TKTS Lines...

[pndmnd]

First off, I know this is a stupid question.

I haven't done TKTS in years, and I'm wondering how early to get in line for a Wednesday matinee (at the Time Square location)? Do you need to be in line an hour before they open just to get something remotely decent, or can you usually get something good even if you don't show up until 10:00? There are several shows that we're open to seeing that have been on TKTS recently (which is why we're going that route), so it's not like we're only looking for one really popular show, however there are some that we're really not interested in and/or have already seen.

[dramamama611]

It's impossible to to tell, really. Since it sounds like you have a number of shows you would choose from, showing up at 10 should be fine.

There have been people that have told stories of walking up at 7:30 pm and scoring great seats to shows, as the shows make tickets available throughouot the day. (and sometimes better seats than initially sent!)

[morosco]

...There have been people that have told stories of walking up at 7:30 pm and scoring great seats to shows.

That's happened to me on several occasions. And there's usually absolutely no one in line at that point.

[eperkins]

Yup - same thing with me. People think the best seats are available earlier, which is not necessarily the case at all. And if you are seeing a play, make sure you get in the special Play line. It's always VERY short.

[KathyNYC2]

Are there two separate sessions on Matinee days? Can you get matinee and evening shows on line in the morning or is there a separate time for later shows?

[FishermanBob]

Two separate sessions at the TKTS Times Square. Evening shows don't go on sale until 3 p.m. You can buy evening shows earlier at the Brooklyn and South St. Seaport locations but they sell matinee tickets the day before not the morning of like Times Square. Sometimes the % discounts are different as well between Times Sq. and the other two locations so best to check on the TKTS smartphone app you can download.

[KathyNYC2]

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

[Hanna from Hamburg]

I bought an evening ticket for Cinderella at 6:56 p.m. and saw the show at 7:00 (it starts 10 minutes late). There was no line and I got an AMAZING seat. I no longer really want to wait in line for TKTS opening, because it's just not worth it in my opinion.

[Patash]

Again a reminder about the "PLAY ONLY" line. I recently got in that line at 10 minutes before TKTS opened on a Wednesday and I was the third person in line. The musical lines were "miles" long!

[BwayGeek2]

Agreed! I've gotten tickets later in the day on numerous occasions. The last time I was there I chatted with one of the guys and he said that the box offices try to hold onto tickets for as long as possible (to sell at full price) and by the end of the day they send them over to TKTS. No reason to wake up early unless you're rushing a show!