In the center of Leicester Square is a large ticketing building called the TKTS London.
It's a little store that sells you discount theater tickets for shows in London's West End.
Let's discover this place together.
TKTS London : article summary
What are TKTS London stands??
The London TKTS booth was originally known as "The Half Price Ticket Booth" and is run by the non-profit organization Society of London Theatre.
They work directly with theater owners and producers to offer direct promotions.
The London Theatre Society supports the theater industry and began operating in 1980. The TKTS stand is the only official box office in London offering authentic theater tickets.
A stand that stands the test of time
The TKTS stand in Leicester Square has been around for over 40 years. The first stand was a small wooden hut painted with green and yellow stripes.
This hut stood on the west side of Leicester Square in 1980. It was the first ticket office of its kind in Leicester Square.
Another TKTS stand is now located in the Clocktower Building. This one was inaugurated by the mayor of Westminster.
Who owns this stand?
The Official London Theatre is managed by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), a not-for-profit organization representing the theater industry.
SOLT also handles :
- The Oliver Awards
- From the West End LIVE
- Theatre Tokens
- Du Kid Week
- New Year's Eve fireworks ticket sales
All profits made by SOLT, including TKTS, go directly back into the industry. TKTS is also accredited by the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR). ticket sales are carried out in accordance with the STAR code of practice.
How to get cheap theater tickets in Leicester Square?
Visit the official London theater box office. The TKTS stand in Leicester Square offers half-price and reduced-price theater tickets.
If you go directly to a theater box office on the same day, you can buy standby tickets or take advantage of last-minute discounts. However, it won't be as than taking your ticket at the TKTS.
TKTS London: tips for getting cheap tickets
Don't go to the little ticket offices scattered around the square, as they're not cheap and often charge extra on top of the ticket. The cheapest ticket office is the official London Theatre box office, located in the middle of the square.
London's official ticket office offers discounted tickets up to 3 days in advance. You can check online for shows before buying tickets.
When to visit the TKTS stand?
Arrive early at the start of your day's visit to London. There are often queues for tickets, but the queue moves quite quickly.
There's a sign just outside showing you the daily tickets available and those benefiting from a significant discount.
If you ask in person at the counter, the ticket office staff are very helpful and will guide you to the tickets you need.
Ask which tickets are the cheapest, or which show is ending soon, for a chance to see it. All day long, they often add extra shows, extra tickets and sometimes update prices.
Where to find the TKTS London stand in Leicester Square?
The Leicester Square ticket office is located directly in the middle of the square. You can't miss it - there are statues of Laurel and Hardy at the top.
Another stand is in the Clocktower building, on the south side of Leicester Square. Look for the Clocktower building opposite the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hampshire Hotel.
What are our opening hours??
Leicester Square ticket office opens:
- Monday to Saturday 10.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
TKTS London is one of the best ways to get discount theater tickets in London. A must if you want to enjoy the city's superb musicals at reduced prices.
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