Whether you want to watch the curtain go up at the National Theatre of Ireland (the Abbey Theatre) or one of the more experimental theaters in town, tickets rarely cross the €30 mark.

1. The Abbey Theatre – The National Theatre of Ireland
26 Lower Abbey Street
Tel: +353 (1) 878 7222
Web site

Tickets: €20 – €25. Cheapo tickets on weekdays and weekend matinees.

Founded by poet WB Yeats, the Abbey Theatre is a source of national pride. Everything from Shakespeare to the latest productions from famous Irish playwrights such as Conor McPherson takes the stage here. It is possible to purchase your tickets before your trip on the Web site of the Abbey Theatre (no pesky Ticketmaster fees apply) and you can even pick your seat by previewing the stage from different vantage points.

2. The Peacock
26 Lower Abbey Street
Tel: +353 (1) 878 7222
Web site

Tickets: €18 – €25. Cheapo tickets on weekdays, previews and weekend matinees.

Beneath the grand Abbey Theatre is a grittier stage–the Peacock Stage. What was once a practice stage for the large theater upstairs has now evolved into its own personality. The capacity is much smaller in the Peacock, promising a more intimate experience. Expect productions here to be more experimental. This fact along with an atmospheric bar for drinks at intermission attracts a younger crowd than the Abbey.

3. The Gate Theatre
Cavendish Row, Parnell Square
Tel: +353 (1) 874 4045
Web site

Tickets: €20 – €30. Cheapos should avoid Saturday nights – ticket prices are higher.

The historic Gate Theatre is the kind of civilized place where you sip tea at intermission instead of a glass of wine. Be sure to arrive early to take in the physical beauty of the theater before the production begins. What you will see on stage can be unpredictable. The Gate keeps things fresh by featuring everything from Irish classics such as plays by Samuel Beckett to the latest hot play from New York, such as Tony award-winning “God of Carnage.”

4. Gaiety Theatre
South King Street
Tel: +353 (1) 677 1717
Web site

Tickets: €15 – €35. Cheapo tickets on weekdays, previews and weekend matinees.

The Gaiety Theatre is what many travelers envision as a classic European theater. Red velvet seats and private balconies give this theater an aura of sophistication–yet tickets are still reasonably priced. Purchase your tickets at the box office to avoid pricey Ticketmaster fees. The quality on this stage can vary. Everything from ballet to Oscar Wilde classics to plays intended for children are on the annual program. Choose wisely to avoid disappointment.

Smaller Theatres

The Temple Bar district, known for pubs and street performers, is also home to a couple of small, experimental theaters. At the Project Arts Centre (39 East Essex Street) or the New Theater (43 East Essex Street) you could see a performance for as little as €10.

You can also experience Irish history in a whole new way at the Vaults Live theater with tickets from €20.

The post How to find affordable theater tickets in Dublin appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

In true New York fashion, however, there are ways around paying $200 a ticket to see a hit show. Check out these vendors if you’re looking for a cheaper Broadway seat:

Related: Best cheap hotels near Broadway theaters

TKTS
Web site

If you have some spare time to stand in a line and don’t have a specific show you want to see, then this is the option for you. With locations in Times Square, South Street Seaport and Downtown Brooklyn, TKTS booths offer up to 50% discounts for Broadway, Off-Broadway and other arts events for same-day performances and next-day matinee performances (Seaport and Brooklyn only).

Don’t be discouraged if the line seems endlessly long—it moves at a reasonable clip and allows you plenty of time to survey the ticket board that lists that day’s available show tickets. Once at the ticket window you choose which show you want to see and the agent doles out the tickets, usually without allowing many seating options (luckily most of the seats are orchestra or front mezzanine, so you won’t be stuck behind a pole). Be sure to check TKTS’ website for hours and to see which shows were offered the previous week.

BroadwayBox.com
Web site

This website is your best friend for theater discounts if you are pining to see a specific show on a specific date. In addition to offering discount codes offering savings of up to 50% off the normal ticket price for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, it also has access to high-demand show tickets like “Billy Elliot” and “Jersey Boys.”

BroadwayBox allows you to browse their coupons by clicking on various show titles and then you can purchase tickets online using their referral link, on the phone with the discount code, or by stopping by the box office in person. Reviews of the shows are also accessible on the website, which makes it ideal for anyone trying to plan a theater trip in advance.

HipTix.com
Web site

Created by the Roundabout Theater Company, HipTix aims to spread the love of theater and encourage attendance by the 18-35 age-group by offering two $20 tickets to members for every Roundabout production. It is free to become a member and there is no obligation to attend each show.

Membership is easily attainable by filling out a contact form on their website and ticket reservations can be made over the phone by calling (212) 719-1300. You won’t be able to personally select your seats, as availability varies by production and theater By putting in just a minimal amount of information, you can easily see RTC shows like “The Importance of Being Earnest” or “Brief Encounter” this winter!

Standing Room Only and Rush Tickets
More info

If you happen to be more of the last-minute type of ticket buyer, you may get lucky by stopping by your desired show’s box office the day of the show and asking if they offer any rush tickets, lottery tickets or “standing room only” tickets. Sometimes purchase of these tickets require a valid Student ID. Furthermore, be sure to have cash on hand because the box office is typically cash-only for these promotions. Check the above website for rush ticket pricing for each Broadway show.

The post How to Find Discounts on Broadway Theater Tickets appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Here’s a quick overview of where audiophiles can enjoy classical music on a shoestring budget:

Carnegie Hall
881 7th Ave (at 57th Street)
(212) 247-7800
Web site

Music lovers in New York must make a pilgrimage to Carnegie Hall. Happily the world-famous music hall provides several options for ticket discounts.

Starting at 11:00 a.m. on the day of concert (noon on Sunday), the box office sells “Public RUSH” tickets in the balcony for $10 each (limit two per person). This offer is valid for all Carnegie Hall presentations in the Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, and excludes gala events and family concerts (which are already cheap, at $9-20 per ticket).

Students can also pick up $10 tickets to select shows with their student IDs at the box office. For more information, and to buy student tickets in advance, see www.carnegiehall.org/students.

If you generally close your eyes during concerts, consider getting 50% off the usual ticket price when you purchase partial view tickets for seats with obstructed viewing or a little less leg room. Check out CarnegieHall.org for more information on discount ticket programs.

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
10 Lincoln Center Plaza
(212) 875-5456
Web site

Home to big-name ensembles like the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center offers day-of-performance discounts at the Zucker box office in the David Rubenstein Atrium. Performances are held Tuesday through Sunday and discounts vary depending on show.

The Atrium handles same-day discounts for performances in all Lincoln Center spaces, including Alice Tully Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, David H. Koch Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Lincoln Center Theater and the Metropolitan Opera.

The Atrium is open Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., and
Saturday–Sunday 9:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.. For more information on Lincoln Center ticket discounts, check out this page on their Web site.

Juilliard School
60 Lincoln Center Plaza
(212) 799-5000
Web site

The world-famous Julliard conservatory opens its doors for student and faculty performances. Most performances are free and don’t require tickets. For the shows that do require tickets, be sure to show up at the 65th Street box office as soon as tickets are available. Can’t get a ticket? A standby line starts about one hour before the concert.

Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Performances throughout New York City
Web site

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. The 2010-11 season includes concerts, both chamber groups and full orchestra, at The Morgan Library and Museum, Dia:Beacon and the Brooklyn Museum. (Tip: See a concert at the Brooklyn Museum or Dia:Beacon and get access to the exhibits.)

Take advantage of the special occasion and get seats for as low as $25. Hungry after the show? Your ticket stub gets you 10% off at some local restaurants. For more information, check out the groups Web site.

Symphony Space
2537 Broadway (at 95th Street)
(212) 864-5400
Web site

This Upper West Side gem is home to performances that span genres but the classics are never forgotten. Many performances offer student tickets for as little as $10. The post-grad among us can grab “Under 30” tickets for $15. For concert schedule and ticket information, visit http://www.symphonyspace.org

The post New York: Cheap tickets and discounts to classical music concerts appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

This love of music means that there are concerts every night of the week. See classical on Monday, opera on Tuesday, jazz on Wednesday, blues on Thursday, and rock on Friday. Groove to internationally-renowned DJ’s over the weekend. There are plenty of shows to pick from and venues which range from posh to underground.

If you’re in the mood for something classical, the city offers an array of locations and programs to fulfill your desires. Here are a few of the best to consider.

L’Auditori

Concerts at L’Auditori range from inexpensive (€10) to pricey (€100). It is a matter of looking over their website and seeing what’s available. Quite often, performances on weekdays are cheaper than those on the weekend.

If you’re in town now, I recommend Camerata Aragon on December 17th, 2009 which is FREE. Another good one is Carmina Burana on December 18, 2009 for €18. Also, the Gran Gala Strauss featuring the Hungarian Philharmonic Orchestra plays on December 26 and 27, 2009 for just €10.

Liceu Opera House

It’s also possible to see an opera at Barcelona’s prestigious Liceu Opera House on Las Ramblas. For good seats to “The Magic Flute” and their other fabulous productions, you will have to pay a hefty sum.

However, if you don’t mind not seeing the stage, and just hearing the music, then you can get a ticket to most of the performances for about €10. From your €10 seat, you will be able to hear the performance and see it on a small TV screen set up in front of you. It is less than ideal, but it is a budget-friendly option. The Liceu has some biggies coming up in the next couple months including Montserrat Caballe, Verdi’s “Troubadour,” and said “Magic Flute.”

Bonus tip: Look for deals at El Palau de la Musica

Finally, it is always worth taking a peek at El Palau de la Musica’s concert listings. They often have deals on Sunday mornings. El Palau is a Modernista masterpiece and is absolutely the best place to see a concert in Barcelona.

The post Barcelona: Cheap tickets to classical concerts and opera appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Take the Vienna State Opera. This gem in Austria is actually well within the range of Cheapos. It is a must-see for any music fan going to Vienna.

Here are our three best bets for landing a night at the Opera on the cheap:

Try standing room only

If you are willing to stand for the duration of the performance, then you can get some of the cheapest tickets in town. The cost of a “standing room only” ticket is between €2 and €3.50 per opera. These tickets are only available at the evening box office, which opens 80 minutes prior to show time.

Snag seats in the balcony for a song

In the nosebleed section of the opera house, you’ll pay anywhere from €7 to €18 for a seat in the rafters (but what rafters they are!). Considering a spot in the front orchestra could cost you €200, we consider this is a huge score. Just bring some good opera glasses.

Take a tour and skip the show

If The Marriage of Figaro isn’t your idea of fun, opt for one of many daily guided tours of the ornate and scope-worthy opera house. For €5, you can get up-close and personal with the opera house, touring even the stage and the tea salon. For another euro and a half, visit the Opera’s museum, too. A recent exhibit showcased the original compositions (on-page edits and all) of Wagner’s “Ring of the Nibelung”.

And, one last note on all of this: If you’re a student, you’ll almost always benefit from additional discounts. Bravissimo!

The post Vienna: Cheap tickets to the Vienna opera appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.