The TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) London Marathon takes place on Sunday 27 April 2025. It’s one of the biggest sporting events in the capital and even the world. In 2024, a record 53,700 people completed the London Marathon. The event also raised a record £73.5 million for charities.
There will be lots of road closures starting from 07:00 so knowing how to get around London on the day will be essential whether you’re a participant, spectator or just trying to get home.
Start times
8.50am – Elite wheelchair men’s and women’s races.
9.05am – Elite women’s race.
9.35am – Elite men’s race followed by mass start.
The London Marathon Race Route
The starting lines for the London Marathon are close to Blackheath train station.
The 26.2-mile challenge starts at Blackheath, passes the iconic Cutty Sark, goes over the world-famous Tower Bridge, and through Canary Wharf, before finishing on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace.
Getting the Train to the Starting Line
For most of the race route and spectator spots, getting around for the London marathon is easy to do by Tube and DLR.
New for this year: there will be five Assembly Areas (Blue, Green, Pink, Red and Yellow) and three Start Lines (Blue, Pink and Red).
| Bib | Assembly Area | Nearest Station |
| Blue numbers | BLUE | Blackheath: 10-minute walk |
| Green numbers | GREEN | Blackheath: 10-minute walk |
| Pink numbers | PINK | Maze Hill: 10-minute walk |
| Red numbers on white | RED | Greenwich: 10-minute walk |
| Red numbers on yellow | YELLOW | Blackheath: 10-minute walk |
Please note: spectators should not travel to the Start as it is for participants only. They can watch and support you from almost anywhere else on the route. However, parts of the route are extremely busy, and waiting times at some train and London Underground stations on the route can be up to 90 minutes, please ask your supporters to plan their day.
Tube
There will be many road closures during the London Marathon so using the London Underground will be the most convenient way to travel on the day. However, there are still a few considerations if you’re taking the Tube. Some stations will be extremely busy. These include Blackfriars, Canada Water, Canary Wharf, Charing Cross, Embankment, Green Park, London Bridge, Mansion House, St James’s Park, Tower Hill/Tower Gateway, Temple and Westminster.
On the day, there are planned engineering works and closures on the Elizabeth line.
Getting up extra early to get a good spot? Don’t forget the Night Tube will have been running so chances are, you won’t have to worry about what times the Tube trains start. Victoria, Leicester Square and St Paul’s are all on the Night Tube service.
To plan a journey using realtime information or to check the latest Night Tube map, use Tube Map, a free app for the London Underground.
Docklands Light Railway
Services on Sunday 27 April will start earlier: at 05:30 from Tower Gateway and Lewisham, and 07:00 from Bank and all other DLR routes.
Cutty Sark DLR Station
Cutty Sark DLR station will be entry only on Sunday 27 April. Passengers will not be able to get off trains or leave the station. Please do not travel to Cutty Sark station to get to your Start Assembly Area.
Thames Clippers
River Bus services run every 20 minutes from central London to Greenwich Pier. From here it’s just a short walk to the Assembly Areas. For more information, visit thamesclippers.com
Bus
During the London Marathon several road closures will be in effect.
Because of this, buses that run on or near the marathon route will be diverted or terminate early. These are the bus routes that will be affected: 1, 3, 11, 12, 15, 24, 25, 29, 42, 47, 51, 53, 54, 78, 87, 88, 89, 91, 96, 99, 100, 108, 115, 122, 129, 132, 148, 159, 161, 177, 178, 180, 188, 199, 202, 211, 225, 244, 277, 286, 291, 341, 343, 344, 380, 381, 386, 422, 453, 469, 472, 486, C10, D3, D6, D7, D8, P12, RV1.
Use Bus Times London on the day to plan your journey and check live bus times. The app is available for free on iOS and Android.
Travelling for free during the London Marathon
Participants (not family, friends or spectators!) have free travel on Southeastern train services from London stations to the Start, as well as on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Underground and buses. Simply present your bib – do not tap in or out at any London stations!
However, you choose to get there, give yourself plenty of extra travel time. We’ve covered everything you need to know but there can always be unexpected changes on the day. For the latest live information, check the Line Status in Tube Map and/ or look out for bus route information in Bus Times London.
Back to blog