Athens marathon 2026
2,500 years ago, the soldier Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens—42 kilometers—to announce the Greek victory over the Persians, before collapsing. This seminal act gave birth to the marathon as we know it. By running the Athens Classic Marathon, you retrace this exact same historic route, from the village of Marathon to the legendary Panathenaic Stadium—the stadium that hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
Planet-Tours has been organizing marathon trips to Athens for over 30 years: direct flights from Paris to Athens with Aegean Airlines, the 3-star Brown Acropol Hotel in the heart of the city opposite the Acropolis, transfers, and on-site support. A running trip like no other.
Requirements
- Minimum age:
- Marathon: 20 years
- 10km : 15 years
- 5km: 12 years
- Registration fees:
- Marathon: see RATES
- 10km: see RATES
- 5km: see RATES
Marathon
10K
5K
Marathon Overview
If you’re looking for the deep roots of this mythical race, the Athens Marathon is for you. Come closer to the legend of the marathon and its 42.195 kms that separated Phidippides from the city to announce the victory of the battle against the Persians.
The ATHENS MARATHON organization has chosen a course with the start line right in the center of the city of the same name. You’ll have the opportunity to follow the historic route all the way to Athens, and you’ll be taken to the start by private bus, so you won’t have to wait long.
More than just a performance, athletes love the history that surrounds this event, despite its hilly course. The finish line is in the heart of the ancient Panathenaic stadium, where the first Olympic Games were held in 1896. This is the perfect way to round off your sporting challenge with a well-deserved medal.
The organizers have provided water every 2.5 km. In addition, solid food will be available from the 15th km onwards. Refreshment points will be spaced at 5 km intervals, and will include bananas and cereal bars. At the start of the race, you’ll find a checkroom truck where you can collect your belongings once you’ve crossed the finish line.
If you prefer to take part in the 10 or 5 kms, the courses will be concentrated in the city of Athens. This will be an opportunity for you to discover the splendours of this city at the same time as running. The starts and finishes of these races will also take place in the ancient Panathenaic stadium, which will be the rallying point for all the events.
Ideal for runners and companions alike! Note that the 10 kms will take place on Saturday at the end of the day, while the 5 km will take place on Sunday morning, starting at 8.15 am.
The day before the race, you can pick up your race number and T-shirt at the Athens Marathon Expo. Our representative will propose a group start if you’d like to join in.
Travel with Planet Tours and benefit from the opinions of our team of sports enthusiasts.
Why run the Athens Marathon with Planet-Tours?
The Athens Classic Marathon is a unique race: no lottery, no drawing of lots — registration is open to everyone. But organizing a marathon trip to Athens from start to finish (flight, hotel, transport to the start in Marathon, bib collection) can quickly become complicated, especially from France.
Planet-Tours takes care of all the logistics: direct flight Paris CDG – Athens with Aegean Airlines, Brown Acropol hotel ★★★★30 minutes walk from the Acropolis,bus from near the hotel to the starting line in Marathon, bib collection directly at the hotel, and support from our team on race day.
Whether you are running the marathon, the 10k or the 5k, our team — made up of passionate runners for over 30 years — will guide you to make your arrival at the Panathenaic Stadium unforgettable. Courez l’histoire. Avec Planet-Tours.
Course
Athens Marathon map
Athens 10 kms map
Athens 5 kms map
2026 rates
Departure on direct AGEAN flights (Paris CDG)
Flight with AGEAN on Friday at 11:55 – Arrival in Athens at 16:00
Return on Tuesday at 17:00 – Arrival in Paris at 19:35
Schedules are given for reference only and are subject to change.
A deposit of half the cost of the trip is payable at the time of booking, with the balance due 90 days before departure.
These prices include/ do not include
- Direct scheduled return flight
- 4 nights’ accommodation in a 4-star hotel in the city center
- 4 buffet breakfasts except on marathon day for runners (in the form of packed lunches)
- Transfer in front of our hotel for the start of the marathon
- Round-trip airport/hotel transfers
- airport taxes
- Assistance from our representative and bib pick-up at the hotel
- Planet Tours backpack and jersey offered to runners
- Race registration fees: Marathon: €350, 10km: €85 and 5km: €85 (prices to be confirmed by the organizers)
- Cancellation/loss of luggage insurance: €46 per person/ with HEALTH PROTECTION extension included: €71
- Tourist taxes to be paid directly at the hotel.
IMPORTANT :
If you’re traveling alone, we accept registrations for shared double rooms, provided that other people wish to share. If this is not the case, the traveler concerned will have to pay for the trip on the basis of a single room.
Departure on direct AGEAN flights (Paris CDG)
Flight with AGEAN on Friday at 11:55 AM – Arrival in Athens at 4:00 PM Return flight on Wednesday, November 11 (public holiday) at 5:00 PM – Arrival in Paris at 7:35 PM
Schedules are given for reference only and are subject to change.
A deposit of half the cost of the trip is payable at the time of booking, with the balance due 90 days before departure.
These prices include/ do not include
- Direct scheduled return flight
- 5 nights in a 4-star hotel in the city centre
- 5 buffet breakfasts except on marathon day for runners (in the form of packed lunches)
- Transfer in front of our hotel for the start of the marathon
- Round-trip airport/hotel transfers
- airport taxes
- Assistance from our representative and bib pick-up at the hotel
- Planet Tours backpack and jersey offered to runners
- Race registration fees: Marathon: €350, 10km: €85 and 5km: €85 (prices to be confirmed by the organizers)
- Cancellation/loss of luggage insurance: €46 per person/ with HEALTH PROTECTION extension included: €71
- Tourist taxes to be paid directly at the hotel.
IMPORTANT :
If you’re traveling alone, we accept registrations for shared double rooms, provided that other people wish to share. If this is not the case, the traveler concerned will have to pay for the trip on the basis of a single room.
This option is available for people who wish to travel on their own (airport/hotel transfers not included).
A deposit of half the cost of the trip is payable at the time of booking, with the balance due 90 days before departure.
These prices include/ do not include
- 4 nights’ accommodation in a 4-star hotel in the city center
- 4 buffet breakfasts except on marathon day for runners (in the form of packed lunches)
- Transfer in front of our hotel for the start of the marathon
- Assistance from our representative and bib pick-up at the hotel
- Planet Tours backpack and jersey offered to runners
- L’inscription aux courses, Marathon : 350 €, 10 Km 85 € et 5 km 85 € (tarifs à confirmer par l’organisation)
- Cancellation/loss of luggage insurance: €46 per person/ with HEALTH PROTECTION extension included: €71
- Tourist taxes to be paid directly at the hotel.
IMPORTANT :
If you’re traveling alone, we accept registrations for shared double rooms, provided that other people wish to share. If this is not the case, the traveler concerned will have to pay for the trip on the basis of a single room.
Our Hotel
Brown Acropol Hotel****
The Brown Acropol Hotel****, will provide you with the comfort you need to rest and run the Athens Marathon in the best possible conditions. To complete the picture, our options include buffet breakfasts.
Located right in the center of the ancient city, you can easily explore the city on foot or by taking advantage of the metro system. Athens’ most important monuments are all within a 30-minute walk of the hotel.
You can take advantage of its café terasse, its gym with a view of the Acropol in Athens or its whirlpool baths. There’s plenty to relax you before and after the marathone and your race. Come and appreciate Athens and its glorious past, with its Unesco World Heritage acropolis, probably the most beautiful in the world, the temple of Athena Nike, the Parthenon, the propylaea and many other ancient wonders. Enjoy the view from Lycabetta Hill, the city’s highest point.
Did you know?
Best times
You can find the sales and insurance terms for this trip here.