The Race
The Berlin Marathon starts at Charlottenburger Tor on Strasse des 17 Juni in the heart of Tiergarten and follows a largely flat, 42.195 km route through the city, finishing through the Brandenburg Gate into Pariser Platz. The course holds a IAAF Platinum Label and has produced more world marathon records than any other race: Eliud Kipchoge broke the barrier here in 2019 with 1:59:40 (unofficial), and the open world record of 2:00:35 was set on this course in 2023. Fast conditions are the defining characteristic.
| Distance | 42.195 km |
| Course type | Flat, city streets. Point-to-point through central Berlin. |
| Certification | IAAF Platinum Label |
| Series | Abbott World Marathon Majors |
| Start location | Charlottenburger Tor, Strasse des 17 Juni, Tiergarten |
| Finish location | Brandenburg Gate, Pariser Platz, Mitte |
| Elevation gain | Approximately 55m total |
| Total finishers | ~45,000 |
| Cutoff time | 6 hours 15 minutes |
| Avg race-day temp | 12 to 18°C (late September, Berlin) |
| Free race-day transport | Yes — 4-day VBB ABC zone ticket included with entry (valid to 3am Monday; covers BER Airport via S9) |
Elevation profile: The course is effectively flat. The start and finish are both at approximately 35m above sea level. There are no significant hills. The world record has been broken here eight times. Carbon-plate shoes have been on every record-breaker's feet since 2016; why flat courses amplify the benefit.
Entry
| Entry Type | Ballot (Abbott World Marathon Majors) |
| Ballot Opens | Early spring for September race - check bmw-berlin-marathon.com |
| Charity Entry | Available through official charity partners |
| GFA Entry | Good for Age qualifying standards - check official website |
The Berlin Marathon is a World Marathon Major with a ballot entry system. Register for the ballot at bmw-berlin-marathon.com when it opens in early spring; results are announced a few months later. Acceptance rates vary by year. If unsuccessful in the ballot, charity entries are available through official partners at higher fundraising commitments. Good for Age (GFA) entry is available for runners who meet the qualifying standards - check the official website for current times, which are updated periodically.
Every entered runner receives a 4-day VBB public transport ticket valid across zones ABC, included with race registration. This covers the entire Berlin S-Bahn and U-Bahn network including BER Airport (zone C, S9 line). The ticket is valid until 03:00 on Monday - runners flying home on Sunday are fully covered.
Race Weekend
Expo and Number Collection
The race expo runs Wednesday to Saturday before race Sunday at Tempodrom, near Potsdamer Platz. You must collect your number at the expo - there is no race-day collection. Allow 60 to 90 minutes for the expo visit, including bag collection and any merchandise queues. Tempodrom is on Metro U2 (Gleisdreieck station) and a short walk from S-Bahn Potsdamer Platz.
Getting to the Start
The start is on Strasse des 17 Juni in Tiergarten. From central Mitte hotels, the start is walkable (approximately 2km from the Brandenburg Gate). The S-Bahn and U-Bahn also connect to the Tiergarten area; your included VBB ticket covers all journeys. Late September mornings in Berlin can be 8 to 12°C - the start area is exposed. Bring a throwaway layer; discarded clothing is donated to charity.
The Course
The course is effectively flat: start and finish both at approximately 35m above sea level, no significant hills, the world record broken here eight times. The route runs through central Berlin, passing the Reichstag, the Charlottenburg area, the Schöneberg neighbourhood, the Gendarmenmarkt, and the Unter den Linden axis before the finish through the Brandenburg Gate into Pariser Platz. Crowd support on Kurfürstendamm and around the Gendarmenmarkt is the loudest on the course. Official pace groups cover almost every target time; how pacers actually work on race day is worth reading before deciding whether to run with one.
The Finish at the Brandenburg Gate
The finish runs through the Brandenburg Gate into Pariser Platz. The bag collection zones are on Strasse des 17 Juni in Tiergarten, organised by bib number band. Most Mitte and Tiergarten hotels are within walking distance of the finish; the post-race area on Strasse des 17 Juni disperses quickly.
Where to Stay
Stay near the finish at the Brandenburg Gate. The Mitte and Tiergarten areas are the most practical base: within walking distance of both the start (2km) and finish (0m), with direct S-Bahn access to the expo at Tempodrom. Charlottenburg is closer to the start but requires a longer post-race walk or Metro journey. Book six to twelve months in advance; late September is one of Berlin's busiest weekends and central hotels fill quickly after ballot results are announced.
The finish runs past its front door. Historically the most prestigious address in Berlin; Marlene Dietrich and Michael Jackson both stayed here. Unbeatable for marathon weekend.
On the Gendarmenmarkt, a formal 18th-century square flanked by two identical cathedrals. Quiet rooms, strong spa, correct for post-race recovery.
Near the start in Charlottenburg. Large rooms by Berlin standards. Good for runners who want proximity to the start corrals.
Converted Dresdner Bank HQ on Bebelplatz. The vault is now a pool. Walking distance from both the Brandenburg Gate and the expo at Tempodrom.
Reliable budget option in Mitte. Well-priced by Berlin standards. Book immediately after ballot results - marathon weekend fills this category fastest.
See & Do
The finish at the Brandenburg Gate leaves you at the intersection of Unter den Linden and the Tiergarten. The historic centre of Berlin - Reichstag, Museum Island, the Gendarmenmarkt - is within a 1.5km radius. The Tiergarten park is directly behind the finish for slow recovery walking.
Museum Island
1.5km (0.9 miles) from the finish, across the Spree. Five museums on a UNESCO World Heritage island: the Pergamon holds the 2nd-century BC Pergamon Altar and the Ishtar Gate; the Neues Museum holds the bust of Nefertiti. Book timed entry for both; walk-up access on a post-marathon weekend is unreliable. Closed Mondays.
Gendarmenmarkt
0.6km (0.4 miles) from the finish - the course runs directly past it. Berlin's most formally beautiful square: the identical French Cathedral and German Cathedral flanking the Konzerthaus, built between 1702 and 1821. The French Cathedral tower has the best elevated view of central Berlin without the queues of the Reichstag dome.
Tiergarten
Directly behind the finish. 210 hectares of forest and lakes in the centre of the city. The Siegessäule (Victory Column) is at the centre; the surrounding parkland is flat. The post-race walk from the Brandenburg Gate through the Tiergarten to the Siegessäule and back takes 45 to 60 minutes at recovery pace.
East Side Gallery
3.0km (1.9 miles) from the finish via S-Bahn or U-Bahn. 1.3km of original Berlin Wall in Friedrichshain, painted by 105 international artists in 1990 - the longest remaining section in the world. Completely flat; the murals take 20 to 30 minutes to walk end to end. The adjacent Oberbaum Bridge is one of the better river photographs in the city.
Read Before you Run
Stasiland
Anna Funder
Funder spent years tracking down people whose lives were shaped by the East German secret police — both the watched and the watchers. The Berlin Marathon passes through a city still visibly marked by that division, and Stasiland makes the architecture mean something.
Buy on Amazon →After the Race
The Berlin Marathon runs in late September. The city at the end of September has the summer crowds gone, the harvest markets starting, and direct rail connections to Potsdam and the Brandenburg countryside within 25 minutes. All excursions below depart from central Berlin stations and are planned for post-marathon leg tolerance.
Sanssouci Park, eight palaces on flat gravel paths, and the Dutch Quarter. Late September is the exact right time: harvests on the vineyard hill, summer crowds gone.
A fairytale palace on its own island in a lake. The lakeside circuit is 4.5 km of flat path with constantly changing views of copper-green domes reflected in the Burgsee.
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of 300 waterways threading through alder forest. You travel by traditional wooden punt boat. The ferryman does all the work.
Two nights in Potsdam's palace gardens, then north by Intercity to the Baltic coast. Finish at Warnemunde's seafront promenade and fly home from Rostock without returning to Berlin.
Frequently asked questions
Should I stay near the start or the finish?
Near the finish at the Brandenburg Gate. The Mitte and Tiergarten hotel areas are within walking distance of both the start and finish, with the Brandenburg Gate itself as the focal point.
How far in advance should I book a hotel?
Six to twelve months in advance for the best options. The Berlin Marathon falls in late September, one of the city's busiest weekends. Hotels in Mitte and near the Brandenburg Gate fill quickly once ballot results are announced.
Is there free transport to the start?
Yes. Every entered runner receives a 4-day VBB public transport ticket valid across zones ABC, included with race registration. Zone ABC covers the entire S-Bahn and U-Bahn network including BER Airport (zone C, served by the S9). The ticket is valid until 3am on Monday morning - runners flying home on Sunday are fully covered. Anyone departing Berlin on Monday needs a separate ABC single ticket (€5.00 in 2026) for the airport leg.
What is the best area to stay?
Mitte, around Unter den Linden and the Brandenburg Gate, puts you closest to the finish. Tiergarten is equally convenient. Charlottenburg is near the start. Avoid areas east of Alexanderplatz.
When does the expo open?
Wednesday to Saturday before race Sunday at Tempodrom, near Potsdamer Platz. You must collect your number at the expo; there is no race-day collection. Allow 60 to 90 minutes.
What is the weather typically like?
Late September in Berlin: 12 to 18°C at race start, usually dry. Historically ideal conditions for fast times - the world record has been set here repeatedly. Occasional warm outliers occur; check the forecast in race week.
How do I get from the airport?
Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER): FEX Airport Express to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (approximately 30 minutes). S-Bahn S9 takes 45 minutes. Both covered by the standard Berlin ABC zone ticket.
Is there a bag drop?
Yes, at the start on Strasse des 17 Juni. Bags are transported to collection zones near the Brandenburg Gate finish. Use the official marathon bag from your race pack; marked by bib number band.
Should I bring a throwaway layer?
Yes. Late September Berlin mornings can be 8 to 12°C and the start area in Tiergarten is exposed. Bring a disposable layer; the organisation donates discarded clothing to charity.
How do I get back to my hotel after finishing?
The Brandenburg Gate finish is central. Most Mitte and Tiergarten hotels are within walking distance. S-Bahn and U-Bahn connections are immediate. The post-race area on Strasse des 17 Juni is large and disperses quickly.