Trains from London to Birmingham
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London to Birmingham by train
It takes an average of 2h 4m to travel from London to Birmingham by train, over a distance of around 101 miles (163 km). There are normally 153 trains per day travelling from London to Birmingham and tickets for this journey start from £6.40 when you book in advance.
| First train | 04:35 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 23:07 | |
| Departure station | London | |
| Arrival station | Birmingham | |
| Journey time | From 1h 16m | |
| Distance | 101 miles (163 km) | |
| Frequency | 153 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From £6.40 | |
| Train operators |
Travelling from London to Birmingham by train
Want to know more about the journey from London to Birmingham by train? Look no further!
The train from London to Birmingham usually takes around 2 hours but can take just 1 hour and 16 minutes on the fastest services, with around 192 trains running on this popular route every day. Trains are direct, so once you’re on board you can sit back, relax, and stay connected with free WiFi available on most services.
You'll be travelling with either Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Railway or Chiltern Railways on this route depending on the railway station you'll be leaving from. Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Railway services depart from London Euston, while Chiltern Railways services depart from London Marylebone station.
If you want to save money on your train tickets from London to Birmingham, make sure you travel during Off-Peak times or try booking an Advance ticket, as it’s usually cheaper than buying tickets on the day of travel. You can compare all times and prices in our Journey Planner at the top of the page.
Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets from London to Birmingham with us today. If you want to learn more about the journey first, keep reading for more information on:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Train operators from London to Birmingham
- Avanti West Coast classes
- West Midlands Railway classes
- Chiltern Railways classes
- Onboard services on trains from London to Birmingham
- Travelling to the train station in London
- Arriving in Birmingham
- Using public transport in Birmingham
- Where to travel next after Birmingham
- Review of the journey from London to Birmingham.
Journey details
Want to know more about your journey from London to Birmingham? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from London to Birmingham take?
The average journey time by train between London and Birmingham is 2 hours and 4 minutes, with around 153 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between London and Birmingham by train?
The fastest journey time by train from London to Birmingham is 1 hour and 16 minutes.
How much does the train from London to Birmingham cost?
Train ticket prices from London to Birmingham can start from as little as £6.40 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.
Is there a direct train from London to Birmingham?
Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Birmingham without having to change trains. There are 153 direct trains from London to Birmingham each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from London to Birmingham leave?
The first train from London to Birmingham leaves at 04:35. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from London to Birmingham leave?
The last train from London to Birmingham leaves at 23:07. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between London and Birmingham by train?
Trains travelling from London to Birmingham cover a distance of around 101 miles (163 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Birmingham to London. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from London to Birmingham.
Cheap train tickets from London to Birmingham
Book in advance
Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.
Consider a Season Ticket
If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for London to Birmingham is right for you.
Use your Railcard
National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.
Split your tickets
Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.
For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.
Related FAQs on the train journey from London to Birmingham
Are trains running from London to Birmingham today?
Trains run from London to Birmingham almost every day, although there may be fewer services during the weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains running between London and Birmingham.
Which train company operates from London to Birmingham?
Trains from London to Birmingham are operated by Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Railway and Chiltern Railways.
Which stations does the train from London to Birmingham stop at?
The stops will vary depending on the train you’re travelling with. However, most trains will stop at Milton Keynes Central, Northampton and Coventry before reaching Birmingham.
What’s the cheapest way to get from London to Birmingham by train?
If you’re travelling from London to Birmingham by train, read our top tips for finding cheap train tickets below or check out the latest train deals and discounts available:
- Get a Railcard: Save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year with a Railcard
- Book in advance: Most train companies in the UK usually release tickets 12 weeks in advance
- Travel Off-Peak: Tickets are usually cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends compared to Peak times
- Use GroupSave: If you’re travelling in a group of 3-9 people, you can save up to 34% on eligible journeys at Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak times with GroupSave
- Split your train tickets with SplitSave, our split-ticketing app feature.
Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Railway and Chiltern Railways trains from London to Birmingham
You can travel from London to Birmingham on Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Railway and Chiltern Railways. Keep reading for more details.
Avanti West Coast
One of the primary rail operators in the UK, Avanti West Coast provides services from London Euston to several terminals including Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool Lime Street and Edinburgh Waverley.
Many of the routes feature high-speed services with no changes required, making Avanti West Coast an excellent alternative to air travel if you're looking to traverse up or down the length of the country.
Learn more about Avanti West Coast trains.
West Midlands Railway
West Midlands Railway provides services from London Euston to several stations in the West Midlands, including Birmingham New Street, Northampton, and Coventry. It also operates within the West Midlands region itself, running between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon, Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury and many more routes.
Learn more about West Midlands Railway.
Chiltern Railways
Primarily operating on the Chiltern Main Line, Chiltern Railways connects London with towns and cities in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, and the West Midlands.
Some of the most popular routes operated by Chiltern Railways include London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street, London Marylebone to Oxford and London Marylebone to Aylesbury.
Learn more about Chiltern Railways.
Avanti West Coast classes from London to Birmingham
As well as Standard and First Class, Avanti also has a new class called Standard Premium that offers some of the perks of First Class at a cheaper price.
Standard Class
Avanti West Coast’s Standard Class is the ideal class for travellers looking for low-budget fuss-free travel. On board, you will enjoy:
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Access to onboard entertainment system | ✔ |
| Plug sockets | ✔ |
| At-seat order | ✔ |
Standard Premium Class
Avanti's Standard Premium Class sits between Standard and First Class and offers the usual amenities you’ll find in Standard Class, as well as a few extra perks, including:
| Wider, more comfortable seating | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Extra legroom | ✔ |
| Table at every seat | ✔ |
First Class
If you prefer to travel in style, upgrade to Avanti West Coast’s First Class and enjoy complimentary food and drink, as well as access to the First Class lounge at London Euston station.
| Complimentary food and drink | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Access to First Class lounge | ✔ |
| Reclining seats | ✔ |
West Midlands Railway classes from London to Birmingham
West Midlands trains come with Standard Class only, but the service offers plenty of amenities on board that will make your journey super comfortable
Standard Class
When travelling in West Midlands Railway’s Standard Class, you can take advantage of the following services:
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Comfortable seating | ✔ |
| Table at every seat | ✔ |
Chiltern Railways classes from London to Birmingham
Chiltern Railways trains offer only Standard Class seating, but you'll find plenty of amenities onboard to make your journey comfortable.
Standard Class
Similar to West Midlands Railway's Standard Class, Chiltern Railways' Standard Class offers the following services on board:
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Comfortable seating | ✔ |
| Table at every seat | ✔ |
Onboard services on trains from London to Birmingham
Learn more about the services offered onboard trains from London to Birmingham.
Luggage
Food and drink
Entertainment
Travel with children
Bikes
Pets
Special assistance
How to get to London train stations
When travelling from London to Birmingham, your train will depart from either London London Euston or London Marylebone station. Not sure how to get to either one? Read on for more information on how to navigate the city’s public transport to your train.
How to get to London Euston station
Located in the heart of the capital, London Euston station is easy to get to from all parts of the city. If you’re in the city centre, you can simply walk to the station to take your train. Alternatively, you can get to the station with one of the following modes of transport:
- London Overground: services run between Watford Junction and London Euston station.
- London Underground: the Northern (black) and Victoria (light blue) lines stop at London Euston station. The Hammersmith and City (pink), Circle (yellow) and Metropolitan (magenta) lines stop at Euston Square station; from here, it’s a short walk to Euston train station.
- Transport for London (TfL) buses: Bus lines 1, 18, 30, 68, 73, 91, 168, 205, 253, 390 and night bus lines N5, N20, N73, N91, N205 and N253 stop at London Euston.
How to get to London Marylebone station
Also centrally located, London Marylebone station can easily be reached from different parts of the city thanks to London’s extensive public transport network:
- London Underground: The Bakerloo line (brown) stops at Marylebone station. Once you arrive, simply follow the signs to exit Marylebone Underground station and then access Marylebone railway station.
- Transport for London (TfL) buses: Multiple bus routes serve Marylebone station, including routes 2, 13, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139, 159, 189, 205, 274, and 453.
Everything you need to know about London stations
While you're waiting for your train, there are plenty of things to do at London Euston station and London Marylebone station. Read on to find everything you need to know, including information on facilities and First Class lounges.
What’s on offer at London Euston station?
What’s on offer at London Marylebone station?
What is Avanti West Coast’s First Class Lounge?
Arriving in Birmingham from London
Depending on the train you’re travelling with, you’ll arrive at either Birmingham New Street or Birmingham Moor Street station.
Getting from Birmingham New Street or Birmingham Moor Street station to the city centre is quite simple as they’re both located in the heart of the city. Once you exit the station, you'll find yourself surrounded by various shops, restaurants, and attractions. Depending on where exactly you want to go within the city centre, you might just need to walk a short distance. Here are some of the main attractions you can easily reach from Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Moor Street stations:
- The Thinktank at Birmingham Science Museum: If your train arrives at Birmingham Moor Street, you’ll need to walk for about 10 minutes. If your train arrives at Birmingham New Street, you'll need to walk for about 15 minutes.
- The Bullring Shopping Centre: It only takes 4 minutes to get from Birmingham New Street or Birmingham Moor Street to Bullring Shopping Centre on foot.
- National Sea Life Centre Birmingham: It takes around 20 minutes to walk from Birmingham New Street to the National Sea Life Centre, a bit longer if you’re coming from Birmingham Moor Street.
If you want to learn more about the other attractions you can visit in or nearby Birmingham, check out our guide to the best things to do in Birmingham.
Using public transport in Birmingham
If you want to get around Birmingham, it's easy to do so on foot or by using public transport.
It’s easy to get around Birmingham thanks to its extensive network of buses, trains, and trams. Here's an overview of the main modes of public transport in Birmingham:
- Buses: Birmingham has a comprehensive bus network operated by multiple companies, including National Express West Midlands. You can use the bus services to travel within the city and to nearby suburbs. The buses operate on various routes, with frequent services during Peak times.
- Trains: Birmingham is well-connected by train, with several major railway stations serving the city. Birmingham New Street is the primary railway station, offering connections to destinations across the UK. Other important stations include Birmingham Snow Hill, Birmingham Moor Street, and Birmingham International (serving Birmingham Airport).
- Trams: The West Midlands Metro is a light rail/tram system that connects Birmingham with Wolverhampton and other nearby areas. Trams run frequently, offering a convenient way to travel within the city and to neighbouring towns.
Where to travel next after Birmingham
Want to explore somewhere else after visiting Birmingham? We’ve got you covered. To inspire your next trip, here are some of the most popular train journeys from Birmingham:
