Stafford to Birmingham New Street Trains From €6.60*

You can choose between three operators when taking the train from Stafford to Birmingham New Street: Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains and CrossCountry. Here's how they compare, so you can decide which is best for you:

• For the quickest journey: Take Avanti West Coast or CrossCountry — both run the fast services via Wolverhampton in around 30 minutes. Some Avanti West Coast trains skip Wolverhampton altogether and go direct to Birmingham New Street.
• For the cheapest fares: West Midlands Trains. This service takes longer as it stops at more stations, including Penkridge and Wolverhampton.
• Onboard facilities: Every service has at least one accessible toilet.
• Passenger assistance: Book at least 2 hours before travel through the Passenger Assistance app, by calling National Rail on 0800 022 3720 (option 1), or texting 60083 Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00.

How much is a train from Stafford to Birmingham? 

Fares from Stafford to Birmingham start from £5 for an Advance Single with West Midlands trains. These fares are non-refundable and you need to travel on the service you booked. For a more flexible Anytime Day Single ticket, expect to pay £14.70. These allow you to travel on any train and are refundable (minus a processing fee). 

Can I bring a bike on trains from Stafford to Birmingham New Street?

Yes, all operators allow you to travel for free with your bike, though the rules differ depending on who you travel with. Here are the rules for each operator:

• Avanti West Coast: You'll need to reserve a space by calling 0345 528 0253 (option 5) and there are four spots per train. For folding bikes with wheels under 20 inches, there's no need to reserve — just fold these down and store them in the luggage racks.
• West Midlands Trains: There's at least one space per service but this is allocated first-come, first-served. Folding bikes can go in the luggage racks when folded down.
• CrossCountry: This operator's trains have 2 bikes spaces onboard — one reserved and one that's allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. A reservation is strongly recommended, as the single unreserved space may already be taken. To book, call 03447 369 123 (option 4). 

The 25-mile journey from Stafford to Birmingham New Street takes around 30 minutes on the fastest direct service, with up to 4–5 trains per hour at peak times. 

Departing from Stafford

These are the most useful bus routes to reach the station from different parts of town and the surrounding areas: 

• Route 5: from Newport, Telford and Gnosall via Stafford town centre.
• Route 5A: from Telford and Donnington via the town centre, daily including Sundays.
• Route 9: from Stafford Highfields via the town centre, Mon–Sat only.
• Route 101: from Hanley, Stone and Trentham via the town centre, daily including Sundays.

If your bus doesn't go towards the station, it'll likely stop at Earl Street, Chell Road and Gaol Square Interchange. These are all just a 10–15 minute walk away. 

Stafford is a Category A station which means there's step-free access to all platforms. Toilets — including a unisex accessible one and Changing Places toilet — are available next to Platform 1. Other facilities include a sheltered waiting area, refreshments and shops. There's no public Wi-Fi at Stafford, so be sure to have data if you want to stay connected.

• Parking: Between the station car park on Railway Road and the Stafford Multi-storey car park next door, there are 519 spaces, including 14 accessible bays. Prices start from £12.50 on weekdays and £5.50 on weekends.
• Bikes: There are 84 bikes spaces on Platform 1 and 42 bikes spaces in Car Park 2 —  both are covered by CCTV. 
• Pets: Pets are allowed in the station. If you want to walk your dog before you arrive, Victoria Park is immediately next to the station — exit the main entrance and cross Station Road.

Onboard trains from Stafford to Birmingham New Street

• Best side for views: Sit on the left-hand side facing forward for Penk valley farmland and Cannock Chase to the east between Stafford and Penkridge. 
• The "you're nearly there" cue: You'll see the Rotunda tower and the glass roof of Grand Central appear on the right on the approach from Wolverhampton.

Arriving at Birmingham New Street

Here's what exits you'll need for different areas and attractions:

• Stephenson Street exit (Victoria Square side): for Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Victoria Square and Broad Street, and ICC and Symphony Hall.
• Hill Street exit (south): for the Bullring and Selfridges.
• Grand Central is directly above the station, reached by lifts and escalators from the concourse.

Here are some of the most useful bus routes for getting around from Birmingham New Street:

• Routes 61, 63, X20, X21 and X22: from Stop NS3 to the University of Birmingham, Selly Oak, Northfield and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
• Routes 45 and 47: from Stops NS4 and NS8 to Cotteridge, Kings Norton, Longbridge and Cadbury World.
• Routes 82 and 87: from Stop NS1 to City Hospital, Harborne, Oldbury and Midland Met University Hospital.
• Routes 12, 126 and X8: from Stop SH2 to Bearwood and Dudley town centre.

There's step-free access throughout (Birmingham New Street is a Category A), with lifts and escalators to all platforms. You'll find male, female, accessible and baby changing facilities between platforms 2 and 3a, 10 and 11a, and platforms 10 and 11b. 

Grand Central shopping centre, just above, has everything from shops to cinemas and food courts.

• Bikes: Birmingham New Street station has 58 sheltered and CCTV-covered bike spaces.
• Left luggage: There's a left-luggage desk on the station forecourt, next to the ticket barriers opposite platforms 10A and 11A. It's open Mon–Sat 07:00–23:00 and Sun 08:00–22:00.
• First Class Lounge: The Avanti West Coast lounge is on the concourse near Platforms 3–5, behind the ticket barriers. Avanti West Coast First Class ticket holders can access up to 1 hour after arrival.
• Pets: If you travelled with your dog, you can take them for a walk in Eastside City Park. This is around 12 minutes on foot from the Stephenson Street exit — head northeast along Corporation Street, then turn left along Curzon Street.