Trains to Birmingham

Birmingham is the UK's busiest railway hub outside London and is CrossCountry's national hub. The city and its surrounding region boast an extensive network of local and suburban railways. Consequently, Birmingham enjoys many main rail connections and coverage with other major cities and towns, including London, Manchester, Nottingham, Liverpool, and Leeds, making Birmingham highly convenient for both tourists and commuters. Here are three key routes to Birmingham for your travel.

London to Birmingham

Direct trains from London Euston to Birmingham New Street offer a fast and seamless journey, typically taking 1 hour and 17 minutes. Travel affordably while enjoying modern onboard amenities such as power outlets and free Wi-Fi.

Manchester to Birmingham

Travel from Manchester Piccadilly to Birmingham New Street with direct trains operated by CrossCountry. The fastest journeys take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, with around 50 trains departing daily from Manchester.

Nottingham to Birmingham

Frequent high-speed trains from Nottingham get you to Birmingham New Street in 1 hour and 8 minutes (the fastest journey), offering smooth and seamless travel. When onboarding the trains, you can usually enjoy amenities such as Wi-Fi, food services, and various seating options.

When traveling to or from Birmingham, you can choose from three main stations: Birmingham New Street, the principal railway station, connects to major cities like London Euston, Coventry, and Edinburgh. It is a key hub in the UK rail network; Birmingham Moor Street, known for its charm, serves trains from London Marylebone and the southern cities; Birmingham Snow Hill, located near St Philip's Cathedral and the main shopping areas. These stations offer convenient access to Birmingham for travelers.

Birmingham New Street Train Station

Birmingham New Street Station is the largest and busiest of the three main railway stations in Birmingham and a major national hub for UK railway services. Located in the west of Birmingham city center, the station offers direct connections to cities such as London Euston in the southeast, Manchester Piccadilly in the north, and Bristol in the south, providing convenient access for travelers.

Just outside Birmingham New Street Station, a short walk down to the Old Rep Theatre, you can enjoy comedy and musicals in Britain's first purpose-built repertory theatre. Additionally, you can visit the Birmingham Back to Backs, located just 0.4 km from the station. Please note that this attraction is accessible only through guided tours, which must be booked in advance. Meanwhile, you can take a bus or other transport to Birmingham's No. 1 business, leisure, and tourist destination—Brindleyplace, where you can appreciate the city's canals.

Birmingham Moor Street Train Station

Birmingham Moor Street Station is one of the three main railway stations in Birmingham. The station runs local services on the Snow Hill Lines and longer-distance services to London Marylebone via the Chiltern Main Line. This station offers convenient connections to other cities such as London, Solihull, and Oxford, making it ideal for travelers and commuters.

Located in the city center, Birmingham Moor Street is the second busiest station in Birmingham. It is situated approximately 400 yards (370 meters) from New Street Station, and you can change trains with a short walk through a tunnel under the Bullring shopping center. While visiting there, you can also enjoy shopping at the Bullring. Nearby, you can visit St. Martin, one of Birmingham's most ancient and contemporary buildings, where you are welcome to worship.

Birmingham Snow Hill Train Station

As one of Birmingham's three railway stations, Snow Hill is the northernmost. Today, Snow Hill Station primarily offers local rail services to destinations such as Worcester Shrub Hill, Kidderminster, Stourbridge Junction, and Solihull. The only long-distance service is to and from London Marylebone.

The station is located near St Philip’s Cathedral, England's third-largest cathedral and a popular tourist attraction, making it easy to visit this historic site. Additionally, it is a short distance from the west side of Birmingham University's main campus, providing convenient travel for students. You can also explore Winterbourne House and Garden, a unique heritage attraction featuring beautiful antiques and over 6,000 plant species worldwide, perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Birmingham Airport, an international airport located 8.1 miles (13 km) east-southeast of Birmingham city center, is the seventh busiest airport in the UK. It is directly connected to over 100 towns and cities via the nearby Birmingham International Station. Trains to Birmingham Airport run from Birmingham New Street (9–18 minutes) and other cities like London and Manchester.

• Birmingham New Street to Birmingham International Station: The fastest direct train takes about 9 minutes, followed by the Air-Link shuttle bus to the airport.
• Coventry to Birmingham International Station: Take direct trains with the fastest journey of about 8 minutes to the station.
• Northampton to Birmingham International Station: The journey from Northampton to Birmingham International Station usually takes 1 hour and 32 minutes.

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