Transport from Birmingham Airport: My Tips
City bus services to Birmingham city centre, Coventry and Solihull stop right outside the terminal.
About 1 km from the terminal, you’ll find the large Birmingham International transport hub, serving regional and long-distance trains and long-distance coaches. A free automated shuttle train runs from the terminal to the railway station.
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To Birmingham
The quickest way to get to the city centre is by train, even though Birmingham International station isn’t right next to the terminal. Even allowing for the journey on the Air-Rail Link shuttle train from the terminal to the station and any waiting time, you’ll be in the centre of Birmingham in around 25 minutes.
In contrast, buses running directly from the terminal take at least 35 minutes, and are often delayed by more than 10 minutes due to heavy traffic.
The advantage of the bus is its lower price and the fact that it stops right outside the terminal.
| Journey time | Price | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | 20–30 minutes (including the journey from the terminal to the station via the Air-Rail Link) |
from 3,30 gbp | 5–15 minutes |
| Bus X1 | 35–45 minutes | 3 gbp | 30 minutes |
| Bus X12 | 65–75 minutes | 3 gbp | 30 minutes |
Train – tickets and timetables
The Air-Rail Link runs from the terminal to the station every 2 minutes between 3.30 am and 12.30 am. The journey takes 3 minutes.
Trains to Birmingham city centre run at irregular intervals of 4–15 minutes.
As there are many rail operators in the UK, you can easily compare times and prices using the Trainline search engine, through which you can also buy tickets.
Search for train tickets – thetrainline.com
What are the details of the train service to Birmingham?
- Price – from 3,30 gbp (for the lowest price, book online at least 2 days in advance; otherwise, tickets cost around 5,50 gbp)
- Journey time to Birmingham New Street – 8 to 18 minutes depending on the number of stops
- Frequency – every 4 to 15 minutes
- Last train from the airport – 1.31 am
- First train from Birmingham New Street – 5.30 am (on Sundays not until 8.26 am)
- Tip for a budget hotel near New Street station: easyHotel Birmingham
Bus – routes, tickets, timetables
There are two bus routes running directly from the terminal to Birmingham city centre.
Farepricesare the same for all routes in Birmingham:
- 3 gbp – single journey
- 5 gbp – a day ticket (valid for the calendar day in question, not for 24 hours)
The easiest way to pay for your ticket is with your own contactless card. Simply tap it on the reader by the driver when you board, and that’s all you need to do. You do not need to tap your card on the reader when you alight.
Even if you travel around the city all day, the daily limit is the aforementioned 4,50 gbp. You will never be charged more than this amount from your card in a single day.
- Route X1– runs directly to Birmingham Moor Street.
- Journey time – 35 minutes
- Frequency – every 30 minutes (every 60 minutes at night)
- Operating hours – 24/7
- Timetable and map: nxbus.co.uk/x1
- Line X12– takes a long detour via the northern suburbs (Coleshill, Bacon’s End, Castle Bromwich and others) to the city centre, terminating at Birmingham The Priory Queensway station. In the opposite direction, it takes you to the town of Solihull.
- Journey time – 65 minutes
- Frequency – every 30 minutes (every 60 minutes in the evening)
- Timetable and map: nxbus.co.uk/x12
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To Coventry
The second-largest city near the airport is 10 miles away.
The train to Coventry is also quicker than the bus. The advantage of the bus is, once again, the slightly lower fare and the stop right outside the terminal.
Train – tickets and timetables
The Air-Rail Link runs from the terminal to the railway station every 2 minutes between 3.30 am and 12.30 am. The journey takes 3 minutes.
Trains to Coventry city centre run at irregular intervals of 5–25 minutes.
Search for train tickets – thetrainline.com
What are the details of the train service to Coventry?
- Price – from 4 gbp (for the lowest price, book online at least 2 days in advance; otherwise, tickets cost around 5,50 gbp)
- Journey time– 9 to 18 minutes depending on the number of stops
- Frequency – every 5 to 25 minutes
- Last train from the airport – 23:34
- First train from Coventry – 5.47 (on Sundays, not until 9.10)
Bus – routes, tickets, timetables
There are two bus routes running directly from the terminal to Birmingham city centre.
Ticketpricesare as follows:
- 3 gbp – single journey
- 5 gbp – day ticket (valid for the calendar day in question, not for 24 hours)
The easiest way to pay for your ticket is with your own contactless card. Simply tap it on the reader by the driver when you board, and you don’t have to worry about a thing. You do not need to tap your card on the reader when you alight.
Even if you’re travelling around the city all day, the daily limit is the aforementioned 4,50 gbp. You’ll never be charged more than this from your card in a single day. Fares are valid only on NATX West Midlands buses.
- Route X1– runs directly to Coventry Pool Meadow.
- Journey time – 35 minutes
- Frequency – every 30 minutes
- Last bus from the airport – 0:45
- First bus from Coventry – 4.04 am
- Timetable and map: nxbus.co.uk/x1
Long-distance transport
From the Birmingham International transport hub – which you can reach every 2 minutes from the terminal via the free Air-Rail Link automated train – there are trains and buses to dozens of towns and cities across the UK.
Generally speaking, trains offer faster and more comfortable journeys, whilst buses provide cheaper travel.
You can almost always buy cheaper tickets online:
- Buy a train ticket – thetrainline.com
- Buy a bus ticket – nationalexpress.com
Where do direct trains and buses travel to from Birmingham International station? Below are the average prices at which you can buy tickets (these vary depending on when you buy and how busy the service is).
| Price | Journey time | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (train only) |
30 gbp | 70 minutes | 3–4 times an hour |
| Manchester (train only) |
25 gbp | 110 minutes | Once an hour |
| Leicester (bus only) |
8,90 gbp | 85 minutes | Once every 2 hours |
| Milton Keynes (train only) |
11 gbp | 65 minutes | 2–3 times an hour |
| Oxford | Train: 17 gbp Bus: 14,70 gbp |
Train: 65 minutes Bus: 95 minutes |
Train: once an hour Bus: 4 times a day |
| Stoke-on-Trent (train only) |
11,60 gbp | 70 minutes | Once every 2 hours |
|
Wolverhampton |
2,80 gbp | 50 minutes | 2–3 times an hour |
Car hire
Car hire counters are located directly in the terminal. Some car hire companies will take you to a more distant car park free of charge in their vans, whilst others have car parks within walking distance of the terminal.
Prices for a week’s hire during the summer season are around280 gbp.
Compare car hire prices in one click
Taxis, Uber
Official airport taxis are operated by Minicabit. The counter where you can book a taxi and get an estimated fare is located in the arrivals hall.
However, the fares are very high, and you can get to the city centre for up to half the price using the Uber mobile app. It offers the following average fares:
- Birmingham – from 22 gbp
- Coventry – from 20 gbp
- Leicester – from 60 gbp
The Uber pick-up point is directly in front of the terminal, near the official taxis. However, only the more expensive ‘Premium’ cars serve the airport.
For a cheaper Uber journey, take the Air-Train shuttle to the railway station and book your Uber from there. You can save up to 8 gbp this way.
Any questions left?
If you have any questions or comments about the article...
The X1 bus now costs 3 GBP, an all-day ticket 5 GBP – my personal experience on Saturday
Thanks, updated.