The 131st Boston Marathon runs on Monday, April 19, 2027, Patriots' Day in Massachusetts. Runners start in Hopkinton and finish on Boylston Street by Copley Square, in the middle of Back Bay, and that one fact shapes the whole hotel market for the weekend: the closer you sleep to the finish, the earlier you need to book and the more you pay. This guide covers where to stay, how the race changes the city on Monday, and the booking habits that work for runners and the families who come to cheer.
Key dates for the 2027 race
- Race day: Monday, April 19, 2027, the 131st edition.
- Registration: qualifiers applied from September 14 to 18, 2026. On September 29 the B.A.A. announced preliminary results: 25,630 of 33,649 applicants accepted, including about 1,000 chosen in a new random draw, with a cut-off of 5:17 under the qualifying standard.
- Race weekend: bib pick-up and the expo take place in Back Bay on the days before the race; in 2026 they were at the Hynes Convention Center. Check the B.A.A.'s 2027 schedule when it is published.
Where to stay for the Boston Marathon
Back Bay is the obvious base: the finish line, the family meeting area and the expo are all here. Most of the hotels around Copley Square are within a few minutes' walk of the line, which matters a lot after 26.2 miles. Our Back Bay hotel guide maps fourteen of them, with walking times, parking and pools.
| Hotel | Walk to Copley Square | Why runners and families pick it |
|---|---|---|
| Fairmont Copley Plaza | 2 min | On Copley Square itself, a block from the finish |
| The Westin Copley Place | 2 min | Connected to Copley Place, large, good for groups |
| The Lenox Hotel | 3 min | On Boylston Street, right on the final stretch |
| Copley Square Hotel | 4 min | Smaller and historic, a short walk from the line |
| Raffles Boston | 4 min | Luxury tower with an indoor lap pool for recovery |
| Boston Marriott Copley Place | 5 min | Big inventory, indoor pool, near Back Bay station |
| Sheraton Boston | 7 min | Next to the Hynes Convention Center |
| The Eliot Hotel | 14 min | Quieter, on Commonwealth Avenue near Kenmore |
Walking times are rounded estimates for an ordinary day, on OpenStreetMap's street network at 80 meters a minute, to Copley Square on the Trinity Church side. On race day, barriers and controlled crossings around the finish can make the walk back to some of these hotels much longer.
Getting from your hotel to the start in Hopkinton
For runners, the hotel's distance to the start buses matters as much as its distance to the finish. Official B.A.A. buses for registered participants have left from Charles Street, between Boston Common and the Public Garden, so hotels around the Common, in Beacon Hill, Downtown and the Theater District, are within an easy walk of the loading area. Confirm the 2027 loading location and times in the B.A.A.'s participant information before you book.
If Back Bay is full or too expensive, look at hotels along a direct T line rather than simply "near" Back Bay:
- Beacon Hill and Downtown: a 20 to 25 minute walk, or the Green Line to Arlington, three blocks from the finish. See our guides to Beacon Hill and Downtown.
- Fenway-Kenmore: close to the 25-mile mark and to Hynes Convention Center station; see the Fenway-Kenmore guide.
- South End: a few minutes from Back Bay station on the Orange Line, steps from the finish area; see the South End guide.
- Seaport and the Theater District: more rooms and sometimes better rates, a short T or taxi ride away, though traffic is heavy on race day.
How Marathon Monday changes the city
The points below reflect the 2026 arrangements; the MBTA, the City of Boston and the B.A.A. publish the 2027 rules in the weeks before the race.
- Copley station was closed all day in 2026, according to the MBTA. Use Hynes Convention Center or Arlington on the Green Line, or Back Bay on the Orange Line and the commuter rail, which the B.A.A. describes as steps from the finish area.
- Roads close across Back Bay on race day, with parking restrictions starting days before, so taxis and hotel valet are slow; plan to walk.
- Security checkpoints screen spectators near the finish. Leave backpacks, coolers, glass and bags larger than 12 x 12 x 6 inches at the hotel.
- Meeting your runner: the Family Meeting Area is on Stuart Street between Berkeley and Clarendon Streets, with alphabetical signs. Getting through the finish area takes time, so agree on a meeting point and be flexible.
- The commuter rail runs a special Marathon Monday schedule on the Framingham/Worcester Line, which follows part of the course.
Booking strategy for race weekend
- Book as soon as you are accepted, or earlier with free cancellation. Hotels around Copley Square fill months ahead and often set minimum stays of two or three nights.
- Read the cancellation terms. Race-weekend rates are often prepaid or non-refundable; a slightly higher flexible rate protects you if you are injured.
- Compare totals, not rates. Boston adds 14.95 % in lodging taxes, and many Back Bay hotels add a nightly fee of $30 to $50. Our guide to Boston hotel taxes and fees explains the bill.
- Ask about late checkout on Monday. A shower after the race is worth more than an extra night for many runners.
- Expect high prices all month. April is already peak season; our Boston hotel prices by month shows how the calendar moves rates.
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2027 Boston Marathon?
Monday, April 19, 2027. It is the 131st edition, held on Patriots' Day.
Where is the best place to stay for the Boston Marathon?
Back Bay, around Copley Square, because the finish line is on Boylston Street. Hotels such as the Fairmont Copley Plaza and The Westin Copley Place are about 2 minutes' walk from the square.
How early should I book a hotel for the Boston Marathon?
As early as possible. Rooms near the finish often sell out months ahead and can require minimum stays, so book a refundable rate as soon as your plans are firm.
Is Copley station open on Marathon Monday?
It was closed all day in 2026, and the MBTA usually announces the same for the race. Use Hynes Convention Center or Arlington on the Green Line, or Back Bay on the Orange Line, and check the MBTA's 2027 guide.
What can spectators bring near the finish line?
Small bags only. The B.A.A. asks spectators to avoid backpacks, coolers, glass, bags larger than 12 x 12 x 6 inches and containers holding more than a liter of liquid, and drones are banned along the course.