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Unofficial fan guide · Tour de France 2027
Where to stay for Stage 1 of the 2027 Tour de France: Edinburgh to Carlisle
In short
Stage 1 of the 2027 Tour de France runs 184 km from Edinburgh to Carlisle on Friday 2 July 2027. For the night before, look at Edinburgh, Peebles, Melrose or Hawick. After the finish, stay in Carlisle or Penrith. Rooms near the start go first, so book early and pick a free cancellation rate in case details change.
Key facts
Date
Fri 2 July 2027
Start
Edinburgh Castle
Finish
Carlisle Castle
Distance
184 km (114 mi)
Stage type
Flat
Categorised climbs
1 categorised climb
Start and finish times
To be confirmed closer to the race
Route sheet
In race order, not to scale
Edinburgh CastleGrand Départ
Midlothian
InnerleithenInto the Tweed Valley
Galashiels
Côte de MelroseCat ?About 2.2 km at 6.7% · Below the Eildon Hills
SelkirkSkirts the edge of town
Hawick
NewcastletonDown Liddesdale, along the border
CanonbieBrief dip into Dumfries and Galloway, then into England
Carlisle CastleSprint finish
Cat ? means the category is announced on 22 October. Climb figures are approximate until the official race guide.
Where to watch
The Côte de Melrose decides the first polka dot jersey of the Tour, so the slopes under the Eildon Hills will be packed. For the sprint, stand near the finish beside Carlisle Castle.
Plan aheadStaying for Stage 2? Saturday starts in Keswick, about 50 km from Carlisle. Penrith sits between the two.
Getting there and road closures
Edinburgh Waverley and Carlisle are both main line stations, with direct trains between them. Edinburgh Airport is linked to the city centre by tram.
Host councils publish road closure times and park and ride plans in the months before the race. We add them here as they come out.
Stage 1 questions
Where is the best place to watch Stage 1 of the 2027 Tour de France?
The Côte de Melrose, below the Eildon Hills, is the day's only categorised climb and decides the first polka dot jersey of the Tour, so expect big crowds. For the sprint, stand near the finish beside Carlisle Castle.
Where should I stay to see the Grand Départ in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh has the most rooms on the stage, but also the most fans chasing them. Peebles, a few minutes from the route at Innerleithen, is a quieter choice for Thursday night. Melrose is on the route but has few rooms.
Can I watch the start in Edinburgh and the finish in Carlisle on the same day?
Yes, by train. Direct trains between Edinburgh and Carlisle take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, while the riders need around four and a half hours for 184 km. Leave soon after the start and book your train ahead, because services will be busy.
Where should I stay if I also want to see Stage 2 in Keswick?
Stay in Carlisle or Penrith on Friday night. Keswick is about 50 km from Carlisle, and Penrith sits between the two on the A66 into the Lake District.