Hotels near London Marathon start line; 9 best London Marathon hotels for 2025 race
The 2025 TCS London Marathon saw a mind-blowing 840,318 applicants, a new world record for marathon applications – which was previously set by the 2024 London Marathon! The 2025 event promises to be an historic edition of the iconic race, as the race marks its 45th anniversary, with over 53,000 runners taking to the streets of London.
If you were one of the lucky runners to secure a place in the TCS London Marathon 2025, you may still be looking for accommodation ahead of the big day. Marathon Tours & Travel offer accommodation packages that provide ideally-located hotels for both your pre- and post-race plans, as well as for seeing the sights, sounds and smells of London!
Here’s our top recommendations for where to stay in the capital during the TCS London Marathon 2025…
Dixon Tower Bridge
If it’s luxury you’re searching for, look no further for your London Marathon hotel experience than the Dixon Tower Bridge. Set in a glorious building that dates back to 1905, this beautiful construct has only recently been converted in to a hotel and provides sophistication, style and relaxation all in one. If the beautiful in-house dining options, including a cicchetti concept serving Italian dishes, isn’t enough for you, you’re ideally located just off London’s South Bank for some of the best eating and drinking options the city has to offer. It’s also perfectly located close to London Bridge for your pre- and post-race plans!
Nearest tube station: London Bridge (Jubilee and Northern lines)
How to get to the London Marathon Expo: From London Bridge tube station, take the Jubilee line three stops east to Canary Wharf, then take the Elizabeth line one stop east to Custom House for ExCel.
How to get to the race start: Board SouthEastern railway services from London Bridge railway station to Maze Hill or Blackheath.
How to get from the race finish: From Charing Cross tube station take the Bakerloo or Northern lines two stops south to Waterloo, then take the Jubilee line two steps east to London Bridge.
Travelodge Covent Garden
Situated in the centre of the capital, the Travelodge Covent Garden is the perfect location for those post-race celebrations in the epicentre of the cultural hub of London. Within easy walking distance of the race finish on the Mall, you’re in the heart of London’s theatreland and one of the most popular restaurant and bar districts, as well as having excellent transport links to the city’s main railway termini and airports.
Nearest tube station: Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) or Leicester Square (Piccadilly/Northern line)
How to get to the London Marathon Expo: From Leicester Square tube station, take the Northern line one stop north to Tottenham Court Road station. Change on to the Elizabeth line and travel five stops west on an Abbey Wood train to Custom House for ExCel.
How to get to race start: From Leicester Square take the Northern Line three stops south to Waterloo, then travel on the Jubilee Line two stops east to London Bridge. From there take a SouthEastern train to Maze Hill or Blackheath.
How to get from race finish: Walk along the Mall to Trafalgar Square, heading north on St Martin’s Place, take a slight right on to St Martin’s Lane, then take a right on to Long Acre, followed by a left on to Drury Lane.
Doubletree Hilton London West End
Set in a beautiful historic London building with excellent links to some of the main attractions in central London, the Doubletree Hilton London West End combines luxury and convenience all in one. Located in easy reach of the British Museum and with popular cultural districts such as Soho and Covent Garden within easy walking distance, this hotel is perfect for putting your feet up after your mammoth marathon efforts. You’re also close to nearby major railway hubs London Euston and London Kings Cross St Pancras.
Nearest tube station: Russell Square (Piccadilly line)
How to get to the London Marathon Expo: Walk along Great Russell Street to the junction with Tottenham Court Road. Enter Tottenham Court Road and take the Elizabeth line five stops west on an Abbey Wood train to Custom House for ExCel.
How to get to race start: From Russell Square, take the Piccadilly line north one stop to Kings Cross St Pancras, then travel on the Northern line five stops south to London Bridge and board a SouthEastern train to Maze Hill or Blackheath stations.
How to get from race finish: From Charing Cross tube station, take the Northern line one stop north to Leicester Square, then take the Piccadilly line three stops north to Russell Square.
Ibis London City
Next door to Aldgate East tube station and in prime position to explore the trendy district of Shoreditch, the Ibis London City is a superb option for your London Marathon hotel. The popular cultural and culinary hotspot of Brick Lane is right on your doorstep, as well as Spitalfields Market – plus the banks of the River Thames around Tower Hill are just a 15 minute walk away. This hotel offers the perfect location for your marathon preparations, halfway between the Expo at Excel London and the marathon finish on The Mall.
Nearest tube station: Aldgate East (Hammersmith & City and District lines)
How to get to the London Marathon Expo: From Aldgate East, take the District or Hammersmith & City lines one stop east to Whitechapel, then take the Elizabeth line two stops east to Custom House for ExCel.
How to get to the race start: From Aldgate East, take the District or Hammersmith & City lines four stops east to Bow Road, where you can change over to the Docklands Light Railway at Bow Church. From there take the Lewisham bound train 13 stops south to Greenwich.
How to get from the race finish: From Embankment tube station (just off Trafalgar Square), take the District line 7 stops east to Aldgate East.
Travelodge London City
The Travelodge London City is a great hotel for all your marathon needs, with easy access to and from the Expo, the hotel is also just around the corner from the city of London, allowing you to explore everything that London has to offer. Offering easy and simple travel to and from the race start and finish, you’re less than 15 minutes away from Brick Lane, Shoreditch and Spitalfields Market – providing access to some of the best independent food and drink traders from around the globe.
Nearest tube station: Aldgate East (Hammersmith & City and District lines)
How to get to the London Marathon Expo: From Aldgate East, take the District or Hammersmith & City lines one stop east to Whitechapel, then take the Elizabeth line two stops east to Custom House for ExCel.
How to get to the race start: From Aldgate East, take the District or Hammersmith & City lines four stops east to Bow Road, where you can change over to the Docklands Light Railway at Bow Church, then take the Lewisham bound train 13 stops south to Greenwich.
How to get from the race finish: From Embankment tube station (just off Trafalgar Square), take the District line 7 stops east to Aldgate East.
Hampton by Hilton London City
Another hotel situated close to Aldgate East tube station, this 4* hotel offers comfort and style in the heart of the city of London. You’ll be ideally located for Brick Lane, Shoreditch and the city of London depending on what takes your fancy – meaning you can put your bags down and explore the capital as soon as you arrive. What’s more, this is another hotel that provides convenient access and travel to the London Marathon Expo, the start line in Greenwich and the finish line on The Mall.
Nearest tube station: Aldgate East (Hammersmith & City and District lines)
How to get to the London Marathon Expo: From Aldgate East, take the District or Hammersmith & City lines one stop east to Whitechapel, then take the Elizabeth line two stops east to Custom House for ExCel.
How to get to the race start: From Aldgate East, take the District or Hammersmith & City lines four stops east to Bow Road, where you can change over to the Docklands Light Railway at Bow Church, then take the Lewisham bound train 13 stops south to Greenwich.
How to get from the race finish: From Embankment tube station (just off Trafalgar Square), take the District line 7 stops east to Aldgate East.
Novotel London Waterloo
Just off the south bank of the River Thames lies the Novotel London Waterloo, a centrally located hotel that offers comfortable rooms and easy links to all three of the main London Marathon locations. This hotel puts you right on the doorstep of some of the most iconic landmarks in London, including the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, meaning you can be a tourist to your heart’s content! Even better, the Novotel London Waterloo has great transport links, putting you in a great position for the Expo, start and finish of the race from the nearby London Waterloo railway and tube station.
Nearest tube station: Lambeth North (Bakerloo line) or London Waterloo (Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern and Waterloo & City lines)
How to get to the London Marathon Expo: From Lambeth North, take the Bakerloo line one stop north to Waterloo. From Waterloo, take the Northern line four stops north to Tottenham Court Road. Change on to the Elizabeth line and travel five stops east on an Abbey Wood train to Custom House for ExCel.
How to get to the race start; From Lambeth North, take the Bakerloo line one stop south to Elephant & Castle. From there, take the Northern line two stops east to London Bridge, then board SouthEastern trains to Maze Hill or Blackheath stations. From London Waterloo take the Jubilee line two stops west to London Bridge, then board SouthEastern trains to Maze Hill or Blackheath stations.
How to get from the race finish: Take the Bakerloo line south from Charing Cross two or three stops to alight at either Waterloo or Lambeth North.
Novotel London Bridge
Novotel London Bridge is a 4* hotel that is the ideal location for a London Marathon weekend that prepares you for your race, allows you to see the sights and offers relaxation straight after your run as well. On the southern end of Southwark Bridge and situated just behind the trendy South Bank district, home to a number of bars and restaurants. You’re also ideally situated about halfway between Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament, meaning you can visit some top tourist attractions just a short walk from your hotel. In addition, this hotel provides simple access to the race start, with London Bridge being its nearest station.
Nearest tube station: London Bridge (Jubilee and Northern lines)
How to get to the London Marathon Expo: From London Bridge railway station, take the Jubilee line three stops east to Canary Wharf, then take the Elizabeth line one stop east to Custom House for ExCel.
How to get to the race start: Board SouthEastern railway services from London Bridge railway station to Maze Hill or Blackheath.
How to get from the race finish: From Charing Cross tube station take the Bakerloo or Northern lines two stops south to Waterloo, then take the Jubilee line two steps east to London Bridge.
Doubletree by Hilton London Marble Arch
This centrally located hotel, set in an 18th century building just off London’s bustling Oxford Street is the perfect London Marathon hotel. With peaceful, relaxing rooms you can chill out pre- or post-race even in the very centre of central London. On the edge of the city’s west end, but also within easy reach of Oxford Circus and Hyde Park, this hotel covers every base for how to entertain yourself in the capital before, during and after your race. As well as being a great place to stay for tourists, this hotel also provides great access to the London Marathon expo, start line in Greenwich and is easy to get back to from the finish line on The Mall.
Nearest tube station: Marble Arch (Central line)
How to get to the London Marathon Expo: From Marble Arch, take the Central line one stop east to Bond Street, then change on to the Elizabeth line to Abbey Wood, travelling six stops east to Custom House for ExCel.
How to get to the race start: From Marble Arch, take the Central line one stop east to Bond Street. From there take the Jubilee line east travelling five stops east to London Bridge. At London Bridge board a SouthEastern rail service to Maze Hill or Blackheath.
How to get from the race finish: From Charing Cross tube station, take the Bakerloo line two stops north to Oxford Circus and then the Central line two stops west to Marble Arch.
Book your TCS London Marathon 2025 accommodation here.
Fancy London, but don’t fancy a full marathon? Check out the London Landmarks Half Marathon or Royal Parks Half Marathon.