The TCS London Marathon takes place on Sunday 27 April 2025 and runners can get to the five start areas on Southeastern trains. Please find more details below about our services to the start areas, and the free travel arrangements for runners.
Advice for spectators
Please be aware that the three stations closest to the start areas are extremely busy on race day. We strongly recommend that spectators avoid these stations. There are a number of great locations along the route and you can visit the ‘how to follow’ section on the TCS London Marathon website to find the best spot. London Bridge will also be very busy, so we advise spectators to take later trains if they can.
Getting to the start areas for runners
Blue/Green/Yellow start – travel direct to Blackheathstation from Charing Cross, Waterloo East, London Bridge or Victoria.
Red start – travel direct to Greenwich station from Cannon Street and London Bridge.
Pink start – travel direct to Maze Hillstation from Cannon Street and London Bridge.
Below is a selection of first train times to the start areas – check your journey using our journey planner.
2025 London Marathon first trains to starting points
Starting points
Cannon Street
Charing Cross
London Bridge
Victoria
Waterloo East
Dartford
Orpington
Blue/Green/Yellow (Blackheath)
06.50 (change at London Bridge)
06.50
07.00
07.03
06.54
06.39
06.54 (change at Lewisham)
Red (Greenwich)
06.50
06.50 (change at London Bridge)
06.55
Travel from Charing Cross or Cannon Street
06.54 (change at London Bridge)
06.18
06.54 (change at London Bridge)
Pink (Maze Hill)
06.50
06.50 (change at London Bridge)
06.55
Travel from Charing Cross or Cannon Street
06.54 (change at London Bridge)
06.18
06.54 (change at London Bridge)
Trains will be busier than normal, so please allow extra time for your journey.
Ticket arrangements
Does my race number get me free travel on Southeastern to the start areas?
Yes. If you’re a runner, you can travel for free on Southeastern services from the following stations to your starting point:
London Bridge
London Cannon Street
London Charing Cross
Waterloo East
London Victoria
Just show your race number to a member of Southeastern staff at the gate line to claim your free travel.
Please note that you will still need valid train tickets for travel into London and for the rest of the day after the race.
Is there free travel for runner supporters?
The agreement that we have with the TCS London Marathon is that runners with a race number are entitled to free travel to the start of the race from our London terminals. Unfortunately, we are not able to extend this to supporters. Please buy a ticket before you travel and have a great day.
