You’ll see everything. And if you’re okay with standing, some shows offer standing room only (SRO) tickets. They’re £10 to £15. You stand at the back of the auditorium, right behind the last row of seats. It’s not glamorous, but you’re still inside. I saw Les Misérables standing for £12. The sound was incredible.

Sign Up for Free Alerts - No Spam, Just Deals

Theatre companies send out emails - but only if you ask for them. Don’t sign up for every newsletter. Pick three.

• Society of London Theatre (SOLT) - Their newsletter includes daily discount alerts and ticket giveaways. They also run the ‘UK Theatre Week’ in spring, when hundreds of shows drop prices to £15 or less.
• London Theatre - A free daily email with the day’s best deals. It’s curated by real people who visit theatres. No bots. No ads. Just: ‘Tonight: £18 for My Fair Lady at the Royal Albert Hall’.
• WhatsOnStage - Their ‘Deals’ section is updated every morning. You can set alerts for specific shows. If Wicked drops below £30, you’ll get a text.

Student, Under-26, and Local Discounts - Don’t Miss These

If you’re a student, under 26, or live in London, you’re eligible for serious discounts - even if you don’t have a student card.

• Under 26s - Many theatres have ‘Rush’ or ‘26 & Under’ tickets. You need ID. You can only buy one per person. These are usually £10 to £20. The National Theatre, the Royal Court, and the Young Vic all offer them.
• Student Tickets - You need a valid ISIC card or university ID. Most theatres offer £15 tickets on the day of the show. Some, like the Donmar Warehouse, let you book in advance for £12.
• Londoners - If you have a London postcode (even if you live in Croydon or Walthamstow), you can get £10 tickets on ‘Local Nights’. These are usually on Tuesdays. Just show your utility bill or council tax statement at the box office.

What to Avoid - The Traps That Cost You Money

Not every deal is a deal. Here’s what to skip:

• Third-party resellers - Viagogo, StubHub, GetMeIn - these sites mark up prices. A £40 ticket becomes £120. Even if it says ‘Official’, check the seller name. If it’s not the theatre’s name, walk away.
• ‘Bundle’ deals - ‘Buy a ticket and get a drink’ - sounds good, right? But the ticket is inflated. You’re paying £65 for a £30 ticket and a £10 drink. You could’ve bought the ticket for £30 and a drink for £5 at a pub next door.
• Buying too early - If you book six months ahead, you’re paying full price. The discounts come later. Wait. Check the apps daily. You’ll get a better deal.

Final Tip: Go Off-West End

You don’t have to see a show in the West End. Some of the best theatre in London happens in smaller venues - and it’s way cheaper.

Places like the Almeida Theatre in Islington, the Young Vic in Waterloo, or the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn offer professional productions for £15 to £25. The acting is just as good. The sets are creative. The crowds are smaller. And you’re supporting local arts.

I saw a brilliant adaptation of Macbeth at the Almeida for £18. No queues. No tourist crowds. Just a packed room of locals, all leaning forward, hanging on every word.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to see great theatre in London. You just need to know when to look - and where.