London Marathon Transport Guide: Getting Around on Race Day

Last updated: August 11, 2026

Getting There · Matchday Transport

London Marathon Transport Guide: Getting Around on Race Day

The London Marathon is the one day a year when the usual rules of getting around London stop applying. More than 150 roads close on a rolling basis across the whole 26.2-mile course, buses crossing the route are diverted or cut short, and the river cuts the city in two for anyone on foot. Rail is the answer almost every time. This guide covers how to reach the start, the best points to watch from and how to reach each, how to get home afterwards, and the accessible options.

Start
Blackheath & Greenwich
Finish
The Mall · Charing Cross
Key lines
DLR · Jubilee · Elizabeth
Arrive by
Start − 60 min

Every way in, ranked

Tap any line to expand the step-by-step. Green = best pick, amber = mixed, red = avoid.

Buffer is set to the start minus 60 minutes. Road closures run on a rolling basis across the whole course, stations near the start and the popular viewing points come under crowd control, and trains run far busier than a normal Sunday — an hour is the realistic margin, and runners heading for the start should allow more still.

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Getting home after

Canary Wharf or a mainline terminus
The Jubilee and Elizabeth lines at Canary Wharf absorb crowds far better than the small stations near the finish — if you can move up or down the course before travelling, do.
River boat
Pier-to-pier river services run between Woolwich and Westminster, calling at Greenwich, Canary Wharf, Rotherhithe, Tower and Embankment. The one route the road closures cannot touch, and the piers are step-free.
Walk out from the finish
Charing Cross and Embankment are closest to The Mall and take the brunt of the crowd. Walking a few extra minutes to Green Park or Piccadilly Circus is usually quicker than queueing.
Driving out
If you drove anywhere near the course, expect to wait. Later sections of the route do not reopen until the evening, and the surrounding roads stay congested well after that.

Step-free & accessible

There are five stewarded, barrier-free accessible viewing areas along the course for wheelchair users plus one carer or supporter: Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Rainbow Row, Tower Hill and Victoria Embankment.

For the best wheelchair access, disabled spectators are advised to watch from The Highway in Tower Hamlets, which is less congested than Greenwich town centre or Cutty Sark.

The closest step-free stations to the start are Blackheath, Maze Hill and Greenwich. Canary Wharf is also step-free across the Jubilee, Elizabeth and DLR services and pairs with an accessible viewing area.

River services between Woolwich and Westminster are step-free at the piers and are unaffected by road closures, making them a reliable accessible option for moving along the course.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the London Marathon start and finish?
The race starts around Blackheath and Greenwich Park in south-east London and finishes on The Mall, by St James’s Park. The closest stations to the start are Blackheath, Maze Hill and Greenwich; for the finish, Charing Cross and St James’s Park are both under ten minutes’ walk.
What is the best place to watch the London Marathon?
Canary Wharf offers the best balance — the Jubilee line, Elizabeth line and DLR all serve it, the crowds spread out more than elsewhere, and it has a stewarded accessible viewing area. Cutty Sark and Tower Bridge have the most famous atmosphere but are the most crowded.
Can I drive on London Marathon day?
No, not near the course. More than 150 roads close on a rolling basis and buses crossing the route are diverted or cut short. Earlier sections begin reopening around midday while later parts stay closed into the evening. Use rail, the DLR or the river.
How early should I arrive?
Aim for the start minus 60 minutes as a spectator. Stations at the popular viewing points come under crowd control and trains are far busier than a normal Sunday. Runners heading to the start should allow considerably longer for bag drop and reaching the right start pen.
Are there accessible viewing areas on the route?
Yes — five stewarded, barrier-free areas for wheelchair users and one companion, at Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Rainbow Row, Tower Hill and Victoria Embankment. The Highway in Tower Hamlets is also recommended for wheelchair access.
Can I cross the marathon route?
Not freely, and not at all in some places. The finish area around The Mall is tightly barriered and stewarded. Crossing points are managed along the course, so plan to stay on one side or use the Tube or river to get around the route rather than across it.

Plan the rest of your visit

London Marathon — complete runner & spectator guide →Athletics in London — fixtures & tickets →

Published: August 11, 2026