Birmingham city is a metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England – the 4th most populous city in the United Kingdom.
How far is Birmingham from London?
Birmingham city is about 127 miles (204.13 kilometres) from London by road.
Get a detailed breakdown of the distance between the two cities, how much time it takes, and how you can get to Birmingham from London by train, bus, car, and flight.
| Read More: If you’re a music lover, drop in to these vibrant Live-Music Venues in Birmingham. Also explore these magnificent museums in Birmingham. |
This Article Contains:
- How Far is Birmingham From London?
- 4 Different Ways to Get to Birmingham From London
- FAQs on Travelling to Birmingham From London
How Far is Birmingham From London & How Long Does It Take?
London’s GPS coordinates are 51.5072° N, 0.1276° W, whereas Birmingham’s coordinates are 52.4862° N, 1.8904° W.
The straight line or flight distance from London to Birmingham is 101 miles or 163 kilometres. When travelling by car, the driving distance between London and Birmingham is 127 miles or 204.13 kilometres.
Here’s how much time you’d take to drive to Birmingham from London based on your average speed:
| Average Speed | Travel Time |
| 30 mph (48 km/h) | 4.15 hours |
| 50 mph (80 km/h) | 2.33 hours |
| 70 mph (112 km/h) | 1.49 hours |
If you set out on a road trip from London to Birmingham, your approximate travel time would be 3.5 hours.
You can start your journey from London and drive to visit Windsor Castle for an hour. Next, you can drive for another 49 minutes to stop at Oxford for an hour. Drive for 54 minutes to visit the Leamington Spa. Finally, drive for about 43 minutes and arrive in Birmingham.
You can drive for a little over 2 hours and take a road trip to Stratford upon Avon, a market town in the West Midlands, before driving to Birmingham city centre. If you’re wondering how to spend time in the town, check out our list of 20 Exciting Things To Do In Stratford Upon Avon!
4 Different Ways to Get to Birmingham From London
There are a few different ways to get to Birmingham from London. Let’s explore four of these routes in detail.
1. London to Birmingham by Train
Travelling by train is the quickest way to get from London to Birmingham. The journey usually takes about 1.5 hours to 2 hours.
Trains leave Central London from Marylebone and London Euston Stations. They arrive in Birmingham at New Street, Snow Hill, or Moor Street Stations.
Popular direct train routes from London to Birmingham are:
- London Euston to Birmingham New Street.
- London Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill.
- London Paddington to Birmingham Moor Street.
Note: You can also take a direct train to Birmingham International Station. However, this station isn’t near the city centre and is closer to the Birmingham International Airport.
Train tickets usually cost between $21 and $75. You can sometimes find cheap train tickets, especially during the Great British Rail Sale, a promotional train ticket sale organised by the UK Government. Over one million cheap train tickets are available in the 2022 Great British Rail Sale.
Avanti West Coast is a popular London train operator with a direct train from London Euston to Birmingham New Street Station. Apart from Avanti West Coast, you can purchase a train ticket from trusted London train operators, including:
- London Northwestern Railway
- Chiltern Railways
- CrossCountry
- West Midlands Railway
- Virgin Trains
You can check the respective websites for information on the route, train times, and tickets.
2. London to Birmingham by Bus
Taking a bus from Central London to Birmingham is the most cost-effective way of getting there. A bus ticket can cost you as little as $6.
Buses take from 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours to transport you from London to Birmingham.
The two cities are well serviced, and several buses leave hourly from London to Birmingham every day.
National Express is a popular bus operator with daily buses from London to Birmingham. You can board a National Express bus from London Victoria Coach Station to Birmingham Coach Station, Digbeth.
Here’s a look at the other key bus operators and their main bus route:
- Megabus: London Victoria Coach Station to Birmingham New Street Station
- Green Line Coaches: London Heathrow Airport to Birmingham Moor Street Station
- Flixbus: Victoria Coach Station to Birmingham Bullring Shopping Centre
3. London to Birmingham by Car
The driving distance between London and Birmingham is 127 miles (204.13 kilometres). It takes approximately 2.5 hours to drive when there’s no traffic. Driving lets you decide your own schedule.
Next, let’s look at the most commonly asked questions about travelling to Birmingham from London.
4. London to Birmingham by Flight
Taking a flight is another way to get from London to Birmingham. While the flight distance between the two cities is just 101 miles, direct flights from London to Birmingham Airport are uncommon. The quickest one-stop flight takes close to 4 hours.
Note that some airlines could take as long as 35 hours based on the stopover duration and destination. Waiting time at connecting airports could be anywhere between 33 mins to 23 hrs.
Birmingham Airport, formerly Birmingham International Airport, is an international airport located in the southeast region of Birmingham city centre.
London, on the other hand, has six international airports. This includes London Heathrow, Stansted, London Gatwick, Luton, Southend, and London City airports.
Here’s a flight route we recommend:
You can fly to London Stansted Airport. Next, you can take a budget airline such as EasyJet or Ryanair from the Stansted Airport to Birmingham International Airport.
FAQs on Travelling to Birmingham From London
Here are answers to a few more things you may want to know before your journey from London to Birmingham:
1. Are There Travel Restrictions in Birmingham?
Travel within the United Kingdom is currently allowed. However, domestic travel restrictions are subject to change based on guidelines issued by the Birmingham City Council. The public is now encouraged to wear face masks and observe COVID-19 safety rules.
The national COVID-19 helpline number in Birmingham is 111.
2. When Is the Best Time to Travel to Birmingham?
Like its neighbouring cities, Birmingham generally has rainy weather year-round. It’s more pleasant to visit during the summer when temperatures are at their warmest.
The shoulder seasons of spring and fall are also great times to visit Birmingham. The weather is milder during these months, making it more comfortable to explore the city. Plus, the city sees fewer tourists during these times.
3. What is the Cheapest Way to Get From London to Birmingham?
The cheapest way to travel from London to Birmingham is by bus, with the ticket prices starting at just $6.
4. What is the Quickest Way to Get From London to Birmingham?
The quickest way to travel to Birmingham from London is by train, which takes approximately 1.5 hours.
A couple of interesting facts to remember while you’re in Birmingham:
Birmingham has one of the most intricate canal networks in the world. So a canal tour is a must-do!
The city is known for its Southern cooking. Don’t forget to check out the restaurants in the city centre that serve up delicious dishes.