A Cheap Trip

[javertjunky]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 8:02pm

What is the easiest way to go to NYC and see more than 2 shows for a reasonable price? How should i get my tickets?

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 2/26/07 at 10:34pm

If you're a student, Student Rush is the obvious choice.
If you're not a student, standing room and lottos are another.

Also, some shows offer very cheap rear mezz seats or even cheapish partial view.

[mauriposa]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 12:41am

Personally, I didn't want to leave it to lottos, student rush, etc., for my upcoming trip because it's my first (and only for the forseeable future) trip to NYC, so I googled and found a bunch of discount codes for the individual shows I wanted to see. Of course, a lot of what I found were limited time only codes, but they did the trick.

[courtnyj]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 12:45am

Save money by staying at as hostel instead of a hotel. The Big Apple Hostel is ideally located on 45th St btwn 6th and 7th Aves, and it's just $30 a night! You can afford to see more shows if you don't spend so much on a hotel in NYC.

[nztheatreluva]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 12:57am

Is the Big Apple Hostel the best hostel? I'm also coming to New York and want to find a good, really cheap hostel to stay in

[mauriposa]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 1:00am

I found a really good deal on Orbitz for flight/hotel, if you don't want to stay in a hostel. I know I didn't.

[kgallo]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 1:05am

I don't know about hotels and airfare because I live close enough to go for the day, but as far as tickets go I would go with TKTS. I personally would not want to do standing room (I don't care how cheap the tickets are) and lottos/rush can be risky. Everytime I've been at TKTS for the past 2 months I've had no trouble getting the show I wanted. That's another factor though...which shows are you hoping to see?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 2/27/07 at 1:45am

Before I had friends who lived in the city that I stayed with and before I had friends in Broadway shows that got me comp tickets, this is what I did:

1) For flight, did JetBlue. $120 round trip. Or, I'd take the bus or train.

2) For hotel, I would stay at the YMCA (West Side). The rooms are setup in a college dorm situation. Some rooms have private baths, otherwise it's a hall bath. Sounds sketchy but it's not at all. It's just like college. Plus the West Side YMCA is convienently located off of Columbus Circle across from Central Park. You can opt to walk from Times Square/Broadway area or take the A or C subway train. Depending on the dates and how far in advance you book, it can cost a LOT less then $100 a night and is the next best solution to a hotel that is SAFE, without bugs, and in a good location. And an added bonus - you can use all the YMCA amenities, such as the weight room, swimming pool, etc.

3) There are several ways to get cheap theatre tickets. If you are a student, check to see if the show you want to see offers student rush tickets. These range from $20 (TARZAN) to $26.26 (most shows). They are CASH ONLY and you must have your student ID with you. You can purchase up to two tickets per ID.

Or, join the TDF and for select shows you can get thirty-something dollar tickets.

Or, check to see if your show has a lottery, general rush, or standing room tickets.

Or, visit BroadwayWorld.com to see if any nice individuals are offering to give away a free ticket because they or their date couldn't make it. If it's papalovesmambo that's offering, though, RUN AWAY. If it's TheatreDiva...caution! If it's MargoChanning - I envy you!

Or, visit the TKTS booth and get discount tickets. They accept CASH ONLY and not all Broadway shows are on there. The more popular shows aren't on there, such as WICKED, JERSEY BOYS and THE LION KING. Shows generally on there each day are RENT, THE PRODUCERS, CHICAGO, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, etc. These tickets can be located in any section and are either 50% off or 35% off. They also have off-Broadway tickets.

But, DO NOT buy tickets from scalpors!! These are the people on the street selling tickets for "sold out" shows. If you are desperate like that, ask them to go to the theatre with you to make sure the tickets are valid. If they are, that's rare. Use this same advice with people trying to sell you tickets on line at the box office or cancellation line who will say "one person in my party couldn't make it and I have an extra ticket."

And, don't purchase tickets from online outlets. They add ridiculous surcharges that could double the ticket price. Try Ticketmaster or Telecharge first. Try cancellation line second. Then eBay. THEN use those sites.

Oh yeah!, Playbill.com also has discount codes. So does BroadwayBox.com and other Sites.

4) For eating, the fast food places are all over and aren't expensive. But it's fast food.

I recommend the Edison Cafe on 47th street between 8th and Broadway. They have GREAT American food at CHEAP prices and you are served FAST. After a visit here, Neil Simon was inspired to write the play 45 SECONDS FROM BROADWAY. I go there every time I visit New York.