Birmingham Airport

Welcome

At Birmingham Airport (BHX), the standout feature isn't the sprawling size or a multitude of terminals. Instead, it's the efficient connectivity offered by the direct rail link at Birmingham International Station, just a short Air-Rail Link ride away from the terminal. This reliably quick transit option is a boon for travelers switching between planes and trains. Despite being a single-terminal airport, during peak times, BHX can feel bustling, emulating a larger hub due to its heavy holiday and leisure traffic.

At a glance

Handling nearly 12.7 million passengers annually, Birmingham Airport is located 13 km east-south-east of Birmingham city centre. It serves as a hub for Jet2.com and features a single passenger terminal with 59 gates. The terminal supports a bustling mix of airlines, including Aer Lingus, Air France, and Emirates. Its compact size allows you to transition smoothly from security to most gates within just 10 minutes during non-peak times.

Terminals & layout

The single passenger terminal at BHX houses 59 gates, catering to both domestic and international flights. While the terminal's compact design ensures easy navigation, it can become crowded, especially during the morning rush or school holidays. Despite this, the airport usually manages to maintain a high level of efficiency, allowing passengers to move from one end to the other swiftly.

Getting to and from the city

BHX benefits from robust transport links. The Birmingham International Rail Station sits adjacent to the airport, connected via the Air-Rail Link, a free service that zips travelers to the terminal in a few minutes. For road travelers, buses including routes X1, X12, and 97A offer service to and from the city. Taxis, Uber, and Bolt rides are available, while National Express coaches connect longer distance routes to the city and beyond.

Traveller essentials

Security wait times can vary greatly, with peak periods particularly challenging. Regulars advise allowing at least three hours for check-in during these busy periods. The airport offers essential services from shops like WHSmith, Boots, and Travelex, to car parks ranging from Car Park 5 at £67.00 per day to valet options at £28 per day. Consider pre-booking parking to save on costs, as day-of prices are steep.

Dining & shopping highlights

BHX’s dining scene includes everything from fast food staples like McDonald's and Burger King to bars such as All Bar One. However, during peak hours, these venues can become very crowded. For shopping, the options are broad, with outlets like Accessorize, JD Sports, and World Duty Free providing a range of products. If time permits, consider the less crowded spots like WHSmith's satellite locations nearer to the gates.

Lounges

The airport hosts seven lounges, including the No1 Lounge at £28, Aspire Lounge, and airline-specific lounges such as the Emirates Lounge. The No1 Lounge often requires a pre-booked reservation to ensure entry during busy periods. Frequent travelers recommend strategic use of lounge access programs to bypass the crowded main departure areas.

Insider tips

• Insider: For an uninterrupted view of aircraft movements, find a window seat near the end of the main pier toward the runway for prime plane-spotting.
• Time: Queue times can vary, so aim to arrive 3 hours before flights during peak season rather than the standard 2 hours.
• Avoid: Skip airside dining at peak times; head to the Birmingham International Station for a quieter and faster meal.
• Local: Explore the NEC/Resorts World area during layovers for a change of scenery and diverse dining options.
• Quiet: The gates in the older pier often have more seats and power outlets, offering a reprieve from the busy central lounge.
• Insider: If the Air-Rail Link is down, the signed walking route from the station to the terminal takes only about 10 minutes.
• Money: Book parking in advance to cut costs significantly as drive-up rates are amongst the highest outside London.