City Travel Secrets

Yes, you can score last-minute discounted tickets to Broadway shows, even though theater tickets are more expensive than ever. Sometimes, you can't even get in—many shows sell out months before they open. But if you're willing to be spontaneous and accept whatever seat is available, here are three smart solutions:

• Lottery. Many Broadway productions run a day-of-show drawing, usually offering 10 to 25 tickets at drastically reduced prices, as low as $20. Give your name at the theater two to four hours before curtain, and then return 30 minutes to an hour before the show (specific instructions depend on the venue) to see if you're a winner (each winner can buy two tickets). At press time, participating shows included Avenue Q, Hairspray, Rent, and Wicked. To find other shows that offer lottery seating, call individual box offices.
• Theatre Development Fund. This nonprofit agency (212/221-0885; tdf.org) subsidizes admission to plays and musicals for seniors, students, and teachers; a $27.50 annual fee gets members discounts of up to 70 percent on dozens of shows. A full list is on their Web site.
• Playbill. Membership to the popular theater magazine's Playbill Club (212/557-5757; playbill.com) is free and carries all kinds of discounts—up to 60 percent off for theater, opera, dance, and occasionally restaurants and hotels. The only downside: You have to be willing to receive five to eight e-mails a week to find out about the best deals.

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Pay the $6 deposit on an Oyster Card at any tube, bus, or tram station and you can ride for roughly 50 percent less.

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The 19 Smithsonian museums are open 364 days a year—every day but Christmas. So holidays are a great time to go—you'll practically have the place to yourself.

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The Japan Rail Pass—good for intercity travel—also works on the handy Yamanote Line, an aboveground train that encircles central Tokyo.

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Skip lines at theme parks: Get discount tickets at select Wal-Marts in the area. Call 800/925-6278 for info.

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Avoid looking for a cab in New York between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m. and 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.—that's when many drivers change shifts or go off duty.

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From 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursdays, you can get in free to the permanent exhibitions at several national museums, including the Picture Gallery, the New National Gallery, and the Egyptian Museum. For a full list, visit smb.spk-berlin.de.

For additional travel secrets and tips, read article Travel Secrets.