how to get cheap-ish tickets to watch an opera in milan

For many opera lovers, an evening enjoying a performance at Teatro alla Scala (or La Scala, for short) is a must. But, tickets could get pricey (although some people may qualify for a discount), especially seats in the boxes and orchestra.

For budget conscious travelers, a cheap way to get tickets is to line up at the box office on the day of the performance to score as low as €9 tickets. For the performance I saw, the walk-in tickets, also called "admissions" tickets, cost €11. Admissions seats are in the second row of the galleries. (When I saw a performance, however, people seated in the second row sometimes had to stand to see what was going on onstage.)

If, like me, you don't have a lot of time to line up on the day of the performance without a guarantee of getting a ticket, or do not qualify for the discounts but still want to enjoy a performance on the cheap, there is still a way... plan well ahead of time so you can buy them directly from La Scala. Below is my step-by-step guide:

First, figure out when you plan to visit Milan. 

Second, once you know your travel dates, visit the La Scala website and check the calendar. If there is a performance during your visit, check the sales calendar to see when your desired performance goes on sale. Put an alert in your calendar and make an allowance for the time difference between your location and Milan.

Third, before you buy your ticket, scope out the seating arrangements at La Scala. Figure out if you want to sit in the boxes or galleries or in the orchestra seats. Seats in the boxes and orchestra are pricey. (For the performance I saw, the first row box seats cost at least €200 and the fifth row box seats cost about €68.) Seats in the galleries (above the boxes) are cheaper but have different pricing levels -- the ones closest to the stage are the cheapest. 

Fourth, at 9 am Milan time, go back on the website and buy your tickets online. Just a few quick notes when you buy:

• "Destra" or "Des." refers to the right side of the theater
• "Sinistra" or "Sin." refers to the left side of the theater
• "Platea" refers to orchestra seats
• "Palco" refers to box seats and have four height levels
• "Prima" refers to the lower level of the gallery (or nosebleed section) seats (located immediately above the Palco IV)
• "Seconda" refers to the top level of the gallery (or nosebleed section) seats 
• "Galleria" refers to the gallery seats (or the nose bleed section)

Fifth, wait for your ticket(s) to arrive in the mail and don't forget to pack it with you.

My ticket arrived in the mail.

The opera I saw went on sale about two and a half months before the performance's opening date. I bought my first row gallery seat ticket at 9 am Milan time on the first day it went on sale for €25.20, which included the cost of mailing. The seat I bought in first row of the nose bleed section (which was really high up) was also the cheapest ticket I could buy ahead of time. I received my ticket via mail just under three weeks later. 

So, if you follow the steps above, you will get cheap-ish tickets to see a performance in one of the most beautiful and highly acclaimed venues in the world. Good luck!

Outside La Scala.

Inside the beautiful La Scala from my seat in the "nose bleed" section.

Do you have other tips for scoring cheap tickets to watch an opera at La Scala?