What is a Ticketing Kiosk? Ticket Kiosk Guide 2020

Ticketing kiosks have become commonplace in the travel industry, providing a quick and easy way for people to purchase fares for bus lines, trains or air travel, as well as tagging their own baggage. But ticketing kiosks aren’t just limited to the travel industry, so today, we will be discussing their uses in other environments to provide shorter wait times, increased ticket sales and most importantly, a better customer experience for end users.

What is a ticketing kiosk? 

A ticketing kiosk is an electronic, self-service ticketing solution that handles ticket sales and dispensing via an automated system rather than through a live agent. The purpose of the ticketing kiosk is to allow a customer to purchase what he or she needs without having to wait in line to speak with an employee, thus freeing up staff for more pertinent tasks. 

Why are ticketing kiosks important for businesses?

Self-service kiosks are an essential part of many businesses as they can be quite cost-efficient. Automation allows for better allocation of human resources, such as customer service agents. This frees up staff to handle more complex or time-sensitive tasks. Second, with kiosks functioning as another form of brand marketing, automated kiosks present a great opportunity for businesses to market themselves in a much more visible, interactive way than traditional advertisements. 

Examples of businesses using ticketing kiosks

There are many organizations that utilize ticketing kiosks to assist with their brand as well as the businesses themselves. Below are just some of the most common businesses that utilize ticketing kiosks. 

• Airports and airlines: Airports employ ticketing kiosks to handle physical printouts of boarding passes as well as allow self-ticketing of checked baggage. This reduces lines for check-in and checked baggage at airport counters.

• Rail, bus and subway travel: Many train, bus, and subway systems utilize ticketing kiosks to handle the sale of tickets, allowing for paper printouts without the need of an employee.

• Movie theaters: Cinemas have been early adopters of ticket kiosks, which shorten traditional long wait times, especially during peak periods on the weekends. Ticket purchases can be made online and printed at the theater, or they can be purchased and printed at the same time before entering the lobby.

• Professional sports venues: Sporting events employ ticketing kiosks to handle the sale of tickets in addition to providing a platform for additional advertisements.

• Amusement Parks: Amusement parks utilize ticketing kiosks for entrance into various attractions as well as for the sale of food and beverage items.

• Concert and entertainment venues: Concerts employ ticketing kiosks to handle onsite ticket sales on the day of the event. This is handled either through the kiosk or itself or via a bar or QR code sent to a mobile phone.

What are the benefits of ticketing kiosks?

Ticketing kiosks afford companies and their consumers a multitude of benefits. Below are some of the benefits of having a ticketing kiosk as opposed to a traditional ticket counter:

• Self Service: Ticketing kiosks allow customers to serve themselves, creating less employee overhead and an overall more efficient experience for the majority of users.
• Shorter Ticket Lines: Automated ticket means less time spent in line for customers, which expedites the purchase experience.
• Reduced Labor Costs: With many services handled through automation, staff is freed up for more complex tasks. Many companies are also able to reduce the total number of staff on hand, as the ticketing kiosks can handle many of the less complicated tasks.
• Cost-Effective: In addition to reducing labor costs and overhead, kiosks are known to attract more business and increase incremental sales, which can increase revenue.
• Attractive and easy to recognize: Since ticketing kiosks are becoming more commonplace, they are easy to spot, and help increase brand awareness.

How do self-service ticketing kiosk systems work?

In addition to being an essential part of many modern businesses, ticketing kiosks are remarkably simple to use. Below is a step-by-step guide for how to use a ticket kiosk:

1a: The user makes a ticket purchase or reservation online through the company’s website

or

1b: The customer arrives at their destination and begins the transaction directly on the ticket kiosk

2. At their destination, the customer confirms their ticket purchase information

3. Customer completes payment if needed

4. Customer prints the ticket and receipt at the kiosk, or elects to have them sent to their mobile device electronically

Ticketing kiosks have changed the way that businesses operate today. They provide a friendly, easy-to-use platform that helps cut costs for businesses in addition to providing a better experience for the consumer.