Every 20 minutes, bus 97A runs between BHX and Birmingham
Bus 97A links Birmingham Airport (Terminal 1) with Birmingham city centre, running roughly every 20 minutes during the day. The route heads via Bordesley Green and Small Heath into the city, giving you a direct public transport option without needing the Air-Rail Link to Birmingham International rail station. It’s a straightforward choice if you want to go straight into town by road.
From the airport, 97A stops outside the main terminal on Airport Way, a 3–5 minute walk from arrivals in Terminal 1. Services normally start around 04:30 and continue to late evening, but exact first and last bus times shift slightly by day of week and season, so check the Transport for West Midlands or National Express West Midlands timetables on the day you travel. Allow 10 extra minutes in the early morning when services can be slightly thinner.
A single adult ticket on 97A usually sits in the £2–£3 range, matching standard local bus fares in the West Midlands. You can pay onboard with contactless bank cards, most UK-issued travel cards, or cash in pounds (coins and small notes work best). If you expect to make two or more trips in a day, a day ticket often works out cheaper than buying separate singles, especially if you plan to hop around central Birmingham once you arrive.
The end of the route puts you close to Birmingham city centre, typically within about 30–40 minutes of leaving BHX, depending on traffic around Bordesley and Digbeth. This is slower than the 10–12 minute train from Birmingham International to New Street, but you skip the transfer between bus, Air-Rail Link, and rail. If you have luggage, note that 97A is a standard city bus: no underfloor hold and only limited space for large suitcases near the front.
For late flights landing after 22:00, frequencies on 97A can drop compared with the daytime pattern, and waiting 20–30 minutes is not unusual. If your scheduled landing time is after 23:00, have a backup plan in mind such as a taxi from the rank outside Terminal 1. As a rule of thumb, if you’re aiming for a last train or coach from central Birmingham, catch a 97A that leaves BHX at least 60 minutes before your onward departure.
Practical tip: Sit near the front, keep your bags close, and hit the stop button as you approach your chosen central Birmingham stop so the driver knows to pull in.