Nottingham to Birmingham: Cheapest vs quickest vs best

Rosaline Nancy Kargbo

Published: Feb 27, 2026

Updated: Oct 16, 2026

Nottingham to Birmingham: Cheapest vs quickest vs best

Wondering what's the best way to travel from Nottingham to Birmingham? This guide's got you covered. Whether you're travelling for a day of shopping at the Bullring, catching a cricket match at Edgbaston Stadium, or attending a show at the Utilata Arena, you've got plenty of transport options from Nottingham. In this article, we'll give you the lowdown on travelling from Nottingham to Birmingham by train, coach and car, breaking down the costs and logistics of each one, so you can choose the most suitable for you.

What is the best method of travel?

Method	Average Duration	Average Price	Frequency
By train	1 hour 10 minutes	£10 (or cheaper with a Railcard)	Around 4 per hour
By coach	2 hours	£5	Around 11 per day
By car	1 hour	£10 for fuel + £5 - £10 for parking	n/a

All figures are estimates as of February 2026 and may vary based on time of day, provider, and how far in advance you book.

Quickest way to travel from Nottingham to Birmingham: Car (1 hour)
Cheapest way to travel from Nottingham to Birmingham: Coach (from £5)
Recommended way to travel from London to Leicester: Train

Why?: The Nottingham to Birmingham train is one of the quickest ways of travelling between the two cities and only costs a small amount more than the coach if you book early. Birmingham New Street station is centrally located next to the Bullring and moments from the Mailbox, meaning you can easily get around on foot when you arrive, too.

With 2 departures per hour, going by rail gives you a lot more flexibility than taking the coach. There's also no risk of getting stuck in traffic or not finding anywhere to park when you arrive by car. There's also the environment, too - trains are more eco-friendly than coaches and cars.

Nottingham to Birmingham by train

Trains from Nottingham to Birmingham run twice per hour on weekdays and Saturdays, and once per hour on Sundays. Here's what to keep in mind when planning your trip.

Taking trains from Nottingham

Nottingham Station is about half a mile away from the main shopping area around Old Market Square. The main entrance is on Carrington Street between Station Street and Queen's Road on the southern edge of the city centre.

From the heart of town, you can catch trams and buses - including lines 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 - from stops like Lace Market, Victoria Centre and Royal Centre, while Skylink Nottingham takes you to the station from East Midlands Airport and areas like Beeston and Long Eaton.

Timetables, frequency and journey times

Mondays to Saturdays, there are two trains per hour from Nottingham to Birmingham New Street, with the journey taking around 1 hour 15 minutes. Services depart around 7 and 41 minutes past the hour during the day, although timings are slightly different during the rush hour before 9 am and in the evening after 7 pm. Services run from 06:00 to 21:36.

The first train from Nottingham to Birmingham on Sundays is at 09:56, with the next service at 12:16. Trains then run hourly until the last service at 21:18. While there are fewer departures on Sundays, the overall journey is slightly quicker at an average of 1 hour 5 minutes.

Operators and onboard services

CrossCountry operates the Nottingham to Birmingham train with its refurbished TurboStar fleet. As a passenger, you can expect free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating and ample room for luggage.

If you're planning on taking your two-wheel ride to Brum, there are 2 bike spaces available on the train. One is available to reserve in advance, the other is assigned on the day on a first-come, first-served basis. Bikes are free on CrossCountry services, and our guide to taking bikes on trains explains more.

And what about your four-legged friend? Pets are allowed on CrossCountry trains from Nottingham to Birmingham - just remember that seats are for human passengers only. Head to our page about taking dogs on trains for more information.

Arriving at Birmingham by train

Trains from Nottingham arrive at Birmingham New Street, the city's major station and one of the busiest in the country. The station is attached to the Grand Central Shopping Centre and next door to the Bullring. Just follow the signs to each. Heading further afield? The West Midlands Metro departs for points of interest, including the Utilita Stadium and the Jewellery Quarter.

Heading to catch the cricket? Our guide to taking the train to Edgbaston Stadium will come in handy.

Prices and ways to save

Ticket prices for the Nottingham to Birmingham train vary between £5 and £20 depending on when you book. The cheapest fares are available from 12 weeks before, but often sell out as you get closer to departure. Booking your tickets at the last minute, and for travel during peak times, usually means you'll pay a higher fare.

Pop over to our Off-Peak travel guide to learn more about how you can save simply by travelling at a different time of day.

Another great way to travel for less is with a Railcard. There are different types available - including the 16-25 Railcard, 26-30 Railcard, or Senior Railcard - and they all save you a third on your fare. If you commute to Birmingham from Nottingham at least 8 days a month, consider a season ticket, too. This saves you around 20%.

Nottingham to Birmingham by coach

If you're counting the pennies, the Nottingham to Birmingham coach is a great option thanks to the rock-bottom fares. Two coach companies are connecting these cities: National Express and FlixBus. Here's your guide to travelling by coach from Nottingham to Birmingham.

Departing from Leicester

Both National Express and FlixBus coaches depart from Broadmarsh Bus Station on Collin Street, just a short walk from Nottingham train station. These services usually leave from bays 10 and 11. Toilet facilities and a cafe are available while you wait to board.

Timetables, frequency and journey times

There are around 11 coaches per day between Nottingham and Birmingham. Journey times range from around 1 hour 15 minutes up to 2 hours 20 minutes, depending on the route. Some National Express services go via Birmingham Airport on the way into the city, which can add a bit of time to the journey.

The first coach leaves at 04:30, and the last one departs at 19:25. You'll see departures throughout the day, but schedules aren't regular, with gaps between coaches varying from 1 to 3 hours.

Operators and onboard amenities

National Express runs 7 Nottingham to Birmingham coaches per day, and FlixBus runs 4. Both offer free Wi-Fi, power sockets at your seat and an onboard toilet. There's space in the hold luggage, too.

Arriving at Birmingham by coach

Where you arrive in Birmingham depends on the operator. National Express will drop you off at Birmingham Coach Station on Mill Lane in Digbeth, about a 5-minute walk from The Bullring shopping centre and 25 minutes from the Jewellery Quarter. The station has refreshments inside, plus you'll find plenty of shops and cafes on the surrounding streets. There's also a bus stop outside for connections to local areas.

If you're coming on FlixBus, you'll get off at 149 Great Charles Street, Queensway. This is the city centre, about half a mile from Birmingham New Street station and just round the corner from University College Birmingham.

Prices

Coach fares between Nottingham and Birmingham start from £4 and can go up to around £10 depending on when you travel and how far ahead you book.

Nottingham to Birmingham by car

Nottingham and Birmingham by car takes between 1 hour and 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on the traffic and your exact start and end points. Here's what you need to know:

Distance, route and drive time

The 50-mile drive by car from Nottingham to Birmingham is a reasonably straight run down the M1, A42 and M42 until you swing onto the M6 at Solihull.

If you're in Nottingham city centre, you'll want to take the A453 out of town towards junction 24 of the M1. Just follow the signs for East Midlands Airport. For Birmingham city centre, you'll need to exit the M6 for the A38 at the Salford Turnover.

Estimated costs

When travelling from Nottingham to Birmingham by car, you'll need to consider fuel and parking costs. Expect petrol to be around £8-£10 for this journey,y depending on the size of your vehicle and based on current fuel prices (130p per litre of unleaded as of February 2026). As for parking in central areas, this can range from £4 to £12.

Where to park in Birmingham？

Here's a selection of centrally located car parks in Birmingham. Remember, it's often cheaper to pay in advance through a car parking app rather than at the machine on the day.

NCP Birmingham New Street - St Jude's Passage, Birmingham B5 4AN, open 24/7
Grand Central Car Park - Hill St, Queens Dr, Birmingham B5 4DQ, open 24/7
Q-Park Mailbox - Royal Mail St, Mailbox B1 1RD, open 24/7
Jewellery Quarter multi-storey car park - 103-104 Vyse St, Birmingham B18 6LP, open Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 6 pm.

Where to stay in Birmingham?

If you're planning to stay the night in Brum, you'll be pleased to know there are all sorts of accommodation for all kinds of budgets. This is one of the UK's biggest cities, after all. Here are just a few recommendations:

Budget in the city centre: Britannia Hotel Birmingham New Street Station Birmingham. From £70 per night, a popular 3-star hotel right next to the central station.
Luxury in the city centre: The Grand Hotel Birmingham. From £210 per night, a 5-star property with classic architecture in the historic heart of town, moments from Birmingham Cathedral.
Close to Edgbaston Stadium: Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre. From £158 per night. 4-star accommodation close to the stadium. Be sure to book early for cricket games.
Close to the NEC and Birmingham International Airport: Crowne Plaza BIRMINGHAM NEC by IHG. From £152 per night. A 4-star run by a well-known brand, just 660mt walking distance from the hotel.
Close to the Jewellery Quarter: Four Points Flex by Sheraton Birmingham Jewellery Quarter. From £116 per night. The 3-star hotel opened in 2025 with a minimalist design close to St Paul's tramstop.

What to check out when in Birmingham?

With its industrial heritage, world-class shopping, and global dining scene, there's a lot to see and do in Birmingham. The city's history shaped modern Britain and you'll see the significance of its past in the Victorian-era architecture and canals. These days, Birmingham is a buzzing city with countless attractions, here's just some of what not to miss:

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery - Free entry, with Pre-Raphaelite paintings, ancient artefacts and a vast collection of jewellery and decorative arts.
Cadbury World - Shows you how they make chocolate with free samples throughout, plus exhibitions on the company's history.
The Black Country Living Museum - Recreated Victorian streets with old shops and costumed characters in nearby Dudley - it's also where they filmed Peaky Blinders.
Thinktank Science Museum - Interactive exhibits, a planetarium and a hands-on science garden in the city centre.
Gas Street Basin - Where several canals meet, with bars and restaurants along the water - great spot for a drink or bite to eat.