Birmingham Airport - BHX

Birmingham International Airport lies 10km south-east of the city centre. It's a small, compact airport with two terminals in one building. Terminal 1 serves most of the flights and houses Gates 40-68 as well as most of the shopping and dining facilities. Terminal 2 houses Gates 1-20 as well as some shops and dining options. 

The two main levels are:

• Ground floor: Arrivals. UK arrivals on the right and international arrivals on the left. Check-in desks are in the centre.
• First floor: Departures. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and lounges after security.

A new transit facility lets you stay airside when connecting with another flight, so you don't have to go through security. The Air-Rail Link monorail service takes you for free to the nearest train station, Birmingham International, and the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).

There's a train station near the airport (also for the National Exhibition Centre) and this is the quickest way into Birmingham. Trains don't run at night though, so if you're travelling late at night you may need to take a bus.

Train

The airport is well connected to over 100 towns and cities in Birmingham by various operators: Virgin Trains, West Midlands Railway/London Northwestern Railway, Cross Country and Transport For Wales. Here are some of the destinations by train provider:

Virgin Train: London Euston, Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton
West Midlands Railway/London Northwestern Railway: London Euston, Northampton, Milton Keynes, Birmingham New Street, Rugby
Cross Country: Manchester Piccadilly, Bournemouth, Birmingham New Street, London Euston, Northampton, Coventry
Transport For Wales: Shrewsbury, Aberystwyth, Holyheasd

To take these trains, you must first reach Birmingham International Station by taking the free monorail Air-Rail Link service. These trains run continuously and the journey takes less than two minutes. 

Cost: From GBP 2.40 one-way (depending on the time of day, or if you buy your ticket online)
Location: Take the airport monorail at stop D to Birmingham International Station

Taxi

Hackney carriages (black cabs) operate from the airport 24 hours a day. Taxis are metered, but you can secure a better price by pre-booking your taxi, either online or at the airport. Journey time into the city centre is around 20-30 minutes. 

Cost: Around GBP 30
Location: Taxi rank opposite the main airport entrance

Bus

There are currently three National Express buses which connect the Airport and/or Birmingham International Station.

Bus services:

X1 (connecting Birmingham City Centre and Coventry) - Bus stops K & J on-site
X12 (connecting Birmingham City Centre and Solihull) - Bus stops K & L on-site
75/75A (connecting Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham International Station) - Bus stops NB & SB at Birmingham International 

Cost: GBP 4.10 to Birmingham or Coventry, from GBP 4.00 for a day ticket
Tip: To save money, you can also travel on discount bus company, Megabus. Tickets can only be purchased online, for as little as GBP 1: www.megabus.co.uk

You'll find luggage trolleys at various locations throughout the airport. They cost GBP 1 or GBP 2 (non-refundable). There is also a GBP 0.40 surcharge on credit card payments.

Where to find trolley machines

Drop and Go Car Park: Two trolley machines which accept credit cards and coins. Car Park 1  - One trolley machine which accepts credit cards and coins. Car Park 3 - One trolley machine which accepts credit cards and coins. Next to Courtesy Bus Stop in Car Park 5 - One trolley machine which accepts credit cards and coins. Next to the Public Transport Bus Stops - One trolley machine which accepts credit cards and coins. You will also find trolley machines in the domestic and international baggage reclaim areas. All these machines accept credit cards and coins. Some also accept GBP 20, 10 and 5 notes and will give you change.

Luggage Point offers a plastic-wrapping service to help protect and secure your luggage. The prices are £7 for a standard suitcase and £10 for larger items (e.g. pushchairs, skis, golf clubs). You'll find Luggage Point on the ground floor, at the check-in area of North Terminal, next to American Express.

There are no designated areas with public power outlets. However many of them can be found throughout the airport.

Baby change rooms are located next to all women's toilets throughout Birmingham Airport.

Located on the first floor of the main terminal (departure section), GameGrid offers a range of video games and rides to keep the kids amused.

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