If you’re planning to visit London in late April 2027, it’s worth knowing that the London Marathon takes place over the weekend of 24–25 April 2027.

It’s one of the biggest sporting events in the UK, attracting tens of thousands of runners and huge crowds of spectators. The atmosphere is fantastic, but it also has a big impact on the city.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning your trip:

Book your accommodation early. Hotels close to the marathon route usually sell out first, and prices often increase as the event gets closer. If you’re considering an apartment, be aware that some travellers have had bookings cancelled by hosts shortly before arrival when demand is high. To avoid this risk, you may want to consider a reliable chain hotel. They may not have the same character as a boutique hotel or apartment, but they are often a safer choice during busy periods. Good options in London include Premier Inn, Holiday Inn and Novotel. Travelodge is one of the most budget-friendly hotel chains in the UK and can be a good choice if keeping costs low is your priority.

Flights may also be more expensive. If you are planning to visit London during marathon weekend, it’s worth booking your flights well in advance.

If your dates are flexible, consider arriving a few days before the marathon and leaving a few days afterwards. This can help you avoid higher prices, busier airports and the extra crowds around the event.

You can also look at alternative airports such as Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol or even Edinburgh, and travel to London by train, which may sometimes be a better-value option.

Plan your sightseeing carefully on marathon day. Many roads will be closed and public transport may be affected, especially around the marathon route. I wouldn’t recommend planning major sightseeing in the areas where the marathon takes place, as getting around may take much longer than usual.

But don’t see the marathon only as an inconvenience. My advice is not to try to avoid it completely, but to make it part of your London experience. Watch the runners, enjoy the energy of the event and see a different side of London. Even if you only watch for a short time, it can become a memorable part of your London visit.

Allow extra time if you need to use the Underground. The Tube will be running, but stations near the marathon route are likely to be much busier than usual. If you need to travel somewhere by Underground on Sunday, check your route in advance and allow extra time. I would recommend keeping this day more relaxed and planning places that are close to each other, rather than spending too much time travelling across the city.

Popular attractions will be busier than usual. Areas such as Westminster, Tower Bridge and the Embankment will be much busier on marathon day. You can still visit these places, but I would recommend planning them for another day if possible.

For marathon day, I would suggest choosing a more relaxed itinerary, such as a walking route, exploring parks, visiting Greenwich or taking a day trip outside London, such as Windsor. If you do need to use public transport, allow extra time for your journey.

On the other hand, if you’ve never experienced the London Marathon, it can be a memorable part of your trip. The atmosphere is incredible, with live music, cheering crowds and runners from all over the world. Even spending half an hour watching the race can be a fun London experience.

If you’re travelling to London around the marathon and would like to avoid the busiest areas while still making the most of your visit, I’d be happy to help. I create personalised London itineraries that take major events, transport, opening times and your own interests into account, helping you spend more time enjoying the city and less time figuring out the logistics.