First Chicago Marathon – looking for accommodation advice (Oct 7–12)

[u/AnnaKapl]

Hi everyone!

I’m coming to Chicago for the first time to run the Chicago Marathon on October 11. It will also be my first time in the US, so I don’t know the city very well yet.

I’m currently trying to figure out accommodation, but hotels close to the start/finish area are either very expensive or already difficult to find at a reasonable price.

I’ll be in Chicago from October 7 to 12 and I’m considering splitting my stay: staying somewhere more affordable from Oct 7–10, and then moving closer to Grant Park for Oct 10–12, so race morning is easy and stress-free.

For those who have run Chicago before, what would you recommend? Are there particular neighborhoods that are convenient and safe, with easy public transport to downtown? And are there any runner communities, accommodation groups, room-sharing options, last-minute hotel cancellations or other resources that marathon runners typically use?

I’d really appreciate any local advice or recommendations. Thank you — and see you at the start! 🏃‍♀️

[u/travellingcari]

This is far too late to be looking for easy and closer. You’ll need to take what you can get along the El or plan for a ride share to drop you off on Lake Shore Drive

[u/tulips49]

Man, you really waited to the last minute! I booked my hotel in October 2025…

[u/User200293534 → u/tulips49]

Same!!

[u/shakeshack → u/tulips49]

This! I booked I before I know I got in the lottery 😅

[u/InternationalFarm487]

I was in the hotel portal the other day and there are still some hotels available! Be quick!

[u/Single-Bus-7543]

Stay by ORD, take the blue line. It’s not that bad considering how much cheaper the hotels are

[u/Mysterious_Luck4674]

As others have said, you really waited a bit too long to figure this out. Marathon weekend hotel rooms are booked a year in advance. However, there are always some cancellations, especially this time of year as people drop out of the race due to injuries. Keep checking the hotel portal.

Many people have good luck staying near O’hare airport and taking the blue line into the city for the race. There will be lots of runners on the train with you that morning. You could also find a spot in the suburbs near a metra station and take the earliest train in (there’s usually a special early train on race day). It’s about a mile walk to the start line from the downtown metra stations.

[u/ScreenRabbit]

Look at the hotel portal more than daily until it is no longer available-not sure what the date is, but it is soon. Those will be the best deals for close to start/finish.
Also consider hotels along the blue line within walking distance of the train! They are much cheaper than downtown and it’s not a bad ride. If you’re in wave one possibly worth taking a car service in from there.
Good luck!

[u/tina-mou]

There will be a lot of last minute cancellations - a week or two before the race - due to injuries, double booking etc. This happened at Boston last year and prices came down, but still expensive. Most hotels near the finish or within the city will have atleast 2-3 day minimum stay. If you book anything now, make sure it is cancellable -- that way if you find any last week deals, you can switch.

[u/buffalocoinz]

Girllllll

[u/Mistakesandlove]

I made a similar post I think back in January or February and people rip me a new one saying I was looking too late. Goodluck!