Birmingham Airport is 13 km from the city center. The train makes this one of the cheapest and fastest airport-to-city trips in the UK.
Train — fast and affordable
Birmingham International station is connected to the airport terminal:
- Operator: West Midlands Railway, which lists singles on this route from £3.50
- What you pay: depends on ticket type and time of day — peak fares are higher than off-peak. Check the current fare with the operator before you travel.
- Journey: 12 minutes to Birmingham New Street
- Frequency: Every 10-15 minutes
- Buy tickets: At the station machines, the operator's app, or tap your contactless card
From New Street, you're in the heart of the city. Most hotels, the Bullring, and the business district are within walking distance.
Pro tip: If you have a contactless debit/credit card, just tap in and out. It charges the best fare automatically.
Bus — cheaper but slower
- Route 900: Direct to the city center
- Fare: £3 adult single, or £5.50 for an adult day ticket (National Express West Midlands, fares frozen/set from 28 June 2026; child single £1.50)
- Journey: 40-50 minutes
- Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes
The bus is the cheapest option but the time penalty isn't worth the saving for most people.
Uber and Bolt
| Service | Price to center | Wait |
|---|---|---|
| UberX | Dynamic — quoted in the app | 3-10 min |
| Uber Comfort | Dynamic — quoted in the app | 5-15 min |
| Bolt | Dynamic — quoted in the app | 3-10 min |
Fixed-price private transfer
BHX Solihull
From€47for 2 passengers
4 passengers: €71 per vehicle, about €18 per person
- Fixed price, no meter
- Flight tracked
- 60 min free waiting
- Driver meets you at arrivals
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
Other destinations
Ride-hailing prices surge with demand and weather, so the only reliable figure is the quote in the app when you land.
Prices surge during rush hour (M42 traffic), events at the NEC, and Friday/Saturday nights.
Taxi
Metered black cabs and private hire vehicles from the rank. Birmingham Airport does not publish a flat fare to any destination — its appointed taxi supplier quotes per journey, so ask at the taxi desk before you set off:
- To city center: metered or quoted
- To NEC: metered or quoted (it is only 2 km — walking is realistic)
- To Solihull: metered or quoted
Taxis are more expensive than Uber but require no app and are immediately available.
Pre-booked transfer
| Vehicle | Price to city (EUR) | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Economy sedan | €25-32 | 3 pax, 2 bags |
| Executive sedan | see the current price in our search | 3 pax, 3 bags |
| Minivan | see the current price in our search | 6-7 pax, 6 bags |
| Luxury (Mercedes) | €50-70 | 3 pax, 2 bags |
Complete comparison
| Transport | Cost | Time to center | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus (route 900) | £3 adult single | 40-50 min | Basic |
| Train | From £3.50 (operator's listed single) | 12 min | Good |
| Bolt | Dynamic — app quote | 25-35 min | Good |
| UberX | Dynamic — app quote | 25-35 min | Good |
| Taxi | Metered or quoted at the rank | 25-35 min | Good |
| Transfer (sedan) | Fixed, quoted at booking | 25-35 min | Premium |
Going to events at the NEC?
The National Exhibition Centre is literally next door — 2 km from the airport. You can walk (15 min), take a very short taxi, or use the shuttle services that run during major events.
Going further afield
Birmingham Airport is well-positioned for the Midlands:
| Destination | By train | By taxi |
|---|---|---|
| Coventry | 20 min | Metered or quoted |
| Warwick | 25 min | Metered or quoted |
| Stratford-upon-Avon | 45 min (with change) | Metered or quoted |
| London Euston | 75 min | Not practical |
| Manchester | 90 min | Not practical |
UK rail fares vary enormously by ticket type and how far ahead you book — an advance single and a walk-up anytime fare on the same train can differ several-fold. Check National Rail or the operating company for the fare on your date.
When a private transfer from BHX is the right choice
- Three or more people: a 4-seat car to Solihull is from €71, about €18 per person, usually level with or below separate public-transport tickets once you count the walk, the wait and the last mile with bags.
- Going to a specific address rather than the main station: the car goes to the door, so the public-transport fare is not the whole cost of the trip.
- Arriving tired or late: the driver waits at arrivals with your name, included for 60 minutes after landing.
BHX → Solihull from €47Fixed price, flight tracked, free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup.