 If travelling via the WRP coach service
Each coach has a WRP courier on board who is experienced in terms of both the marathon weekend and the race as they have run the London Marathon. They are there to help and advise but are not stewards serving teas, coffees etc. There will be a toilet on board. All coaches have pre-designated hotels – see below.
It is imperative that our coaches get you into London as early as feasible for Saturday is a busy day for all passengers. For this reason couriers are under strict instructions to adhere to the printed departure times from the designated pick-up points.
Contrary to what some might expect, after reaching their hotel, the coaches will not then take their passengers to marathon registration at the ExCeL Centre. To cross central London at mid morning on a Saturday, by road, can easily take twice as long, or even longer, than it will by London Underground!
"From joining the coach at Leigh Delamere on the Saturday to being dropped off there on the Sunday the whole thing ran like clockwork. I loved it." PJ |
WRP coach pick-up points on Saturday 24th April
From Exeter |
A 49 seat, single-deck coach departing Exeter Services on the M5 at 07.00hours.
Expected to arrive in London at 11.15 hours.
Will pick-up at the following motorway services; Exeter, Taunton Deane, Gordano Services and Leigh Delamere. This coach will be based at Novotel London West. |
From Weston-super-Mare/Bristol |
A 49 seat, single-deck coach departing at 08.00 hours and due in London by 11.15 hours.
Will pick-up at Weston-super-Mare, Bristol Central, (Anchor Road), Kingswood Rugby Club (Grimsbury Road) and then Swindon. This coach will be based at Novotel London West. |
From Dudley/ Birmingham |
The charity Action Heart run 3 coaches (2 x 1 night and 1 x 2 nights (Saturday + Sunday)) all of which are based at Novotel ExCeL – right outside Race Registration and the Marathon Expo. Once in London activities are operated by WRP Tours.
For details, call Joy Brown (Tour Coordinator) on 01384-292233. |
Returning from London by coach on Sunday evening. To comply with tachograpgh regulations, all coaches will leave their hotels promptly at 18.00 hours. If you are likely to be late back to the hotel then talk to us before you book.
Using a coach and staying 2 nights?
Every year we have a number of guests who..
… either travel down independently Friday, stay 2 nights and then return on our coach on Sunday evening,
… or travel down Saturday, but, as they are relatively slow, or and want to go to their charities post-race party, stay Sunday night and travel home independently, later on Monday. |
 If arriving by car
Three factors should be considered:
1. - The direction from which you will approach the city.
If at all possible minimise the amount of driving across the city. Average speed is said to be less than 10 mph! Also, Monday to Friday crossing central can involve paying the Congestion Charge. (See Point 3, below)
2 - Secure parking
For peace of mind you want a hotel offering guaranteed and secure parking – or where parking is available nearby. Do remember that many NCP sites in central London are closed on a Sunday and charge commercial rates for parking on a Friday and Monday.
Two of the WRP hotels, Novotel London West and Novotel Waterloo can offer guaranteed and secure parking on site. Provided that it is pre-booked, through WRP, by 13th March 2010 the parking will be charged at a rate of £15.00 per night stayed. The car park is beneath the hotel but beware a height restriction of approximately 1.75m. Novotel London West has a few exterior parking bays so specify the need for this when you book.
Parking at the other hotels?
Novotel ExCeL does have a small underground park which cannot be pre-booked. If you are lucky and find a space upon arrival then it will be at £16.00 per night. However, if the hotel park is full then you can use the NCP park some 200m away. When last checked their combined Day Rate and Night Rate was roughly equivalent to that at the hotel.
Novotel Tower Bridge. Some free on-street parking is available for those just staying Saturday night though at most times it is limited meter parking. There is an NCP park about 400m distant at The Minories which is relatively cheap on Saturday and Sunday though commercial rates operate Monday to Fridays, inclusive.
Novotel City South shares a small, independently owned, car park with a hotel next door but we cannot either pre-book you a place or get any discounted rates on their published prices ….which are not cheap.
3. The London Congestion Charge
These charges currently operate from 07.00 – 18.30 hours from Monday through to Friday.
There are no charges either outside these hours - or all day Saturday and all day Sunday.
Some of our hotels are located within the central zone where charges could apply – depending upon the day and time of your arrival / departure. Also, you might find that you have to cross the zone to reach the hotel of your choice which is not in the charge zone! It all depends upon where you are coming from and where you are planning to stay. If in doubt, call the WRP office for advice.
All charges are the responsibility of the driver concerned and WRP cannot pre-pay for you. If you want further details go to www.cclondon.com |
 If arriving by train
Do remember that London has at least 6 main railway stations so it will be in your interest to establish which station you will arrive at / depart from, and then select your hotel accordingly. For example Novotel Paddington is just 6 mins walk from the platform. .. and the Underground.
If you are uncertain then call us in the office and we will happily talk it through with you.
If arriving Saturday, do try to be in London by 11.30 latest…. to allow time for travel delays and to get out to race registration. |
 Arriving by air?
Whilst actual flying time to London often may be relatively short, your travel plans should also take into account:
- the time taken for check-in, baggage reclaim, etc. and even more importantly
- the time required (and cost) to get to and from that terminal
E.g. from Gatwick trains run every 15 mins, take about 45 minutes; an adult return is about £30
Check airport websites for “Transfer to London” details
Remember also that:
… you have to register for the race. This involves going out the ExCeL Centre. Registration is open from Wednesday to Friday 10.00 – 20.00 hours but on Saturday this closes at 17.00 hours. No number = no run!
…on Sunday, you cannot be certain of how long you will take to complete the distance. Also, bear in mind that your post-race movements may be a lot slower due to fatigue and cramp. Have you got time to catch that flight?
There is no doubt that City Airport (just 20 mins from Tower Bridge) is by far the most convenient if time is tight. |
Airports & hotels: |
Heathrow:
City:
Gatwick:
Stansted: |
Most convenient = Novotel - London West (Piccadilly Line straight through)
Most convenient = Novotels - Tower Bridge, ExCeL
Most convenient = Novotels - Tower Bridge, City South and ExCeL
Most convenient – Novotels - Tower Bridge and City South |
For flight departures on Sunday; the race starts at 09.45 hours (say 10.00 hours) take your expected finish time – then if you are a first-time marathon runner add 1 hr for contingency. Add a further 2 hours to be processed/ to return to hotel/ shower….. then add travel time from the hotel to get to the rail or underground terminus add travel time to the airport and finally, add check-in time. |
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