Access at the Royal Opera House

Step-free access reaches every level of the main auditorium except the Orchestra Stalls, which are about 18 steps down with no lift. Access bookings are handled by the Royal Opera House's own access team, through its website, and its free Access Scheme personalises booking to your needs. That side of it is handled by the venue, not by us.

Getting in and getting to your seat

All three entrances, on Bow Street, the Piazza (with a ramp) and the Floral Street corner, are step-free with power-assisted doors, and every restaurant, bar and foyer is step-free. Inside there are several lifts, an escalator and a ramp. At the moment only one lift is working on the left-hand side of the auditorium, so allow extra time if your seat is on that side. Wheelchair spaces and step-free seats are on several levels, all reached by lift.

Toilets, companions and assistance dogs

Accessible toilets are on the ground floor, on Level 5 behind the Amphitheatre Bar, and in the Linbury Foyer, with baby changing in the first two. There's a gender-neutral toilet on the Balcony level, and no Changing Places facility. An essential companion gets a free ticket through the venue's access team, and assistance dogs are welcome everywhere.

Accessible performances

The Royal Opera House runs British Sign Language interpreted, audio-described, relaxed and sensory-adapted performances, and every opera has English surtitles. The dates are on each show's page. Booster seats are available, and ear defenders, sunglasses and fidget toys are all welcome.

Getting here step-free

Covent Garden station isn't step-free. Use Tottenham Court Road (Elizabeth line), about eleven or twelve minutes' walk, or Charing Cross mainline station, about eight minutes away, which has good wheelchair access.

Bars, cloakroom and the interval

• Cashless: card and contactless only, everywhere in the building
• Cloakroom: free, and compulsory for anything bigger than you can hold on your lap. Opens two hours before an evening performance and 90 minutes before a matinee, and it's busy at the end
• Not accepted, even folded: pushchairs, bikes, e-scooters and e-unicycles
• Interval drinks: order at any bar when you arrive and they'll be waiting; ice cream is on sale at the interval
• Box Office: Monday to Saturday from 12 noon until the start of the evening performance, or 6pm; on Sundays with a performance, from 90 minutes before

Tips for the night

• Have your bag open and ready at the door, and travel light: the cloakroom queue after the show is long.
• Sitting in the side seats? The small surtitle screens near your seat are often easier to read than the main one above the stage.