Trains to Birmingham

Trains to Birmingham

Birmingham is located in the West Midlands and is widely recognised as the second city in the UK. As such is the focal point for culture, commerce and finance across the region of Central England. You can travel on trains to Birmingham from major UK cities including London, Edinburgh and Cardiff via the West Coast Main Line to one of the city’s four major train stations. These are served by mainline operators like Avanti West Coast and CrossCountry which provide intercity service in addition to network rail companies such as West Midlands Trains with commuter and suburban service and the local tram network. You can also get service to Birmingham from Paris via Eurostar with connections at London.

Birmingham is well connected to much of the UK by extensive rail networks. The main operator of trains to Birmingham is London Midland with regular services operating in and out of Birmingham to most major cities in the country. The main train station for Birmingham city centre is Birmingham New Street. Nearby, Birmingham Moor Street, Snow Hill and Birmingham International stations are also available. All of these stations are readily accessible via public transport links of buses and local trains. See below for further information about travelling from, to and around Birmingham.

Avanti West Coast to Birmingham

Avanti West Coast as the successor to Virgin Trains is the primary operator of mainline rail service on the West Coast Main Line route with direct and connecting service from several UK cities including London, Glasgow and Manchester to Birmingham. For example, you can find trains to/from London Euston Station to Birmingham New Street Station from Monday to Friday with multiple departures per hour though you should anticipate reduced service from all locations on weekends and holidays. Rail journeys from London to Birmingham are direct with some trains continuing on to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Avanti West Coast operates virtually all of its train services from London Euston Station, one of the country’s major intercity railway terminals.

CrossCountry to Birmingham

CrossCountry is another primary operator of mainline intercity railway service along the West Coast Main Line which connects major UK urban centres to Birmingham. If you are interested in travel by train to Birmingham you should know that CrossCountry operates all of its rail services from Birmingham New Street Station and is one of the few major railways companies without service to or from Central London. This operator provides rail service along four intercity routes and four regional ones originating from or calling at Birmingham New Street Station and you can expect direct or connecting trains to Birmingham at least once per hour daily from most calling stations with reduced timetables on weekends and holidays.

Birmingham River Red Building. Source: Shutterstock

Main train stations in Birmingham

Birmingham New Street Station located in the city centre is principal station for travel by train to Birmingham and is one of the busiest in the country. In addition to the West Coast Main Line it is also a vital link along the regional Cross-City Line and Chase Line as well as a terminus for Eurostar trains. Station facilities include ticket office and vending machines, WC, ATM, free Wi-Fi, wait rooms, shops and refreshment facilities, luggage storage and lost property office. It has hours of operation M-F: 4:15 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., Sa: 4:15 a.m. to 00:15 a.m., Su: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and is accessible to disabled passengers.

Birmingham Moor Street Station is located in the city centre and about 5min by foot from Birmingham New Street Station. Station facilities include ticket office and vending machines, WC, free Wi-Fi, ATM, wait rooms, shops and refreshment facilities. This station is accessible to disabled passengers with hours of operation from M-F: 5:40 a.m. to 00:10 a.m., Sa: 5:55 a.m. to 11:55 p.m., Su: 8:40 a.m. to 00:10 a.m. Birmingham Snow Hill Station is located in the city centre about 3min by car or 2min by foot from Birmingham city centre and is the least commonly used of all rail stations in the city. Station facilities include ticket office with vending machines, WC, wait rooms, some shops and refreshment facilities. This station is accessible to disabled passengers with hours of operations from M-F: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sa: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Su: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Birmingham International Station is the railway station serving Birmingham Airport with rail National Rail network links from across the UK and is about 14 miles (22.5 km) by car from Central Birmingham but is also accessible via metro from the city centre. Station facilities include ticket office with vending machines, WC, free Wi-Fi, ATM, waiting rooms, First Class lounge, shops and refreshment facilities. This station is accessible to disabled passengers with hours of operation from M-F: 5:40 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sa: 6:15 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Su: 8:15 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Onboard facilities

You are allowed two pieces of luggage and one handpiece on Avanti West Coast trains which must fit into the overhead racks, under the seat or in luggage compartments. You are allowed to travel with pets provided they are properly leashed/muzzled and stored in an appropriate carrier though this does not apply to assistance animals which travel without restrictions. Folding bikes should be stored in overhead racks while regular bicycles must be reserved at the time of booking due to limited space onboard trains. You can take advantage of the at-seat food and drink ordering service so you never have to move in order to find refreshments When you are hungry.

All Avanti West Coast trains are accessible to disabled passengers and Wi-Fi service is free to all passengers. Due to the limited storage space on CrossCountry trains you are only allowed one case plus a handpiece on trains to Birmingham which should be stored under the seat, overhead or in the luggage compartments provided with charges applying to oversized cases. Wi-Fi service is free with usage restricted to basic functions (no streaming media).

You can bring you bike with you as long as space is reserve for it at the time you purchase your ticket. Folding bikes should be stored and secured in overhead tracks or luggage compartment. Two small pets are allowed per passenger provided you transport them in appropriate carriers with leads for dogs except in the case of assistance animals. CrossCountry does provide a catering car where you can purchase refreshments like snacks and hot or cold beverages but there is no trolley service in-transit.

Train tickets to Birmingham: useful to know

On Avanti West Coast trains you can travel Standard or First Class with fare classifications for Anytime, Advance and Off-peak ticket types and First Class being the most premium fare with upgraded onboard benefits. You can purchase tickets online and take advantage of any available discounts such as special rates for students, children and seniors or affordable programs such as the Family and Friends special which is ideal for larger groups. There are terms and conditions applicable to each ticket class regarding cancellations, changes or refunds so you should be familiar with them before buying your tickets.

Not all stations are equipped with kiosks for printing tickets so it’s a good idea to travel with a hardcopy just in case and have at least one form of valid ID on your person. On Omio buying train tickets to Birmingham is fast and easy and can be stored in your Omio account. CrossCountry also offers Anytime, Off-peak, Advance and First Class tickets for travel on all their trains including service to Birmingham. You can generally purchase adult single fares for a Birmingham train at reduced prices online and CrossCountry also offers special rates for children and groups as well as seniors and students but be advised that student and seniors may be requested to produce ID at the time of purchase.

As usual there are terms and conditions applicable to all ticket classes regarding refunds, changes and cancellations so be sure of which tickets is best for you prior to purchase. it is suggested you make a hardcopy of your ticket since all stations do not have kiosks where you can print them and travel with at least one form of valid ID. On Omio buying tickets to Birmingham is fast and easy and can be stored in your Omio account.

Birmingham St George. Source: Shutterstock

To Birmingham by train: travel tips

As the second city in England Birmingham including its greater metropolitan area has a rich and diverse cultural identity to rival that of its more famous neighbour to the south. It is reputed that the Industrial Revolution actually began in Birmingham and all around the city you can find evidence of its former prominence like the preserved Birmingham Back to Back houses which were erected for the working classes who worked the coal mines and other heavy industries of the period.

Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, about nine miles outside Birmingham city centre is a reconstructed industrial town and represents another insight into life in Birmingham during the Victorian era. If you intend to explore Birmingham via public transportation its best to purchase a Swift Card which can be used on the west Midland Network which manages the bus, commuter and suburban trains, metro and tram services in the metro area and is far cheaper and convenient if you’re in town for a few days.

Some of Birmingham’s grandest buildings rank among its most popular attractions which is expected considered a city of its size and importance. Chief among these would have to be Birmingham Town Hall which houses an impressive Symphony Hall and the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, both of which are located in the heart of the city centre and are fascinating examples of Victorian age architecture.

There are also a few contemporary design marvels as well such as the Birmingham Science Museum (Thinktank), Herbert Art Gallery and Museum and the beguiling wonder known as the Library of Birmingham. Perhaps the greatest standing structure in all of Birmingham and indeed anywhere else in the Midlands would have to be Warwick Castle. Immortalised in history and literature thanks to Shakespeare it is truly an enchanting attraction for all ages.

In addition to hosting one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day festivals in Europe Birmingham offers a yearly calendar of events showcasing the city’s rich diversity including the Birmingham Indian Film Festival (June), Mostly Jazz, Funk and Soul Festival (July) as well as Moseley Folk and Arts Festival (September).

Trains to Birmingham from London	duration: 1h22	from £8.00
Trains to Birmingham from Bristol	duration: 1h23	from £16.40
Trains to Birmingham from Manchester	duration: 1h29	from £11.40
Trains to Birmingham from Glasgow	duration: 4h05	from £38.00
Trains to Birmingham from Liverpool	duration: 1h44	from £9.50
Trains to Birmingham from Nottingham	duration: 1h14	from £8.90

Trains to Birmingham FAQs

Trains to Birmingham

Birmingham, located in the Midlands, is well connected to much of the UK by extensive rail networks. The main operator of trains to Birmingham is London Midland with regular services operating in and out of Birmingham to most major cities in the country. The main train station for Birmingham city centre is Birmingham New Street. Nearby, Birmingham Moor Street, Snow Hill and Birmingham International stations are also available. All of these stations are readily accessible via public transport links of buses and local trains. See below for further information about travelling from, to and around Birmingham.

Main Companies and Routes for Trains to Birmingham

Train Operating Company	Route	Price
	Trains from London to Birmingham	From £8
	Trains from Manchester to Birmingham	From £10.90
	Trains from Liverpool to Birmingham	From £9.50

Trains to Birmingham: Train Operating Companies & Ticket Information

Tips for booking cheap trains to Birmingham

Trains to Birmingham: Station Information and Travel to the city centre