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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

Birmingham to London by train

It takes an average of 2h 7m to travel from Birmingham to London by train, over a distance of around 101 miles (163 km). There are normally 155 trains per day travelling from Birmingham to London and tickets for this journey start from £6.40 when you book in advance.

First train

04:15

Last train

00:46

Departure station

Birmingham

Arrival station

London

Journey time

From 1h 19m

Distance

101 miles (163 km)

Frequency

155 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £6.40

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways

Travelling from Birmingham to London by train

Want to travel from Birmingham to London by train? Start your journey with us.

The train from Birmingham to London usually takes around 2h 1m but can take just 1h 13m on the fastest services, with around 218 trains running on this popular route per day. Trains are direct, so once you’re on board you can sit back, relax and stay connected with free WiFi available on most services.

You'll be travelling with either Avanti West Coast or Chiltern Railways on this route depending on the railway station you'll be leaving from. Avanti West Coast trains depart from London Euston, while Chiltern Railways services depart from London Marylebone station.

How to get cheap train tickets from Birmingham to London

Want to snap up the cheapest fares? Read our top tips for finding cheap train tickets from Birmingham to London below or check out the latest train deals and discounts:

  • Get a Railcard: Save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year
  • Book in advance: Most train companies in the UK usually release tickets 12 weeks in advance
  • Travel Off-Peak: Tickets are usually cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends compared to Peak times
  • Use GroupSave: If you're travelling in a group of 3-9 people, you can save up to 34% on eligible journeys at Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak times
  • Split your train tickets with SplitSave, our new split-ticketing app feature.

If you’re feeling ready to book, start a search for cheap train tickets with us today. Want to check if trains are running? Use our timetable to view live train times from Birmingham to London.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from Birmingham to London? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How long does the train from Birmingham to London take?

The average journey time by train between Birmingham and London is 2 hours and 7 minutes, with around 155 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.

What's the fastest journey time between Birmingham and London by train?

The fastest journey time by train from Birmingham to London is 1 hour and 19 minutes.

How much does the train from Birmingham to London cost?

Train ticket prices from Birmingham to London can start from as little as £6.40 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

Is there a direct train from Birmingham to London?

Yes, it is possible to travel from Birmingham to London without having to change trains. There are 155 direct trains from Birmingham to London each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

What time does the first train from Birmingham to London leave?

The first train from Birmingham to London leaves at 04:15. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

What time does the last train from Birmingham to London leave?

The last train from Birmingham to London leaves at 00:46. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.

What's the distance between Birmingham and London by train?

Trains travelling from Birmingham to London cover a distance of around 101 miles (163 km) during the journey.

Looking for more information?

If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from London to Birmingham. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from Birmingham to London.

Cheap train tickets from Birmingham to London

Train tickets from Birmingham to London start at £6.40 one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

Book in advance

Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.

Consider a Season Ticket

If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for Birmingham to London is right for you.

Use your Railcard

National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.

Split your tickets

Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team blog

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. We also believe about taking those journeys and sharing our experiences with you, so you can sit back, relax and get the most out of your trip.

Birmingham to London on the speedy Avanti West Coast service

I took the 16:50 train from Birmingham New Street to London Euston on Saturday 19 October 2019. The service called at Birmingham International, Coventry, Rugby and London Euston.

Departing from Birmingham New Street

Since the completion of its redevelopment in 2015, Birmingham New Street has become one of the most modern and impressive train stations in the country. As you approach the entrance, the station’s undulating metal roof is striking. There is a huge range of food outlets inside the station – I grabbed some food from LEON before departing. The upper concourse of the station is a buzzing hive of over 60 outlets and restaurants, and even connects to the Bullring shopping centre connects via the LinkStreet tunnel. The Bullring is a must-visit attraction in Birmingham, if not for the dizzying number of shops, then just to get a glimpse of the striking building design (it’s another excellent piece of modern architecture) and its famous bronze bull sculpture.

Boarding the Pendolino train

The train I took was the “Blackpool Belle” Pendolino train. The city’s crest was emblazoned on the side of the train. The Blackpool Belle Pendolinos were commissioned as part of Avanti West Coast's introduction of direct services to Blackpool. Its name is a homage to the service that took Lancashire workers to Blackpool for Saturday night dances from the 1930s to 1960s - immortalised in the 1993 song “Blackpool Belle” by the Houghton Weavers.

I had a seat right at the back of the train in Carriage A, the quiet carriage. This made for a pleasant and relaxing journey.

The on-board service

As I was in Standard Class, I didn’t benefit from the services afforded to First Class passengers. However, I did have access to the free on-board WiFi connection and Avanti West Coast’s own entertainment platform, Avanti Media. The WiFi connection was a bit slow but otherwise serviceable.

The onboard food carriage was located in Carriage C. There were loads of food options on offer, including hot eats, cold eats, snacks, chocolates, hot drinks and alcohol. Prices are higher than what you’d find in a high-street store, but not astronomical. A meal deal is £5.50 (sandwich, drink and a snack). Hot eats prices range from £2.60 for porridge to £4.20 for a chicken ciabatta; cold eats from £3.30 to £4.00; and hot drinks from £2.00 to £2.60. There are also some interesting alcohol choices, including craft beers, Pimm’s and prosecco.

The train journey itself

In terms of scenery, the journey isn’t particularly inspiring. There are a few interesting bits, though. As you leave New Street you get a good view of the Birmingham city skyline. There is also some pleasant countryside between Rugby and London, and as you approach Euston – about five minutes from the station – you'll see Wembley Football Stadium in the distance. I arrived at Euston slightly late due to some delays from bad weather.

Freddie’s top tip

Reserve a seat in advance. I reserved a forward-facing window seat in the quiet carriage which made for a very pleasant journey. All the information on my seat reservation was on my mobile ticket, which told me my carriage and seat number.

Find out more information about how to buy cheap train tickets to London.

About Freddie

Freddie, a former Trainline employee, chose to share their experience of the journey between Birmingham and London.

† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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