Anyone know birmingham well?

[greyriver]

I just wondered how long i would need to leave (driving) on a friday from birmingham city centre to the NEC? Concert starts at 7.30 and I dont fancy getting there too early so thought i would nip to the bull ring for a spot of shopping beforehand...but I have no idea how long it will take me on a friday night to get there as i havent been to birmingham for the past 3/4 years!

tia

yes!

if it is a concert- traffic will be horrendous around the NEC- you will need to give yourself a good hour at LEAST

yes at least an hour, traffic will be awful!

what concert is it?

Why not get the train? New Street to international (and the NEC) = about 10 mins. No problems with parking, etc.

good idea corriedale

train is fantastic from new st to international and you can walk straight through to the nec, much quicker!

Agree about train - traffic will be a nightmare and perhaps its just me but there are so many carparks and they are so big it takes ages to get to the correct part of the NEC you need!!

and once the concert is finished it can take an hour to get out of the car park, whereas with train you can get off easily

thats a good idea about getting the train, thanks so much everyone, I am off to see Beyonce!! I cant wait!! I didnt even realise that a train went anywhere near the NEC will be finding out the train times tomorow, i think that defintately makes loads more sense than faffing with the car and parking etc. and at the parking fee!! you can tell i am a country bumpkin

Thanks ladies

Deffo get the train, the station is right at the NEC. The M6 will be evil and the queues the back roads are buggers too! You will save loads of time!

dont want to get caught up in that kind of traffic! Esp as we will have a 2 hr journey back to where i live (and thats if all the roads are clear , i think we will be getting the train, thank goodness i posted It would never have entered my mind!

I used to work at the NEC and sometimes had to do the reverse commute from the NEC to the NIA site for a show. I would aim to get there at around 7.00pm at the latest and allow around 40-60 mins for the journey.

Train is much easier, but do check finish times and return trains.