London Marathon Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat & What to Do (2027)
TCS London Marathon · London
The London Marathon is one of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors and the largest marathon on Earth by finisher count, with a flat, fast course from Greenwich to a spine-tingling finish on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. If you're traveling for it, the race is the reward — this guide is about making the trip around it smooth.
There's a twist for 2027: for the first time in its history, London is staged as a two-day "Double," on Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25, 2027, expanding the field to a record 100,000 participants. Runners are assigned to one of the two days and find out which when their place is confirmed — a detail that matters a lot for booking travel. Below, we cover where to stay, where to eat, and what to do, all built around race logistics. Always confirm dates, your assigned day, and closures on the official race site before booking anything non-refundable.
Quick facts for your trip
- Race dates (2027): Saturday, April 24 & Sunday, April 25 — the one-off two-day "Double." You'll be assigned one day.
- Start: Greenwich / Blackheath (multiple start zones that merge in the early miles)
- Finish: The Mall, in front of Buckingham Palace — one of sport's most famous finish lines
- Course: Flat and fast (only ~75m of elevation gain), point-to-point, past the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge at halfway, Canary Wharf, and the Embankment
- Field: Record ~100,000 across the two days
- Transit perk: Runners travel free on Transport for London services on race day by showing their bib
Where to stay: aim for the finish and central transit
Because the start is out in Greenwich and you're only there briefly, base yourself around the finish and central London instead. After 26.2 miles, a short trip back to your room beats a long one.
Westminster / St. James's — closest to the finish
The finish is on The Mall, so Westminster and St. James's put you right by it, steps from St. James's Park, Buckingham Palace, and the meet-and-greet area at Horse Guards Parade. It's central, iconic, and the least stressful post-race walk — at a premium price.
Mayfair / Victoria — central and well-connected
Just west and south of the finish, Mayfair and Victoria keep you close to The Mall with excellent transit links and plenty of dining. A strong balance of proximity and convenience.
South Bank / Waterloo — great transit, riverside
Across the Thames, the South Bank puts you near the Embankment (the emotional final miles) with superb transit to reach the Greenwich start zones on race morning. Riverside walking, and generally a bit more space for your money.
Canary Wharf — near mile 19, lively base
If you want to be near the course's Canary Wharf stretch (around mile 19, surrounded by dozens of cafés, bars, and restaurants), it's a modern, well-connected base — though a longer trip to the Mall finish.
A note on booking "where to stay": London hotels near the finish book up fast for marathon weekend, and the 2027 two-day format spreads demand across an even bigger field. Because you won't know your assigned day (Saturday or Sunday) until your place is confirmed, book flexible or refundable accommodation if you can. Claira can help you compare central stays by distance to The Mall and pull the weekend into one plan.
Where to eat: the pre-race meal and beyond
The marathon rule holds: simple before, celebratory after.
The night before: Keep it familiar and carb-forward — pasta or similar, near your hotel, eaten early. Central London is dense with reliable options; reserve ahead, since race weekend fills tables.
Race morning: With early London starts and a trip out to Greenwich, bring the pre-race food you trust rather than relying on an early hotel breakfast.
After you finish: London's food scene is one of the world's most diverse — every cuisine, at every price point. Whatever you've been dreaming of through the final miles along the Embankment, London has a great version of it. Sit down and linger; you've earned it.
What to do: before and after the race
Before the race — keep it light
Save the big sightseeing for after. Low-effort options in the days before:
- St. James's Park and the Westminster landmarks — a gentle, iconic stroll near the finish without heavy mileage.
- The Expo at ExCeL — mandatory for bib pickup and large, so budget real time; it's out east, so plan the trip.
- A sit-down cultural stop — a West End matinee or a museum keeps you off your feet.
London tempts you into walking all day. Resist it before the race.
The day after — recovery and reward
Plan the day after around tired legs:
- A Thames river cruise — see a huge sweep of London while sitting down; ideal recovery-day sightseeing.
- A world-class museum — the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate: all flat, indoor, and rewarding at a slow pace.
- A long pub lunch or afternoon tea — the quintessential low-effort London celebration.
This "what to do when walking hurts" planning is exactly what Claira builds into a recovery-friendly day-after itinerary.
Getting around
London's Tube, trains, and buses cover everything you'll want to see, and your race bib gets you free travel on TfL services on race day. Expect extensive closures and very busy stations near Greenwich and Blackheath on race morning — lean on public transport rather than driving.
Turn this into a plan
A guide is a starting point; Claira turns it into a booked, day-by-day trip. Tell it you're running London, and it'll help you compare stays by distance to The Mall finish, find your pre-race dinner and recovery-day activities, and pull the whole weekend into one itinerary you can actually follow.
Plan your London Marathon trip →
Race details are based on the 2027 TCS London Marathon and are accurate as of publication; the 2027 two-day "Double" format is a one-off. Always confirm dates, your assigned race day, start times, and road closures on the official race website before booking. Claira is an independent travel-planning tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the TCS London Marathon or its organizers.