Best place to stay for London Marathon - near the start of the finish?

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tonyp2604 Aug 2021 9:19am, 16 Aug 2021 646 posts	0 tonyp2604 I am doing the London Marathon in October for the first (and probably last) time. I have contacted the "helpline" to ask if it's better to book accommodation near the start or the finish but didn't get a very clear answer. All I am asking is of it is better to get accommodation near the start or the finish? - thinking about the logistics of finishing and getting back to the accommodation etc. I'm sure I'm not the first person to have asked this but getting a straightforward answer seems to be impossible.
jennywren Aug 2021 9:29am, 16 Aug 2021 17,030 posts	0 jennywren I’m not sure there’s a definitive answer is there? It’s whatever you feel would be better for you. I’ve stayed near the finish in the past and that’s suited me because I didn’t fancy trekking back to a hotel at the start. Other people would feel differently.
Serendippily Aug 2021 9:32am, 16 Aug 2021 22,891 posts	0 Serendippily Everything seems a long walk … I’d go for near the finish usually as roads and lines shut or get really crowded and I’m more able to face the faff at the start but I don’t know how it will be this year and I’m not sure there’s a wrong answer! Best of luck I’ll be there in FERC colours but around 5hr mark
Johnny Blaze Aug 2021 9:32am, 16 Aug 2021 25,523 posts	0 Johnny Blaze My preference would always be to be near the start as there is some time pressure to make the start in time. After it's over you can make your way back in your own time.
Little Miss Happy Aug 2021 9:39am, 16 Aug 2021 4,836 posts	0 Little Miss Happy I'm with Johnny - once it's over you have all the time in the world to make your way back whereas if something causes a delay getting to the start it's very stressful.
Velociraptor Aug 2021 9:40am, 16 Aug 2021 53,791 posts	0 Velociraptor Is there still any accommodation available close to either end?
tonyp2604 Aug 2021 10:14am, 16 Aug 2021 647 posts	0 tonyp2604 Thanks for your ideas. I'm favouring being nearer to the start as I think I could do without the stress of being late - it won't matter so much after I finish and I actually know the area around Greenwich quite well.
elio Aug 2021 10:41am, 16 Aug 2021 39 posts	0 elio Near the start, as you will have the luxury of a private toilet till very close to go time!
Serendippily Aug 2021 10:47am, 16 Aug 2021 22,893 posts	0 Serendippily Excellent sounds like you have your answer then
Totriornottotri Aug 2021 11:02am, 16 Aug 2021 1,751 posts	0 Totriornottotri Near the finish as you're in central London. There are lots of trains on the overground line (Waterloo east IIRC) from the centre to the start.