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Original poster

Birmingham: is this do-able?

35 replies

TomatoSouper · 20/10/2025 13:06

I’m meeting a friend from the airport but will be coming down a bit before. Was thinking of taking the train to Birmingham New Street, staying the night there, then taking a train to the airport next day & staying 1 further night with my friend in the city centre before we head back.

Is that easy enough to do? Are there frequent trains back & forth to the airport and would I find her easily there?

I was looking at hotels - Malmaison or Aloft, or Crown Plaza. Maybe the night where I’m alone somewhere smaller - the Britannia by the station?

OP posts:
AppleStrudel16 · 20/10/2025 13:07

Should be fine.

Danikm151 · 20/10/2025 13:07

Do not book the Britannia 😅

just don’t

train is every 10-15 mins to airport roughly and takes about 20 mins depending on if it’s the less stops one or longer one.

you can also get a few busses

slightlyoverbaked · 20/10/2025 13:10

Yes very doable and easy by train.

Only one terminal at the airport too so easy to find people

NutButterOnToast · 20/10/2025 13:21

DO NOT stay at the Brittania.

Literally the worst hotel in the UK. Just go for the Ibis or one of the Travelodges in the area.

StarlightRobot · 20/10/2025 13:22

Have you been to Birmingham lately? The last time I was in New Street it was like the zombie apocalypse with people off their faces on spice. My seven year old daughter wanted to ‘help the man’, ie one of the many off his face, and I had to explain why we couldn’t help him. We don’t live in a bubble and have addicts in my smaller city, but this was a different level. It felt very, very unsafe. There were paramedics in the station at one point, checking on one of the addicts. Add in the filthy rubbish everywhere and the hostility, I swore we would never return.

So, your plans may be doable but why would you?

Original poster
TomatoSouper · 20/10/2025 13:24

OMG thanks for the non recommendation for the Britannia! It was cheap & now I know why. Ok excellent.

OP posts:
Original poster
TomatoSouper · 20/10/2025 13:26

StarlightRobot · 20/10/2025 13:22

Have you been to Birmingham lately? The last time I was in New Street it was like the zombie apocalypse with people off their faces on spice. My seven year old daughter wanted to ‘help the man’, ie one of the many off his face, and I had to explain why we couldn’t help him. We don’t live in a bubble and have addicts in my smaller city, but this was a different level. It felt very, very unsafe. There were paramedics in the station at one point, checking on one of the addicts. Add in the filthy rubbish everywhere and the hostility, I swore we would never return.

So, your plans may be doable but why would you?

I’ve never been to Birmingham but my friend is flying into that airport and I need to be nearby the day before. Oh dear, spice doesn’t sound wonderful. Had best book a nicer hotel then. Maybe we could chill at a museum and then use the spa.

OP posts:
fiorentina · 20/10/2025 13:33

Agree definitely find a better cheap hotel. Maybe look at what’s on at the theatre or ballet, they have some great shows there. Shopping is also great and a good selection of restaurant and bars.

Trains to the airport are frequent.

SandrenaIsMyBloodType · 20/10/2025 13:34

The railway station that serves the airport is Birmingham International which also serves the NEC. There are some nice things on at the NEC over the coming weeks - big craft fair, BBC Good Food show etc. it might be worth seeing if there’s anything on at the NEC on your dates. There are also hotels at the NEC although I have no experience of them.

AppleStrudel16 · 20/10/2025 13:35

StarlightRobot · 20/10/2025 13:22

Have you been to Birmingham lately? The last time I was in New Street it was like the zombie apocalypse with people off their faces on spice. My seven year old daughter wanted to ‘help the man’, ie one of the many off his face, and I had to explain why we couldn’t help him. We don’t live in a bubble and have addicts in my smaller city, but this was a different level. It felt very, very unsafe. There were paramedics in the station at one point, checking on one of the addicts. Add in the filthy rubbish everywhere and the hostility, I swore we would never return.

So, your plans may be doable but why would you?

Goodness, how dramatic! I’ve been to Birmingham plenty, most recently last year and it was fine. I walked through the city centre alone at dusk and it was fine.

MadisonAvenue · 20/10/2025 13:37

TomatoSouper · 20/10/2025 13:26

I’ve never been to Birmingham but my friend is flying into that airport and I need to be nearby the day before. Oh dear, spice doesn’t sound wonderful. Had best book a nicer hotel then. Maybe we could chill at a museum and then use the spa.

Show quote history

Take no notice and don’t worry. Birmingham is no different to any other major UK city. The previous poster makes it sound like the city centre looks like the set of the Walking Dead.

WorthySloth · 20/10/2025 13:39

StarlightRobot · 20/10/2025 13:22

Have you been to Birmingham lately? The last time I was in New Street it was like the zombie apocalypse with people off their faces on spice. My seven year old daughter wanted to ‘help the man’, ie one of the many off his face, and I had to explain why we couldn’t help him. We don’t live in a bubble and have addicts in my smaller city, but this was a different level. It felt very, very unsafe. There were paramedics in the station at one point, checking on one of the addicts. Add in the filthy rubbish everywhere and the hostility, I swore we would never return.

So, your plans may be doable but why would you?

🤣🤣 we go to Birmingham frequently. Tend to stay in the travelodge by new street station. Feel perfectly safe wandering around at all hours of the day and night. Tbh I probably see more addicts hanging around in the Devon seaside town I live in than in Birmingham.

we go to gigs at the Utilita or the pulse and use the train to the NEC. Nice and simple and regular.

we also go to stuff in Wolverhampton using the tram or the train.

Hope you enjoy your time there!

YetAnotherNewUserMoniker · 20/10/2025 13:42

I have been to Birmingham twice in recent months for the first time in years (Open day at the uni with DC1 last autumn and to stay over for a show with DC3&4 in May) and we had a fantastic time. Yes, it’s quite a workaday city but we never felt threatened and my kids are not used to evenings in big cities. DC1 and I stayed in the Malmaison and for the other night we were in the Travellodge by China Town and both were absolutely fine. Not sure when you’re going, but my first visit coincided with the Christmas Market which was fab. And travelled by train the first time, which was very straightforward.

TwilightAb · 20/10/2025 13:47

NutButterOnToast · 20/10/2025 13:21

DO NOT stay at the Brittania.

Literally the worst hotel in the UK. Just go for the Ibis or one of the Travelodges in the area.

Yeah i second this. Stayed there last year and found poo in the bath plug hole. Obviously not cleaned properly!

TwilightAb · 20/10/2025 13:48

Yes OP very frequent trains between new street and Birmingham International.

Original poster
TomatoSouper · 20/10/2025 14:08

YetAnotherNewUserMoniker · 20/10/2025 13:42

I have been to Birmingham twice in recent months for the first time in years (Open day at the uni with DC1 last autumn and to stay over for a show with DC3&4 in May) and we had a fantastic time. Yes, it’s quite a workaday city but we never felt threatened and my kids are not used to evenings in big cities. DC1 and I stayed in the Malmaison and for the other night we were in the Travellodge by China Town and both were absolutely fine. Not sure when you’re going, but my first visit coincided with the Christmas Market which was fab. And travelled by train the first time, which was very straightforward.

Thank you for this @YetAnotherNewUserMonikerWhat did you think of the Malmaison? Did you use the spa? I’m thinking of booking it but the Aloft or Radisson also appeal.

OP posts:
YetAnotherNewUserMoniker · 20/10/2025 14:13

Malmaison was very nice but we didn’t get to see much of it! Arrived relatively late, went straight out for dinner and then it was bed and off to the uni first thing the next day. What I saw looked good, the beds were comfy and it was a peaceful night’s sleep. And a lovely breakfast! Car park right next to it (I misremembered our travel, we drove, got the train to/from the uni and left the car there for the day then retrieved it in the evening), which was reasonable and secure. I read lots of online reviews about dodgy car parks but it was fine (as was the one we used when staying at the travelodge).

There is clearly a lot more to do there than we saw and I’d happily go back for another trip. It would have been DC1’s top pick for uni but unfortunately they don’t do the specific course combination she wanted. DC3 and 4 enjoyed a trip to Villa Park and St Andrew’s!

fiorentina · 20/10/2025 14:43

The Grand Hotel is very nice but depends if you can get a good room rate. Alternatively Malmaison or the hotel at the Cube.

Blarn · 20/10/2025 14:48

The trains are really frequent.

I'm sat in the city centre now, right next to New St and uts no different to any other large city. The centre is not covered with rubbish and neither is anywhere else now that the bins are being collected. There are some homeless people and drug addicts but nothing different to any other city or town I have been to. If you are coming in November prepare for it to be very busy with the Christmas Market and be sensible with your phone and purse.

NutButterOnToast · 20/10/2025 14:50

The Radisson isn't a particularly high quality hotel. I've stayed there and tbh it was no better than a Premier inn and I think the Premier inns were a lot cheaper.

Ineedanewsofa · 20/10/2025 14:57

Live close so rarely stay in the city, last time I did was in the hotel in the Burlington Arcade opposite the station. It was very nice, if a little dated.
Trains are super frequent as others have said. There is a hotel in the Resorts World shopping centre by the airport which is very nice, have done a couple of spa afternoons there and would go back.
Birmingham is alright, have a lovely time with your friend 😊

Biscuitsneeded · 20/10/2025 14:57

The Travelodge by China Town (Upper Dean St?) is absolutely fine, and the staff are nice. The Premier inn at the station is good, although the manager is terrifying in a good way! Nobody is getting into that hotel who shouldn't be there on her watch! Honestly, for someone used to London, the area around the station and China Town is a little... interesting... and the streets and empty retail units could really do with some TLC, but it's all just city life and it's fine. I agree that addiction issues are very much on display, but in several visits I haven't encountered any problems.

barkpark · 20/10/2025 14:58

I live in Birmingham. Parts of the city centre are not very nice. If you and your friend are planning to go out to eat and drink I’d recommend that you plan for Stirchley, Kings Heath or Harborne.

I was out in town this week and honestly was holding onto my bag in places, there are some shady groups about. I never feel like that in Kings Heath or Stirchley. They’re only a 10 min uber from town.

StarlightRobot · 20/10/2025 15:19

It sounds like we were very unlucky on our trip. We had a crazy / aggressive person shouting in the station, an unhinged man aggressively swore at us in the street, all the addicts in the station plus paramedics assisting one passed out person and there literally was rubbish all around. I used to live in London and am there most weeks and never experienced this in London or any other UK city. I was on high alert as I had two primary aged kids with me and felt very, very vulnerable. This was December 2024 and I swore I’d never return and haven’t. Maybe things have improved since then as other posters seem to have different experiences.

caringcarer · 20/10/2025 15:24

As PP said the Travel Lodge near to station is fine and not expensive. Frequent trains and buses to airport. Whilst in Birmingham why not see what is on at the theatres. They have some great productions especially in the run up to Xmas. Shopping is good, trains and buses good but Birmingham is now bankrupt and so if you went out of the city centre bins are not being empied in all areas.