Hi All,
Apologies; done a search for a similar topic but couldn't find any up-to-date discussions on this (Mods; feel free to merge/point me in the right direction!)
I'm 99% sure I've been given a charity place for London 2018, so I need to start looking for accommodation. I haven't yet been given any information on this (pending final confirmation hopefully later this week) so don't know the full ins and outs of London Marathon planning, aside from what I've seen on the site, but just looking for advice/tips etc on accommodation for this.
Had a rough look on the usual sites and prices are already a bit crazy for Sat 21st and that's before the ballots/GFA etc are released, so want to get moving on this.
Anyone got any tips for where to stay/look for etc? I was provisionally thinking along the lines of an early flight/train down on the Sat AM (or even Fri PM), stay over, Race on Sunday and stay over, then head back on Monday. I don't know what it's like getting to/from the start/finish line so just trying to gauge interest and feelings on this; e.g. City Centre are very expensive but have the convenience of being close, whereas outskirts like Heathrow etc benefit from a tiny price, but a massive distance.
any advice is appreciated!
Thanks
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you have to pick your number up at the Excel in Docklands before 5 on the Saturday - so factor that trip into your arrival time.
Gold bond charity place you'll start in Greenwich Park. Lots of hotels in Greenwich/Lewisham - or over in Docklands. But then you have to get the train back at the end.
Some prefer to stay near the end and do the train journey at the start. Millions of hotels in central London. You need to get to Charing Cross / London Bridge for the morning train - so maybe factor in that journey on a tube map? East London might be a bit cheaper?
No point staying somewhere like Heathrow - it's a 60-90 minute drive away. If cost is a concern, try air bnb?
I was thinking of city centre rather than docklands if it's easier on the way back, so will keep looking. I'll probably just bite the bullet and find somewhere reasonably centre; it seems that for hotels that cost £60 on the Fri/Sun, they're up to £120 on the Sat night, so it isn't too bad.
Anyone any idea what dates the charity ballots/GFA/Other ballots are confirmed; ideally want to try and book up before the first rush starts!
Still some good rates left if people need anything:
http://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/greater-london/london/hub-london-westminster-abbey.html
If you get a late check out and get a wiggle on you can grab a shower before heading off - but do stay Sunday if you can. A bit less stressful.
friends of ours stayed in a travelodge and caught the tube in from the Elephant and Castle and said it was much cheaper that way
( I've been lucky in that I have friends who live in London that always let me bunk up saves me a fortune )
> Don’t know about excel but start is at least a 50 minute train ride with a change, don’t know about return, unless you’re staying with friends/family try Croydon Travelodge, much easier
Thanks Dave, is that Croydon Central or South? Do they put early trains on as at the minute on a Sunday you cannot get there before 9 via just one train?
> Vodkabob, sorry about duff info, I’ll start again.... Bromley South to Lewisham via Nunhead, 30 minutes (then 10 mins walk to start area), finish to Victoria main line, (20-25 mins stagger) then 15-25 minute rail back to Bromley South (direct), hope that’s better for you
I'm going to go with Croydon Dave but there are two Central and South, wasn't sure which was better.
> Vodkabob, Croydon central is your best bet, it’s a 5 minute walk to East Croydon station,then 25-40 minutes to start (depending on summer timetable) then 20-25 minutes stagger to Victoria from finish and 15 minutes back to East Croydon, good luck
thanks @Dave wood 4 I'm booked up. I'll going straight to Kings Cross at the finish to travel home so that'll be another set of worries about the Kit Bag size haha. thanks again.
This year i was running so booked the hotel again, but i have had to pull out for medical reasons... IM NOW STUCK with a hotel booking where i can change the name but not get a refund....
So if any one needs a hotel from Sat 21st for 2 nights please let me know as i could help out....
if no one is interested how could i get rid of the room, it will not be used and I really want sell it to get the money back, would even be happy to raffle it off to get the money to give to my charity.... I just dont want it to got to waste
If anyone has a room they no longer require please let me know!
TIA
Past years I’ve travelled up on the morning so can do so again, but thought if anyone had a room going it would save me the early start!
My Family are staying at the hotel with me however they are going to avoid the start line and hopefully see me later on, so i dont suppose anyone fancies meeting up in the travelodge to go to the start.