Birmingham Airport

Birmingham Airport (BHX) is the UK's third-largest airport outside London and the primary gateway to the West Midlands, serving over 12 million passengers annually. Located approximately 13 km southeast of Birmingham city center, the airport provides convenient access to Birmingham, Coventry, and the wider Midlands region.

The airport has a single terminal building with two interconnected sections:

• Main Terminal: Handles all departures and arrivals, with check-in, security, and gates organized in a linear layout
• Departure Lounges: Divided into gates 1-20 (near security) and gates 21-59 (further walk, serving larger aircraft)

All gates are accessible from the main departure lounge after security, making connections straightforward. The terminal underwent significant modernization in recent years, with improved retail areas and a new security hall.

Birmingham Airport's location adjacent to Birmingham International railway station and the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) makes it particularly convenient for business travelers attending events or exhibitions.

Birmingham Airport is located 13 km southeast of Birmingham city center, with excellent rail connections making it one of the UK's best-connected regional airports.

Typical travel times:

• Birmingham New Street Station: 20 minutes by train (via Birmingham International)
• Birmingham city center by taxi: 20-35 minutes (traffic dependent)
• Coventry: 20 minutes by train
• London Euston: 1 hour 20 minutes by train (via Birmingham International)
• National Exhibition Centre (NEC): 2 minutes by monorail

The airport has its own railway station (Birmingham International) connected by the free Air-Rail Link monorail, a 90-second journey from the terminal.

Uber

Uber operates at Birmingham Airport with designated pickup areas.

• Pickup location: Follow signs to rideshare pickup in the short-stay car park
• Services available: UberX, Uber Comfort, Uber XL
• Fares to city center: GBP 18-30 depending on destination and demand

Taxi

Licensed taxis queue outside the arrivals hall. Birmingham taxis are metered and accept credit cards.

Destination	Fare	Time
Birmingham city center	GBP 25-35	20-35 min
Birmingham New Street Station	GBP 25-35	20-30 min
National Exhibition Centre (NEC)	GBP 8-12	5 min
Coventry city center	GBP 25-35	20-30 min
Stratford-upon-Avon	GBP 45-60	35-45 min
Solihull	GBP 12-18	10-15 min

Tip: For journeys to Birmingham city center, the train is often faster and significantly cheaper than a taxi, especially during rush hour.

Air-Rail Link (Free Monorail)

The Air-Rail Link is a free automated monorail connecting the airport terminal to Birmingham International railway station.

• Journey time: 90 seconds
• Frequency: Every 2 minutes
• Operating hours: 05:15-02:00 daily
• Location: Follow signs from arrivals hall

Train (West Midlands Railway / Avanti West Coast)

Birmingham International station offers direct services across the UK.

To Birmingham New Street Station:

1. Take the free Air-Rail Link monorail to Birmingham International station
2. Take any train toward Birmingham New Street
3. Journey time: 10-12 minutes

Ticket Type	Price
Single adult to Birmingham New Street	GBP 4.40
Off-peak day return	GBP 5.90
Railcard discount (1/3 off)	Available

Frequency: Every 5-10 minutes during peak hours

Direct Train Destinations

Destination	Journey Time	Frequency	Fare (from)
Birmingham New Street	12 min	Every 5-10 min	GBP 4.40
Coventry	20 min	Every 10-15 min	GBP 5.20
London Euston	1h 20min	Every 20-30 min	GBP 30-80
Manchester Piccadilly	1h 30min	Hourly	GBP 25-50
Liverpool Lime Street	2h	Hourly	GBP 25-50
Edinburgh	4h 30min	Several daily	GBP 50-100

Note: Book train tickets in advance at nationalrail.co.uk or trainline.com for significant savings.

Bus

National Express and local buses operate from the airport.

• National Express: Direct coaches to London (2h 30min), Manchester, and other UK cities
• Local buses: Route 966 connects to Solihull town center

Birmingham Airport offers multiple parking options with significant online booking discounts.

Terminal Parking

Facility	Location	Rate
Drop & Go	Terminal forecourt	Free for 10 min, then GBP 6/10 min
Short Stay 1 & 2	Connected to terminal	From GBP 6/hour, GBP 40/day
Long Stay 1	5-min shuttle	From GBP 35/day (walk-up), GBP 6/day (pre-book)
Long Stay 2	8-min shuttle	From GBP 30/day (walk-up), GBP 5/day (pre-book)

Tips:

• Book online at birminghamairport.co.uk for savings up to 60%
• Long Stay car parks offer free shuttle buses to the terminal
• Electric vehicle charging available in Short Stay car parks
• Meet & Greet services available from GBP 50/day

Birmingham Airport offers a variety of dining options in the main terminal and departure lounge.

Landside (Before Security)

• Costa Coffee: Coffee and light snacks, multiple locations
• WHSmith: Grab-and-go sandwiches and snacks
• Subway: Fresh sandwiches made to order

Airside (After Security)

• Wetherspoons (The Flying Horse): British pub fare, full English breakfast, affordable meals
• Giraffe World Kitchen: International cuisine, family-friendly
• Wagamama: Pan-Asian noodles and rice dishes
• The Cabin: Steaks, burgers, and British classics
• Caffe Nero: Italian coffee and pastries
• Pret A Manger: Fresh sandwiches, salads, and coffee
• Leon: Healthy fast food, Mediterranean-inspired
• Burger King: Fast food, extended hours

Budget tip: Wetherspoons offers the best value for hot meals and is one of the few places serving alcohol at reasonable airport prices. WHSmith Meal Deals (sandwich, snack, drink) offer good value.

Dietary options: Wagamama and Leon have strong vegetarian and vegan selections. Halal options available at Giraffe.

Free WiFi is available throughout Birmingham Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	_Free BHX WiFi
Registration	Email address required
Time limit	Unlimited
Speed	Good for browsing, email, and video calls

Premium faster WiFi is available in airport lounges.

SIM cards can be purchased at the airport, though high street shops in Birmingham offer better prices.

Airport Locations

• WHSmith (Arrivals and Departures): Basic prepaid SIM options
• WH Smith Travel (Airside): Vodafone and EE SIM cards
• Dixons Travel (Airside): Electronics and SIM cards

Pricing

Provider	Price	Data
EE	From GBP 10	5 GB
Vodafone	From GBP 10	5 GB
Three	From GBP 10	Unlimited (Go Roam)
Lebara	From GBP 5	Budget option

Note: For better prices and selection, visit phone shops in Birmingham city center (Carphone Warehouse, EE, Vodafone, Three stores on New Street). Three's "Go Roam" plans include free roaming in 71 destinations.

ATMs are located throughout the terminal in both landside and airside areas. Major UK banks (Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest) have machines available.

Currency

• United Kingdom: British Pound Sterling (GBP)
• Exchange rate: Approximately 1 EUR = 0.85 GBP, 1 USD = 0.79 GBP

Currency Exchange

Travelex and Moneycorp counters are located in arrivals and departures. Airport exchange rates include significant markups (5-10% worse than interbank rates).

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw GBP from ATMs using a no-fee debit card (avoid "dynamic currency conversion")
• The UK is increasingly cashless; contactless card payments accepted almost everywhere
• Wise, Revolut, or Monzo for better exchange rates
• Order currency online for collection at the airport

Tip: Most UK ATMs are free to use. Avoid ATMs labeled "currency exchange" or those charging fees.

Birmingham Airport offers duty-free and high street shopping in the departure lounge.

Duty-Free

• World Duty Free: Main duty-free operator with spirits, perfumes, cosmetics, and confectionery
• Tax-free savings: Available for travelers to non-UK destinations (savings vary by product)

Retail

• Boots: Pharmacy, health, and beauty products
• WHSmith: Books, magazines, travel essentials
• Dixons Travel: Electronics, headphones, chargers
• Accessorize: Fashion accessories and jewelry
• JD Sports: Sportswear and trainers
• Superdry: British fashion brand
• Ted Baker: Premium British fashion

Tips

• VAT refunds are available for non-UK residents on purchases over GBP 30 (check current rules post-Brexit)
• Reserve & Collect available at worlddutyfree.com for collection at the airport
• Best shopping selection is in the main departure lounge after security

Birmingham Airport has several lounge options for different access methods.

No1 Lounge

Location: Departures, after security (near Gate 1)

• Access: Priority Pass, Lounge Pass, direct purchase (from GBP 35)
• Hours: 04:00-21:00
• Amenities: Hot and cold buffet, bar, newspapers, WiFi, runway views
• Quality: Well-regarded, comfortable seating, good food selection

Aspire Lounge

Location: Departures, after security

• Access: Priority Pass, Dragon Pass, direct purchase (from GBP 32)
• Hours: 04:00-20:30
• Amenities: Buffet, complimentary drinks, WiFi, workstations
• Notes: Can get busy during peak morning departures

Airline Lounges

Club Aspire (Emirates):

• Access: Emirates Business/First Class passengers, Skywards Gold/Platinum
• Location: Departures, near international gates

Pay-Per-Entry

Both lounges offer day passes bookable online from GBP 30-40. Book via loungepass.com or the airport website for best rates.

Several hotels are located near Birmingham Airport and the NEC.

At the Airport

Ibis Styles Birmingham Airport (formerly Novotel)

• Connected to terminal via covered walkway (2-minute walk)
• 3-star, modern rooms
• Restaurant and bar on-site
• From GBP 70/night

Near the Airport

Hilton Birmingham Metropole

• Adjacent to NEC, 5 minutes from terminal
• 4-star, 790 rooms, extensive conference facilities
• Multiple restaurants, spa, pool
• From GBP 100/night

Crowne Plaza Birmingham NEC

• At the NEC, 5-minute drive or short walk
• 4-star business hotel
• From GBP 85/night

Genting Hotel

• Part of Resorts World Birmingham, adjacent to NEC
• 4-star, modern design, casino complex
• From GBP 90/night

Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport

• 10-minute drive, free shuttle
• 3-star, reliable chain option
• From GBP 65/night

Budget Options

• Premier Inn Birmingham Airport: 10-minute shuttle, from GBP 50/night
• Travelodge Birmingham Airport: 5-minute drive, from GBP 40/night

Birmingham is England's second-largest city, known for its industrial heritage, diverse culinary scene (especially the "Balti Triangle"), and vibrant cultural offerings. The city center is just 20 minutes from the airport by train.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	Travel Time	Route
Birmingham city center	20 min	Train to New Street, then walk
Bullring Shopping Centre	25 min	Train to New Street
Cadbury World	30 min	Train to Bournville
National Exhibition Centre (NEC)	5 min	Air-Rail Link + short walk
Stratford-upon-Avon	45 min	Direct train from Birmingham Moor Street
Warwick Castle	35 min	Train to Warwick

Travel Tips

• Purchase a West Midlands Day Saver for unlimited bus and tram travel in Birmingham
• Birmingham's canal network is longer than Venice's - walk the towpaths for a unique city experience
• The Jewellery Quarter is worth exploring for independent shops and historic architecture
• Book restaurants in advance for the Balti Triangle (Sparkbrook/Sparkhill) for authentic Birmingham curry
• Birmingham New Street Station is a major hub with easy connections across the UK

Layover Recommendations

• 3-hour layover: Take the train to Birmingham New Street, walk to the Bullring for shopping
• 5-hour layover: Add the Library of Birmingham (free, stunning architecture) and a walk along the canals
• 8+ hour layover: Visit Cadbury World (book ahead), explore the Jewellery Quarter, enjoy a Balti curry

Day Trips from Birmingham

• Stratford-upon-Avon: 45 min by train, Shakespeare's birthplace, Royal Shakespeare Theatre
• Warwick Castle: 35 min by train, medieval fortress with live shows
• Cadbury World: 30 min by train to Bournville, chocolate factory tour
• Cotswolds: 1 hour by car, picturesque English villages (best explored by car)
• Ironbridge Gorge: 1 hour by car, birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, UNESCO site
• Peak District: 1 hour by car/train, hiking and scenic landscapes

Birmingham Specialties

• Balti curry: Birmingham invented the Balti in the 1970s; the "Balti Triangle" has dozens of authentic restaurants
• Cadbury chocolate: Factory tours and the world of chocolate in Bournville
• Peaky Blinders heritage: Walking tours explore locations from the famous TV series
• Jewellery Quarter: 40% of UK jewelry is made here; great for unique purchases
• Birmingham Back to Backs: National Trust-preserved 19th-century workers' houses