Tour de France Grand Depart

The Tour de France Grand Départ 2027 will begin in the historic city of Edinburgh, marking a spectacular start to the 114th edition of the race. Stage one covers 184 km from Edinburgh to Carlisle, taking riders through the scenic Scottish countryside before crossing into England. With rolling terrain and a largely flat finale, the opening stage could provide the perfect opportunity for a sprinter to claim the first Yellow Jersey.

Stage two covers 223 km from Keswick to Liverpool, beginning in the spectacular Lake District before heading south through increasingly challenging terrain. With five categorised climbs and a fast, largely urban finish, the stage could favour a breakaway or resilient sprinter.

The third stage takes the Tour into Wales, covering 223 km from Welshpool to Cardiff. A series of demanding climbs, including the Caerphilly Mountain just 12 km from the finish, will test the race favourites before a fast finale through the Welsh capital.

Getting to Edinburgh – Tour de France Grand Départ

Edinburgh Airport (EDI): Scotland’s busiest airport and the main international gateway to Edinburgh, located approximately 13 km (8 miles) west of the city centre.

• Transfers: Taxis, private transfers, trams and airport buses provide convenient connections to central Edinburgh. The journey by taxi typically takes around 20 minutes, while the tram and Airlink bus reach the city centre in approximately 30 minutes.

Getting Around Edinburgh During the Grand Départ

Edinburgh is a compact and historic city that is easy to explore by walking, also with reliable public transport and plenty of ways to travel between Grand Départ locations, fan zones and key viewing areas.

• Tram: Edinburgh’s tram network provides fast and convenient connections between the airport, city centre and Leith, making it an ideal option for travelling around the city during the Grand Départ.
• Bus: An extensive network of local buses connects the city centre with neighbourhoods and key locations across Edinburgh, offering a convenient way to reach different areas of the race route.
• Bike: Edinburgh has a growing network of cycling routes and dedicated paths, with bike and e-bike hire available across the city. Cycling is a great way to explore the capital and experience the excitement surrounding the Grand Départ.

Walking: Many of Edinburgh’s key Grand Départ locations and iconic attractions are within easy walking distance. Explore the city on foot while taking in landmarks including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Princes Street and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

With Sports Tours International, every ride and race becomes a shared experience. From the moment you arrive, our team is on hand to make your cycling adventure seamless – from guided warm-up rides to prime viewing spots for the biggest stages. Meet like-minded fans, enjoy expert insights from our cycling guides, and soak up the atmosphere as you watch the world’s best riders in action.