- Must visit
Valentines Mansion
Elegant historic house with period rooms and exhibitions, offering a clear introduction to Redbridge history and domestic life.
Cheapest price on 18 Sept
£10
Average ticket price on 18 Sept
£12
Fastest journey on 18 Sept
2 h 25 m
Average journey duration on 18 Sept
2 h 35 m
Buses on 18 Sept
3
Distance
170 km
The best way to find a cheap coach ticket from Birmingham to Ilford is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid travelling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Birmingham to Ilford will cost around £12 if you buy it on the day, but you can find cheap coach tickets today for only £10.
On Fri 18 Sept, we found 3 buses from Birmingham to Ilford, including 3 direct services.
These direct buses cover the 170 km distance in an average of 2 h 35 m but if you time it right, some buses will get you there in just 2 h 25 m .
The slowest buses will take 2 h 50 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.






Omio recommends booking the coach as it is the most popular option from Birmingham to Ilford among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price, take the coach, with an average ticket price of £22 For those with little time, consider booking a train, which has an average total journey time of 2h 56m. Average ticket prices depend on the travel mode: a coach costs an average of £22, while a train costs an average of £45.
Distance: 170 km
Most popular Coach | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|
£22 Average Price Cheapest | £45 Average Price | £55 Average Price (fuel + tolls) |
3h 19m Average total duration 2h 49m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 56m Average total duration Fastest 2h 26m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 2h 27m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
![]() Most popular bus company | ![]() Most popular train company | Your own car or car rental |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Birmingham to Ilford:
A coach is £23 less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Birmingham to Ilford costing on average £45.
Other travel options to Ilford take longer:
Coach takes on average 2h 49m.
Tickets start at around £22 compared to roughly £55 in fuel and tolls — a saving of about £33. The journey takes 2h 49m versus 2h 27m by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can use the time productively rather than spending it behind the wheel. No parking to sort, no fuel stops, and most coaches have Wi-Fi and power outlets.
Direct services are operated by Megabus.
Driving is worth considering if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group (where fuel costs split several ways), or want the flexibility to stop along the way.
The table below shows live departures for Birmingham to Ilford coaches for today, Thursday 17 September. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated coach journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Changes | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
FlixBus · FlixBus | 7:15 Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 6h50 | 14:05 London, Stratford City Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 10:10 Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 6h00 | 16:10 London, Stratford City Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 11:50 Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 6h20 | 18:10 London, Stratford City Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 14:30 Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 5h55 | 20:25 London, Stratford City Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 15:00 Birmingham | 7h25 | 22:25 London, Stratford City Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 15:35 Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 6h55 | 22:30 London, Stratford City Bus Station | 1 change | |
FlixBus · FlixBus | 17:50 Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway | 6h25 | 0:15 London, Stratford City Bus Station | 1 change | |
This is the last bus of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare coach and train prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Buses from Birmingham to Ilford run on average 47 times per day, taking around 2h 49m. Cheap bus tickets for this journey start at £6 if you book in advance.
There are 47 coaches per day. The earliest coach runs at 00:05, the last at 23:55. The fastest coach covers the 170 km distance in 2h 25m.
Distance 170 km |
Average bus duration 2h 49m |
Cheapest ticket price £6 |
Buses per day 47 |
Direct buses 47 |
Fastest bus 2h 25m |
First bus 0:05 |
Last bus 23:55 |
Cheapest Month Jan |
Cheapest Day Wed |
High Season Jul - Sept |
Low Season Apr - Jun |
Busiest Day Mon |
Least Busy Day Mon |
Best time to book 1 day |
Discover the best of Ilford — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Ilford trip today.
Elegant historic house with period rooms and exhibitions, offering a clear introduction to Redbridge history and domestic life.
Local museum and gallery with changing displays on Redbridge people, places and culture, set within the Central Library complex.
Community gallery space presenting contemporary exhibitions and creative projects, useful for a quick look at local artistic activity.
Formal gardens, lakes and open lawns around a historic mansion, ideal for strolling, seasonal colour and a relaxed break in Ilford.
Busy central shopping street and civic area that captures everyday Ilford, with markets, transport links and varied local businesses.
Woodland and open parkland on Ilford's northern edge, popular for longer walks, wildlife and a quieter side of the borough.
A classic East End pie filled with minced beef, often served with mash and parsley liquor. A long-standing London comfort food popular across east London.
Jellied eel pieces set in a savoury stock. It is one of London’s most traditional working-class dishes, closely tied to the historic East End.
A smoked white fish fillet, usually haddock, dyed golden and eaten hot or cold. It has long been a staple breakfast and supper dish in London.
Long-established Turkish ocakbasi known for grilled meats, fresh breads and lively casual dining on Ilford Lane.
Smart Indian restaurant focused on Punjabi and north Indian dishes, with a polished dining room suited to groups and dinners.
Busy South Indian vegetarian restaurant serving dosas, idli and thali in a simple, family-friendly setting.
Moderate for Greater London. Dining and hotels cost more than many UK towns, but Ilford is often cheaper than central London, with good-value transport and casual food options.
Restaurants may add a service charge; if not, 10-12.5% is common for good service. Taxi fares can be rounded up. Tipping in cafés is optional, usually just small change.
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Birmingham to Ilford by coach. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest coach, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Ilford, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

Most Birmingham to Ilford buses use the Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway to London, Victoria Coach Station station pair. Use this guide to compare Birmingham and Ilford bus stations on this route, check city-centre transport, alongside checking practicalities like bus station facilities and services.
Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Wi-Fi is available at Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway. ATMs are available at Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway.
Ticket office support is available at Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway.
Available at Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Birmingham, Great Charles Street Queensway: Bus stops are wheelchair accessible.
Birmingham has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC, Shower and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Multiple fast food and cafes inside
Free Wi-Fi available within the station. ATMs are multiple ATMs available inside the station.
Ticket office support is available at Birmingham.
Available at Birmingham: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Birmingham: Wheelchair accessible entrances and facilities.
Birmingham, Coach Station is 1 km from Birmingham city centre. Public transport options include:
Birmingham, Coach Station has practical services for this route, including Wifi, Parking, Dining, ATM, Taxis, Accessibility, WC and Ticket Office.
Food options include: Cafeteria and fast-food options inside the station
Free Wi-Fi. ATMs are located near the entrance.
Ticket office support is available at Birmingham, Coach Station.
Available at Birmingham, Coach Station: Parking, Taxis, WC.
Accessibility facilities are available at Birmingham, Coach Station: Elevators, ramps.
Here are some other resources that might have the information you need