The Staatsoper Unter den Linden is one of Germany’s most important opera houses and offers a varied program, from grand operas and ballet evenings to special concerts, often featuring international singers and the renowned Staatskapelle Berlin. Regular premium tickets for the best seats often cost €150 to €170 or more. But there are actually ways to get in for much less: unsold or returned tickets are offered at a discount at short notice.
Here’s how it works: You have to be at the opera house in person. The line is often manageable, especially if you arrive early. Remaining tickets for €15 are usually available at the box office about 30 minutes before the performance begins. Online reservations for these €15 tickets are not possible—it’s first come, first served. It is therefore best to plan to arrive 45 to 60 minutes before the start, especially for popular performances!
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There are also discounted tickets with a 50% discount for schoolchildren, students, trainees, interns, and volunteers under the age of 30. These tickets can be purchased online or directly at the box office several weeks before the performance, usually from about four weeks before the date. It is important to show valid proof of eligibility, such as a student ID card. Young people under the age of 18 also receive a 50% discount in all price categories, with no time restrictions.
If you have a Berlin-Ticket S, the discount ticket for Berlin residents, you can even get tickets for only €3 at the box office about 30 minutes before the performance begins. This is an absolute top deal, but only valid upon presentation of the Berlin Ticket S subscription. In addition, the Berlin Welcome Card offers a 25% discount on tickets to the State Opera. This card is particularly worthwhile for visitors to the city, as it offers discounts on cultural attractions as well as many other attractions and public transportation.