Traffic restrictions for the Bucharest International Marathon begin on Friday, 9 October 2026, on Bulevardul Libertății, ahead of the weekend’s races. On Saturday, traffic will be restricted along the race route between 07:30 and 13:00, and on Sunday between 07:30 and 15:30. Some closures around the finish area will remain in place until 23:00 on Sunday.

When travelling through central Bucharest, allow for both the race routes and changes to public transport. The competition passes along major roads around Unirii, Calea Victoriei and Șoseaua Kiseleff, as well as towards Piața Alba Iulia, Bulevardul Decebal and the National Arena.

The first closures begin on Friday on Bulevardul Libertății

Preparations for the start and finish areas require restrictions lasting several days. According to information announced by the Traffic Police, with the preparation-area closures also confirmed by TPBI, the first closure begins at 08:00 on Friday.

The two closure periods cover different road sections and directions. If you are travelling near the Palace of Parliament or Izvor Park, check the precise section you intend to use.

The end of the races therefore does not mean that every road section around the start and finish areas will reopen immediately. The separate closure periods in the table apply to these sections.

Saturday, 10 October: the 10 km race and the fun run

On Saturday, restrictions along the race route are scheduled for 07:30–13:00. The first start is for wheelchair participants in the 10 km event, at 08:55, followed by the 10 km race at 09:00.

Sursa foto: Poliția Rutieră București

The 10 km race organisers list the start on Bulevardul Libertății, beside Izvor Park, and the finish in the Piața Constituției area. The main roads and landmarks along the route are:

• Bulevardul Libertății, Splaiul Independenței and Bulevardul Națiunile Unite;

• the Piața Constituției slip road and Bulevardul Unirii;

• Piața Alba Iulia and Bulevardul Decebal;

• the turnaround near the junction with Șoseaua Mihai Bravu;

• the return through the Unirii area, Strada Halelor, Splaiul Independenței and Piața Națiunile Unite, towards Bulevardul Libertății.

Wheelchair participants in the fun run are scheduled to start at 11:55, followed at 12:00 by the event listed by the organisers as Fun Race 2.5 km. Its circuit stays around Bulevardul Libertății, Splaiul Independenței, Piața Națiunile Unite, Piața Unirii and Piața Constituției.

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Sunday, 11 October: restrictions extend towards northern and eastern Bucharest

On Sunday, restrictions along the race route are scheduled for 07:30–15:30. The marathon, half marathon and relay start at 09:00. The marathon covers 42.195 km, with the start and finish points around Bulevardul Libertății and Piața Constituției.

Sursa foto: Poliția Rutieră București

The first part of the circuit passes through the Unirii area, Piața Alba Iulia and Bulevardul Decebal before returning towards the centre. Runners then continue along Calea Victoriei, Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta and Bulevardul Mihail Kogălniceanu, turning around near Strada Vasile Pârvan and completing a section along the central avenue of Cișmigiu Park.

The route then reaches Calea Victoriei, Piața Victoriei and Șoseaua Pavel D. Kiseleff, continuing towards the Arch of Triumph. Runners return via Piața Victoriei, Strada Buzești, Strada Berzei, Strada Vasile Pârvan and Splaiul Independenței towards Bulevardul Libertății, where the half marathon finishes.

Marathon and relay participants continue towards Bulevardul Mircea Vodă and Splaiul Unirii, turning around near Calea Vitan. The circuit returns to Piața Alba Iulia, Bulevardul Decebal and Bulevardul Basarabia, reaching the junction with Bulevardul Chișinău, and includes the National Arena park. The finish is in the Piața Constituției area.

These are the main route landmarks. Restrictions apply to the sections used by the competition, rather than automatically covering the entire length of every road mentioned.

Three alternative routes recommended for drivers

The Traffic Police recommend three alternatives, depending on your direction of travel. These routes use roads that allow drivers to avoid parts of the race circuit.

Choose the route that suits your starting point and destination, and follow temporary signs and police instructions near affected junctions. The recommended alternatives are:

• Piața Unirii – Piața Universității – Piața Romană – Bulevardul Lascăr Catargiu – Piața Victoriei – Bulevardul Aviatorilor – Piața Charles de Gaulle;

• Șoseaua Mihai Bravu – Pasajul Muncii – Piața Bucur Obor – Șoseaua Ștefan cel Mare – Strada Barbu Văcărescu;

• Bulevardul Mărășești – Bulevardul Dimitrie Cantemir – Bulevardul Octavian Goga – Calea Dudești – Șoseaua Mihai Bravu – Piața Hurmuzachi.

Five crossings through the restricted areas

The authorities identify five crossings that drivers can use to pass through areas affected by restrictions. These are particularly useful for journeys that intersect the race route.

Using these crossings does not mean that every nearby access road will operate normally. Drivers must follow the traffic arrangements implemented by police on the ground.

Public transport routes will also change

To accommodate the competition, TPBI has announced temporary changes to 33 public transport routes, the temporary reinstatement of route 70 and the introduction of three replacement services. Arrangements vary by day and according to the restrictions in force.

On Sunday, routes 1 and 90 will be suspended during the first part of the day and will resume after restrictions are lifted. Replacement services 601, 690 and 691 will carry passengers. Details of each diversion are available in the TPBI announcement, and some services will return to their normal routes as directed by officers on the ground.

If you need to cross central Bucharest, the Traffic Police recommend public transport, particularly the metro. For surface transport, check your route before leaving and do not assume that your bus or trolleybus will serve all its usual stops.

Pedestrians are advised to use pavements and designated crossings, observe traffic lights and follow police instructions. If you are going to support the runners, choose a spot where you can watch without stepping onto the race course.