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Airport Name

Birmingham International Airport

Airport Location

The airport is located 10km (6 miles) southeast
of Birmingham.

Terminals

2

IATA Code

BHX

Telephone

+44 (0)870 733 5511


 

Airport Overview

Birmingham Airport is the UK’s seventh busiest airport in terms of passenger numbers, serving around 10 million passengers each year. Recent investments have seen 400 metres being added to the existing runway length, meaning aircraft can now fly further and new long-haul destinations have become possible. This includes hubs in the Far East, the West Coast of the U.S, South America and South Africa. Fifty airlines operate to 143 direct routes, including daily flights to New York, Istanbul, Dubai and frequent services to major European hubs.


 

Most Popular Airlines

  • Emirates
  • Aer Lingus
  • Ryanair
  • KLM
  • Air France

 

Most Popular International Routes

  • Paris
  • Dublin
  • Dubai
  • Amsterdam
  • Frankfurt

 

Transport

Birmingham lies about 6 miles east of London and can be accessed by all major forms of public transport. The airport website offers a convenient tool where you can enter your location and determine the best connections depending on your mode of transport.

Rail: Birmingham Airport is directly connected to Birmingham International Station by a free ‘Air-Rail Link’ system. The air-rail link takes two minutes to get to the station. From the station, Birmingham New Street is 10 minutes on a direct train, with seven services running per hour. Depending on departure time and class, the fares are between £2.90 and £5.40.

Bus and Coach: There are currently five bus services which access the Airport and/or Birmingham International Station:

  • 900/900A (connecting Birmingham and Coventry)
  • 966 (connecting Erdington and Solihull)
  • 97/97A (Birmingham City Centre to Birmingham Airport – 24/7)
  • 75/75A (connecting Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham International Station)
  • 91 (connecting Chelmsley Wood and Birmingham International Station

Long distance coach services are operated by National Express and Megabus, with over 120 daily services to 35 main towns and cities across the UK.

Taxis: Licensed Black Cabs operate a 24-hour, 365 day service from directly outside the arrivals area of the terminal building. Each taxi can carry up to five passengers (some can carry up to eight), with luggage and all are able to take wheelchair passengers. For journeys in Birmingham and Solihull a metered fare will be displayed during the trip. To the city centre, expect to pay around £20 or more depending on traffic conditions. The journey takes about 25 mins.

Parking Fees: If you plan to drive to the airport, there is a selection of lots where you can leave your car. Long stay prices start from £3.99 a day, although note that this rate is only available when booking 120 days in advance for stays of 17 days or more in Car Park 7. In most cases, the lots are located between 2 and 15 minutes walk from the terminal. Passengers can use the online form to determine their fee.

Nearby Hotels

Four hotels are located near the airport that passengers can book here. Each hotel has the option of booking online, where you can also select room type, parking, check in time and date, and see specific services offered by the facility including conference facilities, spa, pool or restaurant etc.


 

Checking in

Birmingham Airport is a one-terminal operation featuring 115 check-in desks, 27 self service kiosks and 47 aircraft stands. Ticket desks are located on the ground floor of the check-in halls. Please note airline check-in desks do not have a fixed location and are subject to change. Certain carriers also allow for online check-in.

Liquids

Liquids may only be carried in containers holding 100ml or less. They must be carried separately in a single bag which is:

  • Transparent and resealable
  • No larger than 20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in)
  • Able to close properly with all the items inside

Liquids in containers over 100ml will not be permitted through security. You will need to pack them in your hold baggage instead.

Baby milk and medicine

If you are travelling with a baby or infant, an exception to the above rule will apply, but you can carry only what you need for your journey. The same applies to liquid medication – you can only carry what you need during the course of your flight. All medication should be accompanied by documentary proof of authenticity, such as a prescription or letter from a doctor. Liquid medication that is not required on the flight should be carried as hold luggage.

Electronic passport exit

If you have a new biometric ‘chipped’ passport, you can use the automated ePassport gates instead of having your passport checked by a Border Force officer. This means you can avoid the queues and get through passport control more quickly. You can use the gates if you are a passport holder of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) – including the UK – or Switzerland; and if you have the EEA chip logo on your passport, and if you are over 18. You cannot use the gates with a national identity card. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are not members of the European Union (EU) but citizens of these countries have the same rights to enter, live in and work in the United Kingdom as EU citizens.


 

Amenities

Internet and Wifi
Plug stations and charging
Cafés, Restaurants Bars
Lounges
Playrooms
Smoking lounge
Prayer rooms
Shopping and duty free
Sleeping pods

 

Internet and Wifi

Wherever you are within the terminal, you will be able to connect to free wi-fi. You simply have to login and your details will be saved for future visits.

 

Plug stations and charging

Live sockets are available before and after security. They are compatible with UK and European plugs and are free to use.

 

Cafés, Restaurants Bars

Eateries can be found in all terminals. For more information on dining and drinking at Birmingham Airport please click here.

 

Lounges

The terminal has three lounges operated by Emirates, Aspire and The 1. Lounge.

  1. Aspire: From £18.99 for an adult and £14.99 for a child (2-11).
  2. Emirates: This lounge is exclusively available for Emirates First Class and Business Class passengers or Skywards Gold Members.
  3. No. 1 Lounge: If booking online in advance, you’ll pay £22.50 per adult and £15 per child (aged 2-11, infants under 2 go free). More if paying on the day.

The paid lounges offer:

  • Complimentary soft drinks, beers, spirits and a selection of wines.
  • A bistro serving a range of freshly-prepared hot and cold dishes, and a self-service pantry.
  • Wi-fi access

 

Playrooms

Birmingham Airport has a play zone fitted with the latest games, as well as soft play for younger children. The Sky Zone is located next to Gate 54 in the North Pier and is open between the first and last flight. There is also a an airport parenting guide designed to help parents when travelling with young children.

 

Smoking lounge

Birmingham is a smoke-free airport, although smoking is permitted in designated areas outside the terminal building. The use of electronic cigarettes indoors is also prohibited. After security, passengers can access a smoking area at the Meriden Bar. You will need to ask at the bar for the key code to use the smoking area.

 

Prayer rooms

The multi-faith prayer room is available with washing facilities accessible in the toilets on the same floor next to the Monarch ticket desk.

The following denominational services are also conducted:

  • Muslim prayer – Fridays at 13:30
  • Christian worship – Tuesdays at 12:00

 

Shopping and duty free

For more information of Birmingham Airports shopping opportunities and their locations at the airport, consult this list.

 

Sleeping pods

None.


 

Facilities

Toilets
Showers
Assisted travelling through terminals
Lost and found

 

Toilets

Toilets can be found throughout the terminal building and all have disabled facilities. A dedicated Changing Places Toilet is located within the Departure Lounge (behind WH Smith Bookshop). If you require access to this room then this must be arranged through OCS at your initial booking.

 

Showers

None.

 

Assisted travelling through terminals

If you require special assistance, you will need to pre-book this service with your airline or tour operator at least 48 hours before departure or arrival at Birmingham Airport. You should also tell your airline if you intend to take your own electric mobility aid. When you arrive at the Airport you can be assisted from one of the Help Points located in the following areas.

  • Car Park 5 – Accessible bus service to terminal available
  • Car Park 1 and 2
  • Drop and Go Car Park
  • Birmingham rail interchange

Walking aids are also provided to assist passengers through the Archway Metal Detector (AMD). If you need to take liquid medication in your hand luggage, this will be screened using specific equipment.

 

Lost and found

Birmingham Airport offers trolleys that are readily available from vending points located around the Airport. The fee is £1 per trolley (or €2 per trolley) and is non-refundable . All vending points accept credit cards and debit cards (40p card charge is applied) and coins. Some vending points in the baggage reclaim areas accept cards, coins and notes, and also give change.

About the author

Oonagh ShielContent Manager at Cheapflights whose travel life can be best summed up as BC (before children) and PC (post children). We only travel during the school holidays so short-haul trips and staycations are our specialities!

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