West End Theatre Tickets
Official London theatre tickets from the definitive guide to the West End
Hamilton
From £24
Now You See Me
From £31
Wicked
From £30
Avenue Q
From £30
Grace Pervades
From £36
Les Miserables
From £30
Moulin Rouge
From £24
Inter Alia
From £48
Stranger Things
From £36
Phantom of The Opera
From £30
High Society
From £42
The Play That Goes Wrong
From £22
The Book of Mormon
From £30
The Devil Wears Prada
From £30
Hunger Games
From £31
Oliver
From £24
The Producers
From £24
The Lion King
From £42
ABBA Voyage
From £67
Shadowlands
From £36
West End Guide
Theatre Etiquette
A few simple courtesies go a long way in making the experience great for everyone:
- Phones off — switch to silent before the lights go down. Even a lit screen is distracting in a dark auditorium
- No photography — recording and photos during the performance are strictly prohibited at all West End venues
- Arriving late — latecomers may not be admitted until a suitable break in the performance. Some theatres won’t seat you until the interval
- Eating & drinking — most theatres allow drinks in the auditorium but not food. Ice creams and sweets are usually sold during the interval
- Clapping & reactions — applause after big numbers is encouraged. Standing ovations are common for West End shows — join in if you feel moved to
Good to know: Ushers are always happy to help if you’re unsure about anything — don’t be afraid to ask.
Getting to the West End
London’s Theatreland is concentrated around Covent Garden, Soho, Leicester Square, and Shaftesbury Avenue — all within roughly one square mile. The nearest Tube stations are:
- Leicester Square (Piccadilly & Northern lines) — most central
- Piccadilly Circus — ideal for Shaftesbury Avenue theatres
- Covent Garden — for Lyceum, Drury Lane, Aldwych
- Charing Cross — for The Strand theatres
You’ll rarely walk more than 10 minutes from station to venue. The entire district is easily walkable between shows.
Pre-Theatre Dining
The West End is packed with restaurants offering pre-theatre menus, typically served between 5pm and 6:30pm. Allow 90 minutes before curtain — order by 6pm for a 7:30pm show.
- Covent Garden — endless options, from casual to fine dining
- Soho — more adventurous: Chinese, Japanese, modern European
- The Strand — quieter, classic British options
Tip: Book restaurant reservations in advance — popular pre-theatre spots fill up fast, especially on weekends.
Choosing Your Seats
- Stalls — ground floor, closest to stage. Rows 6–15 are the sweet spot. Premium prices, most immersive
- Dress Circle — first balcony. Often the best value — elevated view captures full staging and choreography
- Upper Circle — more affordable, still good sightlines. Furthest from stage
- Boxes — at Dress Circle height. Atmospheric but can have restricted views
Best value tip: Front rows of the Dress Circle (A–D) often rival premium Stalls seats at a lower price.
What to Wear
There’s no formal dress code for West End theatres. Most theatregoers opt for smart-casual — jeans with a nice top, a dress, or a shirt. Some people dress up, some keep it relaxed; both are perfectly fine. Just make sure you’ll be comfortable sitting for 2–3 hours. For some shows, themed costumes and fancy dress are encouraged — check the show’s page for details.
Planning Your Theatre Day
- Arrive 30 minutes early — time for ticket collection, bag checks, and finding your seat
- Evening shows usually start at 7:30pm (doors from 6:30pm)
- Matinees are typically at 2:30pm on Wed, Thu, or Sat
- Programmes cost £5–8 — cast info, show history, and photos
- Interval is usually 15–20 minutes. Pre-order interval drinks at many theatres to skip the queue
Beyond the Show
The West End is surrounded by some of London’s best attractions. Before or after your show, explore:
- Covent Garden — street performers, shops, and the Royal Opera House
- National Gallery & British Museum — both free, short walk away
- Leicester Square — cinemas, restaurants.
- The Strand & South Bank — river walks, Tate Modern, the London Eye
Stage Door & Meeting the Cast
One of the best perks of live theatre is the chance to meet the cast at the stage door after the show. Here’s how it works:
- Where — the stage door is usually down a side street or alley next to the theatre. Ask front-of-house staff for directions
- When — most cast members come out 15–30 minutes after the final curtain call
- What to bring — a programme or playbill for autographs, plus your phone for photos. A Sharpie works better than a biro
- Etiquette — be patient, polite, and keep requests brief. Not every performer will come out every night
Good to know: Stage door visits are free and open to everyone — it’s a lovely way to end the evening, especially for younger fans.
FAQ
What is London’s West End?
The West End is London’s historic theatre district, running roughly from Covent Garden and the Strand across to Soho, Leicester Square and Piccadilly. It’s home to around 40 major theatres — many of them listed Victorian and Edwardian buildings — and is the busiest live-theatre district in the world, drawing over 17 million audience members each year. When people say “the West End” in a theatre context, they mean the same thing New Yorkers mean by “Broadway”: the top professional stage productions, performed in the centre of the capital.
Where exactly is the West End in London?
Theatreland sits in the heart of central London, covering parts of the City of Westminster and Camden. The main cluster of theatres fans out from Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Shaftesbury Avenue, the Strand and Haymarket, with a few outliers in Victoria and along the South Bank. The nearest Tube stations are Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus, Charing Cross and Tottenham Court Road — most venues are within a ten-minute walk of at least two of them. You’ll find the full list of productions currently playing across these venues on the West End shows page.
How do I book West End tickets on westend.com?
Pick a production from our homepage or the full West End shows listings, choose your date and performance, then select your seats from the interactive seating plan. You’ll see live prices from authorised ticket partners, any available offers, and a total with no hidden fees before you confirm. eTickets are emailed within minutes and can be shown on your phone at the venue, so there’s no need to collect anything in person. If you need help, our team is on 020 3670 8887.
What’s on in the West End tonight?
Almost every West End theatre has a performance tonight – usually at 7.00pm or 7.30pm, with some matinees earlier in the day. Long-runners like Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, Wicked and The Lion King play six or seven nights a week, and last-minute tickets often open up in the final 24 hours when restricted-view seats, returns and house seats are released. Browse tonight’s availability on the West End shows page – anything showing a price is bookable right now.
Where’s the best area to stay for a West End trip?
Covent Garden, Soho and Leicester Square put you within a five-minute walk of most theatres, which is unbeatable if you’re seeing a show on both a matinee and an evening performance. Bloomsbury, Fitzrovia and Holborn are slightly quieter and usually better value, with the West End still only ten minutes away on foot. For river views and easy Tube access, the South Bank and Waterloo work well.
Is the West End the same as Broadway?
They’re the two biggest English-language theatre districts in the world, but they’re not the same. The West End is in central London; Broadway is in midtown Manhattan. London’s theatres tend to be older, smaller and more architecturally ornate — many were built between the 1880s and 1930s — while Broadway houses are generally larger and more modern. Hit productions frequently transfer between the two in both directions, which is why you’ll see the same titles on offer in each city, and the West End actually sells more tickets per year than Broadway does. For a sense of the calibre, our top 10 West End musicals list covers the biggest current productions.
