Birmingham Airport Guide - Features, Services & Facilities
Content
Birmingham Airport (BHX) is the primary international gateway for the West Midlands, handling 13.6 million passengers in 2025. This single-terminal facility offers over 150 direct destinations, more than 50 airline operators, and advanced security systems allowing 2-litre liquid limits in hand luggage.
What Makes Birmingham Airport a Key UK Travel Hub?
Birmingham Airport is the 7th busiest airport in the UK, located eight miles southeast of Birmingham city centre in Solihull. The airport operates from a single, integrated terminal designed to streamline the journey for millions of travellers. Following a record-breaking year with a 10.1% increase in flight capacity, the airport is on track to reach a milestone 14 million annual passengers in 2026. This growth is supported by an ambitious £300 million capital investment programme, which has modernised baggage handling systems and delivered a state-of-the-art security hall featuring advanced 'next-generation' scanning technology.
What are the Recommended Check-In Times at BHX?
Arrival times at Birmingham Airport depend on your flight type and destination. Standard check-in opens 2.5 hours before short-haul flights and 3.5 hours before long-haul journeys.
- Short-haul (UK and Europe): Arrive 2 to 3 hours before departure.
- Long-haul (Middle East and North America): Arrive 4 hours before departure.
- Online check-in: Opens 14 days (Premium) or 48 hours (Standard) prior to your flight.
Airlines such as Jet2, TUI, and easyJet offer "Day-Before Bag Drop" services between 14:00 and 21:00 for flights departing before midday. This service allows you to drop your luggage early for a reduced parking fee of £6 in the Premium Set Down zone.
How Can You Reach Birmingham Airport?
There are four main transport methods for reaching the terminal. The airport is accessible via the M42, rail links to Birmingham International Station, and regional bus networks.
How Do You Reach the Airport by Car?
The airport is directly off Junction 6 of the M42 motorway via the A45. Drivers should use the postcode B26 3QJ for satellite navigation.
Which Bus Services Run to Birmingham Airport?
There are four primary bus routes serving the terminal:
- X1 Service: Connects Birmingham City Centre to Coventry via the airport every 20 minutes.
- X12 Service: Links Solihull to the airport and the National Exhibition Centre (NEC).
- 75/75A Service: Connects Sutton Coldfield directly to the terminal building.
- National Express Coaches: Provide long-distance links to London, Manchester, Leeds, and Cardiff.
How Do You Get to the Airport by Train?
Birmingham International Station serves the airport directly. The Air-Rail Link is a free monorail that transports passengers from the station to the terminal in two minutes. This service operates every few minutes between 03:30 and 00:30. In 2026, this link will facilitate transfers for over 15,000 rail passengers daily.
What is the Pick-Up and Drop-Off Procedure?
The airport operates two specific zones for vehicle arrivals, ensuring traffic flow and passenger safety.
- Premium Set Down: The closest zone to the terminal. The fee is £6 for the first 15 minutes. Ideal for quick drop-offs.
- Drop Off Car Park: Free for the first 10 minutes. A five- to ten-minute walk from the terminal via a covered walkway. Users can also take a free shuttle bus from Car Park 5.
Read more information about drop off and pick up here.
Which Destinations Does Birmingham Airport Cover?
Birmingham Airport offers over 150 direct destinations across three continents, including European city hubs, Mediterranean sun spots, and long-haul business centres.
Complete List of Direct Destinations (150+)
Direct flights from BHX connect the West Midlands to 30 countries. Examples include:
| Region | Primary Destinations Served |
|---|---|
| UK & Ireland | Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Dublin, Cork. |
| Western Europe | Amsterdam, Paris (CDG), Berlin, Madrid, Rome, Prague, Vienna, Zurich, Brussels. |
| Mediterranean | Alicante, Tenerife, Malaga, Faro, Ibiza, Palma, Lanzarote, Corfu, Antalya, Dalaman. |
| Middle East/Asia | Dubai (DXB), Doha, Jeddah, Istanbul (IST), Amritsar, Delhi. |
| North America & Caribbean | Orlando (SFB), Cancun, New York (Seasonal), Barbados. |
Which Airlines Fly from Birmingham Airport?
There are over 50 airline operators at Birmingham Airport, ranging from ultra-low-cost airlines to flagship legacy carriers.
Detailed Airline Check-In & Operations Table (2026 Data)
| Airline | Zone | Handling Agent | IATA Code | Primary Hub | Check-In Opens | Bag Drop | Loyalty Programme | Cabin Classes | Popular Destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jet2.com | A | Jet2.com | LS | BHX/MAN | 3.5 hours | Yes | myJet2 | Economy | Tenerife |
| Emirates | D | Swissport | EK | Dubai | 3.5 hours | Yes | Skywards | First/Business/Economy | Dubai |
| easyJet | B | Swissport | U2 | Luton | 3 hours | Yes | Flight Club | Economy | Paris CDG |
| Ryanair | B | Swissport | FR | Dublin | 3 hours | No | MyRyanair | Economy | Dublin |
| TUI Airways | B | Swissport | BY | Luton | 3.5 hours | Yes | TUI Rewards | Economy/Premium | Palma |
| Air France | B | PrimeFlight | AF | Paris | 3 hours | Yes | Flying Blue | Business/Economy | Paris |
| KLM | B | PrimeFlight | KL | Amsterdam | 3 hours | Yes | Flying Blue | Business/Economy | Amsterdam |
| Air India | B | Swissport | AI | Delhi | 4 hours | Yes | Maharaja Club | First/Business/Economy | Delhi |
| Wizz Air | B | Swissport | W6 | Budapest | 3 hours | No | WIZZ Discount | Economy | Krakow |
| Aer Lingus | C | Swissport | EI | Dublin | 3 hours | Yes | AerClub | Business/Economy | Dublin |
| Lufthansa | C | Swissport | LH | Frankfurt | 3 hours | Yes | Miles & More | Business/Economy | Frankfurt |
| Qatar Airways | C | Swissport | QR | Doha | 3.5 hours | Yes | Privilege Club | Business/Economy | Doha |
| Turkish Air | C | Swissport | TK | Istanbul | 3.5 hours | Yes | Miles&Smiles | Business/Economy | Istanbul |
| SAS | C | Swissport | SK | Stockholm | 3 hours | Yes | EuroBonus | Plus/Economy | Copenhagen |
| SWISS | C | Swissport | LX | Zurich | 3 hours | Yes | Miles & More | Business/Economy | Zurich |
| Vueling | C | Swissport | VY | Barcelona | 3 hours | No | Vueling Club | Economy | Barcelona |
| Loganair | B/C | Swissport | LM | Glasgow | 2 hours | Yes | Clan Loganair | Economy | Isle of Man |
| Aurigny | C | Swissport | GR | Guernsey | 2 hours | Yes | FrequentFlyer | Economy | Guernsey |
What Parking Options Are Available at BHX?
There are six on-site parking options at Birmingham Airport, categorised by distance and service level.
What Is Park and Walk Parking?
These car parks are directly opposite the terminal and require no shuttle bus.
- Car Park 1: Multi-storey, 1 minute from check-in, with 3,371 spaces.
- Car Parks 2 & 3: Covered multi-storey blocks, 2 minutes away, with 1,931 spaces.
- Priority Parking: Located on the ground level of Car Park 3 for the fastest access. This pre-book only service has 67 dedicated bays.
What Is Park and Ride Parking?
These are surface car parks within the airport boundary.
- Car Park 4: On-site surface lot, 3–5 minutes’ walk or free 3-minute shuttle. It has 707 spaces.
- Car Park 5: The largest surface car park with 3,837 spaces. Free shuttle transfers take 3–5 minutes.
- Car Park 7: The most economical long-stay option with 2,000 spaces. It is a 10–15-minute shuttle ride from the terminal.
What Is Meet and Greet / Valet Parking?
This service allows you to drop your vehicle at the terminal entrance.
- Valet Parking: Chauffeurs park your vehicle in a secure on-site facility. It is a 2-minute walk to check-in.
- Approved Providers: Examples include Maple Parking, SPS Mystery Parking, and Airparks.
SaveOnPark Comparison: At SaveOnPark, we offer the best Birmingham Airport parking deals. By comparing over 12 providers on our platform, users save up to 60% compared to on-the-day gate prices. For 2026, 8-day parking prices start from £50.19.
What Facilities Does BHX Airport Provide?
The terminal offers six core service categories for passenger convenience.
1. Shopping
There are over 20 retail outlets, including:
- World Duty Free: Save 20% on high street prices for liquor and beauty.
- Boots: Located before and after security for health essentials and meal deals.
- JD Sports & Accessorize: For last-minute fashion and accessories.
- InMotion: Sells electronics, headphones, and travel adapters.
2. Bars and Restaurants
Choose from over 15 dining options:
- The Granite City (Wetherspoon): Popular for budget-friendly breakfasts.
- Giraffe & Factory: Offers full sit-down meals with airfield views.
- Costa Coffee & Starbucks: Multiple locations for quick refreshments.
- Tacos Locos: New for 2026, serving Mexican street food.
3. Airport Lounges
Birmingham Airport has four premium lounges:
- Aspire Lounge: Panoramic runway views and complimentary snacks.
- No1 Lounge: Bistro menu and tended bar.
- Clubrooms: Luxury, adult-only environment with hosted table service.
- Emirates Lounge: Exclusively for Emirates business and first-class passengers.
4. Airport Hotels
There are four hotels within a two-minute walk:
- Novotel: The premium on-site option with four-star facilities.
- Ibis & Travelodge: Offer budget-friendly overnight stays.
- Hilton Garden Inn: Features high-floor rooms with runway views.
5. Security Services
- Express Lane Security: A dedicated lane for £6 per person. In 2026, we recommend booking this 48 hours in advance, as daily slots are limited.
- 2L Liquid Rule: Birmingham Airport now allows up to two litres of liquids in hand luggage due to the full rollout of C3 CT scanning technology.
6. Travel Assistance
The airport provides "Sunflower Lanyards" for hidden disabilities and over 10 help points for passengers with reduced mobility (PRM). Specialised "Changing Places" facilities are available near the OCS reception desk.
Expanded Destination Spotlight: New Routes for 2026
In 2026, Birmingham Airport will launch four major new routes to expand its European and domestic reach. Read complete information here
- Rome (Fiumicino): A new daily easyJet service connecting the Midlands to the Italian capital.
- Nice (Côte d'Azur): Seasonal flights providing access to the French Riviera.
- Inverness: A key domestic link to the Scottish Highlands.
- Grenoble: A winter-only service for ski enthusiasts travelling to the French Alps.
FAQs
How many terminals does Birmingham Airport have?
Birmingham Airport has a single terminal building. The facility was integrated into one building in 2011 to simplify passenger transit. All check-in desks are on the ground floor.
How many runways does Birmingham Airport have?
The airport has one primary runway measuring 3,052 metres. This length allows the largest aircraft, such as the Airbus A380, to take off fully loaded for long-haul flights to Dubai.
How big is Birmingham Airport?
The airport site covers 320 hectares. It is the 7th largest airport in the UK by passenger volume and handles over 100,000 aircraft movements annually.
Who owns Birmingham Airport?
Birmingham Airport is owned by Birmingham Airport Holdings Ltd. Shareholders include the seven West Midlands District Councils (49%) and Macquarie Asset Management (26.5%).
How do you get to Birmingham Airport (general/by train)?
You can reach the airport via the M42 (Junction 6) or by train to Birmingham International Station. The station is connected to the terminal via the free Air-Rail Link.
Does Birmingham Airport have a train station?
Yes, it is served by Birmingham International Station, located on the West Coast Main Line.
Is Birmingham International the same as the airport?
No. Birmingham International refers to the railway station and the nearby NEC. The airport's official name is Birmingham Airport (BHX).
Can you walk from the train station to the airport?
Yes, you can walk via a covered bridge, but the free Air-Rail Link is faster, taking only two minutes to reach the check-in hall.
How far is Birmingham Airport from the train station?
The physical distance is approximately 400 metres. The Air-Rail Link covers this distance every two minutes.
How much is a taxi to Birmingham Airport?
A taxi from Birmingham City Centre costs between £25 and £35. We suggest using official airport taxis or pre-booking a private hire for the best rates.
How much is parking at Birmingham Airport?
Short-stay "turn up" prices start at £10.50 for one hour. Pre-booked long-stay parking through SaveOnPark starts at £45 for eight days in February 2026.
Which car park is best at Birmingham Airport?
Car Park 1 is best for speed (one-minute walk). Car Park 5 is best for picking up passengers (free for 10 minutes). Car Park 7 is best for budget long-term stays.
How do you pay for Birmingham Airport parking?
You can pay by credit or debit card at the exit barriers or at automated pay stations within the terminal. Pre-booking online via SaveOnPark is the most cost-effective method.
Which is the best lounge at Birmingham Airport?
The Clubrooms is rated as the most luxurious option. The No1 Lounge is the most popular for general travellers. The Emirates Lounge is best for eligible business passengers.
Is there a smoking area at Birmingham Airport?
Yes. There is a designated smoking area located after security near the Meriden Bar. Smoking is not permitted inside the terminal building itself.
What shops are at Birmingham Airport?
Shops include World Duty Free, Boots, WHSmith, JD Sports, Accessorize, InMotion, and Kurt Geiger. Most are located in the main departure lounge.
Is there a Boots at Birmingham Airport?
Yes. Boots is located in the departure lounge and sells baby milk, toiletries, and over-the-counter medicine. There is also a smaller outlet before security.
Why can't I book fast track at Birmingham Airport?
Fast track (Express Lane) can sell out during peak periods such as summer holidays. We recommend booking 48 hours in advance to guarantee your slot.
Where does Birmingham Airport fly to?
It serves over 150 destinations, including Dubai, Amsterdam, Paris, New York, Cancun, and all major Mediterranean resorts.
