Transport

Please note – there will be some minor disruptions to road traffic on Sunday 14 March due to the St Patrick’s Day Parade taking place around Digbeth. Please take note of the map if you will need to travel to the coach station or around this area. Taxi’s will be briefed on this to ensure there are no issues with getting to the coach station.

Birmingham’s enviable location at the centre of the country sets it apart from any other destination. Wherever you’re coming from, however you plan to get here, this is one accessible city. Whatever your level of mobility, you’ll find Birmingham provides a high standard of accessibility with clear signposting to the majority of attractions, shops and venues.

There are so many ways to get around Birmingham. There’s our taxi, bus, train and tram services that link you easily to everything else. You could even push the boat out with a canal cruise on our historic canals – it’s a great way to get around. Or maybe, you’d like to cycle around our many parks. Whatever your preferred mode of travel, Birmingham has an abundance of convenient and fast transport options to suit every taste.

Getting here

By road

The M5, M6 and M42 motorways service the city from all directions, with many of the junctions just a few minutes from the city centre. And there are over 25,000 well signed parking spaces in the city centre alone – so parking isn’t a big issue when you arrive. Through National Express coaches there are fast and convenient links from most major UK towns and cities, right into the centre of the city. And there are regular Flightlink coaches to get you, quickly and comfortably, from the airport into the city.

By rail

Birmingham New Street Station lies in the heart of the city and is the hub of the UK rail network. High-speed trains to London Euston operate three times an hour and the journey takes just 82 minutes. Its importance is recognised by an ambitious redevelopment plan with a total spend of £388 million.
Next to Birmingham International Airport, Birmingham International Railway Station serves both the National Exhibition Centre and the airport, with direct links to both and 250 departures a day, taking 9 minutes and leaving every 10 minutes.

While Chiltern Trains leave Snow Hill or Moor Street in the heart of the city and pull into London Marylebone in approximately two hours. Visit nationalrail.co.uk or call their Enquiries line on 08457 48 49 50.

By air

Birmingham is the definition of a modern and connected international city and Birmingham International Airport is one of the most accessible airports in Europe. Over 50 airlines operate scheduled and charter services to more than 100 destinations.

The airport is just 8 miles/13km from the city centre and offers an Airlink Shuttle which ensures a smooth transit to Birmingham International Railway Station, from where, with up to 9 trains an hour, you can be in the city centre in just 10 minutes.

Getting around Birmingham

For a map of places to visit in the city and surrounding region, please visit visitbirmingham.com

Taxis

Birmingham’s well regulated taxis are especially convenient for those with heavy luggage or returning late from a night out. Black cabs can be hailed in the street or reached at one of the many taxi ranks in the city centre; the main ones are at New Street Station, Stephenson Street and Digbeth Coach Station.
TOA taxis are one of Birmingham’s black cab operators.
It’s wise to pre-book for journeys of a longer distance or at particularly busy hours. Private hire cars should always be pre-booked and an estimate of the fare secured beforehand.

Buses

Birmingham is brilliant for buses. We’ve a huge network linking everyone to everything. Network West Midlands has all the online timetables and fare information you need with easy ticket buying and route planning. Alternatively call 0871 200 22 33 for timetable information (Calls from landlines cast 10p per minute) or visit Centro’s many information points. More and more local buses have facilities such as low floors for easy access for wheelchair users and push chairs. Birmingham buses cannot be hailed to be stopped; passengers wishing to board or leave a bus, should do so at an official bus stop. Please remember that you need to give the exact fare to the driver as you board.

Trains & Metro

Eight local rail lines criss-cross the city to ensure quick links to all attractions and venues (as well as other UK cities and towns). Midland Metro is the latest addition. This state-of-the-art light rail system whisks passengers between Snow Hill Station in Birmingham city centre and Wolverhampton. What’s more, planning and booking rail journeys couldn’t be easier. Network West Midlands provides online timetables, fares including day tickets and passes, ticket purchase and route planning. To visit the Centro website click www.centro.org.uk, call 0121 200 2700 or pop into the Centro store at New Street Station.