London Marathon - Travel plans

[xsquared]

Only 9 days to go before I'm at the start line. Eek!

I've been looking up times for public transport, and the quickest way from our hotel is only a 15 minute bus ride away from our start areas. Bus services are 188 and 422.

However, this option doesn't appear when I input it in the TfL journey planner for that date and time, and it would be just as quick and probably more reliable to walk to the start line instead of the multiple train and underground changes. I suspect bus services won't be in operation because of road closures.

For those who have been before, what is the travel situation like at around 9am on the day? We're travelling from North Greenwich to Greenwich and Maze Hill.

TIA

Travel on marathon day is crowded and buses are subject to diversions.

You need a plan.

You are a runner yes? North Greenwich to Cutty Sark is only 2 miles so an easy enough walk, so that may be the best option.

Public transport wise the buses are likely to be slow or stop well short of the start.

You could get the Jubilee line to Canary Wharf and the DLR southbound and get off at Cutty Sark but that seems a little pointless and it is likely to be very crowded.

Hi,
Thanks for your reply.

I have looked at the details of the suggested routes including stopping at Canary Wharf only to walk to Herons Quay, get DLR followed by South Eastern as you've mentioned.

I think walking may well be the best option. It's a little less than 2 miles so around 35 minutes.

Ahh yes TfL journey finder is a bit odd.

Canary Wharf tube station is a different station from the DLR so you will have to walk to change. DLR trains to Cutty Sark go from both Canary Wharf and Heron Quays (they are very near each other)

Also there are two stations in Greenwich - Cutty Sark is right opposite the start (and will be very very crowded) it is only served by the DLR. Greenwich is about 10 mins walk away and is served by both the DLR and Overground trains.

Anyway good luck and enjoy your day. London is a great marathon. We are off to Boston this weekend as Mr Monkey is running Boston marathon on Monday.

Even better get an E bike -forest is cheapest and lime also available. You need to download the app first then yo7 unlock with your phone.

They take virtually no effort to pedal so won't tire you out.

There are lots of bike paths in that part of the city so it's not as scary as you think.

Ooh, very exciting for your dh and you. Good luck to him and have a fabulous time.

Haven't considered this at all, but thank you.

I think I would if I was a little more confident with London geography in that area.

They run extra trains on main line services on Marathon day. It’s the greatest event of the year! Good luck! I’ll be in the legendary crowd cheering you on x

Remember that public transport is free for runners that day (you just need to show your bib).

There are a lot of road closures so I wouldn't try either bus or bike.

You can get from all of the suggested arrival stations to any of the start areas, so you don't need to restrict yourself to the preferred one (I think they do it like that to try to spread the flow, and to remind people of the lesser known station)

Travel is like a sea of humanity, all going the same way and trains are basically full, but it's extremely good natured.

I think walking is a reasonable choice given that you're so nearby, but going across to Canary Wharf and changing should work if you want to save your legs.

BTW, if you get held up (playing sardines on trains or having to walk further than you expect if there are barriers up and you have to get to a course crossing point - the wheelchair event starts just before 9 and they'll start getting strict ahead of when the first ones start coming through) be aware that there are usually loos only about 1 mile in to the course, so you don't need to join the event village (massive) queues.

Have you been given your start wave details (I can't remember how far in advance they sent them), so you know for sure which start location you have to get to?

Trains are easy on race day - you just follow everyone else! So there's no danger of getting lost/going wrong. But they are busy - full of nervous excitement and smelling of bananas and deep heat!

A walk isn't a bad idea, but remember there's lots of standing around once you get to the start area, so it's a lot of 'time on feet'. I guess it's probably an uphill walk too, given where the start is!

Allow plenty of time, but don't stress about it. You are always allowed to join a later wave from the one you've been allocated, and even if the loo queues look long, they move very quickly.

You'll have the best day! I hope you enjoy it.

If she's coming from North Greenwich the walk will be as flat as a pancake.

You only have to do the hilly stuff for the Blackheath start.

Hi,
Yes, they sent racer specific details last week with wave colour, start time, nearest station etc.

I'm staying in North Greenwich, and it's less than 2 miles which Google estimates to be a 40 minute walk, but I know I can do it in less.

There are 3 changes using public transport Jubilee line, DLR and South Eastern taking around the same time, and that's if everything is running smoothly.

I live near the start, I'd get a train to Blackheath and walk, will be about 15 mins across the heath.

Depends which start the OP is going from though...

Okay, I've done a bit more research and have managed to break down the journey as follows from North Greenwich to Maze Hill station as advised for the Green zone.

From North Greenwich take the Jubilee line to London Bridge

From London Bridge Underground take the escalator to London Bridge Railway Station

From London Bridge Railway take the Southeastern to Maze Hill

Does that sound right?

Now that is a whole lot simpler than the journey the TfL journey planner came up with going to Canary Wharf, Herons Quays for the DLR and then the Southeastern.

Your plan above would work - jubilee to North Greenwich and then south eastern to Maze Hill. And definitely easier than mucking around Canary Wharf. But bear in mind you could also walk from North Greenwich to Maze Hill in half an hour.

Hi OP I live in the area

I would go to London Bridge and then take a train to Blackheath instead of Maze Hill. It's the same distance from your starting point as the Maze Hill station, but it's a very flat walk and there are shops around the Blackheath station in case you need any last minute anything.

From Maze Hill station to your starting point is a rather long steep hill which you might not want to do just beforehand.

It's not a long walk from North Greenwich but depending where you are staying, some parts of NG are not very pedestrian friendly so I'd scout it beforehand.

Good luck!

Thank you both.
I will have a look at your suggestion of going to Blackheath then walking from there.

We're staying at the O2 and it suggests using Olympian Way.

Blackheath v Maze Hill depends which start point you are. Some starters queue across the heath, in which case Blackheath makes most sense. Some queue up through Greenwich Park in which case despite the hill Maze Hill may be better

The area I start in is the Green zone, which is close to Andrew Gibb's Memorial and Vanbrugh Terrace from comparing Google maps and theory guide.
I will investigate both options. Thank you.

I’m a bit late to the game here, but I would suggest from where you are staying, a very slow gentle walk will be the best and least stressful way to get there! I live in the area and that’s what we always advise friends who stay here to do..