SPAR Budapest Marathon 2027

Weekend of 9 and 10 October 2027 · Budapest, Hungary

In the RunningChecked 15 October 2026Read the sources

Planning the trip? See how In the Running helps make it easier.

Getting to Budapest 2026 details

Bus 100E Airport Express connects the airport with Kálvin tér and Deák Ferenc tér in the centre. BKK runs it through the night. The current airport ticket costs 2,500 HUF and is separate from an ordinary city ticket.

If you hold an eligible Budapest, Pest County or Hungary pass, BKK also sells a 1,000 HUF add-on airport ticket in its app. Check your pass against the operator's list before buying that option.

The start is at the ELTE campus in Buda, not at Deák Ferenc tér. The organiser's route is the M4 metro to Móricz Zsigmond körtér, then tram 4 to Petőfi híd budai hídfő and a walk of about 600 m along Pázmány Péter Promenade. The M4 also stops at Kálvin tér, where the airport bus arrives.

If you drive, the streets near the start fill early. The organiser suggests the paid Kopaszi-gát car park, about 800 m away, or the free Lurdy Ház car park, two stops on tram 1 then about 500 m on foot. A supervised bike store at the venue is open from 7:00 to 15:30, for locked bikes only.

Where to stay in Budapest

A room near the ELTE campus reduces the Sunday trip to the start. Staying in central Pest keeps you near the airport bus stops, with a separate trip to the race area. Compare the route back after finishing as well as the morning trip.

If you travel with runners doing a shorter distance, compare their event instructions before arranging a shared transfer to the race.

Collecting your number 2026 details

Collect at the race centre in the northern block of ELTE's Lágymányosi campus. The organiser gives Friday 9 October, 10:00 to 19:00; Saturday 10 October, 7:00 to 19:00; and Sunday 11 October, 7:00 to 8:30.

Take your registration confirmation, either on your phone or printed. Friday or Saturday collection leaves Sunday for bag drop and assembly.

For a Sunday collection, the organiser's 8:30 closing time is only 30 minutes before the 9:00 start. Allow separately for the collection queue and reaching your wave. Check whether someone else can collect for you in the organiser's instructions.

Race morning 2026 details

The organiser gives a 9:00 marathon start. Use the wave assigned to your entry.

The marathon has a 5-hour-30-minute net limit aligned with the last wave. Runners overtaken by the sweep bus must board it. Their numbers are invalidated, and they cannot enter the finish area.

Bag check opens from 7:00 to 15:30 in the middle section of Magyar Tudósok körútja. Hand in your bag by 8:45. You can leave one bag no larger than 60 × 40 × 30 cm.

Attach the bag-check tag from the bottom of your number. Keep your race number to collect the bag afterwards. The organiser does not provide safekeeping for valuables.

The course 2026 details

The 2026 route uses both Danube quays and crosses Chain Bridge, Liberty Bridge and Árpád Bridge. It also runs onto Margaret Island. Use the organiser's route map to plan supporter meeting points.

The start is on Pázmány Péter Promenade. The organiser's marathon page has the 2026 route map, GPX and written street list.

The organiser lists water stations at 4.1, 7.8, 11.3, 14.5, 18.6, 22.7, 24.1, 28.3, 31.8, 34.9, 39.3 and 40.9 km.

The 4.1, 24.1 and 40.9 km stations have water only. The other stations also have isotonic drink, bananas, glucose tablets and lemons. Check the station table for extra items at later points.

No total climb figure is given on the marathon page. Use the route file when making a pacing plan.

Weather in Budapest in October

These are the last five completed race days at the ELTE start in Budapest, at 9:00 and at 13:00. They are model estimates for the start area, not readings from a weather station.

Afterwards 2026 details

Agree a meeting point near the ELTE event area before the race. Allow time to leave the finish flow and collect your bag before meeting friends. Supporters running another distance may finish much earlier or later than you.

For a Sunday flight, count the trip back to your room, luggage collection and the airport connection separately. The 100E airport bus serves Kálvin tér and Deák Ferenc tér in the city centre. Include the trip to your chosen stop.

Other race weekends

Close by, and with guides of their own, are Vienna City Marathon and Prague Half Marathon.

The next races with a guide

Chester Marathon10 October 2027 · Chester, United Kingdom Bank of America Chicago Marathon10 October 2027 · Chicago, United States Lisbon MarathonOctober 2027, date to be announced · Lisbon, Portugal

All race weekend guides

Sources

Written from the organiser's published information and the app's own race data, checked on 15 October 2026.

If something here is wrong or out of date, tell us.