Getting to Birmingham

Student arriving in U.K. for the first time may desire to meet a Representative of College at the Airport. Such students must inform the Overseas Admissions Representative of the College. Following information must reach the College at least three weeks before the arrival date in UK:

1. Name of the airport in Britain where arriving.
2. Airline and the flight number.
3. Date and time of arrival.
4. E-mail address and phone number of your friend or relative for urgent messages.

If it is not a weekend, students are taken directly to the College otherwise to their lodging address in Birmingham. A fee of £60 from Heathrow Airport (London) and £25 from Birmingham International Airport is collectable, from the arriving student, in advance which is non refundable.

Birmingham has an international airport links with major cities of the world. Request your travel agents to find a direct flight to Birmingham.

Travelling to Birmingham:

Birmingham is fortunate in having a fantastic network of airlines, buses, trains and trams, allowing you to reach all parts of the city and surrounding region with ease.

Please note:

Every effort is made to ensure that all information included in our website is accurate, users are advised that they should take appropriate precautions to verify such information. The College expressly disclaims all liability for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage occasioned by the user's reliance on any statements, information, or advice contained in this web site.

1. From London Heathrow Airport:

By train

From Heathrow you will need to take the London Underground to get to Euston Station. At London Heathrow take the Piccadilly Line to Leicester Square: here you should change to the Northern Line heading northbound to Euston. From Euston, Virgin Trains run at half-hourly intervals to Birmingham International Station.

Cost (estimated)

£38.00 standard single or £29.50 single saver after 9.30 am.

Duration
Travel time approximately 2 hours 40 minutes.

Additional Information
* Train times and fares information 0845 748 4950 or www.nationalrail.co.uk
* Virgin Trains operate services from London. Virgin Trains bookings 08457 48 49 50 or www.virgin.co.uk
* For journey planning or ticket booking from anywhere in the UK to the region 0345 222 333 or www.trainline.co.uk

By coach

a. Flightlink
There is a coach company called Flightlink which runs a regular service every hour from Heathrow Airport to Digbeth Coach Station in Birmingham city centre. There is a Flightlink desk at the Airport. On arrival in Birmingham you will need to get off the coach at Dig Beth Coach Station.

Cost (estimated)
£21.00 single or £27.00 for six months open return.

Duration
Travel time approximately 3 hours.

b. National Express

National Express Coaches operates the service from London Victoria and Heathrow Airport runs up to five times a day. Where direct services are not available, passengers can make a simple connection at cities like Bristol, Birmingham and London. For details of your nearest National Express agent call 08705 010104 and for National Express travel tickets and credit/debit card bookings, call 08705 808080 or www.nationalexpress.co.uk

From London Gatwick Airport :

By train

There are fast, frequent British Rail links from Gatwick Airport to Central London. The Gatwick Express service runs to Victoria Railway Station every 15 minutes from early morning until late at night and the journey time is 30-45 minutes. In addition, the Thames link service connects to Kings Cross Railway Station in Central London with trains leaving Gatwick Airport every 2 hours. From Victoria or Kings Cross stations you will need to travel by London Underground to Euston Station to catch another train to Birmingham.

Cost

£43.00 standard single or £30.90 single saver after 9.30 a.m.

Duration

Travel time approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.

There are fast, frequent British Rail links from Gatwick Airport to Central London. The Gatwick Express service runs to Victoria Railway Station every 15 minutes from early morning until late at night and the journey time is 30-45 minutes. In addition, the Thames link service connects to Kings Cross Railway Station in Central London with trains leaving Gatwick Airport every 2 hours. From Victoria or Kings Cross stations you will need to travel by London Underground to Euston Station to catch another train to Birmingham.

From Victoria Station take the London Underground Victoria Line heading northbound to Euston. At Euston you will need to walk through the Underground station to the main line station to catch your train to Birmingham. From Kings Cross Station, take the Northern Line in a westbound direction for one stop to Euston.

Cost (estimated)

£43.00 standard single or £30.90 single saver after 9.30 a.m.

Duration

Travel time approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.

More Information

* Train times and fares information 0845 748 4950 or www.nationalrail.co.uk
* Virgin Trains operate services from London. Virgin Trains bookings 08457 48 49 50 or www.virgin.co.uk
* For journey planning or ticket booking from anywhere in the UK to the region 0345 222 333 or www.trainline.co.uk

By coach

The Flightlink coach company runs coaches from Gatwick Airport to Birmingham at regular intervals.

Cost(estimated)

£24.00 single or £30.00 for six months open return.

Duration

Travel time approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.

Travelling by train

If you arrive at either Heathrow or Gatwick Airport you will need to travel on the London Underground (or "Tube") to Central London so that you can catch a main line train to Birmingham.

When travelling between two stations on the Underground you will need to purchase a 'single' ticket. These are available from ticket machines or the ticket kiosk. When using the ticket machines you will need to enter your destination station (Euston) and Adult Single. The ticket allows you to pass through the control barriers when entering and leaving an Underground station. When you arrive at Euston you will need to walk through the Underground station to the main line station.

You must then buy another ticket to get to Birmingham (New Street)- these are available from the ticket office. It is probably best to buy a single ticket to Birmingham, although a six-month open return ticket will allow you to travel back from Birmingham to London once in the next six months.

Travelling by road

If you are travelling by car from London you will need to take the M1 motorway and then join the M6 North at Junction 19. Leave the M6 at Junction 7 and follow the signs for the A34 road to Birmingham. The College is situated next to Birmingham City Hall and Central Library. The City Centre is signposted from the A34.

3. From Manchester Airport:

A coach is running approximately every three hours from early in the morning until the evening. The journey takes around 2 hours and costs from £20.00 for a single ticket.
Take a direct coach to Birmingham Digbeth Coach Station from National Express at Manchester Airport.

4. From Stansted Airport:

Frequent trains to Birmingham via London will require 1 - 3 train changes. Total journey time is 4.00 to 5 hours. Prices range from £33.90 to £62 for a single ticket depending on time of day and availability. Travelling at peak times of the day - ie when people are commuting to work - is most expensive.