London's West End
Theaterland, the South Bank and how to buy London theater tickets the way Londoners do.
Plan a Show TripLondon’s West End
London rivals New York as the world’s great theater city. The West End mixes blockbuster musicals with new plays and revivals, and the subsidized theaters of the South Bank add classics and ambitious new work. For American travelers, it is an easy way to see shows before or after they cross the Atlantic, or ones that never do.
Theaterland
The commercial West End theaters around Shaftesbury Avenue, Leicester Square and Covent Garden.
The South Bank
The National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe, the reconstruction of Shakespeare’s open-air playhouse, are a riverside walk from Westminster.
Buying West End Tickets
Official London Theatre, run by the Society of London Theatre, lists what is playing and runs the official ticket booth in Leicester Square Gardens, partnered with tkts, which sells same-day discounted tickets and advance bookings. As in New York, the theater’s own box office and the show’s official website are the safest places to buy. TodayTix also sells London theater tickets, including rush and lottery offers for some shows.
Many West End theaters are Victorian or Edwardian buildings with steep upper circles and some restricted views, so check the seating plan and the seller’s view notes before you choose. Watch for look-alike websites and street touts around Leicester Square. If a ticket is cheaper than the official booth or far more expensive than face value, walk away.
Planning Your London Show Trip
- Stay central: Covent Garden, the Strand, Soho and Westminster put theaters within walking distance. Compare hotels on Rooms Cheap.
- Matinees are common midweek and on Saturdays, so you can fit two shows into some days.
- Pre-theater menus are a London tradition; many restaurants near the theaters serve early set menus timed for curtain up.
- Fly overnight and save the first evening for something light; jet lag and a three-hour musical are not friends. Compare transatlantic flights on Airfares for Less.
- Cruising from Southampton? A few nights in London before or after is a natural add-on; Shore Activities covers tours in ports and cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the West End theater district?
London’s main commercial theaters cluster around Shaftesbury Avenue, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and the Strand, within walking distance of each other. The National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe are across the river on the South Bank.
Is there a discount ticket booth in London?
Yes. Official London Theatre, run by the Society of London Theatre, operates a ticket booth in Leicester Square Gardens partnered with tkts, selling on-the-day discounted tickets as well as advance bookings.
Plan a London Theater Trip
Tell us the shows you want to see and your dates. A specialist will plan flights and a central hotel, and suggest how to fit in sightseeing.
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