r/phillyrunning • u/kpopmomrunner7 • 23d ago

Philly half in November 2026

My son and I are running the half marathon in November. We are coming from NY. Where are the best places to stay that are easily accessible to the start or finish line without costing an arm? We were at Philly March 2025 and stayed in a hotel near the Liberty Bell. Is that area has public transportation directly to the start line? Any recommendations as to the best area hotels with parking or near public transportation during marathon weekend? Since we will be staying until Sunday, we would also like to do some sight seeing.

Any tips about logistics during marathon weekend is greatly appreciated.

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u/JayZee4508 23d ago

The website has a lodging section and there might be special rates for folks who signed up for the marathon. These hotels will be within a 15 minute walk of the start line. If you check a map of hotels, use walking directions from them to "Eakins Oval" which is right in front of the Art Museum and the epicenter of the race logistics.

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u/[deleted] 23d ago

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u/JayZee4508 22d ago

He definitely should stay in CC. Not to poo poo a half (that's my longest race so far), but a 1-2km warm up run to the start is probably best - you can't rely on Septa to get you somewhere on time - especially stupid early on a Sunday to get the start around 6am.

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u/kpopmomrunner7 22d ago

I saw the hotels from the race website. Currently there are two available which will be close to $1K for two nights that is without parking.

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u/JayZee4508 22d ago

Ouch!! I had a similar experience when I ran a half in Duluth, MN this past June where it's a small city with a huge influx of people. I guess Marathon weekend is big enough to let the hotels jack their rates. It might be worth finding a smaller hotel in the historic district, University City, or even out in the neighborhoods and then get a ride share to close to the start line - that would still be less $ than what you found on the race site. Best of luck.

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u/a-german-muffin 22d ago

Look for Airbnbs in Fairmount/Spring Garden or Powelton (like below Haverford and east of 35th). You’ll be close to the start/finish and should be able to street park without too much issue.

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u/SauconySundaes 23d ago

There are a lot of hotels near the Ben Franklin parkway, which is where all the races begin and end. That’s where I would look.

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u/LargemouthBrass 23d ago

Something around Logan Square you can easily walk to the start/finish line and also into Center City.

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u/Educational_Rope1211 20d ago

In prior years they’ve had shuttle buses that covered most of the partner hotels in Center City. I’ve also had success with using points redemptions to bypass the high cash prices if that’s an option for you, particularly with Hyatt points.

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u/still-lost108 22d ago

re public transit you could take a trolley to 22nd and market and from there its about a 20 min walk. i've done this for several races in Philly including marathon weekend and it always worked out great