The TCS New York City Marathon is one of the biggest days on the city's calendar. In 2026 it falls on Sunday, November 1, and the course travels through all five boroughs: it starts on Staten Island, crosses the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge into Brooklyn, then runs through Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan before finishing in Central Park.
For runners, that is a once-in-a-lifetime route. For everyone else trying to get around the city, it means road closures, crowds and plenty of detours. Here is how to plan your car service for the weekend.
Why Marathon Day Is Different
On race day, streets along the course close for many hours, and some bridges are closed to regular traffic. Crossing the course from one side to the other can take far longer than usual, and the areas around the start and finish are especially busy.
Because closures change by time and location, we always recommend checking the official race and city traffic updates in the days before the race. Your chauffeur follows these updates too and plans the route around them.
If You Are Running
Race morning starts early. Most runners travel to the start on Staten Island using the official race transportation, which is the route organizers plan around. Where a car service helps most is:
- Before the race: getting from your hotel or home to your official start transport on time, without worrying about the subway.
- After the race: meeting you near the finish area when you are tired, cold and carrying your bag. Your chauffeur agrees a realistic meeting point with you in advance, since the streets right next to the finish are closed and crowded.
- Airport transfers: many runners fly in on Friday or Saturday. We track your flight, meet you at baggage claim and get you to your hotel. See our airport transfers.
If You Are Cheering
Following a runner around the course is part of the fun, but it is tiring by subway with crowds at every station. With hourly chauffeur hire, you have a dedicated car and chauffeur for the day:
- Choose two or three cheering spots in advance, ideally on the same side of the course.
- Your chauffeur drops you off, waits nearby and takes you to the next spot.
- Hourly service has a three-hour minimum and no surge pricing, even on the busiest days.
For a family or group of friends, an SUV such as the Cadillac Escalade ESV or Chevrolet Suburban keeps everyone together. The Suburban seats up to 7, and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Executive takes groups of 8 to 10, and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 12 to 14.
If You Just Need to Get Around
Not every visitor is there for the race. If you have a flight, a business meeting or a dinner reservation on marathon Sunday:
- Book early. Demand is high across the city that weekend.
- Allow extra time. Especially if your trip crosses the course or uses a bridge on the route.
- Share your timings. For a flight, tell us your departure time and we will plan the pickup with a sensible buffer.
Trips to JFK, LaGuardia and Newark all run as normal, but the route to reach them may change.
Quick Checklist for Marathon Weekend
- Check the official course map and road closures a few days before the race.
- Book your car in advance and confirm pickup points with your chauffeur.
- Agree a meeting spot away from the finish area, not right next to it.
- Keep your phone charged: your chauffeur's details arrive by text before your ride.
- For a busy day, choose hourly hire instead of single rides.
Every booking comes with a fixed fare confirmed before you ride. Learn more about our New York black car service or see more of the events we plan around.