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Where to Stay for the New York City Marathon

Kelly Roberts

CONGRATULATIONS, you’re running THE GREATEST marathon in the world— THE NEW YORK CITY MARATHON! Trying to figure out where to stay? NYC is HUGE and I know planning your NYC Marathon trip is overwhelming! Not only have I lived in NYC for over 10 years, but I’ve run the New York City Marathon 5 times and taken just about every single transportation option available! Not sure where to stay for the NYC Marathon? I’ve put together this guide to help you understand where to stay for the New York City Marathon.

NYC Marathon 2024 Information

Date: The first Sunday in November. This year: Sunday, November 3, 2024

Time: The journey to Staten Island is LONG regardless of what wave you’re in. Plan to leave your hotel room between 5:00-7:00 am.

Start: Staten Island - specifically Fort Wadsworth. Getting to the start line is JOURNEY so bring snacks, hydration, something to sit on, and something to do.

Finish: Central Park - Tavern on the Green

PS: We’ll have a cheer station along the course AND a meetup the day before the marathon.

How To Get To The Starting Line

There are a few different ways you can get to the starting line of the NYC Marathon. Every September, the NYRR will email the participants and ask them to select their transportation options. For runners not running with a charity (some charities and teams have their own busing options), those options are:

The Staten Island Ferry

(My favorite option because it’s, in my opinion, the easiest option. There are bathrooms onboard and you get a great view of Lady Liberty on your way over)

Departure Location: Whitehall Terminal, Manhattan

Whitehall Terminal is accessible by the 1 train (at South Ferry) and the R and W trains (at Whitehall Street–South Ferry), in addition to buses on the the M15, M20, and M55 routes. **The subways on the weekend can get a little wacky because of construction. Make sure you check the MTA app to ensure the line you’re staying on is running.

Midtown Manhattan Bus

Departure Location: New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street

Buses transport runners directly to the starting village in Fort Wadsworth.

New Jersey Bus

Departure Location: MetLife Stadium Parking Lot K, by the Quest Diagnostics Training Center

Buses transport runners from MetLife Stadium Parking Lot K directly to Fort Wadsworth. There is no parking at this location

TIP: Book your hotels in advance to get the best deals and not run out of time.

where to stay for the NYC Marathon

Should You Do Staten Island?

DO NOT stay in Staten Island thinking it’ll be easier to get to the starting line UNLESS you’re staying with friends and family. The race may begin in Staten Island, but getting back there after you finish will be a marathon in and of itself.

Lower Manhattan

*THIS IS MY PICK FOR THE BEST TRANSPORTATION OPTION*

For those who want to take the free 30-minute ferry over from The Battery to Staten Island, these are the best hotels:

Staying Near the Finish Line Near 73rd & Central Park West

I would argue the best place to stay for the NYC Marathon is within a 2-mile radius of the Finish Line. THAT BEING SAID, any hotel along the A-B-C-D-1 subway lines will get you around the city and to and from the start/finish lines seamlessly. New York City is INCREDIBLY friendly and easy to get around so try not to overthink where you’re going to stay. Make a list of what’s important to you and go from there.

Pros: Plan to walk at least a mile once you cross the finish line just to get out of the Central Park freeze zone to the subway, your friends, family, or a cheeseburger and a beer. Post-race and long walk, you’re going to be tired. Ubers/Lyfts will be surging so getting a car will not only be difficult, but EXPENSIVE. The closest subway is at Columbus Circle so your best bet is to stay in a hotel that is a 1-2 mile walk from the finish line. YES, you’ll be tired. BUT, that long walk will help your recovery. So don’t worry if your hotel is 2 miles away from the finish.

Cons: Midtown is a zoo on race day and there’s a freeze zone in Central Park which makes getting around difficult if you’re staying on the East Side.

Finish Line Near 73rd & Central Park West

I would argue the best place to stay is within a 2-mile radius of the Finish Line. THAT BEING SAID, any hotel along the A-B-C-D-1 subway lines will get you around the city and to and from the start/finish lines seamlessly.

Pros: Plan to walk at least a mile once you cross the finish line just to get out of the Central Park freeze zone to the subway, your friends, family, or a cheeseburger and a beer. Post-race and long walk, you’re going to be tired. Ubers/Lyfts will be surging so getting a car will not only be difficult, but EXPENSIVE. The closest subway is at Columbus Circle so your best bet is to stay in a hotel that is a 1-2 mile walk from the finish line. YES, you’ll be tired. BUT, that long walk will help your recovery. So don’t worry if your hotel is 2 miles away from the finish.

Cons: Midtown is a zoo on race day and there’s a freeze zone in Central Park which makes getting around difficult if you’re staying on the East Side. If you stay here, check out these hotels:

Where to Stay for the NYC Marathon if You Want to Be Near the Pickup Spots

Midtown Manhattan Bus Pickup: New York Public Library

Marathon Bus Pick up 5th Ave, 42nd Street

Pros: If you’re staying in midtown / near the finish line, it’s an easy commute. The busses are comfortable, often have a bathroom on board, and it’s easier to make friends or catch an extra hour of sleep on the bus than it is on the ferry.

Cons: You will get stuck in bus traffic once you get over to Staten Island so count on 15-20 minute delays. The two times I’ve taken the bus, we always arrived late and it stressed me out.

Hotels near marathon bus pick up at NYPL:

NJ Bus Pickup: Metlife stadium

Pickup for New Jersey in Metlife Stadium

Pros: New Jersey has an option!

Cons: You will get stuck in traffic once you get to Staten Island so count on 15-20 minute delays.

Hotels near Metlife Stadium:


Don’t overthink your stay. As long as you’re near a subway line (preferably the A, B, C, D, 1, or even the 2 and 3), getting around the city will be a breeze. With google maps, My MTA, and a smartphone, the city is a cinch to navigate! Don’t be afraid of a 1-2 mile walk. It may sound far, but it’ll fly by. There’s so much to see and do! Just remember to make those post-marathon reservations so that you don’t have to wait. My favorite post-marathon meal? Ramen at Ippudo on 51st in between 8th and 9th.

Have a beautiful race and an even more fun trip! The New York City Marathon really is the greatest marathon in the world!