Norwich to Birmingham New Street Trains From £12.65*

While there are no direct services from Norwich to Birmingham New Street, with a quick change from an East Midlands Railway train onto a CrossCountry service at Peterborough, you can still be in Birmingham in just under 4 hours. Leaving the City of Stories, your Norwich to Birmingham New Street train will carry you past Norfolk’s wide fields and rivers, through market towns and the cathedral city of Ely across the fens into the heart of Birmingham.

Centred around the Midland Main Line, East Midlands Railway connects London St Pancras with key cities in the Midlands including Leicester, Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield, while CrossCountry stretches from Penzance in Cornwall to Aberdeen in Scotland, linking major destinations such as Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Leeds.

Departing from Norwich

Just a ten-minute walk from the city centre and Norwich Castle, Norwich railway station is the main rail hub for the city and the northern terminus of the Great Eastern Main Line.

Managed by Greater Anglia, Norwich station offers regular services to London Liverpool Street, Stansted Airport, Cambridge, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Sheringham, with East Midlands Railway trains also running direct services to Liverpool via Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester. 

The station is readily accessible with 70 parking spaces, cycle storage, a drop-off point, taxi rank and fully step-free with level access to all platforms as well as waiting areas, shops, food outlets and accessible toilets.

Main stops

With one change at Peterborough, set off on your Norwich to Birmingham New Street journey aboard an East Midlands Railway service, calling at Thetford and Ely before changing. From Peterborough, your next CrossCountry train will pass through Stamford, Oakham, Melton Mowbray, Leicester, Nuneaton and Coleshill Parkway before arriving into Birmingham New Street.

Arriving at Birmingham New Street

Stepping off the train at Birmingham New Street, you’ll find yourself right in the centre of town, just moments away from Grand Central shopping and the iconic Bullring.

With frequent services throughout the West Midlands as well as direct trains to London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Liverpool and Birmingham Airport, Birmingham New Street is one of the UK’s key rail gateways, served by Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, West Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway and Transport for Wales.

The station’s central location makes it an easy starting point from which to explore Birmingham’s highlights – from Victoria Square and the city’s Victorian back-to-back houses to the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and canalside cafés and bars. Whether it’s shopping, culture, history or a family trip to Cadbury World, everything here is within easy reach.

East Midlands Railway train classes 

• Standard Class: Travel in comfort with East Midlands Railway with free Wi-Fi, at-seat plug sockets, and either tray tables or, on Meridian trains, full-size tables. On some journeys, you can also take advantage of a trolley service offering light snacks and refreshments.
• First Class: There is no first class service available on East Midlands Railway’s Norwich to Birmingham New Street route.

East Midlands Railway travel advice

Prepare for your Norwich to Birmingham New Street journey with this quick guide to all the essentials – from luggage and bikes to travelling with children, pets and accessibility support.

• Luggage: Passengers can bring up to three items on board free of charge, including suitcases, backpacks or carry-ons. Larger bags should be stowed in overhead racks, under your seat or in dedicated luggage areas.
• Bicycles: All East Midlands Railway services welcome bikes without a reservation on a first-come, first-served basis. Please keep bikes in designated bike or luggage storage areas, ensuring aisles and wheelchair spaces are kept clear.
• Children: Under-fives can travel for free, while children aged 5-15 can get 50% off regular fares in both standard and first class. Teenagers aged 16-17 can also unlock half-price tickets all year round with a 16-17 Saver Railcard.
• Pets: Passengers can bring up to two pets on board at no extra cost. Dogs must stay on a lead, while smaller animals should be transported in secure carriers. Pets are not allowed on seats.
• Passenger Assist: If you need a little extra help with boarding, handling luggage, navigating stations or reserving a wheelchair space, you can book Passenger Assist in advance at the time of purchasing your ticket, through the app, or by asking staff at larger stations on the day of travel.

CrossCountry train classes

• Standard Class: Settle in aboard your Norwich to Birmingham New Street train with CrossCountry and enjoy free Wi-Fi and comfortable seating. Many services also offer onboard dining, so you can pick up drinks and snacks along the way.
• First Class: For a little extra comfort, travel from Norwich to Birmingham New Street First Class, with wider reclining seats, generous legroom and at-seat tables – ideal for both working and relaxing. On many services, you can also enjoy complimentary snacks and soft drinks right at your seat.

CrossCountry train travel advice

Travelling from Norwich to Birmingham New Street with CrossCountry? Here’s a handy guide to everything you need to know before you go – from luggage, bikes and family travel to pets and accessibility support.

• Luggage: Space onboard CrossCountry services is limited, so it’s recommended to travel with just one medium-sized bag if possible. On long-distance Voyager trains, larger cases can be stored in the racks in Coaches D and J.
• Bicycles: Standard bikes and e-bikes are welcome on CrossCountry services with a free reservation, though space is limited, so it’s best to book your spot in advance. Folding bikes can be taken onboard at any time without prior booking, but e-scooters are not permitted.
• Children: Kids under the age of five travel free of charge, while children aged 5-15 are eligible for half-price fares. Families can unlock even bigger discounts with a Family & Friends railcard, saving 60% on children’s fares and a third off adult tickets.
• Pets: Passengers can bring up to two pets on board free of charge. Dogs must be kept on a lead or in a secure carrier, and pets need to stay off the seats.
• Passenger Assist: If you need a little extra help with boarding, handling luggage or reserving a wheelchair space, you can book Passenger Assist in advance at the time of purchasing your ticket or by asking staff at your departure station on the day of travel.

  *Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.