Built in the 1860s in the Neo-Renaissance style, the opera house itself is a treat. It dominates the southern portion of the “Ring” with its ornate facade, statues, and arched windows. And with 300 performances a year, it offers visitors a chance to treat themselves to a different performance every night of their trip.

Another reason to go this year is that 2019 marks the 150th anniversary of the Vienna State Opera which opened on May 25, 1869. And the performance that filled the stage on that historic night? Mozart’s Don Giovanni!

Advance Tickets

Ticket prices vary greatly depending on the performance, date of the show and, of course, seat location. Rates can range from around €7 for a spot in the top balcony to €500 for prime seats on opening night.

The safest bet is to visit the Staatsoper website before your trip to check on the schedule of performances and ticket prices. And fear not, budget travelers can book the cheap seats through the site. However, there are cheaper options…

Standing Room Tickets

Cheapos with a bit more flexibility and willingness to take a risk may opt for a €2-€4 standing room tickets, sold 80 to 90 minutes before the show starts from the western side of the Opera (the opposite side of the building from the gift shop). Keep an eye out for the sign that says “Stehplatz-Kasse | Standing Area”.

You read that right: Standing in the back of the auditorium will only cost between €2 and €4, depending on the show and the location of your standing “spot.” Spots are available in the “Parterre” (ground floor), higher up in the “Balkon” and all the way up in the “Galerie.”

The number of tickets is limited and given out in order of those lined up. For an 8 pm show, for example, tickets will be sold at 6:40 pm, but the line will most likely form well before that.

One final consideration: You do have to stand, although many spots offer a wall for leaning.

While these standing room tickets may sound risky or even exhausting, think about how exhilarating it will be to take in a world-class opera or ballet for less than you’d pay for a beer. Or coffee. Or würstchen.

And, as one local opera lover told us, “If you’re not into the show, you can leave at intermission. You only paid €3!”

Vienna hotels

For suggestions on affordable places to sleep while visiting Vienna, be sure to check out our guide to Vienna’s best budget hotels, all inspected and approved by EuroCheapo’s editors.

The post Buying cheap tickets to the Vienna State Opera House appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Related: Cheap hotels near Opéra Garnier

1. In the steps of the Phantom

The opera house itself is something to marvel, and while you don’t need to get a top hat and ballgown to go see a show, you can still experience it’s 19^th century grandeur. Self-guided visits

are available for just €10. It’s no steal, but it’s worth it to see the building that inspired the famous phantom and which hosts world-class performances. The chandeliers and golden decorations in the Grand Foyer are a must-see, echoing the opulence of even Versailles.

The beautiful city scene from the the top floor of Galeries Lafayette. Photo: Douglas D

2. Stunning (and free!) aerial view

I love a view of the city, so after a spin in the opera house, walk to the Galeries Lafayette just behind the theater. Skip the shopping but pass by the amazing stained glass cupola in the perfume section. This 19^th century department store has great views of Paris from the roof, so take the escalator all the way up and check it out—for free!

Affordable Japanese restaurants line the area around rue Saine Anne. Photo: ArkanGL

3. Lunch like a Parisian

When hunger strikes, walk down the Avenue de l’Opéra for a cheap meal under €15 at any of the Japanese restaurants on and around rue Sainte Anne. Some are better than others, but none will be a poor meal. Noodle soups and bento boxes trump the sushi here, but don’t be afraid to try what look good. It may seem weird to eat Japanese in Paris, but you’ll hear plenty of French speakers around you—after all, Paris is a place where sushi delivery boys easily outnumber pizza delivery boys.

Still hungry? Afterwards, a Japanese-inspired French pastry at Aki Bakery (16 rue Sainte Anne) will round off that meal for you.

4. Wander grand old-world shopping malls

You may not be interested in buying anything, but the nearby covered passages are a great way to experience how the Parisian upper set shopped in the 1800s. The Galerie Vivienne and Galerie Colbert are two of the most beautiful but even the Passage Choiseul is worth a visit.

Score cheap tickets at the last minute to a show at the Palais Garnier. Photo: Veronique Mergaux

5. Take in a night at the opera

If the evening hits and you’re feeling lucky, head back to the Opéra Garnier and see if you can score some cheap last minute tickets to a show. Tuxedos are not required, just prepare to queue up with other ticket seekers. Category 6 tickets go on sale at the box office an hour before the performance with prices varying based on the performance, and be sure to check the schedule beforehand online.

Related: Cheap opera and classical music tickets

The post Paris: Cheapo guide to the Opera district appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Since that first night, the successful open house concept of the Long Night has expanded to the city’s theaters, opera houses, and scientific research institutions, with each offering a similar event during different months of the year.

Lange Nacht der Museen
Mid-March and Late August
This year: Saturday August 31, 2013

The long night of museums takes place twice yearly: first in mid-March, and again at the end of August. With nearly 100 institutions across the entire city to choose from, you’ll want to plan your evening carefully while consulting the map of chartered buses and public transportation, both included in your ticket price.

You can find detailed information about each event as well as purchase tickets online one month before each event on this website (German only). Each long night runs from 6 p.m. till 2 a.m. Admission: €18/€12 reduced.

Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften
Early May

Under the slogan “smartest night of the year,” the long night of scientific research is an annual event, next scheduled for early May. 75 institutions in Berlin and Potsdam open their doors, providing direct access to the scientists and their work. Everything from chemistry to photography to cartography to solar energy to economics to space research and beyond is included.  Most institutions offer plenty of hands-on experimentation, making this long night the best for visitors with children (and for children at heart).

The Lange Nacht runs from 4 p.m. till midnight. Included is transportation on the chartered shuttles as well as a Berlin ABC ticket for public transportation. Tickets are €11/€7 advance purchase and €13/€9 on the night of the event. Family tickets are available for €25/€20 in advance.

Want more? Check out our top cheap hotel picks for Berlin. And don’t forget to leave any questions or comments in the box below.

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And though that was centuries ago, if it sounds at all like Vienna, Austria is resting on its musical laurels, fear not—the city still has plenty to offer to music-lovers—provided you have a healthy appreciation for classical. Despite the high-society implications of this genre, it’s cheap and easy to get your daily dose of Mozart (or anyone else) while staying in Vienna.

In fact, it’s possible to take in tons of music while in the Austrian capital without spending a dime! To help you figure out how, here is our guide to finding free music in Vienna:

The Vienna Philharmonic’s summer concert
Annually in early June

If you happen to visit Vienna in late Spring (and who wouldn’t want to?), you might be lucky enough to catch the Vienna Philharmonic‘s annual free concert. Usually held in early June (though this year’s performance was on May 30th), the event provides the rare opportunity to catch one of the world’s most renowned orchestras in action without an accompanying price tag.

The ante is upped even further by the concert’s enviable location: in the gardens of the Schoenbrunn Palace. This former home to the imperial Habsburg family—now a UNESCO world cultural heritage site—provides the perfect atmosphere to match the Philharmonic.

Open-air opera
April-June, September

Continuing the theme of world-class music outdoors, the Vienna State Opera offers the opportunity to see its performances live for free, albeit on a projector screen in front of the Opera House.  Called “Opera for All,” the broadcasts take place at Herbert-von-Karajan Square in the pleasant evenings from April-June and in September.

Additionally, starting 45 minutes before the actual performance and during the intermissions, guests are treated to information about the Opera and the works being performed.

Organ concerts at the Peterskirche
Year-round

For a more intimate musical experience, Peterskirche (Saint Peter’s Church), holds daily organ concerts that are free to attend. Featuring works by such luminaries as Liszt, Chopin and Bach, and located in the heart of Vienna’s Innere Stadt, these performances are an easy and convenient way to get your classical music fix. Concerts are held Monday through Friday at 3 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m.

You may have to pay for this view of the Vienna Boy’s Choir, but if you can settle for just their voices, you’ll get in for free. Photo: Navnetmitt.

The Vienna Boy’s Choir
Year-round, except late summer

Along with the Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna Boy’s Choir is one of the defining musical ensembles of the Austrian capital. Throughout the year (save for the end of June through the middle of September), they perform each Sunday at the Hofburg Chapel in Innere Stadt—a musical venue that dates back to Medieval times.

Seated tickets for these performances run between €7 and €35, but if you’re willing to stand, you can see the Boys Choir for free.  Well, technically you can hear them for free—the Hofburg Chapel’s website warns that standing room attendees will not get a view of the performers.  In fact, even the cheapest €5 seats do not feature a direct view.

Standing room opens at 8:30 a.m. for the performances, which begin at 9:15 a.m. If you do want to purchase seats, you must do so by mail, fax or e-mail.  Follow the link above for instructions from the Chapel’s website.

The Music Film Festival in front of City Hall brings scores of tourists and locals each night in the summer. Photo: Ivan C.

The Rathausplatz Music Film Festival
Late June – early September

Every summer, from the end of June until the beginning of September, the square in front of Vienna’s City Hall becomes a nightly tribute to the city’s status as a global music capital, by playing host to the vibrant Rathausplatz Music Film Festival.  Every evening at dusk, a different music-centric film plays on a giant screen displayed above the square.  The selection is diverse—from operas to ballets to jazz to rock concerts—which can be refreshing for those worn out by Vienna’s constant onslaught of classical.

The festival doesn’t just offer audio delights either—a wide selection of international cuisine is available daily from 11 a.m. until midnight. Provided by twenty of the top restaurateurs in the city, the aim is to provide a “culinary world tour” for festival-goers.

This year’s festival began on June 26th and is running until September 1st. For more information, check out the Vienna tourism office’s website.

Donauinselfest
Annually in Mid-June

For visitors that have really had enough of concert halls and opera houses, Vienna also offers a much more modern music experience: Donauinsel, a free music festival on an island in the Danube River. The 30-year-old festival is held annually in mid-June and attracts a lineup of mostly German-language acts, though some major international acts have also performed.

The festival usually attracts more than three million guests and is one of the largest open-air events each year in Europe. In addition to the musical acts, Donauinselfest also features kid-friendly events, sports and a wide variety of vendors.  For those looking to see a different side of Vienna than the Baroque concert halls of the old city, this is the place to go.

Want more? Check out EuroCheapo’s guide to Vienna for travel tips and budget hotel recommendations.  And if you’ve got any questions or comments, be sure to leave them in the box below.

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That means almost every night, you have three productions to choose from. They can run the gamut from the usual suspects (yes, Figaro, I’m looking at you) to more obscure choices (this season, we have two separate productions of a modern piece about Carmelite nuns during the French Revolution).

Though the competing directors seem to incessantly complain about budget cuts, all three operas, the Staatsoper, Deutsche Oper and Komische Oper, seem to be thriving, dutifully putting on new productions and old favorites from September through June. Luckily for us, that means there is a glut of seats to fill, so tickets are sold at heavily subsidized prices.

Here’s a guide to divas, deception and drama—all so unglamorously affordable.

Classic Card
www.classiccard.de

If you’re under 30, you’re in luck. The excellent Classic Card lets the cardholder buy any seat in any of the opera houses for €10. That’s right—center orchestra seat, close enough to see the singers quiver. Just one good seat pays for the card, which is €15 and valid for one year. Since it’s also valid at ballets and symphonies, this tiny piece of plastic has saved me thousands over the years. Buy at the box office and start using it right away.

Komische Oper
Behrenstraße 55-57
030 47997400
U-55/S-Bahn Brandenburger Tor or U-6 Französische Str.
www.komische-oper-berlin.de

Young, cool and cheeky, the Komische Oper on Unter den Linden puts on productions that are daring even by Berlin standards. You get individual subtitles, which also come in English, so you can at least try to keep up with the story lines. The cheapest top balcony seats can be had for €8 to €12 (premieres are always more expensive). Except for premieres, students under 30 and seniors over 65 get 25% off all tickets as well.

Staatsoper im Schiller Theater
Bismarckstraße 110
030 202683
U-2 Ernst Reuter Platz
www.staatsoper-berlin.de

While its sumptuous, cathedral-like home base is being renovated, this former East German crown jewel has fled to the West. In its temporary (and smaller) home at the Schiller Theater, tickets can be had for as low as €14, but students and seniors get 50% off all seats; or, they can risk it until an hour before curtain call and grab whatever is left over for €13. But the best deals are for kiddies: for designated children-friendly matinee performances, tickets are €3.

Deutsche Oper
Bismarckstraße 35
030.343 84 343
U-2 Deutsche Oper
www.deutscheoperberlin.de

The West Berlin opera is a mammoth black box of acoustic wonder. Nosebleed seats are €14, and as the theater is much bigger than the other two, you may actually struggle to see everything from up there. Students under 30 get 50% off all tickets one week before the performance, and pay no more than €13.50 one hour before performance.

One word of warning: There are two older box office attendants whose brusqueness is legendary. (I once saw a Spanish tourist reduced to tears.) Don’t take it personally. We’ve all been abused by them, but we keep going back for more.

Extra cheapo tip: Sometimes your opera ticket doubles as a public transportation ticket from and to the theater, so check the fine print on the ticket. If you have Berlin Welcome Card, you also get 25% off certain tickets at all of the three operas.

More unsolicited advice: I once saw a poor thing arrive in what seemed like a very uncomfortable prom dress. This is Berlin, so you really don’t need to dress up. You’ll see society folks in haute couture and students in jeans side by side. So just be yourself and enjoy the music.

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

1. Falafel in the Marais

It’s a no brainer that I’d always choose to eat before anything else. And with 10 euros I’d definitely head to “L’As du Falafel” in the Marais and grab a falafel sandwich with spicy sauce for just five euros. 34 rue des Rosiers, 75004

2. Splurge on a good bottle of wine

If I was in a really good mood, I’d head to one of my favorite wine shops and grab a special bottle of wine for less than 10 euros. Keep in mind that spending three euros on a bottle of wine at the supermarket is not a stigma when you’re on a budget, and the results are always surprisingly pleasant. For special occasions I head to “le Verre Volé” for something fun in the seven to 10 euro range. 67 rue de Lancry, 75010 OR 38 rue d’Oberkampf, 75010

3. A trip to the catacombs

Studies show that those who live in a city rarely visit its sights, but a 10 euro bill can take you almost anywhere in Paris. A visit to the Catacombes, the underground passageways with artistically arranged medieval bones, is one of the city’s most stunning attractions. Guards check your bag on the way out, so don’t try to steal any femurs. 1 Place Denfert-Rochereau 75014, Web site

4. Hot chocolate at Angelina

Some of the best hot chocolate in Paris can be had for less than 10 euros. With its accompanying bowl of whipped cream, a hot chocolate at Angelina is decadent and delicious, if you can brave the crowd. 226 rue de Rivoli, 75001, Web site

5. Used book and a seat at a cafe

Sitting in a café with a good book is the quintessential Parisian experience. A used book at the Gibert Jeune bookstore will cost just a few euros, even many English books. Just look for the sticker that says “occasion” and you should easily have two euros left for an espresso at any café. Various locations (with yellow awnings) at Place St-Michel, 75005

6. Climbing the towers of Notre Dame

Visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral is free, of course, but climbing the 387 steps to the top of the towers will set you back a few euros. It’s easy to fall in love with Paris as you stand next to a medieval gargoyle looking over the city’s rooftops. 6 Parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean-Paul II, 75004, Web site

7. A tour of the Palais Garnier

Going to Versailles takes time and the train ticket alone costs about 10 euros. When I want a less pricey “regal” experience, I head to the Palais Garnier for a day-time tour of the city’s historic opera house. The late 19th-century gilded wonder leaves both visitors and Parisians floored. 8 Rue Scribe, 75009. Normal admission, €9, Web site

8.Pink Flamingo pizza

A good take-away pizza is hard to find in Paris, but Franco-American pizzeria Pink Flamingo does a fantastic pie. A take-out Dante pizza will cost just €9.50 and is topped with fresh basil and tomato. Flagship location: 67 rue Bichat, 75010, Web site

9. Tickets to the Comédie Française

Whether you speak French or not, going to the theater can be a memorable event. Many rush tickets are available in Parisian theaters; the opulent theater at the Palais Royal is one of the city’s best deals. You can see classic French theater by the prestigious Comédie Française for under €10, if you don’t mind a less-than-perfect seat. Just show up at the theater before the show starts to see what tickets are available. 38 rue de Montpensier, 75001, Web site

10. Splurging at the bakery

Okay, so half of this list is food-related, but if I’m going to splurge I’m going to do it right. An amazing bakery, “Du Pain et Des Idées,” serves up “escargots,” which are essentially pastry swirls. The chocolate pistachio escargot is simply delicious. At just €1.90 each, you can try all of the varieties, if you and your waistline approve. 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010

The post Paris: Top 10 things to do for Less than €10 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Read on, Cheapo!

A for Abbesses
By now it’s no secret that “Amélie” was filmed here, but did you know that its original title was “Amélie des Abbesses”? If you come by Metro, do take the lift. The station is ten stories underground!

B for Brocante
Throughout the year you’ll find “brocantes” (antique/junk sales) and “vide-greniers” (garage sales) scattered all over. For a listing, click here.

Outside the Coquelicot boulangerie.

C for Coquelicot
Next to Metro Abbesses, you’ll find the Coquelicot boulangerie. Thierry Racoillet’s old-fashioned and award-winning Picolla baguettes are not to be missed. They also give bread to the homeless.

D for Dalida
The late pop diva’s house is at the bend in rue d’Orchampt, and her grave is in the Cimetière de Montmartre. Pilgrims still visit both shrines to the female Elvis of France!

E for Eiffel
Not only did Madame La Tour Eiffel recently celebrate her 102nd birthday, but now it’s possible to buy tickets online prior to your visit!

F for Flea markets
Junkies, note that the Porte de Vanves is open Saturday and Sunday mornings, while the Porte de Clignancourt flea runs all day Saturday through Monday.

A shrine to popstar Dalida

G for Serge Gainsbourg
Long live the late French King of Croon! “Vie Héroïque,” a film about his life, was just released. His former pad at 5 bis Rue de Verneuil is now covered with layers of graffiti left by ardent fanatics.

H for le Halle Saint Pierre
Visionaries, naives, and outsiders, oh my! Homemade quiche with a view of Sacré Coeur! If you like Baltimore’s American Visionary Art Museum, you’ll love Halle Saint Pierre, a giant cultural center with plenty of attractions.

I for “I Love Sympa”
Practice the art of elbow-to-elbow bargain bin shopping in the heart of Montmartre, elbow-deep in garb by Kookai, Jennyfer, Naf-Naf, Pimkie, Sinéquanone, and Sandro . . .  at only a fraction of original cost!

J for Jardin des Tuileries
This is the place to read your book or museum catalogue—and people-watch! Nab a bench and stay till sundown.

Strawberries and asparagus in season

K for Kilos
At the markets, think seasonally! Produce will taste better and cost less. Asparagus rules in May, cherries star in July, and apples shine in early autumn. The lively marché d’Aligre in the 12th arrondissement is a favorite.

L for Jardins de Luxembourg
Run, Cheapo, run! Each loop is about 1.25 miles. Forgot your watch? There’s a clock on top of the Palais du Luxembourg.

The Mona Lisait bookstore

M for Marais
The great discount bookstore Mona Lisait and the Musée Carnavalet are practically neighbors in the Marais! Carnavelet has an entire jewelry shop designed by Mucha and featuring Marie Anoinette’s dancing slippers. Bookshop tip: Avoid heels, the floor is ancient cobblestones.

N for Napoléon
High and aloof atop his column in the Place Vendôme, le petit caporal overlooks the Hôtel Ritz, (where the daring Cheapo will sashay through, just to have a look, see).

O say, can you see the Opéra?
The best spot for ogling the Phantom’s lair is the Metro Opéra entrance.

P for Pariscope
Pick up a copy at any newsstand. The pocket-sized weekly lists the week’s cultural happenings for brows of any height.

Q is for Quizzes
Expect more to come, Cheapos!

R for Raindrops
They fall often but never for long. Pack your “parapluie!”

The Studio 28 cinema

S for Studio 28
Thank heaven for little cinemas! At Studio 28, you’ll be wooed by Jean Cocteau’s fantástico chandeliers, a crushed velvet fainting couch in the lobby, an art gallery, café, and footprints of the stars!

T for Taxi!
Need a cheap airport ride? Contact Lizza at Art-Trans Voyage.

U is for “Erope”
What’s missing? You!

The Bazzar de l’Hôtel de Ville department store.

V for Bazaar de l’Hôtel de Ville (BHV)
At grand magasin BHV, you’ll find one of my favorite souvenirs, the French bath mitt. Pair it with Provence soap and you’re good to bathe.

W for Wallace Fountains
Test the waters at 108 fountains sprinkled around Paris.  Bring your own bottle; the water’s free.

X for the Unexpected
Sometimes the best things in life take us by surprise.

Y for Degas’ “Young Dancer”
Where bronze meets tulle at the Musée d’Orsay.

Z for Émile Zola
Signing off with a mantra by Zola, “I am here to live out loud!”

Speaking of “out loud,” Cheapos, let’s hear from you! What tips would you add?

The post Paris In A Cheapo Minute: City tips A-Z 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.

If you’re planning a trip to Prague and are a fan of the performing arts, you owe it to yourself to check out performance schedules before you arrive, as you’ll want to consider all of your options. Of course, you could wait until you arrive to book last-minute tickets, but why limit your chances of securing a good deal?

Booking your seats online in advance directly with the performance halls gives you the most options for available seats, including the super-cheap seats. Also, when researching shows, consider choosing an afternoon performance, when seats can be less than half the price of an evening show.

Prague’s main performance halls

Prague has three main venues for opera, ballet, and concerts: The National Theatre (Narodni Divadlo), the Prague State Opera, and the Estates Theatre.

The National Theater

Located along the Vltava River, the National Theater produces dramas, ballets, and operas, and is the most important theater in Prague. The neoclassical building, its golden rooftop gleaming, was constructed between 1868 and 1881.

The Estates Theatre

The charming and regal Estates Theater was built in 1783 and produces ballets and operas. It was here that Mozart conducted his Don Giovanni in 1787, and still today the Estates produces mostly Mozart operas.

Tickets for the National and Estates: You can book tickets for both venues through the National Theater’s website. Click the “Tickets” link at the top to see the current season and check availability. Tickets are available in seven price categories. You will first need to create a free user account, before paying with a credit card or simply reserving the seats and paying for them in cash when you arrive at the theater. (Be careful: It’s so easy, in fact, that we accidentally reserved two seats for “Falstaff” in October while doing our research!)

You may also purchase tickets, without surcharge, through the Bohemia Tickets website. Tickets can be picked up at their offices in central Prague, emailed to you (for free), or they can send them to your hotel, for 200 CZK ($13).

The Prague State Opera

The city’s second most important opera house, the grandiose State Opera was built in 1888 and is situated just off Wenceslas Square. Opera performances here are often crowd-pleasers by the likes of Mozart, Puccini, and Verdi, in addition to special festivities around Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The State Opera performs ten months a year, with no performances during the summer.

Booking: Book tickets in advance directly from the State Opera’s website. There you can view performance schedules and click “buy tickets” to see available seats. The State Opera sells e-tickets directly through their site. When you buy an e-ticket, there is no need to exchange your email confirmation for an actual ticket at the theater.

As with the National and Estates, you can also book, without surcharge, through “Bohemia Ticket.”

Prices for all three theaters: Ticket prices vary, but can go as low as 100 CZK ($6.50) for the cheapest (and highest) seats. First and second-tier balcony seats are often in the 300-600 CZK ($19-48) range, while the most expensive orchestra (and prime mezzanine) seats normally cost 800-1,000 CZK ($51-$64).

A note about other ticket booking sites

In researching this post, we came across many other ticket booking websites. Put simply, we would always stick to the official theater websites or to their official partner “Bohemia Tickets.” Other sites often only sell the more expensive seats (not even bothering to offer the cheapies), then tack on “handling charges” and additional delivery charges. One site that we found would either deliver the ticket to your hotel or personally greet you with the tickets at the theater (holding a sign) for about $20.  Not so fast.

Have other tips for finding a cheap seat in Prague? Let us know!

The post Prague: Cheap seats at the opera or ballet appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Free classical music

Pick up a Pariscope, the weekly listings guide (in French), at any magazine kiosk and flip to the classical concert listings. You’ll see many freebie concerts, often by young musicians and local ensembles, held on Sundays in churches around town.

We’re especially fond of concerts in the 16th Century Eglise St-Merri, in the 4th arrondissement, which presents free concerts on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year. (Incidentally, the bell tower contains the oldest bell in Paris, cast in 1331!)

Cheap seats for concerts in major venues

Paris boasts world-class performances in state-of-the-art musical halls. Best of all, many of these venues receive government support to help keep ticket prices affordable — or at least some ticket prices affordable. (Don’t be thrown by expensive seats. Hunt around a bit on the websites and you’ll find the cheap seats!)

The Salle Pleyel is a brand new performance hall, offering performances by classical stars and touring orchestras. Tickets can be found for major concerts from €10. (Check out our earlier post on the Salle Pleyel.)

Theatre du Chatelet located at Place du Chatelet in the 1st arrondissement, offers modern and classical concerts, from recitals to full orchestras. Again, ticket rates are surprising reasonable, starting at €20 for most concerts. The theater has a Sunday morning concert series with all seats going for €23 (€12 under 26 years old, children free) and no tickets are sold in advance. The ticket office opens at 10 AM and seating is open.

Cheap seats for Dance

Theatre de la Ville, located across from Theater du Chatelet, provides modern dance performances. Tickets are quite reasonable, many priced at €10-15.

The celebrated 19th Century Opera Garnier presents mostly ballet and modern dance pieces. Even if you’re not a dance enthusiast, you can’t help but be impressed by the building’s neo-Baroque architecture, sweeping staircase, 2,200 seat grand salle, and ceiling by Marc Chagall.

Cheap seats for Opera

The Opera National de Paris operates both the Opera Bastille and the Opera Garnier. The Opera Bastille, a controversial building when it opened in 1989, presents operas throughout the year, and boasts that each of its seats provides an unobstructed view of the stage. Although ticket prices go as high as €150, seats for the same performance go as low as €5.

We’ll see you at the show… in the cheap seats!

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