Transportation in Birmingham
With more canals than Venice, Birmingham's spruced–up city centre is easily walkable. Explore its neighbourhoods from the Jewellery Quarter to Brindleyplace and the canal paths. Most of Birmingham's sights are centred in and around the city centre, making New Street station a convenient transport hub. Most attractions are within walking distance, but an easy–to–use train system is handy for further–away attractions.In the centre, Birmingham's main shopping areas include the Bullring mall and markets. To the west are Birmingham's revamped canals at Brindleyplace while northwards lies the trendy Jewellery Quarter and St Paul's Square. Head south to explore regenerated Digbeth and the Balti Triangle and east for Millennium Point and Thinktank.
Read more about transport from and to the airport
Tram
The Midland Metro is a state–of–the–art light railway which runs a limited city–centre service from Birmingham Snow Hill to Wolverhampton, stopping at St Paul's Square and the Jewellery Quarter en route. There are plans to extend the service into the city centre and towards Brindleyplace and the canals.
Train
The train network is extensive from its hub at New Street station, also serving Moor Street and Snow Hill stations. Local trains run to places like Five Ways, close to the canals, and also to Birmingham's airport. Daytrippers will find it an easy way to explore the surrounding area.
Foot
Birmingham's city centre is very walkable and usually the quickest way to get about. Around the canals, it's also the most pleasant way to see the sights. Brindleyplace, the Jewellery Quarter and the Custard Factory are about a kilometre from the city centre.
Canal boat
With a laidback top speed of three miles per hour, exploring Birmingham via its canal network isn't speedy but it's relaxing. Head to Gas Street Basin by Brindleyplace – a turning point for narrow boats on the Grand Union, Stratford-upon-Avon and Worcester and Birmingham Canals.
Rent your car
Birmingham’s tangle of roads is scarier than it looks. It is busy but means easy access from most of the country. In the city itself, there are around 25,000 parking spaces, some operated by the park-and-pay-by-phone system. An up-to-date map or GPS does come in handy.
Transportation Tips
For unlimited travel on bus, rail and metro, the NWM Daytripper ticket offers the best value. It is valid on weekdays after 9.30am, all weekend and on Bank Holiday Mondays. Travel West Midlands also issue off-peak Metro and bus day tickets plus TWM Daysaver and Evening Saver tickets for buses. The Dayranger covers the more extensive West Midlands network. Remember that most city centre sights are easy to walk to.
