Public bus services to Birmingham city centre, Coventry and Solihull stop right outside the terminal.
A large interchange for regional and long-distance train services and Birmingham International buses is approximately 1 km from the terminal. A free automated train service runs from the terminal to the train station.
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To Birmingham
The quickest way to get to the city centre is by train, even though Birmingham International station is not right next to the terminal. Even with the automatic Air-Rail Link train from the terminal to the station and a wait, you'll be in Birmingham city centre in around 25 minutes.
In contrast, buses running directly from the terminal take the shortest time of 35 minutes and are often more than 10 minutes late due to heavy traffic.
The advantage of the bus is the lower price and the fact that it stops right outside the terminal.
| Travel time | Price | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | 20-30 minutes (incl. ride from terminal to station via Air-Rail Link) |
from 2,80 gbp | 5-15 minutes |
| Bus X1 | 35-45 minutes | 2,40 gbp | 30 minutes |
| Bus X12 | 65-75 minutes | 2,40 gbp | 30 minutes |
Train - tickets and timetables
Air-Rail Link runs from the terminal to the station, every 2 minutes between 3:30-0:30. 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, simply compare times and prices via Trainline, a single search engine through which tickets can also be purchased.
Find train tickets - thetrainline.com
What are the parameters of the rail service to Birmingham?
- Price - from 2,80 gbp (book online at least 2 days in advance for the lowest price, otherwise tickets cost around 5,50 gbp)
- Travel time to Birmingham New Street - 8 to 18 minutes depending on the number of stops
- Frequency - 4 to 15 minutes
- Last train from the airport - 1:31
- First train from Birmingham New Street - 5:30am (not until 8:26am on Sundays)
- A tip for a cheap hotel near New Street station: easyHotel Birmingham
Bus - lines, tickets, timetables
There are 2 bus routes directly from the terminal to Birmingham city centre.
Ticketprices are the same for all routes in Birmingham:
- 2,40 gbp - one journey
- 4,50 gbp - day ticket (valid for a calendar day and not for 24 hours)
The easiest way to pay for tickets is with your own contactless card. Just put it on the reader at the driver's desk when you board and don't worry about a thing. You don't have to put the card on the reader when you get off.
Even if you drive around town all day, the daily limit is the aforementioned 4,50 gbp. You will never get more than that off your card in 1 day.
- Line X1 - takes a direct route to Birmingham Moor Street.
- Journey time - 35 minutes
- Frequency - 30 minutes (60 minutes at night)
- Hours of operation - 24/7
- Timetable and map: nxbus.co.uk/x1
- Line X12 - runs into the city centre via a large detour through the northern suburbs (Coleshill, Bacon's End, Castle Bromwich and more), terminating at Birmingham The Priory Queensway station. On the other side it will take you to Solihull.
- Journey time - 65 minutes
- Frequency - 30 minutes (evening 60 minutes)
- Timetable and map: nxbus.co.uk/x12
Plan your stay in the city with our free online guide.
Coventry
The second largest city near the airport is 10 miles away.
Also, it's quicker to get to Coventry by train than by bus. Again, the advantage of the bus is a slightly lower price and a stop right outside the terminal.
Train tickets and timetables
Air-Rail Link runs from the terminal to the station, every 2 minutes between 3:30-0:30. The journey takes 3 minutes.
Trains to Coventry city centre run at irregular intervals of 5-25 minutes.
Find train tickets - thetrainline.com
What are the parameters of the train service to Coventry?
- Price - from 3,10 gbp (book online at least 2 days in advance for the lowest price, otherwise tickets cost around 5,50 gbp)
- Journey time - 9 to 18 minutes depending on the number of stops
- Frequency - 5 to 25 minutes
- Last train from the airport - 23:34
- First train from Coventry - 5:47am (not until 9:10am on Sundays)
Bus - lines, tickets, timetables
There are 2 bus routes directly from the terminal to Birmingham city centre.
Ticketprices are as follows:
- 2,40 gbp - one journey
- 4,50 gbp - day ticket (valid for the calendar day and not for 24 hours)
The easiest way to pay for tickets is with your own contactless card. You just put it on the reader at the driver's desk when you board and don't worry about anything. You don't have to put the card on the reader when you get off.
Even if you drive around town all day, the daily limit is the aforementioned 4,50 gbp. You will never get more than that off your card in 1 day. Fares are only valid on NATX West Midlands buses.
- Line X1 - runs a direct route to Coventry Pool Meadow.
- Journey time - 35 minutes
- Frequency - 30 minutes
- Last bus from airport - 0:45
- First bus from Coventry - 4:04
- Timetable and map: nxbus.co.uk/x1
Long Distance Transport
Trains and buses run to dozens of cities across the UK from the Birmingham International transport hub, which is reached every 2 minutes by the free Air-Rail Link automated train from the terminal.
In general, trains offer faster and more convenient connections and buses are cheaper.
Cheaper tickets are almost always bought online:
- Buy train tickets - thetrainline.com
- Buy a bus ticket - nationalexpress.com
Where do direct trains and buses run from Birmingham International station? Below are the average prices at which you can buy tickets (varies depending on time of purchase and availability).
| Price | Travel time | Frequency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (train only) |
30 gbp | 70 minutes | 3-4 times per hour |
| Manchester (train only) |
25 gbp | 110 minutes | 1x per hour |
| Leicester (bus only) |
8,90 gbp | 85 minutes | 1x in 2 hours |
| Milton Keynes (train only) |
11 gbp | 65 minutes | 2-3 times per hour |
| Oxford | Train: 17 gbp Bus: 14,70 gbp |
Train: 65 minutes Bus: 95 minutes |
Train: 1x per hour Bus: 4x per day |
| Stoke-on-Trent (train only) |
11,60 gbp | 70 minutes | 1x every 2 hours |
|
Wolverhampton |
2,80 gbp | 50 minutes | 2-3 times per hour |
Car Hire
Car hire counters are right in the terminal. Some car rental companies will take you to the more distant car park with a free van, while other car rental companies have car parks within walking distance of the terminal.
Weekly rental rates in the summer season are around 280 gbp.
Compare rental prices in 1 click
Taxi, Uber
The official airport taxis are operated by Minicabit. The counter where you order a car and get an indicative price is located in the arrivals hall.
However, the prices are very high and it is up to 2x cheaper to get to the centre via the Uber mobile app. It offers the following average prices:
- Birmingham - from 22 gbp
- Coventry - from 20 gbp
- Leicester - from 60 gbp
The Uber stand is right outside the terminal near the official taxi rank. However, only the more expensive "Premium" cars go to the airport.
For a cheaper Uber ride, use the automated Air-Train to the train station and book your Uber from there. You can save up to 8 gbp.
