Getting around Birmingham

With over 10 million travellers passing through its boarding gates each year, Birmingham Airport is a busy transport hub. Only five miles from the centre of the city, it’s a short car journey before you can get your stay off to a great start. Remember, our Birmingham NEC hotel is conveniently located right on the doorstep of the airport.

With stops at the airport terminal and Birmingham International Station, it’s simple and quick to hop on a bus into town. Take one of the five bus services and you’ll be in the city centre within an hour for under £3. Birmingham Airport is connected to Birmingham International Station by a free Air-Rail Link system. Jump on the monorail for a two minute ride to the station. From here, a ticket to the city centre costs £5.

Operating 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, you’ll find licensed black cabs directly outside the terminal. Within 45 minutes and for a fare of around £30, you’ll arrive in the city centre ready to start your trip.

Whether you’re enjoying the city centre, visiting the leafy suburbs, or wandering the beautiful surrounding countryside, you’ll find it easy to get around Birmingham. Exploring on foot is a great way to see the amazing architecture and historical sights the city has to offer. But if you’re heading further afield or having a big night out, there are plenty of transport options.

With a huge network linking everyone to everything, Birmingham’s buses are great. Check out the Network West Midlands website for up to date timetables and prices as you’ll need the exact fare if you’re paying on board. Staying out late? Getting back to your Premier Inn in Birmingham is no problem as many of the bus routes run 24/7.

Opening in 1999, the Midland Metro tram line runs from Wolverhampton to Birmingham. Journeys are quick and easy with trams running every six to eight minutes during the day, and every 15 minutes on evenings and Sundays. Find out the best ticket option for you on the Network West Midlands website.

Or what about seeing the city by boat? Not the quickest way to travel but definitely the most interesting, taking to Birmingham’s canals can turn your journey into a sightseeing trip. Head to Gas Street Basin near Brindleyplace and jump on board a barge for a short summer day trip or a relaxing narrow boat holiday.

The miles of canals and compact city centre make cycling a great way to explore Birmingham. You can hire a Brompton folding bike from a number of docks throughout the city centre. You’ll need to register online, but once that’s done you can explore the city on two wheels for £5 a day. Remember at Premier Inn we welcome cyclists and we’re always here to make sure you get a good night’s sleep before a day on two wheels.

Whether you’re traveling to Birmingham for business or pleasure, let the train take the strain - there’s plenty of them, because a train leaves New Street Station every 37 seconds.

The city is at the heart of the National Rail network and has three main stations. Its biggest, New Street Station, serves a whopping 52 million passengers a year and a recent refurb has turned it into a shopping mecca with the arrival of the gleaming Grand Central retail mall above the station.

Staying in a hotel near New Street Station will put you in pole position if you’re travelling to London Euston, Manchester, Liverpool, the North West and Scotland.

A six-minute walk from New Street Station, the Grade II-listed Moor Street Station is not only easy on the eye, it serves local routes as well as providing direct services to London Marylebone.

Finally, there’s Birmingham Snow Hill Station for local trains on the Snow Hill Lines. Head here if you’re going to Worcester, Kidderminster, Stratford-upon-Avon or Solihull.  You can also pick up a tram to Bull Street in the city centre.