Getting Around
There are so many ways to get around Birmingham. Best of all, so many attractions are just a pleasant stroll away from each other in the vibrant centre. Then there’s our taxi, bus, train and tram services that link you easily to everything else. You could even push the boat out with a water taxi on our historic canals - it’s a great way to get around. Or maybe, you’d like to cycle around our many parks. Whatever your preferred mode of travel, Birmingham has an abundance of convenient and fast transport options to suit every taste.
By train
Eight local rail lines criss-cross the city to ensure quick links to all attractions and venues (as well as other UK cities and towns). Midland Metro is the latest addition. This state-of-the-art light rail system whisks passengers between Snow Hill Station in Birmingham city centre and Wolverhampton. What’s more, planning and booking rail journeys couldn't be easier. Centro provides online timetables, fares including day tickets and passes, ticket purchase and route planning. Simply click www.centro.org.uk, call 0121 200 2700 or pop into the Centro store at New Street Station.
By bus
Birmingham is brilliant for buses. We’ve a huge network linking everyone to everything. Centro has all the online timetables and fare information you need with easy ticket buying and route planning. Alternatively call 0871 200 22 33 for timetable information (Calls from landlines cast 10p per minute) or visit Centro’s many information points. More and more local buses have facilities such as low floors for easy access for wheelchair users and push chairs. Birmingham buses cannot be hailed to be stopped; passengers wishing to board or leave a bus, should do so at an official bus stop. Please remember that you need to give the exact fare to the driver as you board.
By taxi
Birmingham’s well regulated taxis are especially convenient for those with heavy luggage or returning late from a night out. Black cabs can be hailed in the street or reached at one of the many taxi ranks in the city centre; the main ones are at New Street Station, Stephenson Street and Digbeth Coach Station.
TOA taxis are Birmingham's black cab operators.
It's wise to pre-book for journeys of a longer distance or at particularly busy hours. Private hire cars should always be pre-booked and an estimate of the fare secured beforehand.
By canal
Fancy stepping back in time and letting the rush hour simply rush on by. Then Birmingham canals are the way to travel. With a top speed of three miles per hour, longboats aren’t the fastest way to explore the area. But they certainly give a better insight into our unique heritage. Head for Gas Street Basin near Brindleyplace. It’s the heartbeat of the busy network; the turning point for narrowboats using the Grand Union, Stratford-upon-Avon and Worcester and Birmingham Canals. There are many ways to enjoy over 200 miles of local canal. Take a leisurely cycle ride or stroll along the towpath (of course, with regular stop-offs at any of the picturesque canalside cafes or Brindleyplace's floating cafe. Better still, take a short summer trip; starting daily from Brindleyplace. You can even start a relaxing narrow boat holidays from here. Click here for more information on Birmingham and the regional canals.
By foot
A leisure stroll is a great way to discover Birmingham. There’s so much to see. The city is now full of open and inviting pedestrianised areas. So it’s easy to take a relaxed and safe saunter around the compact centre with attractions, shops and places to eat and drink always close by if the whim takes you. This is the life.
Grab one of the detailed maps of the city centre from the Rotunda Tourism Centre. Better still, download a map now. Click here.
We’ve also a real choice of great guided walking tours or self-guided trails to explore. See our City Tours & Trails page for the details.
For further information about assistance for disabled visitors, visit our Access for All page.
Mobility for all
Whatever your level of mobility, you'll find Birmingham provides a high standard of accessibility with clear signposting to the majority of attractions, shops and venues.
For more detailed information, take a look at the special section on this website - just click here.