Did you know that you can travel to 90% of the UK from Birmingham in under four hours? That's a great benefit of living in the West Midlands!
Welcome to Birmingham! The most youthful city in Europe, with 40% of residents under 25, mostly students. Did you know that you can travel to 90% of the UK from Birmingham in under four hours? That's a great benefit of living in the West Midlands!
Now, you're wondering how to get around this exciting city, especially to the University of Birmingham. Fear not, this blog post is your one-stop guide to becoming a Brum Busker (a Birmingham traveller). We've also created a video to help you digest this information quicker.
Buses
Birmingham's bus network is extensive, with many routes operating frequently (including night buses for those late-night adventures). NX West Midlands operates most of the services, and their buses can take you directly to the University. Bus station information screens display real-time arrival times, and journey planning apps like Google Maps can help you know which bus to take.
There are numerous bus-stops around the University depending on your location. If you're near the Sports and Fitness Centre, The Guild, The Business School, or the south part of campus, you can use the nearest stops on Bristol Road. If you're on the north part of campus, near the library, School of Education, or the Gisbert Kapp building, you can use the bus stops on Pritchatts Road. NX West Midlands offers student bus passes with monthly, 4-weekly, and term-based options. You can also get a day pass for unlimited travel within a single day.
Selly Express
This is a free evening shuttle bus which takes you from campus to Selly Oak - operated by The Guild and the University of Birmingham.
The bus runs from Monday - Friday during term time, and collects students at 7:00pm, 8:00pm, 9:00pm, 10:00pm, 11pm, and 12am, close to the main Library, behind Spar (on the corner of Westgate and Ring Road).
You don’t need to buy a ticket to ride the Selly Express. Just show up with your student ID and tell the driver exactly where you’d like to be dropped off, and we'll either drop you at the exact location, or for smaller roads that the bus may not be able to navigate, as near to your front door as we possibly can.
Check the Guild's website for pick-up and drop-off points.
Coaches
Need a break from student life and craving a London weekend? National Express coaches offer direct connections from Birmingham Coach Station at discounted student prices.
Trains
Trains are the fastest option for reaching the city centre and beyond Birmingham. The University of Birmingham has its own train station, University Station, which provides a quick and convenient 7-minute journey to Birmingham New Street Station. Birmingham New Street is a major hub with connections to all parts of the UK. Trains are your best bet for a swift and comfortable journey.
Cycling
Birmingham is becoming increasingly cycle friendly. You can rent a bike from a shop or use the city's bike hire scheme. Remember, Birmingham isn't Amsterdam (yet!), so cycle cautiously and watch out for birds.
Taxis
Taxis are readily available and can be hailed on the street or booked through apps. However, they can be a bit heavier on your wallets. On the plus side, booking taxis using an app, will give you the option to send your friends or family a link to track your journey and know your expected time of arrival.
Top Tips for Travelling
Travel cards and passes are your best friends, especially if you plan on exploring different cities in the UK during your free time. Get a Railcard as soon as possible. It offers a third off your train ticket price every time you travel and typically pays for itself within a few trips (it's a yearly subscription). Some banks offer a 16-25 year old railcard for free with a student bank account. This could be a great way to save even more money on your travels.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) offers various student travel passes depending on your zone and needs. Think buses, trains, and trams! Do some research to find the best fit for you. They also have a top-up card option for convenient travel across the West Midlands.
If you live in the city centre and commute to the University like me, West Midlands Railway season tickets are a great option if you travel at least three or four times a week. They are cheaper per journey than daily tickets and offer unlimited travel on your route. Students can get up to 50% off their tickets with a valid University ID.
Anudheep Sriraj