Birmingham International to Birmingham New Street Trains From €2.80*

Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street are linked by one of the UK's busiest rail corridors, with the route being operated by Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, Transport for Wales and West Midlands Railway. The journey covers approximately 8 miles, with more than 150 direct services.

Trains run from early morning until late evening, with departures usually every 5 to 10 minutes. Fast intercity services can complete the journey in as little as 9 minutes, while stopping commuter trains generally take between 11 and 18 minutes.

The table below compares the main operators serving this route, helping you choose the best option based on speed, comfort, flexibility, and onboard facilities.

• Fastest operator: Avanti West Coast and CrossCountry both offer journey times from around 9 minutes.
• Most frequent services: West Midlands Railway operates the largest number of departures throughout the day.
• Good value option: Transport for Wales services are competitively priced while still offering modern onboard facilities.

Travelling between Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street is one of the quickest rail journeys in the West Midlands.

Departure from Birmingham International 

• Air-Rail Link: The free automated Air-Rail Link connects Birmingham Airport terminals directly with the station concourse in approximately 90 seconds.
• National Express West Midlands buses: Frequent local and regional bus services stop outside the station, providing direct links to Birmingham city centre, Solihull, Coventry, and surrounding areas.
• NEC access: A covered pedestrian route links the station directly to the National Exhibition Centre, making rail the easiest way to reach major exhibitions and events.

• Platforms 1 to 5: All train services operate from five platforms positioned below the main ticket hall and station concourse.
• Express departures: Avanti West Coast and CrossCountry services frequently use Platforms 1 and 4, although platform allocations can change.
• Step-free access: Lifts and escalators connect the concourse with every platform, ensuring full accessibility throughout the station.

If you need refreshments before travelling, the station concourse offers several convenient options. Starbucks provides hot drinks and light snacks, while WHSmith is ideal for meal deals, newspapers, and travel essentials.

Onboard trains from Birmingham International to Birmingham New Street

Trains on this route can reach speeds approaching 90 mph on faster services, making this one of the quickest airport-to-city-centre rail connections in the UK.

• Sit on the right-hand side for the best views of Birmingham's expanding skyline as the train approaches the city centre and New Street station.
• Sit on the left-hand side shortly after departure, for close-up views of aircraft movements and airport operations around Birmingham Airport.

• National Exhibition Centre (NEC): The train passes alongside one of Europe's largest exhibition venues, with its distinctive exhibition halls visible immediately after departure.
• Birmingham Airport: Runways, aircraft stands, and airport infrastructure can be seen clearly from several sections of the route.
• Bullring district skyline: As the train approaches New Street, views of the Bullring area and central Birmingham begin to emerge above the surrounding buildings.

Arriving at Birmingham New Street

• For Grand Central and the Bullring: Follow signs to the main concourse exit for direct access to Grand Central Shopping Centre and the Bullring retail district.
• For taxis: Follow signs towards the Southside and Stephenson Street exits, where the station's main taxi rank operates throughout the day.
• For the business district: Use the Navigation Street exit for the quickest walking route towards Colmore Row and Birmingham's commercial centre.
• For Birmingham Moor Street: Exit via the eastern side of the station and follow the clearly marked pedestrian route between the two stations.
• For hotels around the station: The Stephenson Street and Hill Street exits provide the most direct access to many nearby city-centre hotels.

• West Midlands Metro: Trams depart from nearby stops, providing direct services towards the Jewellery Quarter, Wolverhampton, and intermediate destinations.
• National Express West Midlands buses: Extensive bus services operate from nearby stops around Smallbrook Queensway and Moor Street.
• Birmingham Moor Street station: Located around five minutes away on foot, offering services towards Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, and the Chiltern route to London.
• Birmingham Snow Hill station: Approximately 10 minutes away on foot, providing additional regional rail connections across the West Midlands.

Grand Central, the Bullring, Victoria Square, Birmingham Cathedral, and the city's main shopping streets are all reachable within 5 to 10 minutes. Most central attractions are connected by pedestrian-friendly routes, so no shuttle buses or additional transport are required for visitors staying or sightseeing in the city centre.