Birmingham Airport (BHX) is an international airport located 7 miles east of Birmingham city center. The airport is a major hub of air travel for the West Midlands region. It is also a significant hub for low-cost airlines with the majority of flights operated by 3 budget airlines.
BHX gets busier in summer when seasonal flights and charters bring British holidaymakers to seaside destinations across Europe.
With nearly 13 million passengers served in 2024, Birmingham Airport ranks as the 7th busiest airport in the UK.
Major Airlines - Jet2.com, easyJet, Ryanair
Birmingham Airport is an operating base for four airlines:
easyJet: The British multinational low-cost giant offers a growing list of flights to various European destinations and at least a dozen seasonal destinations in Spain, Greece, Iceland, and Cyprus.
Jet2.com: One of the largest holiday airlines in the UK. It offers the most choices in terms of destinations from Birmingham Airport.
Ryanair: This popular Irish low-cost airline flies to many cities across the Old Continent and Morocco.
TUI Airways: Offers charter and scheduled flights to holiday destinations in Europe and further afield like the Dominican Republic, Egypt, and Cape Verde.
Of the full-service international airlines that fly to and from Birmingham Airport, a few stand out for their regular flights to major world airports:
Emirates flies to Dubai International (DXB).
Qatar Airways flies to Doha Hamad (DOH).
Turkish Airlines flies to Istanbul (IST).
Air France flies to Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG).
In total, over 25 airlines serve Birmingham Airport. See the full list here.
There are plans currently to significantly expand the airport to accommodate up to 33 million passengers by 2033 and introduce new long-haul routes to destinations including New York, Toronto, Mumbai, and Hong Kong, and additional European routes to cities like Stuttgart, Oslo, and Hamburg.
Terminal Layout and Gates
Birmingham Airport has a single terminal complex made up of the old terminals connected via a third building called the Millennium Link. Thus, BHX can be seen as having one terminal, although the three areas are sometimes regarded as their separate zones.
Gates from 1 through 20 are located in the old Terminal 2, whereas the other 28 gates are in the former Terminal 1.
All check-in desks and arrivals are located on the ground floor whereas the first floor houses the departures security area, shops, and various restaurants.
The Millennium Link is a walkway lined with shops, restaurants, and service counters. Walking from the T1 area to the T2 area through the Millennium Link takes about 5-10 minutes.
Birmingham Airport aims to become a net zero carbon airport by 2033.
Connecting Flights and Transit
In general, transit at Birmingham Airport should not be a cause for concern. The compact design and the single-terminal layout mean you don’t need more than 2 hours between connecting flights.
There exists a transfer route that will see you reach your new gate airside without clearing Immigration and Customs. However, note that it is currently closed which means all connecting passengers must complete their arrivals journey through Immigration and proceed back through security.
Wi-Fi at Birmingham Airport
Complimentary Wi-Fi is available throughout the entire terminal complex.
To access the free Wi-Fi, connect to the "BHX Free Wi-Fi". This will automatically open your browser to a page where you should enter your details. They will be saved for future visits.
Connecting gives you 30 minutes of access to the Wi-Fi. After that, just reconnect to refresh the duration.
Dining Options
Birmingham Airport offers various dining establishments, from quick-service outlets to full-service restaurants. You can find places to eat and drink both before and after Security.
Before Security, some notable places include:
The supermarkets SPAR and M&S Simply Food.
The coffee shops Caffè Nero and Costa.
The bakery Greggs.
After Security, you have a lot more options:
All Bar One serves wines, cocktails, a breakfast menu, and an all-day menu.
Burger King should satisfy those who crave fast food and flame-frilled burgers.
Chaiiwala for its selection of fresh and flavourful Indian street food.
Starbucks and Costa for coffee drinks.
Pret for premade sandwiches.
Shelby & Co. Bar + Kitchen for a unique Peaky Blinders-themed all-day dining bar & kitchen.
Lounges at Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport offers 5 lounges, including airline-specific ones and those that are publicly accessible for a fee.
Clubrooms: Offers comfortable seating with stylish decor, charging points, and food and drinks served via table service among other perks. The runway views are a welcome extra too. The entrance fee starts at 40 GBP. Find in the International Pier, after Security.
No1 Lounge: A freshly prepared buffet and a fully-tendered bar - what more could you ask for? Prices start at 34 GBP. Find in the Main departure lounge after Security.
Aspire Lounge: Complimentary food and drinks, including Halal options. A quiet zone with unlimited wifi, charging points, and runway views. Prices start from 36.99 GBP. Located to your left as you exit the World Duty Free store.
Aspire Lounge South: The same selection of amenities and quality but located on the south side of the airport, near Gates 1 - 20.
Emirates Lounge: A premium Lounge for First Class and Business Class fliers of Emirates or Skywards Gold members. It offers unlimited fresh food and drinks, full bar service, as well as shower facilities. Find it along the International Pier.
Transportation to and from the airport
Given the proximity to the city (only 7 miles to Birmingham) and the nearby M6, M42, and Coventry Road (A45) highways, Birmingham Airport is easy to reach by car.
It’s also served by public transport in the form of rail, bus, and coach services:
Rail Services: The airport is connected to Birmingham International Railway Station via the free Air-Rail Link. It takes 2 minutes to reach the station from the airport and operates between 03:30 and 00:30 every day. From there, you can reach many destinations in England and Wales by a number of operators.
- Bus Services: Two National Express WM bus services and one Diamond Bus service serve the airport and the railway station.
X1 (between Birmingham City Centre and Coventry) - Bus stop K.
X12 (between Birmingham City Centre and Solihull) - Bus stop L.
96 (between Kingstanding and Chelmsley Wood) - Bus stop L.
Coach Services: The two companies that operate long-distance coaches from Birmingham Airport are National Express and Megabus. Together they reach over 30 towns and cities across Britain. Inquire on their websites for more information about routes, timetables, prices, and conditions.
You can also grab a taxi from outside the main terminal. The official airport taxi company is Complete Taxi Management UK and you can easily recognize their black cabs. A trip to Birmingham city center costs around 35-40 GBP.
Alternatively, Uber operates at Birmingham Airport from its dedicated pick-up and drop-off locations. The exact location will be shown on the app after you book a journey.
If you’d like to drive yourself, car hire companies are at your disposal in the Arrival Area of the airport. Some of the big ones present at BHX include Avis, Europcar, Hertz, and SIXT. Most are open daily from 8:00 AM until 10:00 PM.
Last but not least, check out your options for private transfers from Birmingham Airport.
Parking at BHX
Birmingham Airport offers several parking options for different needs. If you seek the best rates, pre-book a parking spot before you arrive. Otherwise, you can just turn up and park in one of the car parks that have available lots.
Car Park 1: The closest you can park to the terminal building - just a 1-minute walk. This is a covered, multi-story car park. Rates are 9.50 GBP per day maxed at 64 GBP per day.
Car Park 2: Also inside the multi-story car park. Rates are 9.50 GBP per hour maxed at 64 GBP per day.
Car Park 3: Also inside the multi-story car park. Rates are 9.50 GBP per hour maxed at 64 GBP per day. Offers the option for priority parking.
Car Park 4: The main surface car park. You can reach the terminal in 3-5 minutes on foot and there is also a free shuttle bus. Rates are 9.50 GBP per hour maxed at 63 GBP for the first day and 54 GBP per day thereafter.
Car Park 5: Another surface car park. The terminal is a 10-minute walk away and there is also a free shuttle bus every 15 minutes. Rates are 9.50 GBP per hour maxed at 61 GBP for the first day and 52 GBP per day thereafter.
Car Park 7: A meet & greet parking site and for those who’ve pre-booked. It is the best-value parking lot, especially when you pre-book. Rates are 2.50 GBP per hour maxed at 49 GBP for the first day and 42 GBP per day thereafter. It is a 10-minute bus ride to the Terminal with a free shuttle that runs every 15 minutes.
There are also options for premium pre-booked parking and valet parking.
If you’re just dropping off other passengers, the best option is the Drop Off Car Park where stays of up to 10 minutes are free. It is connected to the terminal via a covered walkway.
Hotels near Birmingham Airport
While there are no hotels inside the terminal itself, four hotels are located right outside it providing a convenient place to stay during layovers or before early flights.
Novotel Birmingham Airport: A 4-star hotel right outside the airport.
ibis Birmingham Airport - NEC: A no-frills 3-star hotel just a minute from the terminal.
ibis Budget Birmingham Airport - NEC: This budget alternative is also just a minute's walk from the entrance to the airport.
Hilton Garden Inn: Located just 4 minutes on foot from the terminal.
Birmingham, United Kingdom
No
