Your Visit

We aim to make your visit to the Royal Opera House as enjoyable and memorable as possible and we hope that this section of the website will provide you with all of the information you need before you arrive.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

What to expect:
We want you to feel as welcome and comfortable as possible when you visit us for the first time. Here is an insight into what to expect when you arrive here.

Once you get here:
You should have been posted your tickets for Welcome Performances, but if you have any problems with them, or need to collect tickets, please come straight to the Box Office which can be found in the ‘Link’ area. If you have entered the House from either of the revolving doors, you will see the Box Office as soon as you walk in. From the main entrance, walk left down the slope towards the cloakroom. The Box Office meets the cloakroom at the far end.

There will be many staff members on hand to help you find your seats, show you to the cloakroom, toilets, bars and restaurants including usher staff, our friendly security staff and members of the Education Department, so please don’t be afraid to ask if you are unsure of anything to do with your day.

If you are interested in any of the events taking place and you have not already booked a place in advance, your first point of call should be the Paul Hamlyn Hall where you will find information about various activities running up to the performance and whether there are any tickets left for the bookable sessions. Some of these events will have been available online and are ticketed, but many will involve coming in person and simply joining in on the day.

The Paul Hamlyn Hall is on the first floor and can be accessed from the Main Entrance by walking up the carpeted Grand Staircase and continuing straight ahead, or from the ‘Link’ and cloakroom area via the wooden staircase. There are also lifts near to the cloakroom which take you to the same level.

Eating and drinking:
On Welcome Performance days when the performance start time is 2pm or later, the restaurants will serve a special, reduced-price lunch menu. If the performance start time is 12pm or 12.30pm, we usually provide a 'brunch' menu to ticket-holders. The bars also offer snacks and drinks at reduced-prices. Details of the menu will be made available online around two weeks prior to the performance date.

You are welcome to bring your own food if you wish to do so.

FAQs
Your visit

Listed below are some of the questions we are asked frequently - we hope they will be able to answer any queries you might have. If not, please feel free to contact us via the email link.

1. Is there a specific dress code at the Royal Opera House?
No, please wear whatever you feel comfortable in.

2. What time should I arrive?
The Royal Opera House opening time may differ depending on the time of the performance.  If you have booked for a pre-performance activity we would suggest arriving 15 minutes before this is due to start.  If you are not taking part in any activities we would suggest you arrive 30 minutes before the start of the performance.

3. Will the performance begin on time?
The majority of our performances begin on time except on the seldom occasion where this is beyond our control.

4. Will we be allowed in if we're late?
We do allow people into the auditorium at appropriate moments during the performance. We do this so that it creates the minimum interruption to the rest of the audience.*Please allow extra time on your arrival at the Royal Opera House, as there is a bag-checking system in operation.

5.  Is there parking at the Royal Opera House?
There is no designated parking at the Royal Opera House. The nearest car parks are a five-minute walk away. There is a drop-off point outside the Bow Street entrance. A limited number of Disabled Access Parking spaces are available in the vicinity, but are not exclusively for the use of Royal Opera House patrons.

Booking

1. Can I book over the telephone?
Bookings should be made via the online booking page.  If you do not have access to the internet please call the Audience Engagement Project Manager to make other arrangements.  Tel: 020 7212 9410. Please note that bookings over the telephone may take longer to process than those made online. If you would like further information on how to book online please see the How to Book Guidelines.

2. Do I have to book for pre-performance activities at the same time as booking my tickets?
No, you can revisit the website at a later date to book for the pre-performance activities.  If you login to the website your booking history will be available to you.  If you select the tickets for the performance you can then book for the related pre-performance activities, however please note that many of the bookable activities sell out quickly!

3. Do I have to pay for the pre-performance activities?
No, all of the activities are free of charge.

4. How long will it take for my tickets to arrive?
If you have not received your tickets within a week of booking please contact Group Bookings on 020 7304 4002 or email.

5. What shall I do if I lose my tickets?
If you lose your tickets you can call the Box Office to arrange a reprint.  Your replacement ticket will be held at the Box Office for collection on the day of the performance.  Tel 020 7304 4002

6. Can I arrange to collect my tickets on the day of the performance?
Yes, when you book your tickets you can select ‘Hold at Box Office’ in order to collect your tickets on the day of the performance.