How to get here
Arriving in the UK by air
From Birmingham International Airport
| Transport |
Approx. cost |
Approx. travel time |
Route |
Contact/website |
| By train |
£3.20 |
15 minutes |
Use the Air-Rail Link from the Airport to Birmingham International railway station and take a train to Birmingham New Street station from there. Taxis are available at New Street to take you to your accommodation. |
www.networkwestmidlands.com
www.nationalrail.co.uk |
| By coach |
£3.60 |
20 minutes |
Take the National Express Airport Service to the Coach Station in Birmingham city centre. There is also a dedicated Airbus that runs every 30 minutes from Birmingham International railway station to Digbeth Coach Station. From there you can take a taxi to your accommodation. |
www.nationalexpress.com |
| By taxi |
£25.00 |
30 minutes |
Taxis can be found outside the main entrance to the Arrivals Hall. |
+44 (0)121 426 3422 |
From London Gatwick Airport
| Transport |
Approx. cost |
Approx. travel time |
Route |
Contact/website |
| By train |
£78.00 |
3 hours |
Take a train to London Victoria, then take the Underground tube or a taxi to London Euston where you can catch a train to Birmingham New Street. |
www.thetrainline.com
www.nationalrail.co.uk |
| By coach |
£38.00 |
4 hours |
Take the National Express Airport service to the Coach Station in Birmingham city centre. |
www.nationalexpress.com |
From London Heathrow Airport
| Transport |
Approx. cost |
Approx. travel time |
Route |
Contact/website |
| By train |
£70.00 |
2.5 hours |
Take the Heathrow Express from the Airport to Paddington Railway station then take the underground tube or taxi to London Euston where you can catch a train to Birmingham New Street station. |
www.thetrainline.com
www.nationalrail.co.uk |
| By coach |
£30.30 |
3 hours |
Take the National Express Airport service to the Coach Station in Birmingham city centre. |
www.nationalexpress.com |
Arriving in the UK by rail
You travel via the Channel Tunnel, arriving at Waterloo Station, London. From there you will need to take the London Underground Northern Line heading northbound to Euston station. From Euston station continue to Birmingham New Street by train.
Arriving in the UK by sea
There are good road and rail connections between most seaports and Birmingham. There should be a travel enquiry desk at your port of arrival and they will advise on travel by road or rail to Birmingham.
Health and safety when travelling
Birmingham is the UK's second largest city and like most cities in the UK you should take precautions to ensure your safety when travelling.
Increased security has been implemented in all major UK airports. However, it is still your responsibility to take care of yourself and your belongings.
Do not bring drugs (apart from those prescribed by a doctor) into the UK. Also it is illegal to carry any sort of offensive weapon such as knives, CS gas, guns or stun guns in the UK. If you try to bring any of these into the UK you will be arrested and detained by officials. Your nearest British Consulate or High Commission will be able to tell you about restricted goods and duty free allowances or you can refer to the Customs and Excise website.
Take care of your possessions and do not leave your suitcase or bags unattended in a public place, including shops and cafés, otherwise it may be stolen or removed for security reasons. Make sure all your cases and bags are clearly labelled so that they can be identified and forwarded to you if you lose them.
If you need to leave your luggage somewhere, leave it at an official ‘Left Luggage' office, which can be found in all airports and train stations. The attendant will give you a receipt to present when collecting it later.
If you are travelling by train or the London Underground, make sure your luggage is where you can see it and try to sit in a carriage with other people.
Take care of your passport, tickets and money and make sure they are in a safe place such as an inside pocket, money belt or zipped bag. We advise against carrying large amounts of cash. Instead, keep a small amount of cash in smaller notes (£5, £10 and £20) together with a credit card or traveller’s cheques.
If you are taking a taxi from Birmingham International Airport, make sure it has a Birmingham City Council taxi identification label; these are on the side or back of the taxi. Always sit in the back of a taxi if you are on your own. Do not accept lifts from any unknown person inside or outside the terminal.
If relatives or friends are meeting you upon your arrival in the UK, make sure that all arrangements are confirmed before you set out and ask for a contact number in case you are delayed or cannot find them.