Getting from London to Birmingham is easy! Both cities are blessed with great transportation options and travelling between London and Birmingham is manageable even for a first-time visitor.
You can reach Birmingham from London by train, coach and rental car. The road distance between London and Birmingham is 117.7 miles or 188.3 kilometres while the direct distance is 164 kilometres or 102 miles. It takes about two hours and 30 minutes to travel this distance by car.
To know the wisest option to go for, I have looked for the fastest way, the cheapest way and possibly the best way to get from London to Birmingham. Factor in your personal considerations and preferences as you go over the options. Then, off you go to explore the beautiful city of Birmingham UK!
How to get from London to Birmingham
OPTION 1: How to get from London to Birmingham by Coach
- Travel Duration: from 2 hours and 20 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £6.81
You can travel from London to Birmingham by coach. National Express offers numerous trips daily that leave from London Victoria Coach Station and arrive at Birmingham Coach Station. I used the coach services when travelling from London to Birmingham before and it was probably the cheapest option if you can find advance tickets.
Megabus is one transport company which services this route. There are two departure areas that you can choose from when you’re travelling with Megabus: London Victoria Coach Station or London Heathrow Airport (T2 and T3).
Depending on your booked ticket, you either arrive at Birmingham Coach Station (Digbeth) or Birmingham Airport Bus Station. Make sure to plan ahead of time so you can see which route best works for you.
The buses are equipped with air conditioning, Wifi, charging points, toilets and wheelchair accessibility. It is definitely a cost-efficient way to travel from London to Birmingham.
Here is a sample timetable of the standard bus trips serviced by Megabus. You can check current fares and availability with Megabus here. Alternatively, you can also check Flixbus for any available offers, current fares, and availabilities.
There are three different types of fares if you’re travelling by coach from London to Birmingham. A restricted fare, which is only available online, is great if you do not think you’ll make changes to your travel itinerary. A standard fare will allow you to make changes to your booking, but you cannot ask for a refund or cancellation.
A fully flexible fare gives you access to all the benefits that you can get. These include amendments, cancellations and refunds as per terms and conditions.
Coach from London Victoria Coach Station to Birmingham Coach Station (Digbeth)
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 6:00 am | 9:10 am | 3 hours 10 minutes | £7.90 |
| Latest trip | 11:30 pm | 2:50 am | 3 hours 20 minutes | £20.90 |
| Cheapest fare | 8:00 am | 11:00 am | 3 hours | £5.90 |
| Fastest duration | 11:00 pm | 1:55 pm | 2 hours 55 minutes | £23.9 |
Standard bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Birmingham Airport Bus Station
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Daily trip | 11:30 pm | 3:15 am | 3 hours 45 minutes | £17.88 |
Standard bus from London Heathrow Airport (T2 and T3) to Birmingham Airport Bus Station
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Daily trip | 12:10 am | 3:15 am | 3 hours 5 minutes | £22.74 |
Standard bus from London Heathrow Airport (T2 and T3) to Birmingham Brunel Street
| ARRIVAL | DEPARTURE | DURATION | FARE | |
| Earliest trip | 12:10 am | 3:40 am | 3 hours 30 minutes | £23.03 |
| Latest trip | 7:40 pm | 10:50 pm | 3 hours 10 minutes | £17.59 |
| Cheapest fare | 3:40 pm | 6:00 pm | 2 hours 20 minutes | £17.59 |
| Fastest duration | 3:40 pm | 6:00 pm | 2 hours 20 minutes | £17.59 |
BEST COACH / BUS DEALS!
If you are planning to travel via coach or bus for your upcoming UK trip, I recommend searching for the best coach or bus fare deals with MEGABUS. They have a great network of coach or bus services across the four corners of the UK.
OPTION 2: How to get from London to Birmingham by Train
- Travel Duration: about 2 hours
- Travel Fare: from £6.40
Visitors and locals alike frequent Birmingham from London by train because it’s truly convenient. More than 260 trains travel from London to Birmingham. Some of the train operators that offer this route are Avani West Coast and Chiltern Railways.
In Central London, the train departs from the Marylebone and Euston Stations. In Birmingham, the train arrives at Moor Street and New Street Stations.
You can check Trainline to help you check out the best ticket option given your travel date. The lowest train fare starts at £6.40 via West Midlands Railway, and the fastest trip can take you to Birmingham from London in more or less two hours.
If you are travelling with National Rail, make sure to check out these railcard deals for the best prices.
The earliest train you can catch is scheduled at 4:34 am while the last train departs at 11:30 pm. By train, Birmingham is 163 miles or 101 kilometres away from London.
BEST TRAIN DEALS!
If you are looking to travel by train for your upcoming trip to the UK, I recommend searching for the best train fares with Trainline. They have great options for various trains and schedules, to suit your budget.
OPTION 3: How to get from London to Birmingham by Rental Car
- Travel Duration: from 2 hours 30 minutes
- Travel Fare: from £33.73
If you have driven in the UK before, I suggest that you get a rental car and drive on your own from London to Birmingham. Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace and make a full itinerary out of your travel between the two destinations – and even beyond!
To travel from London to Birmingham, get on the M1 and M6 motorways and drive for 117.7 miles or 188.3 kilometres. Be ready to drive for at least two hours and 30 minutes, if the traffic and weather are favourable.
Make sure to book in advance if you’re planning to drive from London to Birmingham. There are several vehicles available, and it all depends on how many you are in the group and which type of car you are comfortable driving. You can check various car rental deals with Discover Cars here.
Also, research whether your driver’s licence and insurance are valid on this side of the world. I have written a helpful article which you can read to learn more about UK driving tips.
If you are unsure about driving in the UK, rest assured that you are in good hands with any public transportation which you will choose. Good thing London and Birmingham are well-connected with each other.
BEST CAR RENTAL DEALS!
If you are planning to book a car rental for your upcoming trip. I recommend searching for the best car rental deals with Discover Cars. They have various options that suit your budget.
OPTION 4: How to get from London to Birmingham by Boat
- Travel Duration: Custom
- Travel Fare: Custom
London and Birmingham can be reached by riding a narrowboat through the Grand Union Canal. This may not be the fastest way to reach Birmingham, but taking a boat from London is a truly special experience that visitors will highly appreciate.
The total cruise spans 137 miles or 220 kilometres. Obviously, this is not something you can conquer for a day; in fact, an average cruising of eight hours per travel date will have you reaching Birmingham in a matter of nine days!
Don’t let this discourage you, though. Contact a private boat company and let them discuss the options with you. A full itinerary filled with exciting landmarks and restful stops can surely be curated just for you.
I wrote another article about the Canals in Britain, to find out more about the marvel of this Victorian engineering.
More about Birmingham UK
- Check out all the best things to do in Birmingham.
- Book the most recommended activities in Birmingham with Get Your Guide.
- Curious about the two cities? See London vs Birmingham side by side.
- Maximize your stay and choose among the best day trips from Birmingham.
RECOMMENDED TOURS IN BIRMINGHAM FROM GET YOUR GUIDE
Map of Birmingham, UK
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
FAQs on How to Get from London to Birmingham
How far is Birmingham from London?
Birmingham is 117.7 miles or 188.3 kilometres north of London.
How long is a train journey from London to Birmingham?
A train journey from London to Birmingham is about two hours long.
How much is it to take a train from London to Birmingham?
The cost of a one-way train ride from London to Birmingham starts at £6.40. Make sure to book in advance to get the best fares.
How much is a train ticket from London to Birmingham New Street?
The cost of a train ticket from London to Birmingham New Street starts at £7.50.
Does the train go direct to Birmingham Airport?
Yes. There are trains from London that go directly to the Birmingham International Airport. West Midlands Railway services this route.
What is the fastest way to get from London to Birmingham?
The fastest way to get from London to Birmingham is by train. A direct train ride can bring you to Birmingham in two hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from London to Birmingham?
The cheapest way to get from London to Birmingham is by coach. Booking during off-peak hours and in advance can get you a ticket that only costs £5.90.
What is the best way to get from London to Birmingham?
The best way to get from London to Birmingham is by train. You have several train companies and schedules to choose from, with fares that can go as low as £6.40. It is also the fastest way to travel between the two cities.
🚑 Should I buy travel insurance for my UK trip?
YES – If you’re traveling to the UK, securing travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage is essential for your peace of mind; I recommend Safety Wing Travel Insurance, which is renowned for its reliability. (READ MORE)
💧 Can I drink tap water in the UK?
YES – You can confidently drink tap water in the UK—just run it for a bit first—and use a Hydro Flask travel bottle, it is a great eco-friendly companion to keep you hydrated while touring the UK attractions.
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in the UK?
YES – Renting a car in the UK is one of the best ways to see the country. I recommend Discover Cars, to check for the best car rental deals that suit your budget. See my UK driving tips here.
📲 Will my phone work in the UK?
POSSIBLY. Always check with your home mobile provider. If it won’t work or is too expensive, I recommend using Airlo E-Sim for data packages to stay connected online.
🔌 What adapter should I use in the UK?
TYPE G – In the UK, you’ll need a type G plug travel adapter with three rectangular pins arranged in a triangle to power your devices, and the electrical system runs on a 230V supply voltage at 50Hz. (READ MORE)
✈️ What is the best site to buy UK flights?
For finding affordable UK flights, I recommend using Skyscanner. You can always compare the prices that suit your budget.
🛏️ What is the best way to book accommodations in the UK?
My go-to for UK accommodations is Booking.com. I recommend to always check hotel reviews on TripAdvisor.
💷 What currency do I need for my UK trip?
Sterling Pounds – I suggest getting a Wise Travel Card for your hassle-free forex and contactless spending while in the UK. (READ MORE)
🧳 What do I pack for the UK trip?
Depending on the season – You can check my article about the best time to visit the UK.
🛂 Do I need a visa for the UK?
Likely Not – US, Canada, AU, NZ, and EU passport holders do not need a visit visa to the UK. If ever you need one, read more on how to apply for a UK visit visa. Visit iVisa.com to help you with your visa travel documentation needs.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Everything Zany
Travel BlogEverything Zany Travel Blog exploring the UK and beyond. Sharing travel guides, tips, history, and culture. Our travel media brand is founded by travel and hotel industry expert – Ryazan Tristram, a Dual Citizen (British–Filipina) based in Birmingham, UK. Everything Zany is a reputable and award-winning travel blog. Our work and contributions have been featured in the Huffington Post, CNBC, Discovery Channel, GMA, Readers Digest, and Lonely Planet. Our mission is to build a great travel community and resource of travel tips, visas, and travel guides for travelers. Join us as we travel around the UK and beyond with a mission to share the best of the world.
