A Guide For Travelling To And From Birmingham Airport

Birmingham International Airport is the sixth busiest airport in the UK and handles over 10 million passengers every year. It has just published a master plan for its development until 2030, with the first major project being an extension to the main runway which is to be completed in time for the 2012 London Olympics. You can fly to most European cities from Birmingham International, on both scheduled and charter flights, and the airport also operate flights linking you to some of the major transport hubs including Manchester and Heathrow in the UK and Paris, Madrid and Zurich for flights to North America.

The airport is located just 10km east of Birmingham in Solihull, approximately five minutes from Junction 6 of the M42. It is easily accessible by car with the motorway network close by and direct links to M6, M5, M40, M1 and the new M6 Toll Road. Birmingham Airport also has great public transport communications links to railway stations, coaches and buses.

Some Birmingham Airport taxi Company operates nationwide covering all major UK airports. Therefore if you need Airport taxi hire London to Heathrow or Airport taxi hire East Midlands to Birmingham International airport this will not be a problem. The size of your party will determine the limo you need to hire. For a small party of say eight people you have a choice of any limo but to keep cost down the best choices are the traditional. If you want to hire a car, there are Lot Of Birmingham Airport taxi Company on the airport complex who have desks on the Millennium Link Walkway which connects both terminals. If you would rather travel by taxi, then there are plenty of Black Cabs at the official taxi rank which is immediately outside the passenger terminals. Black Cabs carry up to 5 people with luggage and are the only company at the airport licensed to operate without advance bookings. The journey to Birmingham City Centre will cost you about 16GBP.

If you would prefer to take a private transfer from the airport for guests, clients or for yourself or require a meet and greet service, then there are a number of private transfer and limousine companies to choose from at the airport or in its immediate environs,

It will take you approximately 45 minutes from landing to get to the arrivals area where you will find a Spar shop if you require any grocery essentials. An ATM cash machine is available and the bureau de change is always open during flight times. If you are departing from Birmingham Airport there are two check-in areas (with a total of 86 desks) in terminal 1 and terminal 2 so make sure you know which one your flight leaves from. For both terminals the check-in desks are on the ground floor of the main concourse and departures lounges are on the first floor. There are some shops, restaurants, cafes and bars in this area but the majority of them are in the Departures Lounge once you go through passport control and security. The Gallery Bar is a good place to sit and wait as it has excellent views over the runway.

The buses leave from opposite Terminal 2 (Bus and Coach Terminus) and there is an excellent bus and coach service from the airport to local areas with National Express operating a service to other parts of the country and other airports. Although there is no railway station located at the airport, Birmingham International train station is only a two minute journey away by a free shuttle (Air Link) service which runs every two minutes. From here there are connections to the National Exhibition Centre and New Street Station which is in the centre of Birmingham.

There are several options for car parking at Birmingham International Airport with short stay, multi-storey, long stay and VIP car parking. You cannot book the short stay car park but you can book the others. The long stay car park is the farthest away but this is serviced by a regular shuttle bus service which will drop you off and pick you up from the terminal buildings. It is also worth checking off-airport parking as this can often be much cheaper than parking on the complex.

If you have left something on the airplane, then contact the airline or lost property, but if your luggage has been lost in transit then you will need to contact the ground handling agents contracted by your airline. Left luggage facilities are also available at Birmingham Airport.

Birmingham Airport Information provides excellent amenities including children's facilities, disabled facilities, internet access, currency exchange/banking and veterinary facilities if you are traveling with your pet. You can also get details on the local weather with a 5 and 10 day forecast for Birmingham Airport.