Planning a trip from London to Birmingham and wondering what the best travel option is? Whether you're heading up for a business meeting, a shopping spree at the Bullring, or just to explore the UK's vibrant second city, there are plenty of ways to make the 100-mile journey from the Big Smoke to Brum. In our guide, we compare all the key travel methods—train, flight, coach or car—to help you pick the best one for your time, budget and style.
What is the best method of travel?
Method | Average Duration | Average Price | Frequency |
By train | 1h 20m – 2h 00m | £9 – £90+ | Every 15–30 mins |
By plane | 2h 45m (5h 30m incl. airports) | £130 - £300+ | Limited (off-peak) |
By coach | 2h 30m – 4h 30m | £4 – £25 | Hourly |
By car | 2h 00m – 3h 30m | ~£30 – £60 (fuel/tolls) | N/A |
All figures included are estimates as of July 2025 and are liable to change.
Quickest way from London to Birmingham: Train
Cheapest way from London to Birmingham: Coach
Our recommended way to travel: Train
Why? The train strikes a great balance between speed, comfort and frequency. You can get from central London to central Birmingham in as little as 80 minutes, with no traffic to worry about and flexible fares, especially if you book early or use a Railcard. While coaches are cheaper, the journey takes far longer. Flights? Probably not worth it for such a short hop.
London to Birmingham by train
Taking the train from London to Birmingham is known as one of the fastest and most frequent intercity connections in the UK. There are two renowned routes you need to know about, each with different pros and cons:
London Euston to Birmingham New Street (Avanti West Coast)
Avanti West Coast runs frequent direct trains from London Euston to Birmingham New Street, often every 15–30 minutes throughout the day. Journey times range from 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes, with Off-Peak and Advance fares starting from around £9; however, last-minute fares can climb to £90 or more.
For comfort and a smoother ride, consider First Class: larger seats, at-seat dining, and lounge access at Euston make it a solid upgrade. Find out more about Avanti West Coast First Class services here.
London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street/Snow Hill (Chiltern Railways)
A quieter but slightly slower alternative is Chiltern Railways from London Marylebone to either Birmingham Moor Street or Snow Hill. The trip takes about 2 hours, but tickets are often cheaper, even at short notice. These stations are also conveniently close to Birmingham’s shopping areas and business districts.
REMEMBER: Return tickets, Off-Peak fares, and Split Save options can reduce your cost significantly. Don’t forget to apply a Railcard via Trip.com to knock a third off your total fare.
London to Birmingham by coach
For budget-conscious travellers, coaches are unbeatable in price. National Express, megabus and FlixBus all offer regular routes between London and Birmingham. Travel times range from 2h 40m to 4h 30m, depending on time of day, traffic and whether your service is direct or has stops.
Main coach stations:
- Depart from: London Victoria Coach Station, Hammersmith, or Golders Green
- Arrive at: Birmingham Coach Station (Digbeth) – just a 10-minute walk to the city centre
Tickets can cost as little as £4 if booked in advance, though £8–£15 is more typical. Expect basic comfort: free WiFi, air conditioning, power sockets and toilets onboard.
Tip: Book early, bring headphones, and maybe a neck pillow—it’s not the fastest route, but it’s certainly kind on the wallet.
London to Birmingham by car
Want full control over your journey? Driving gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace, take detours and avoid crowds—but traffic can be a big issue, especially during peak hours.
Recommended driving route:
From Central London, join the A40 or M1, then merge onto the M6 Northbound, exiting at Junction 6 to join the A38(M) into Birmingham city centre.
Expect journey times between 2 and 3.5 hours, depending on traffic. Fuel costs will likely be between £25–£50 (round trip), with added congestion zone or toll charges depending on your route.
Parking tips:
- Birmingham Snow Hill Car Park – central, secure
- Q-Park Mailbox – ideal for shopping
- NCP Birmingham High Street – walkable to Bullring & Grand Central
Park & Ride options are also available on the city’s outskirts to avoid inner-city congestion.
London to Birmingham by plane
It might seem odd, but yes, you can fly between London and Birmingham. The key question is: should you?
There are currently no direct flights from London to Birmingham, so it typically takes around 2h 30m to 3 hours, typically with a stopover often made outside the UK, such as Amsterdam, Dublin, or Paris. Not only that, but once you factor in check-in, security, and transportation to and from airports, your total journey time easily stretches to 4h 30m – 6 hours, which is a lot longer than a train ride.
Because of the elaborate nature of the route, you can expect prices from anywhere between £75 - £200+ without additional baggage. Add the carbon footprint and limited flight schedules, and it’s hard to see the prospect of cruising the clouds for this specific journey as anything other than impractical. Our opinion? Skip the skies.
