Where to stay for the London Marathon 2027: best areas

With twice the usual number of runners in 2027, London hotels will be busier than ever on race weekend. The best areas are the ones with an easy train to the start and a short trip back from the finish.

Where the race starts and finishes

The race starts in Greenwich and Blackheath, in south-east London, and finishes on The Mall by Buckingham Palace. In 2027 it runs over two days (Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April), and you run on one of them.

Book a room you can cancel. Race-weekend hotels fill up and get pricier, often before entries or ballot results are confirmed. A free-cancellation room holds today's price. If your plans change, cancel it. Every hotel link on this page shows free-cancellation rooms only.

The best areas to stay

1. London Bridge and Southwark Probably the best balance. Trains from London Bridge run to Greenwich, Maze Hill and Blackheath for the start, and the finish is a short Tube or bus ride away. Lots of places to eat around Borough Market.

Race morning: Train from London Bridge to your start station, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Hotels in London Bridge and Southwark for race weekend

2. Greenwich Closest to the start. You can walk up to the start areas on race morning, and it has a village feel with the park and the river. The trip back from the finish takes longer.

Race morning: Walk to the start, around 15 to 30 minutes depending on your start zone.

Hotels in Greenwich for race weekend

3. Canary Wharf A business district, so weekend hotel prices are often lower than in central London. The course runs through it, which makes it a good base for anyone coming to watch.

Race morning: DLR towards Greenwich, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Hotels in Canary Wharf for race weekend

4. Westminster and Victoria Walk back to your hotel from the finish on The Mall. Central for sightseeing, but the most expensive area, and a longer trip out to the start.

Race morning: Train from Charing Cross or a nearby station to the start stations, allow 40 minutes or more.

Hotels in Westminster and Victoria for race weekend

Race morning

Trains and the DLR to the start get very busy on race morning. Leave much earlier than you think you need to. Most big races also ask you to collect your bib in person before race day, so arrive at least the day before.

All hotels in London for race weekend

via Booking.com, free-cancellation rooms

London Marathon: dates, entry and course

Everything else about the race

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All where-to-stay guides

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