Edinburgh Marathon 2027: spectator guide and weekend itinerary

28 to 30 May 2027 · ExpectedEdinburgh, United Kingdom

Edinburgh Marathon takes runners a few hours and spectators all day. This guide gives supporters cheer points they can reach by public transport, plans the expo day and race eve around tired legs, and fills the recovery day in Edinburgh.

Tours in Edinburgh Hotels for these dates

Airport to Finish: Musselburgh

Edinburgh airport (EDI) has trams and the Airlink 100 bus to the centre in 30 minutes.

Start in the city, run out along the coast to East Lothian.

Public transport directions to Finish: Musselburgh

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Haymarket and Leith	Cheaper hotels on the tram line.
Mid-range	Old Town and New Town	Walk to the castle, Royal Mile and Princes Street.
Splurge	St Andrew Square and Princes Street	Grand hotels with castle views.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Premier Inn Edinburgh City Centre (Haymarket)
Mid-range: Motel One Edinburgh-Royal
Splurge: The Balmoral

Links search the nights from 27 May to 31 May. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual marathon weekend schedule for 28 to 30 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival and expo

Wednesday 26 May

Runners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.

Half-dayWhisky tasting experience Half day · Food · Indoor
Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile.
EatTing Thai Caravan Cheap Thai street food

Day before the race

Thursday 27 May

Runners rest their legs: pick seated or slow outings, then an early pasta dinner.

Easy outingEdinburgh Castle Half day · Family · Indoor
Crown jewels and the one o'clock gun.
EatOink Hog roast rolls

Race day

Friday 28 May

Spectators: pick two cheer points you can reach by public transport, then meet at the finish.

Cheer pointPortobello promenade.
Cheer pointThe finish in Musselburgh (buses back to the city).
EatThe Witchery by the Castle Gothic dining room

Recovery day

Monday 31 May

Sore legs: boats, buses and long lunches beat walking tours today.

Easy outingHarry Potter walking tour Half day · Family
Cafés and graveyards that inspired the books.
Rain or heat backupReal Mary King's Close.

Family-friendly picks

Evening · Nightlife · Family

Ghost tour of the underground vaults

Under the South Bridge.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Stirling Castle and the Kelpies

Castle and giant horse sculptures.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Harry Potter walking tour

Cafés and graveyards that inspired the books.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Edinburgh Castle

Crown jewels and the one o'clock gun.

See times and prices

Edinburgh Zoo pandas and penguins.
Camera Obscura.
Dynamic Earth.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Nightlife · Family

Ghost tour of the underground vaults

Under the South Bridge.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Stirling Castle and the Kelpies

Castle and giant horse sculptures.

See times and prices

Full day

St Andrews and the fishing villages

Golf town and Fife coast.

See times and prices

Full day

Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands

Long scenic day.

See times and prices

After dark

Grassmarket and Cowgate pubs.

7 tours worth booking for Edinburgh Marathon

Tour	Length	Good for
Whisky tasting experience	Half day	Food lovers, Bad weather
Stirling Castle and the Kelpies	Full day	Families
St Andrews and the fishing villages	Full day	Everyone
Harry Potter walking tour	Half day	Families
Edinburgh Castle	Half day	Families, Bad weather
Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands	Full day	Everyone
Ghost tour of the underground vaults	Evening	Night owls, Families

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Oink Hog roast rolls
The Witchery by the Castle Gothic dining room
Mother India's Cafe Indian tapas
Leith Shore restaurants Seafood by the water
Ting Thai Caravan Cheap Thai street food

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Food · Indoor

Whisky tasting experience

Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Edinburgh Castle

Crown jewels and the one o'clock gun.

See times and prices

National Museum of Scotland.
Scottish National Gallery.
Real Mary King's Close.

Getting around on event days

Lothian buses and the tram take contactless.
Murrayfield is a 25-minute walk or a short tram ride from the West End.
Tap in with a contactless card on buses, trams and most urban trains.
Book long-distance trains early on the operator app or Trainline: walk-up fares are expensive.
Uber works in most UK cities; local black cabs are metered.

Day trips from Edinburgh

Stirling: 50 minutes by train
St Andrews: 1.5 hours
Glasgow: 50 minutes by train

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Edinburgh Marathon.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Edinburgh Marathon 2027?

The next edition is 28 to 30 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Finish: Musselburgh?

Edinburgh airport (EDI) has trams and the Airlink 100 bus to the centre in 30 minutes. Start in the city, run out along the coast to East Lothian.

Where should I stay for Edinburgh Marathon?

For most visitors the best base is Old Town and New Town: Walk to the castle, Royal Mile and Princes Street.

What else can we do around Edinburgh Marathon?

Good short outings in Edinburgh include Edinburgh Castle, Whisky tasting experience, Harry Potter walking tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Edinburgh Marathon?

Family-friendly picks: Edinburgh Castle, Ghost tour of the underground vaults, Stirling Castle and the Kelpies. Edinburgh Zoo pandas and penguins.

How far is Finish: Musselburgh from Edinburgh centre?

About 8 km in a straight line. Start in the city, run out along the coast to East Lothian.

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