About Birmingham Airport (BHX)

Serving the West Midlands region of England, Birmingham Airport links to numerous international and domestic routes. The airport, which is just 13km (8.1 mi) southeast of Birmingham city centre, is one of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom. Our Birmingham Airport guide includes information on airport facilities, transportation options and nearby hotels.

Airport news:

There are proposals for large-scale renovations to the airport, which included an additional terminal, as part of the airports Towards 2030 masterplan.

Information:

There are several information points located at various areas in the terminal complex, including desks providing airline and general airport information (close to the check-in area and the main entrance). The Visitor Centre, next to Arrivals, offers advice on accommodation and attractions within the Birmingham city area.

Website:

Driving directions:

Birmingham Airport is situated on the A45 Coventry road, close to junction 6 of the M42, to which there are direct connections from the M1, M5, M6 and M40 – the M6 toll road provides a faster alternative to the M6. The airport is signposted from the motorways.

From central Birmingham, either take the A45 Coventry Road eastbound to the airport site, or head east along the M6 and merge on the southbound M42 (turning off towards the airport at junction 6). The total drive time from central Birmingham to the airport is approximately 30 minutes.

Public Transport

Public transport road:

Bus: Network West Midlands buses (tel: +44 345 303 6760; www.networkwestmidlands.com) link Birmingham Airport to the surrounding districts. Bus X1 connects the airport to Birmingham and Coventry; bus 966 runs to Solihull and Erdington; and bus 97 links the airport to Birmingham city centre 24 hours a day. All buses stop outside the terminal. The journey time into central Birmingham is 45 minutes, and fares start at £2.30. Tickets can be purchased on the bus, or at the Visitor Centre.

Coach: National Express (tel: +44 871 781 8181; www.nationalexpress.co.uk) operates long-distance coach services to Birmingham and several other cities, as well as inter-airport coaches to London Luton, London Gatwick and London Stansted airports. The low-cost Megabus (tel: +44 141 352 4444; www.megabus.co.uk) also operates services to many destinations.

Taxi: Taxis (tel: +44 7376 859 569; www.airportranks.co.uk) are available from a rank outside the terminal. The journey to Birmingham city centre takes upwards of 25 minutes and costs around £25-30, depending on traffic conditions.

Public transport rail:

Rail: The free Air-Rail monorail links Birmingham Airport directly to nearby Birmingham International railway station in about two minutes. Frequent rail services with National Rail (tel: +44 345 748 4950; www.nationalrail.co.uk) connect Birmingham International with New Street station in the city centre (journey time: 12 minutes; fares start at £3.00). Various train operators run services to Manchester, London, Bournemouth, Northampton, Coventry and destinations in Wales. Tickets can be purchased at Birmingham International railway station or at the Visitor Centre within the terminal building.

Terminal facilities

Money:

Bureaux de change and ATM facilities are available at various points within the terminal.

Food:

There are a range of cafés, restaurants, bars and fast-food outlets both airside and land side at Birmingham Airport, including a champagne and wine bar in Departures.

Shopping:

There are numerous shops at Birmingham Airport, both pre- and post-security. Duty-free shopping is available for passengers which includes free beauty services such as hand massages and a 10 minute MAC makeover.

Luggage:

Lost property services at the airport are handled by Luggage Point (tel: +44 330 223 0893) in the check-in area of the terminal; a database of items found within the terminal is also available online via the airport’s website. Luggage storage facilities are also available from Luggage Point. Luggage trolleys are available for a £1 fee.

Other:

Other facilities available at Birmingham Airport include 24-hour medical centres, an aircraft viewing area, a smoking area, and a multi-faith prayer room.

Airport facilities

Conference and business:

Meeting rooms and general business facilities are available at the airport in the Comet Building, situated adjacent to the main terminal building. The business centre houses a range of 12 meeting rooms for up to 26 delegates, as well as Wi-Fi, refreshments, and scanning, printing and copying facilities. Two airport lounges are also housed within the terminal, offering meeting rooms and a quiet working environment.

Away from the airport, extensive business and meeting facilities are available in the adjacent Novotel Birmingham Airport hotel (tel: +44 121 619 9003; https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-1158-novotel-birmingham-airport/index.shtml).

Communication Facilities:

Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout Birmingham Airport. Postal services are also available at the airport. 

Disabled facilities:

Facilities for disabled passengers at the airport are good, with adapted toilets and lifts located within the terminal building, a Minicom system installed at the airport information desk, induction loops available for the hearing-impaired, and designated disabled parking spaces available in all car parks. For help with baggage and check-in, wheelchair provision and assistance, contact the OCS (tel: +44 121 767 7878) special assistance service prior to arrival – wheelchair rental and other assistance when boarding or disembarking must be arranged in advance through the relevant airline. The OCS also has a desk within the terminal.

Car parking:

Short- and medium-stay parking is available in three multi-storey car parks close to the terminal. The three long-term car parks, adjacent to the main A45 road, are linked to the terminal by shuttle buses. Valet parking is also available. For further parking information, contact NCP (tel: +44 345 050 7080; www.ncp.co.uk).

Car rental:

Car hire companies represented at Birmingham Airport include: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt. Desks for these operators are in Arrivals and the car hire collection/drop-off point is situated within walking distance of the terminal.