Want to know how to get cheap tickets at Leicester Square? If you are heading in to london and want to get some cheap discounted theatre tickets then the best place to head to is Londons Leicester Square. Leicester Square is in the heart of theatre land in the west end and is the best place for getting some last minute cheap theatre tickets.
I may have been compensated, or could be compensated, if you click on a link in this post via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See our full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details.
In the centre of the square is a large ticket building called TKTS. TKTS London is the number one place for discount theatre tickets for London’s West End shows. The world famous TKTS booth is in the heart of Leicester Square and is open daily to purchase some of the best price theatre tickets. You can also view and purchase tickets on their website.
Read my Ultimate guide on things to do in Londons Leicester Square here too
How to get cheap theatre tickets at TKTS in Leicester Square, everything you need to know before you go
Who are TKTS?
London’s TKTS booth was originally known as “The Half Price Ticket Booth“, and it is run by the Society of London Theatre not-for-profit organisation. They work directly with theatre owners as well as producers to give you promotion’s direct. The society of the london theatre supports the theatre industry and started running In 1980. The TKTS booth is the only official ticket booth in london for authentic theatre tickets.
The TKTS booth has been running for more than 40 years. The first booth was a small, wooden hut painted in green and yellow stripes. This Hut stood on the West side of Leicester Square in 1980. It was the first ticket booth of its kind in Leicester Square and is still the only official one.
The TKTS booth is now in the Clocktower Building which was welcomed by the Mayor of Westminster. The Half Price Ticket Booth was renamed ‘TKTS’ in 2001. This name is adopted from the name of its Broadway counterpart in New York.
There are also full price tickets regularly available through the booth that you can purchase in advance.
Who are Official London Theatre TKTS booth?
Official London Theatre is run by Society of London Theatre (SOLT) which is not-for-profit organisation representing the theatre industry. SOLT also runs the Olivier Awards, West End LIVE, TKTS, Theatre Tokens, Kids Week and the New Year Sale. which can all be found on their official London Website.
All profits made from SOLT, including TKTS, go straight back into the industry. TKTS is also accredited by the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR) and all ticket sales are made following the STAR code of practice.
The TKTS booth has a website where you can view what is discounted and which theatre shows are available for the next 3 days. You can purchase these tickets online or in person directly at the booth.
Tickets can only be bought from TKTS in person. Each TKTS ticket includes a booking fee of £3 on discount theatre tickets and £1 on full price tickets.
Can you get cheap Theatre tickets at Leicester Square?
Yes you can! Only go to the official London theatre Ticket booth. The TKTS booth in Leicester Square offers half-price and discounted theatre tickets. If you go directly to a theatre’s box office on the day you can purchase standby tickets, last minute reductions and returns.
Tips for getting cheap tickets in Leicester Square.
Do not got to the smaller ticket booths dotted around the square these are not cheap. They often put on extra money on top of the ticket. The cheapest ticket booth is the official london theatre ticket booth in the middle of the square.
The official london ticket booth have discounted tickets for up to 3 days in advance. You can check online for the discounted shows prior to buying tickets.
Some theatre tickets are reduced by up to 70% off!
Look out for Laurel and Hardy statue on top of the ticket booth who are part of the Scenes in the Square installation of statues.
When to go to the TKTS booth
Get there early at the start of your day visiting London. There are often queues for tickets but the Queue moves quite quickly. There is a board directly outside that shows you the days tickets that are available and which ones are heavily discounted.
If you ask in person at the desk the staff of the ticket booth are very helpful and will guide you in to which tickets to purchase.
Ask which tickets are the most discounted or which show is ending soon so you get a chance to see it. Throughout the day they often add more shows, extra tickets and sometimes update prices.
Where is the TKTS booth in Leicester Square?
The Leicester Square ticket booth is directly in the middle of the square. You can’t miss it it has Laurel and Hardy statues on the top
The Booth is in the Clocktower building on the south side of Leicester Square. Look for the Clocktower building opposite the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hampshire Hotel.
TKTS half price ticket booth opening times
The Leicester Square ticket booth is open;
Monday – Saturday from 10.30am – 6pm and from 12pm – 4.30pm on Sundays.
May I purchase tickets for up to 3 days out from the day I’m at the ticket booth?
Yes you can
Do I get paper tickets printed at the booth? Or I receive e-ticket only? thanks!