The TCS London Marathon has always closed a huge swathe of the city for the day — the route runs from Greenwich to Westminster through south, east and central London. In 2027, for one year only, it expands into a two-day event, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027, with around 100,000 runners taking part across the weekend. That means the disruption most Londoners plan around one Sunday now spans two days instead.
All prices are estimates and may vary. We provide the journey directly with our licensed drivers.
Why this affects far more people than the runners
The closures run for miles along the course and for hours either side of the field passing through — long after the leaders have finished, the roads stay shut for the thousands still running behind them. If you live, work, or need to cross London anywhere near Greenwich, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf, the Embankment or Westminster on either day, the marathon affects your journey whether or not you're taking part.
Where a car can actually reach
Roads directly on the route are closed to traffic for the duration, and many roads that cross it are also closed or restricted to protect the runners, even well away from the finish. A pre-booked driver plans the journey around the current closure map rather than discovering a diversion at the barrier — but even with planning, a journey that crosses the route on marathon day should assume a longer route and more time than usual, not a shortcut through a gap in the crowd.
Getting to and from Heathrow or Gatwick that weekend
If you're flying in or out over the marathon weekend, build in extra time for the transfer regardless of which side of London your flight departs from — a journey that would normally be a straightforward run into the centre may need to route around the closed course instead. See our Heathrow Airport Taxi Guide and Gatwick Airport Taxi Guide for terminal-specific pickup advice, and book earlier than you normally would either side of the marathon weekend.
If you're running, or supporting someone who is
Runners need a way to the start well before the field sets off, often with a bag drop and warm layers to shed — a pre-booked car avoids the closed-road scramble that public transport sees on marathon morning. Supporters trying to see a runner at more than one point on the course face the same closures from the other direction; picking two viewing points on the same side of the river, connected by a route that doesn't cross the course, is more realistic than trying to leapfrog it.
Booking tips specific to marathon weekend
- Confirm which of the two days affects your journey — 2027 is a two-day event, so check the current closure schedule for the Saturday and the Sunday separately rather than assuming it's a single Sunday as in previous years.
- Book well ahead of the weekend, not on the day — availability tightens as the date approaches, and route planning takes longer once the roads are actually closed.
- Agree a pickup point away from the course if you're near the route, since a driver may not be able to reach your usual door.
- Compare an estimated London fare before you travel, or see our group booking guide if you're travelling as a supporters' group.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What dates is the London Marathon in 2027? A: Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027 — the first time the event has run across two days, as confirmed by London Marathon Events.
Q: Can a taxi cross London on London Marathon day? A: Only with a route planned around the current closure map. Roads on the course are closed for the day, and many crossing roads are restricted too, so allow significantly more time and expect diversions.
Q: Will the marathon affect my Heathrow or Gatwick transfer? A: It can, particularly for journeys that would normally cross the course. Book earlier than usual and build in extra time on either day of the 2027 weekend.
Q: Is it worth pre-booking a taxi for London Marathon weekend? A: Yes — availability tightens as the date approaches, and a driver who has planned the route around the closures is more reliable than trying to book on the day.
Q: Where can I check the exact road closures for London Marathon 2027? A: London Marathon Events publishes the official closure map ahead of the event — check it before you travel rather than relying on a previous year's route, since the two-day format changes the usual pattern.
Get a fare estimate ahead of London Marathon weekend, or see our airport transfer guides if you're travelling that Saturday or Sunday. The Royal Parks Half closes a smaller stretch of the same part of London each October, if that's the closure you're planning around instead.