Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central Trains From £11.50*

Take a direct Avanti West Coast train from Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central and arrive into Scotland’s vibrant cultural capital in just over four hours. 

Journey from the industrial heart of Birmingham to Scotland’s wild beauty, travelling through England’s rolling countryside. Enjoy glimpses of the Lake District and Scotland’s sweeping hills before arriving beneath Glasgow’s grand Victorian skyline.

Running high-speed services along the West Coast Main Line between London Euston and Scotland, Avanti West Coast provides fast, direct connections to key cities, including Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Departing from Birmingham New Street

Located in the very heart of the city, Birmingham New Street is the Midlands’ busiest rail hub and a key interchange linking Birmingham with destinations all across the UK.

Managed by Network Rail, Birmingham New Street station offers step-free access throughout, along with a wide range of shops, cafés and a first class lounge. Getting to and from the station is quick and easy, with excellent transport links right outside, including bus stops, taxi ranks and the Midland Metro. 

With regular services operated by Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, London Northwestern Railway, Transport for Wales and West Midlands Railway, passengers can reach a wide variety of destinations from Birmingham New Street all across the UK, including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, Edinburgh and beyond.

Main stops

Make your way from Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central aboard a faster Avanti West Coast service through Lancashire with stops at Sandwell & Dudley, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe, Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western, Preston (Lancs), Lancaster, Carlisle, and Motherwell before arriving in Scotland’s largest city. Alternatively, CrossCountry offers a longer, more scenic route through Yorkshire and the northeast, calling at Tamworth, Derby, Chesterfield, Sheffield, Wakefield Westgate, Leeds, York, Darlington, Durham, Newcastle, Alnmouth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Edinburgh (Waverley), Haymarket and Motherwell before entering into Glasgow Central. 

Arriving at Glasgow Central

With its soaring glass roof, Glasgow Central is a landmark station, and the busiest station in all of Scotland, offering regular connections to destinations all across the UK. With bus stops, taxis, and the subway just outside, exploring the city from here couldn’t be easier.

Managed by Network Rail, Glasgow Central is served by ScotRail, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express and the Caledonian Sleeper, with frequent trains running to Edinburgh, Ayr, Largs and Carlisle, as well as regular services to London Euston, Manchester, Liverpool and Plymouth.

Step off the train at Glasgow Central and you’re instantly in the heart of Scotland’s cultural capital, just moments from the designer boutiques of Buchanan Street, the buzzing bars and restaurants of Merchant City, and the city’s legendary nightlife and music scene. You can also wander up to Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis, admire Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s architectural gems, or explore the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum for a quick dose of history and culture.

Avanti West Coast train classes 

• Standard Class: Stay connected onboard your Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central train with free Wi-Fi and plug sockets at selected seats. You can also pre-order food and drinks from the onboard café via Avanti’s Click & Collect service.
• Standard Premium: Upgrade to standard premium and enjoy spacious seats, extra legroom and power sockets at every window seat – ideal for working or unwinding on the go.
• First Class: Travel from Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central first class and make the most of wider reclining seats, generous legroom and complimentary at-seat dining, including alcoholic drinks.

Avanti West Coast train travel advice

Make sure you’re prepared for your Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central train with Avanti West Coast thanks to this quick travel guide, featuring everything from luggage and bike storage to family travel, pets and accessibility support.

• Luggage: Passengers can bring up to three items onboard Avanti West Coast services free of charge, including suitcases, rucksacks and smaller bags. Larger items should be stowed in overhead racks, under seats and in dedicated luggage areas to ensure aisles and doorways are kept clear.
• Bicycles: Both standard bikes and e-bikes are welcome onboard Avanti West Coast trains with a free reservation, though space is limited, so booking ahead is recommended. Folding bikes can travel on any service at any time when folded and stored as luggage. E-scooters are not permitted.
• Children: Kids under five travel free of charge, while children aged 5-15 can get 50% off standard fares when travelling with a fare-paying adult. Teenagers can also unlock half-price tickets with a 16-17 Saver railcard.
• Pets: Passengers can bring up to two pets onboard free of charge – just keep dogs on a lead or in a carrier, and make sure all animals stay off seats.
• Passenger Assist: If you need extra support with boarding, handling luggage or navigating stations, you can pre-book Passenger Assist when you buy your ticket, or ask staff at the station for help on the day of travel.

Board a direct CrossCountry train from Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central and arrive in around 6 hours and 20 minutes, ready to dive straight into Glasgow’s vibrant energy and unmistakably Scottish spirit.

Watch the landscape transform from dramatic hills and winding rivers to the rugged moorland of southern Scotland, as you travel aboard your Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central train into Scotland’s largest city.

Spanning the length of Britain from Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands, CrossCountry operates one of the nation’s widest-reaching long-distance rail networks. With Birmingham as its central hub, the network links major destinations such as Bristol, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh.

CrossCountry train classes 

• Standard Class: Whether you’re on a long-distance Voyager or a regional Turbostar train, travel in comfort with free Wi-Fi and generous legroom with the option of onboard catering, so you can grab a snack or drink on the go.
• First Class: Travel Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central first class for a more relaxing experience with reclining seats, extra legroom and tables – ideal for either working or relaxing. On most services, you can also enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks served directly to your seat.

CrossCountry train travel advice

Whether you’re travelling with luggage, bikes, children or pets, or in need of assistance, here’s everything you need to know before boarding your CrossCountry service from Birmingham New Street to Glasgow Central.

• Luggage: As space onboard is limited, CrossCountry advises passengers to bring only one medium-sized bag onboard. On Voyager trains, in coaches D and J, there are dedicated luggage racks for storing larger items.
• Bicycles: Standard bikes and e-bikes are welcome on board CrossCountry services with a free reservation, which can be booked in advance. Folding bikes can travel at any time and on any service without pre-booking. E-scooters are not permitted.
• Children: Kids under five travel free of charge, while children aged 5-15 can get 50% off standard fares. Families can save even more with a Family & Friends railcard, offering a third off adult fares and 60% off children’s tickets, while teenagers can secure half-price tickets with  a 16-17 Saver railcard
• Pets: Passengers can bring up to two pets on board CrossCountry services at no extra cost. Dogs must be kept on a lead or transported in a secure carrier, and are not allowed on seats.
• Passenger Assist: If you need help boarding, handling luggage or finding your way around the station, you can pre-book assistance when you buy your ticket, or request help from staff on the day of travel.