Nottingham to Birmingham train with CrossCountry

Trains from Nottingham to Birmingham

The trains from Nottingham to Birmingham run seven days a week on a frequent basis. There are about 2-4 trains per hour on average from Monday to Sunday. The shortest time taken to cover this route by train is 1h 5min and the longest is 2 hours. The average time for this journey is about 1h 30min.

Nottingham to Birmingham Train Time: Daily Departures

If you want to travel by train from Nottingham to Birmingham, you have ample choice throughout the day. Trains operate frequently from a little after 05:00 to after 22:00 on weekdays. The first train is around 06:00 on Saturdays and after 08:00 on Sundays, with the last train at weekends operating between 21:00 and 22:00. For more accurate departure times please, follow this link Nottingham to Birmingham. On average, there are 3-4 trains per hour except for Sundays when the frequency decreases to 2 trains per hour. The daily average of trains from Nottingham to Birmingham is around 50-60.

How long is the journey by train from Nottingham to Birmingham?

It takes about 1h 30min on average to reach Birmingham from Nottingham by train. The slowest train will get you to Birmingham in about 2h and the fastest in 1h 5min. Most trains run direct on this 45-mile (72 km) route, but there are some requiring one transfer, depending on the time and carrier.

Traditional architecture in Nottingham. Source: Shutterstock

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Nottingham to Birmingham?

Departure train station: Trains from Nottingham to Birmingham depart from Nottingham train station on Carrington Street. It is about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) south of the city centre and takes no more than 8min to reach by bus or tram. You can catch either of them right outside the terminal. Nottingham train station is accessible for people with limited mobility, and wheelchairs can be used throughout the station. Staff is also available all day long to provide assistance. The station is well-equipped with ATMs, cafes, retail shops, and trolleys and is directly linked with the East Midlands Airport via Skylink.

Arrival train station: Trains from Nottingham train station arrive at Birmingham New Street train station. It is ideally located, very close to the heart of the city centre at only about 0.2 miles (200 meters) away. Do take the Stephenson Street exit if you are headed to the city centre. Besides some eating and shopping options, the train station has ATMs, photo booths, wheelchair access, accessible restrooms, and waiting rooms. There are luggage trolleys and a Left Luggage facility where you can store your bags, as well as free Wi-Fi and drinking water fountains for your convenience.

Which train companies travel from Nottingham to Birmingham?

There are two main train providers from Nottingham to Birmingham, namely East Midlands Railway and CrossCountry. The direct trains on this route are run by CrossCountry, whereas the trains with one transfer are run by East Midlands Railway. The transfer stop is usually in Leicester or Derby, and from here, passengers board the train operated by CrossCountry. The last train on weekdays after 22:00 is operated by Northern Rail and requires one transfer before it reaches Birmingham. CrossCountry trains are high-speed trains as opposed to the other two companies. On this route, the fare depends on the time and day of travel and not on the train operator.

Night trains Nottingham

The last train from Nottingham to Birmingham on weekdays is between 22:00 and 23:00 and takes on average 1h 30min to reach its destination. It is not a direct train, and commuters have to make one transfer in Derby. At weekends, the last train is between 21:00 and 22:00, and on Saturday night, the last train runs direct to Birmingham.

East Midlands Railway trains from Nottingham to Birmingham

Nottingham train station is managed by East Midlands Railway, the operator of all trains from Nottingham to Birmingham with one transfer. There are at least two trains per hour on a daily basis on this route, taking between 1h 15min and 2 hours to cover the distance.

CrossCountry trains from Nottingham to Birmingham

The trains operated by CrossCountry run direct to Birmingham from Nottingham train station. The fastest train covers the distance in 1h 5min. The average time for trains operated by CrossCountry is 1h 30min. The company operates a fleet of high-speed trains from Nottingham to Birmingham, and they run 2-3 trains per hour every day.

Northern Rail trains from Nottingham to Birmingham

The last train of the day from Nottingham to Birmingham, between 22:00 and 23:00 during the week, is operated by Northern Rail. Even though there is always one transfer in Derby on this train route, it does not take too long to reach Birmingham. On average it takes about 1h 20min to cover the distance, and if you plan a little ahead, this can be the cheapest as well as the fastest train to Birmingham.

Trains from Nottingham to Birmingham: Sustainability travel

Trains are considered the cleanest mode of mass transport. Nearly half of the trains in the UK are run on electricity, making them more eco-friendly. Having a well-served railway system where trains operate frequently on a daily basis, including trains from Nottingham to Birmingham, helps us move in the right direction towards sustainable travel. Most trains have a lifecycle of at least 50 years, therefore decreasing the frequent use of non-renewable resources.

Train Nottingham to Birmingham: Services on Board

CrossCountry trains and Midlands Railway trains from Nottingham to Birmingham offer both Standard- and First-Class seating areas. Both companies let you bring your bicycle on board, provided you have made a reservation in advance. Three pieces of luggage per passenger are allowed on these trains. These include a large suitcase, a small rucksack, and a handbag. There are a number of priority seats for the disabled, elderly, and expectant mothers when you travel to Birmingham from Nottingham by train. In the First-Class seating area, you can use the electric sockets for charging your phones and laptops. There is a two-pet policy on board the trains on this route. Dogs, cats, birds, and other small pets are allowed to accompany you. All trains have restrooms and offer a limited amount of free Wi-Fi usage.

How to find cheap train tickets from Nottingham to Birmingham?

If you are looking for cheap train tickets from Nottingham to Birmingham, you should look two to three weeks in advance. Another way to find cheap tickets is to remain flexible with your travel plans, and sometimes last-minute deals can be cheaper than the regular ticket prices. Often, night trains and those operating off-peak hours offer more reasonable fares than rush-hour trains.

Victory Square in Birmingham. Source: Shutterstock

To Birmingham by train - travel tips

When in Birmingham, take some time to explore Victoria Square and the city centre. Here you will see the Town Hall that looks like an ornate Roman temple, the Council House with its Renaissance-style architecture, and the Symphony Hall with its exceptional auditorium. Take a tour of the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, with its displays of artwork from the Pre-Raphaelite painters. If you are travelling with kids, they might want to visit Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum and National SEA Life Centre. A hot spot for diverse cultures, you can dine out at French bistros, British pubs or try some spicy Indian cuisine in Birmingham. If you’re looking for more ideas on what to do in Birmingham, do visit the Omio online travel magazine The Window Seat.

• Cadbury World
• Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park
• Jewellery Quarter
• The Birmingham Botanical Gardens
• Brindleyplace or Canal Quarter