Getting Here

Location

Birmingham is the vibrant heart of the West Midlands and the UK’s second-largest city, offering excellent transport links and easy access from across the UK and beyond.

The University of Birmingham’s beautiful, leafy campus is located in Edgbaston, just two miles south-east of the city centre.

International Attendees

Please be advised that all International attendees will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) if arriving in to the UK from the 1 April 2025. More information on this and to apply can be found on the Gov.uk website using the links below:

Check if you need to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Travel

Birmingham is ideally located in the heart of England, making it one of the UK’s most accessible cities. As the country’s second city and a major transport hub, it has excellent road and rail connections to destinations across the UK, including London, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

For international delegates, Birmingham Airport (BHX) provides a convenient gateway to the city and the wider UK, with a wide range of international and domestic flights. Located around 10 km from Birmingham city centre, the airport is also well connected by public transport, making onward travel to the city quick and straightforward.

Birmingham’s central location and extensive transport network make it a convenient and well-connected destination for delegates travelling from across the UK and around the world. Further information on travelling to Birmingham, including international air travel and other transport options, can be found below.

The University Train Station is conveniently located on campus and is just a 10-minute journey from Birmingham New Street Station. As a major transport hub with connections from across the UK, Birmingham New Street offers a frequent direct service to the University, with trains taking approximately six minutes. These services typically depart from Platform 12, with destinations including Bromsgrove and Redditch.

From University Station, the centre of the main campus is only a five-minute walk away.

If you are travelling by air, Birmingham International Airport provides a convenient route to the University. From the airport, take the free Air-Rail Link to Birmingham International Station, where you can catch a train to Birmingham New Street. From Birmingham New Street, change trains and take the service to University Station.

If arriving at Heathrow Airport, you can take a train to Birmingham New Street in around 2.5 hours. From Birmingham New Street, you will need to change trains and take the service to University Station.

For the latest timetables and service updates, please check the National Rail website.

Frequent bus services operate from Birmingham city centre to the University. Routes X61, 63, X64 and 886 serve the University’s Edgbaston campus, with the most convenient stops for campus visitors located along the X64 route. The number 98 service provides access to the Medical School and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Most of these services can be caught directly outside Birmingham New Street Station on Smallbrook Queensway. Bus stop locations are signposted throughout the citycentre, and stops display route details and service times.

Tickets can be purchased on the bus using cash or a contactless card. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

For the latest timetables and service updates, visit the National Express West Midlands website.

Approaching from the north-west or south-east via the M6: Leave the M6 at Junction 6, signposted Birmingham Central, and join the A38(M). At the end of the motorway, keep to the right, cross the flyover, and continue through the underpasses to join the A38 Bristol Road. The University will be on your right.
Approaching from the M42 north: Leave the M42 at Junction 8 to join the M6 northbound, then follow the directions above.
Approaching from the south-west: Leave the M5 at Junction 4, signposted Birmingham SW, and join the A38. The University is approximately eight miles from the motorway.
Approaching from the M40: The easiest route is to travel south on the M42 and leave at Junction 1, then head north on the A38 Bristol Road. The University is approximately eight miles from the motorway.

Taxi ranks are available at Birmingham New Street Station and throughout the city centre.

The journey to the University takes approximately 10 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

If you hail a taxi on the street, payment will need to be made directly to the driver in cash.

Uber is also widely available across the city and campus.

Birmingham Airport (BHX) is a major international gateway for the Midlands, connecting Birmingham and the wider region with destinations across the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. The airport currently serves around 140 direct destinations, with more than 650 additional destinations available through one-stop connections via major international hubs.

For international delegates, Birmingham Airport offers convenient connections to destinations across North America, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and beyond, with direct long-haul services and easy onward connections through hubs including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Doha and Dubai.

Located just a short distance from the University of Birmingham, the airport is also exceptionally well connected by rail, with Birmingham International railway station providing frequent services to Birmingham city centre and onward connections to University Station