Birmingham
Birmingham airport to city centre: trains, buses, taxis and costs
Take the train: Birmingham International station is a few minutes' walk from the terminal and trains reach Birmingham New Street in about 10–15 minutes, roughly £3–6 (2026 estimate). Take a taxi only with heavy bags or a late arrival, around £30–45. Buses are cheapest but slower and less frequent.
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GuideBirmingham
Key facts
- Best option
- Train from Birmingham International to Birmingham New Street, about 10–15 min
- Train farecheck
- £3–6 single (2026 estimate); buy at the station
- Train frequency
- Several trains an hour through the day; fewer late at night and on Sundays
- Taxi farecheck
- About £30–45 to the city centre (2026 estimate); more at night or in traffic
- Bus
- Local buses serve the airport and nearby rail interchange; slower than the train
- Station walk
- Birmingham International station is a short covered walk from the terminal
- Late arrival
- Check the last train time before booking a late flight; taxis run all night
Options at a glance
Birmingham Airport (BHX) sits about 13 km east of the city centre, next to the National Exhibition Centre and Birmingham International station. The train is the default for most travellers: short, cheap and frequent. Taxis are the fallback for late arrivals, heavy luggage or groups. Buses are the budget option but need more planning.
Prices below are 2026 estimates. Fares change, so treat them as a band, not a quote.
| Option | Time to city centre | Cost (2026 estimate) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train (Birmingham International → New Street) | 10–15 min | £3–6 single | Most travellers, day and evening |
| Taxi or private hire | 20–35 min | £30–45 | Late arrivals, luggage, groups of 3–4 |
| Bus | 35–60 min | £2–5 | Cheapest, if timing suits |
| Ride-hailing app | 20–35 min | £25–40 | When a taxi rank queue is long |
Train: the default
Birmingham International station is a short walk from the terminal, linked by a covered walkway and signposted from arrivals. Trains run to Birmingham New Street, the city's main station, in about 10–15 minutes. Several operators serve the route, so departures are frequent through the day.
Buy a ticket at the station machines or ticket office. Off-peak singles are cheaper; a return is usually better value if you are coming back to the airport.
New Street puts you under the Bullring and a short walk from the main shopping streets and Moor Street. If your hotel is elsewhere, check whether a local train from New Street is quicker than a taxi.
- Allow 10 minutes to walk from arrivals to the platform.
- Keep your ticket until you exit at New Street.
- Late at night, check the last departure before you book a late flight.
Taxi and ride-hailing
The taxi rank is outside arrivals. A metered black cab or private hire to the city centre costs roughly £30–45 (2026 estimate) and takes 20–35 minutes depending on traffic. At night, on match days or in heavy traffic, expect the higher end.
Ride-hailing apps work at the airport and often undercut the rank, but pickup points can be a short walk from the terminal. Follow the app's instructions rather than waiting at the taxi rank.
If you are heading to Coventry, Solihull or the NEC rather than central Birmingham, say so before you get in: the fare and route differ.
Bus and coach
Local buses connect the airport area with the city and nearby towns, and some stop at or near Birmingham International station. They are the cheapest option but slower and less frequent, especially in the evening. Check the route and last departure before you commit.
For Coventry and other nearby towns, buses and trains from Birmingham International can be quicker than going into Birmingham first.
What it costs
A single train fare to New Street is roughly £3–6 (2026 estimate). A taxi is roughly £30–45. A bus is roughly £2–5. These are bands, not fixed prices: peak times, advance tickets and group size all move the number.
If you are staying several days, a local travel card or contactless capping may be cheaper than single tickets. Check the current cap before buying.
| Item | 2026 estimate |
|---|---|
| Train single to New Street | £3–6 |
| Taxi to city centre | £30–45 |
| Bus single | £2–5 |
| Ride-hailing to city centre | £25–40 |
Tips
If you land late, decide before you book: the train may have stopped, leaving a taxi as the only option. If you land early, the train is almost always the fastest and cheapest way in.
For Coventry, the NEC or Solihull, do not go into Birmingham first. Birmingham International is the better interchange for those destinations.
Buy an eSIM before you fly so you can check live times and book a ride on landing.
- Check the last train time for your arrival date.
- Keep a contactless card or phone ready for ticket machines.
- For groups of three or four, a taxi can cost about the same as four train tickets.
Questions people ask
How do I get from Birmingham airport to the city centre?
Take the train from Birmingham International station, a short walk from the terminal, to Birmingham New Street. It takes about 10–15 minutes and costs roughly £3–6 (2026 estimate). Taxis take 20–35 minutes and cost about £30–45.
How much is a taxi from Birmingham airport?
About £30–45 to the city centre (2026 estimate), depending on traffic and time of day. Ride-hailing apps often cost a little less. Expect the higher end at night or on busy event days.
Is there a train from Birmingham airport?
Yes. Birmingham International station is a short walk from the terminal, with frequent trains to Birmingham New Street in about 10–15 minutes. Check the last departure if you arrive late.
How far is Birmingham airport from the city centre?
About 13 km east of central Birmingham, next to the NEC. The train covers it in 10–15 minutes; a taxi takes 20–35 minutes depending on traffic.
What is the cheapest way into Birmingham from the airport?
The bus, at roughly £2–5 (2026 estimate), but it is slower and less frequent. The train at £3–6 is usually worth the small extra cost for the time saved.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check
Sources
- officialBirmingham Airport
- officialNational Rail
- officialTransport for West Midlands
- officialVisit Birmingham
- secondaryWikivoyage – Birmingham