Bus X1 runs Birmingham Airport to city centre in about 30–40 minutes
The X1 is a regular bus linking Birmingham Airport Terminal 1 to Birmingham city centre via Solihull, with daytime journeys typically taking 30–40 minutes depending on traffic. Services run every 15–30 minutes through most of the day, and the bus stop sits just outside the main terminal building, a short walk from arrivals.
A single ticket on the X1 usually costs only a few pounds, making it one of the cheaper ways to get from Birmingham Airport (BHX) into the city compared with taxis or private transfers. You pay the driver when boarding using contactless card, mobile payment, or cash, and the ticket covers the whole route between the airport and Birmingham city centre.
The X1 runs between Birmingham city centre (stopping near Moor Street/Selfridges) and Birmingham Airport, passing through key points like Sheldon, Yardley, and Solihull town centre. First buses start early in the morning and run into the evening, with later services often extending past 23:00, though exact times vary by day, so check a current timetable before a late flight.
To catch the X1 from Terminal 1 arrivals at BHX, follow signs for "Buses" and walk about 3–5 minutes to the bus stands in front of the terminal. The X1 stop is clearly marked with the route number on the stand, and buses display "X1" and their final destination on the front electronic sign, so you can confirm before getting on.
For luggage, the low-floor X1 buses have space near the front door for suitcases and pushchairs, and standard airline cabin bags fit easily under or between seats. At busy times, especially weekday peaks around 07:00–09:00 and 16:00–18:00, the bus can fill up, so stand space near the doors is common for airport passengers with larger bags.
One tip: if you’re heading into central Birmingham, sit on the right-hand side upstairs when available; you’ll spot city landmarks as you approach Moor Street and know you’re within 5–10 minutes of your stop.