
Travel
Travelling to open days
We strongly recommend that visitors to use public transport to reach the University. We welcome over thousands of visitors to our Open Days, and as a result the adjacent roads can get extremely busy at peak times.
The easiest way to reach the University is by train. Birmingham is the only University campus in mainland UK to have its own railway station - ‘University’ station. The journey takes approximately 7 minutes from Birmingham New Street and up to six trains an hour depart for the University on the Cross-City Line (final destination Longbridge or Redditch).
For up-to-date information on train times and prices, please contact National Rail.
There are frequent express coach services to Birmingham from London, Heathrow and Gatwick airports and many other UK cities. The long-distance coach station is in Digbeth in the city centre.
If you are travelling from within the West Midlands, then the following bus services stop at different parts of the University’s main Edgbaston campus, as well as the Vale Village accommodation site and the Selly Oak campus.
Bus service numbers: 1, 1A, 48, 61, 63, 76, X20, X21, X22
Further information is available on the National Express West Midlands website.
Save on travel to your open day
- A Single ticket on National Express West Midlands is £1 for those 18 and under until 30 June 2023 (or £2 for a day saver), and is £2 (£4 for day saver) for those over 18.
- Use our booking link for a 30% discount on National Express coach travel for students.
Parking at Open Days is often limited due to the number of visitors that we welcome to campus, and there is the chance that visitors may not find space to park on campus. We recommend that visitors use public transport to reach the University and the best way to arrive here is via train.
The University's main car park for visitors to open days is:
- North East Car Park (access via Pritchatts Road) Sat Nav Postcode B15 2SA
Parking is free of charge on campus during open days, however, please note these car parks are also used by staff and students and can fill up very quickly.
Anyone with a blue badge parking permit can park in the allocated parking bays on the main campus, arriving via the East Gate entrance on Edgbaston Park Road.
Alternative parking can also be found in and around the city. There are a number of NCP car parks across the city centre along with large shopping centre car parks and there is a direct train from Birmingham New Street to the University train station. The journey takes approximately 7 minutes from Birmingham New Street and up to six trains an hour depart for the University on the Cross-City Line (final destination Longbridge or Redditch).
Selly Oak train station is a short walk from the University, or you can catch the train from Selly Oak to University train station if you'd prefer which is right on campus. Selly Oak station has a large car park with nearly 400 spaces, and parking is free.
There is also a large park-and-ride car park at Longbridge train station, which is around a 15-minute journey to the University with trains departing every 10 minutes. There is a small daily parking charge of £3 at Longbridge.
Clean Air Zones have been introduced to cities across the UK, including Birmingham. Unlike a congestion charge, such as the one in London which charges every vehicle to enter a designated area, the Clean Air Zone will only charge the most polluting vehicles. If you are travelling through the centre of Birmingham then you will need to bear this in mind.
For more information and to see if your car is exempt from the Clean Air Zone charge visit the Brum Breathes website.
There is further information on our website detailing how to get to the University, as well as downloadable maps of campus.
If you're considering staying in Birmingham and exploring our beautiful city, why not stay on the University campus itself in the University’s very own hotel – the Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre.
The Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre is offering a discounted rate for Bed and Breakfast for open day visitors. Book directly with us and enjoy 10% off your stay. Simply use the promotional code BOOK10 at the time of booking. Limited time offer and subject to availability.
To book the rooms, please contact reservations@edgbastonparkhotel.com or call 0121 414 8888 for best rates.
Alternatively please see the Visit Birmingham website to explore other accommodation options across the city.
We have dedicated parking bays on campus for Blue Badge holders and all new buildings and major campus developments are being designed with accessibility in mind. Please contact us to discuss any requirements and we can advise.
Save money on your travel to open day with these bus, train and hotel offers.
Coach and bus travel
- A Single ticket on National Express West Midlands is £1 for those 18 and under until 30 June 2023 (or £2 for a day saver), and is £2 (£4 for day saver) for those over 18.
- Use our booking link for a 30% discount on National Express coach travel for students.
Hotels and accommodation
If you're considering staying in Birmingham and exploring our beautiful city, why not stay on the University campus itself in the University’s very own hotel – the Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre.
The Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre is offering a discounted rate for Bed and Breakfast for open day visitors. Book directly with us and enjoy 10% off your stay. Simply use the promotional code BOOK10 at the time of booking. Limited time offer and subject to availability.
To book the rooms, please contact reservations@edgbastonparkhotel.com or call 0121 414 8888 for the best rates.
Train travel
A railcard from National Rail can save you up to 1/3 on rail fares. There are 9 different national Railcards on offer, to find out more about a Railcard – including prices, eligibility and more check the National Rail website.