Royal Opera House
About the Royal Opera House, London
Buy Royal Opera House Tickets in London's West End
The Royal Opera House stands as one of the world's most prestigious opera houses, a Grade I listed building at Bow Street, London WC2E 9DD. With a capacity of 2,256 seats, this stunning 19th-century auditorium serves as home to The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet, presenting world-class performances throughout the year. When you book online through tickadoo, you can compare Royal Opera House tickets across multiple providers to find the best prices for opera, ballet and special events.
Best Seats at Royal Opera House
Located in the heart of Covent Garden, the Royal Opera House combines architectural grandeur with exceptional acoustics and sightlines. The venue's rich history dates back to 1732, and today's building, which opened in 1858, features a magnificent horseshoe-shaped auditorium with plush red velvet seating and ornate gold detailing. Real-time seat availability lets you choose your own seats from an interactive seating plan, ensuring you get the best seats Royal Opera House has to offer for your budget. E-tickets arrive by email with instant confirmation, making last-minute tickets available right up to performance time.
Royal Opera House Location and Transport
The venue attracts both opera devotees and first-time visitors with its diverse programming of classic and contemporary works. While the Royal Opera House specialises in opera and ballet rather than West End musicals, London's theatre district offers spectacular shows nearby. For musical theatre fans, The Lion King plays at the nearby Lyceum Theatre, while Wicked enchants audiences at the Apollo Victoria. The Theatre Royal Drury Lane and His Majesty's Theatre sit within easy walking distance, making Covent Garden the perfect base for a West End theatre experience.
Getting to Royal Opera House in London
Getting tickets for Royal Opera House through tickadoo means you can compare prices from multiple ticket providers in one place, with transparent booking fees and secure checkout. Whether you're searching for cheap Royal Opera House tickets in the upper levels or premium stalls seats, the Royal Opera House seating plan shows exact views from every section. The venue sits just 2 minutes' walk from Covent Garden tube station on the Piccadilly line, making Royal Opera House WC2 easily accessible from across London. What's on at Royal Opera House changes seasonally, with opera and ballet productions running in repertory alongside special performances and cinema screenings.
Royal Opera House Important Information
Arrival Time: Arrive at least 30 minutes before the performance begins to collect tickets, find your seats and settle in. The auditorium doors typically open 30 to 45 minutes before curtain up, and latecomers may not be admitted until a suitable break in the performance.
E-Ticket Entry: E-tickets arrive by email with instant confirmation when you book online through tickadoo. Simply present your e-ticket on your mobile device or print it at home for scanning at the entrance. Keep your e-ticket accessible throughout the evening.
Getting There: Royal Opera House is located at Bow Street, London WC2E 9DD, just 2 minutes' walk from Covent Garden station (Piccadilly line). Leicester Square station (Northern and Piccadilly lines) is 5 minutes away, and Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines) is 7 minutes away. Multiple bus routes serve Covent Garden.
Accessibility: The venue offers 24 wheelchair spaces across all levels with lift access, transfer seating, accessible toilets, hearing enhancement systems and audio description services. Contact the box office in advance to arrange specific accessibility requirements.
Age Policies: Most productions welcome children aged 5 and over, though age recommendations vary by performance based on content and duration. All children require their own ticket. Check specific age guidance for your chosen production before booking.
Intervals and Refreshments: Most opera and ballet performances include at least one interval. Pre-order interval drinks online or through the mobile app to skip queues. The venue has multiple bars and a restaurant, plus the Paul Hamlyn Hall offers a spectacular setting for pre-show dining.
Cloakroom: A cloakroom is available for coats and small bags. Large bags, suitcases and rucksacks are not permitted in the auditorium for safety reasons. The cloakroom operates on a first-come basis and may have queues during busy periods.
Photography and Recording: Photography, video recording and audio recording are strictly prohibited during performances. You may take photos in the public areas before the show and during intervals. Mobile phones must be switched off completely during the performance.
Latecomers: Late arrivals may not be admitted to the auditorium until a suitable break in the performance, which could be 30 minutes or more after the start. If you arrive late, speak to front of house staff who will advise when you can be seated.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellation terms depend on the ticket provider you book through on tickadoo. Most providers do not offer refunds unless the performance is cancelled. Check the specific terms before completing your purchase and consider flexible ticket options if your plans may change.
FAQs about Royal Opera House
How do I get to Royal Opera House?
The nearest tube Royal Opera House is Covent Garden station on the Piccadilly line, just 2 minutes' walk from the venue at Bow Street, WC2E 9DD. Leicester Square station (Northern and Piccadilly lines) is 5 minutes' walk away, while Holborn station (Central and Piccadilly lines) is 7 minutes' walk. Charing Cross station offers National Rail and tube connections 8 minutes' walk from the theatre. Several bus routes serve the Covent Garden area, including the 1, 59, 68, 91, 168 and 188.
What is the seating capacity of Royal Opera House?
Royal Opera House has a seating capacity of 2,256 across four levels: Stalls, Donald Gordon Grand Tier, Balcony and Amphitheatre. When you book online through tickadoo, you can choose your own seats from an interactive seating plan showing real-time seat availability. The Royal Opera House seating plan displays exact views from each section to help you find the best seats Royal Opera House offers within your budget.
Where can I find cheap Royal Opera House tickets?
tickadoo compares Royal Opera House tickets across multiple ticket providers to help you find the best prices. The most affordable seats are typically in the upper Amphitheatre and rear Balcony sections, which still offer good views thanks to the venue's excellent sightlines. Last minute tickets available through tickadoo can offer significant savings, particularly for midweek performances. Sign up for price alerts to get notified when cheap Royal Opera House tickets become available for your chosen production.
What are the best seats at Royal Opera House?
The best seats Royal Opera House offers are generally in the Stalls centre sections (around rows E to M) and the front rows of the Donald Gordon Grand Tier, which provide optimal sightlines and acoustics. For ballet, Stalls seats offer close-up views of the choreography, while Grand Tier seats provide a better overview of formations. The Royal Opera House seating plan on tickadoo shows detailed views from every section. E-tickets arrive by email with instant confirmation once you've selected your preferred seats from the interactive seating plan.
What's on at Royal Opera House?
What's on at Royal Opera House includes productions by The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet, ranging from classic works like La Bohème, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker to contemporary commissions. The venue operates on a repertory system, with multiple productions running in rotation throughout each season. Check the Royal Opera House London listings on tickadoo to see current and upcoming performances, with real-time seat availability for all shows. You can also explore nearby West End shows including Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre and The Mousetrap.
Is there a dress code at Royal Opera House?
Royal Opera House does not enforce a strict dress code, welcoming audiences in smart casual or formal attire. Many patrons choose to dress up for the occasion, particularly for evening performances and opening nights, but you're free to wear what makes you comfortable. The venue prioritises creating an inclusive atmosphere where everyone feels welcome to enjoy world-class opera and ballet.
Is Royal Opera House accessible for wheelchair users?
Royal Opera House WC2 offers excellent accessibility provisions with wheelchair spaces available in the Stalls and on all upper levels via lift access. The venue has 24 wheelchair spaces that can be booked in advance, along with transfer seating for patrons who can move from their wheelchair. Accessible toilets, hearing enhancement systems and audio description services are available. Contact the box office when booking tickets for Royal Opera House to arrange specific accessibility requirements. Book online through tickadoo and contact the venue directly to confirm your access needs.
Can I buy last minute Royal Opera House tickets?
Yes, last minute Royal Opera House tickets available through tickadoo let you book Royal Opera House tickets right up to performance time. E-tickets arrive by email with instant confirmation, so you can purchase seats even on the day of the performance. Real-time seat availability means you can see exactly which seats remain and choose from the interactive Royal Opera House seating plan. Compare prices across multiple providers on tickadoo to find the best last minute deals.
Are there age restrictions at Royal Opera House?
Age restrictions at Royal Opera House vary by production. Most opera and ballet performances welcome children aged 5 and over, though some productions may have higher age recommendations based on content, length or late finish times. All children require their own ticket regardless of age. Check the specific age guidance for your chosen performance when you book online through tickadoo. The venue offers special family-friendly productions and workshops designed for younger audiences throughout the year.
What is the cancellation policy for Royal Opera House tickets?
Cancellation policies for tickets for Royal Opera House depend on the ticket provider you book through. When you compare prices on tickadoo, each provider's terms and conditions are clearly displayed before purchase. Most providers do not offer refunds or exchanges unless a performance is cancelled or significantly rescheduled. Some ticket providers offer exchange policies up to 24 or 48 hours before the performance. Always check the specific cancellation terms when booking and consider purchasing tickets with flexible exchange options if your plans may change.
Royal Opera House Seating Plan
Royal Opera House Location
Bow Street, London WC2E 9DD
