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There's no direct train between Heathrow and Birmingham, but direct National Express coaches run between the airport and Birmingham city centre throughout the day. You can also take the train via London Euston or Reading, or a taxi door to door. This guide compares each option in both directions, Heathrow to Birmingham and Birmingham to Heathrow.
Heathrow to Birmingham: the quick answer
- Direct coach: National Express runs up to 27 coaches a day to Birmingham Coach Station, from about 2 hours 15 minutes.
- Train via Euston: Heathrow Express to Paddington, the Underground to Euston Square, then Avanti to Birmingham New Street (about 1 hour 26 minutes).
- Train via Reading: the RailAir coach to Reading, then CrossCountry to Birmingham.
- Easiest with luggage: a pre-booked taxi from your terminal to your Birmingham address.
Heathrow to Birmingham: All Options Compared
| Option | Changes | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| National Express coach | None | From about 2 hours 15 min |
| Heathrow Express + Underground + Avanti via Euston | Two | 15 min + the Underground + about 1 hour 26 min |
| RailAir coach + CrossCountry via Reading | One | About 45 min to Reading, plus the train |
| Pre-booked taxi | None | Depends on traffic |
Typical times published by the operators, not guarantees. They vary with traffic and service changes.
Heathrow to Birmingham by Coach
National Express runs the most frequent direct link between Heathrow and Birmingham, with no changes.
- Frequency: up to 27 coaches a day across several routes, including the 210 (up to 12 a day) and the 707 (up to 9 a day).
- Journey time: from about 2 hours 15 minutes, depending on the service and traffic.
- At Heathrow: all routes call at Heathrow Central Bus Station for Terminals 2 and 3, and the 210 and 707 also call at Terminal 5. Check your stop when you book.
- In Birmingham: coaches arrive at Birmingham Coach Station in Digbeth, in the city centre.
Heathrow to Birmingham by Train via Euston
There's no direct train, but you can travel via London:
- Heathrow Express: from Heathrow to Paddington, about 15 minutes from Terminals 2 & 3.
- Underground: from Paddington to Euston Square on the Circle or Hammersmith & City line, then a short walk to Euston.
- Avanti West Coast: from London Euston to Birmingham New Street, about 1 hour 26 minutes.
See our Euston to Heathrow guide and Paddington to Heathrow guide for more on these connections.
Heathrow to Birmingham by Train via Reading
CrossCountry suggests changing at Reading, its closest station to Heathrow:
- RailAir coach: from Heathrow to Reading station, around 45 minutes.
- CrossCountry: from Reading to Birmingham. Check times in the journey planner.
Read more about the RailAir coach in our Heathrow to Reading guide.
Taxi from Heathrow to Birmingham
The coach arrives in Digbeth, and the train means changes with your luggage. A pre-booked taxi goes straight from your terminal to your address. It's usually the easier choice when:
- you have heavy luggage, a pushchair or sports equipment;
- you're travelling as a family or group;
- you land late at night or fly out very early;
- your address isn't close to the coach station or New Street.
Book a Heathrow to Birmingham transfer
- Door to door: Heathrow airport transfers to Birmingham and other destinations beyond London, 24/7, with TfL-licensed drivers.
- Arriving at Heathrow: your exact meeting point is in your booking instructions; with Meet & Greet, your driver meets you in the arrivals area.
- Flight monitoring: we offer flight monitoring for pre-booked airport pickups. Add your flight number when booking, and flight monitoring helps us coordinate your pickup around updated arrival information.
- Fixed fares: fixed fares for pre-booked airport transfers. Know your fare before confirming your booking, with no meter-based fare surprises.
- Vehicles: saloons to 16-seat minibuses in our fleet. Get an instant fare quote.
Birmingham to Heathrow
The same options work in reverse. National Express coaches leave Birmingham Coach Station for Heathrow. By train, take Avanti from New Street to Euston and continue via Paddington, or CrossCountry to Reading and the RailAir coach to Terminals 2, 3 and 5.
If you're dropped off at Heathrow by car or taxi, Heathrow charges £7 for every vehicle entering a terminal drop-off area, including taxis. Travelling with Banana Cars? Check your quote and booking details for how this airport charge applies to your journey.
Which Option Should You Choose?
- Travelling light on a budget: the direct National Express coach.
- Prefer the train: via Euston for the fastest rail leg, or via Reading to avoid central London.
- Lots of luggage, a family or a group: one vehicle, door to door; see group transfers.
Heading somewhere else from Heathrow? Read our Heathrow to Oxford and Heathrow to Bristol guides.
Heathrow to Birmingham FAQs
Yes. National Express runs up to 27 coaches a day between Heathrow and Birmingham Coach Station, with the fastest taking about 2 hours 15 minutes.
No. Travel via London Euston, with the Heathrow Express to Paddington and the Underground to Euston Square, or via Reading with the RailAir coach and a CrossCountry train.
About 1 hour 26 minutes on Avanti West Coast from London Euston to Birmingham New Street.
At Birmingham Coach Station in Digbeth, in the city centre.
About 237 km (147 miles) by the coach route.
It depends on traffic, the time of day and your exact address. Fixed fares for pre-booked airport transfers. Know your fare before confirming your booking, with no meter-based fare surprises.
We offer flight monitoring for pre-booked airport pickups. Add your flight number when booking, and flight monitoring helps us coordinate your pickup around updated arrival information. Airport waiting allowances vary between 45 and 60 minutes depending on your flight category, under the terms of your booking. Any additional waiting charges are also subject to your booking terms.
Yes. MPVs, the Executive MPV-7 and 16-seaters suit families and groups. Child seats are free on advance request: Group 0/0+ (infant), Group 1 (toddler) and Group 2/3 (booster). Tell us each child's age and how many seats you need when you book.
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