Major city · United Kingdom
Solihull
Spend a single day in Solihull, focusing on the town centre and its museums; for the NEC, add a separate trip via Birmingham International station. One night is enough unless you are attending a multi-day event.
Solihull sits just east of Birmingham, offering easy access to the National Exhibition Centre, a few niche museums and good shopping. Its compact centre is walkable, so a day covers the highlights; longer stays suit event-goers.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, limited daylight)
- Airport
- BHX
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Solihull999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Solihull, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetySolihull is generally safe; stay alert on late‑night taxi ranks and keep belongings secure in crowded venues.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 999 fire · 999 ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBHX Birmingham Airport (5 km (3 mi) north of Solihull centre; Air‑Rail Link to Birmingham International station.).BHX Birmingham Airport (3 mi (5 km) north of Solihull centre; Air‑Rail Link to Birmingham International station.).
- Getting aroundTown centre is pedestrian‑friendly; buses (routes 4, 6, 37, 57) connect to Birmingham and the airport…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee in a café£2–£3 (≈ US$3–4)
- BeerPub pint of lager£3.50–£5 (≈ US$5–7)
- Metro or bus rideBus single fare (Travel West Midlands)£1.90 (≈ US$3)
- Museum or sight ticketNational Motorcycle Museum entry£10 (≈ US$14) adult
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person£30 (≈ US$40)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel room, a night, per room£120 (≈ US$160)
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel room, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £50 (≈ US$70) · Mid £80 (≈ US$110) · High £130 (≈ US$180)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BHX Birmingham Airport (5 km (3 mi) north of Solihull centre; Air‑Rail Link to Birmingham International station.)BHX Birmingham Airport (3 mi (5 km) north of Solihull centre; Air‑Rail Link to Birmingham International station.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Best: Apr–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Dec (13 rain days), driest Jul (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Solihull: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
12 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Jun
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Dec
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town centre is pedestrian‑friendly; buses (routes 4, 6, 37, 57) connect to Birmingham and the airport; Solihull railway station is a 2‑min walk from centre; taxis and Uber are widely available.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Coventry
goDoor to door: About 35 min (check)
Train from Solihull to Coventry, about 20 min (check)
Cathedral and transport museum.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
The St John's Hotel
Central, 180 rooms, good for NEC visitors.
Ramada Solihull
Town‑centre, easy walk to shops and bus stops.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £50–£70 (≈ US$70–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £80–£120 (≈ US$110–160) excl. bed
- High
- £130 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel room1 × 1 night × £120 | £120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £80 | £160 |
| Birmingham Airport → Solihull taxi2 × £15 · check | £30 |
| Bus Day Saver (NXWM) for unlimited travel2 × £4 · check | £8 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £32 |
| Trip total≈ £175 per person per day, bed included | £350≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in GBP; flights and long‑distance rail excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee in a café | £2–£3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Pub pint of lager | £3.50–£5 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Bus single fare (Travel West Midlands) | £1.90 (≈ US$3) |
| National Motorcycle Museum entry | £10 (≈ US$14) adult |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxi ranks can have long waits on Friday/Saturday nights; book or use a reputable app.
- Check NEC event schedule; some exhibitions require pre‑booked tickets.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Fire
- 999
- Ambulance
- 999
- Non‑urgent police
- 101
- NHS non‑urgent
- 111
Pocket card
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SolihullSolihull
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / Ambulance / Fire999
- Non‑urgent police101
- NHS non‑urgent111
Embassy
US consulate in Birmingham (check address); other nations via London embassy.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- BHX → Solihull taxi: about £15 (≈ US$20) (check)
- Solihull railway station → Birmingham New Street: about £4–£5 (≈ US$6–7) one‑way
Say or show
- Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry (sɒri)
- Thank you — Thank you (θæŋk juː)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (haʊ mʌtʃ ɪz ɪt?)
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (kæn aɪ peɪ baɪ kɑːd?)
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet? (wɛər ɪz ðə ˈtɔɪlɪt?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Solihull. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, limited daylight) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Solihull
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