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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.

London to Birmingham by train

It takes an average of 2h 3m to travel from London to Birmingham by train, over a distance of around 101 miles (163 km). There are normally 166 trains per day travelling from London to Birmingham and tickets for this journey start from £6.40 when you book in advance.

First train

04:35

Last train

23:30

Departure station

London

Arrival station

Birmingham

Journey time

From 1h 16m

Distance

101 miles (163 km)

Frequency

166 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £6.40

Train operators

Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways

Travelling from London to Birmingham by train

Want to know more about the journey from London to Birmingham by train? Look no further!

The train from London to Birmingham usually takes around 2h 1m but can take just 1h 20m on the fastest services, with around 135 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 London to Birmingham

Want to snap up the cheapest fares? Read our top tips for finding cheap train tickets from London to Birmingham 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.

Ready to book? Start your search for train tickets from London to Birmingham with us today. Keep reading for more information, including our timetable where you can view first and last train times, as well as tips on how to find cheap train tickets.

Journey details

Want to know more about your journey from London to Birmingham? 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 London to Birmingham take?

The average journey time by train between London and Birmingham is 2 hours and 3 minutes, with around 166 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 London and Birmingham by train?

The fastest journey time by train from London to Birmingham is 1 hour and 16 minutes.

How much does the train from London to Birmingham cost?

Train ticket prices from London to Birmingham 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 London to Birmingham?

Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Birmingham without having to change trains. There are 166 direct trains from London to Birmingham each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.

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

The first train from London to Birmingham leaves at 04:35. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.

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

The last train from London to Birmingham leaves at 23:30. 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 London and Birmingham by train?

Trains travelling from London to Birmingham 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 Birmingham to London. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from London to Birmingham.

Cheap train tickets from London to Birmingham

Train tickets from London to Birmingham 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 London to Birmingham 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.

A fast, comfortable and easy journey to Birmingham

I arrived at Euston via the underground station. At the time of writing (August 2019) you needed to exit the underground into the piazza and enter back into the train station. The piazza is undergoing redevelopment work and they’re looking to turn it into a hub of restaurants and shops.

Entering Euston, you’re faced with a gigantic departures board suspended from the ceiling. People tend to gather underneath – it gets rather crowded at peak times – but it wasn’t too busy at mid-morning on a Friday. The platform entrances line the wall behind the board, numbering 1-16 from right to left as you face it. There are various fast food outlets nestled between the platform entrances; the first floor of the station houses sit-down restaurants.

Unlike most of my train journeys, I’d left myself plenty of time before the scheduled departure. I headed to the ticket machines (located at the back left of the station as you face the departures board) to print off my ticket. There are plenty of machines so I wasn’t left queuing for my ticket. I grabbed a bottle of water from WHSmiths and a coffee from a small doughnut shop tucked away opposite platform 1 - Dum Dum Donutterie. I was dismayed to later find out that ‘donutterie’ is not a real word.

Boarding the train

Having entered my seating preferences while booking through Trainline, I had reserved a window seat in coach B. This was right at the front of the train so it took a couple of minutes to walk to my carriage. The famous "Pendolino" logo adorned the side of the train.

The service on board

Being in Standard Class, I didn’t benefit from the service available to First Class passengers. However, I did have a peek into the First Class carriage for the purposes of this review and looked rather nice! Seats are arranged in a 2x1 format (as opposed to 2x2 in Standard), every seat has a reading light and hot drinks are served in proper china.

Standard Class was perfectly comfortable, however. My seat had a fold-out table and plug socket, and I had the option of using "The Shop" in carriage C to buy a drink or snack. A meal deal is £5.50, or a piece of cake with a hot drink is £3.50. The free-on-board WiFi was serviceable – cutting out in places but otherwise reliable. Streaming services are blocked on the WiFi but Avanti West Coast do offer their own free-on-board streaming portal, "Avanti Media". You’ll have to download the Avanti Media App to use it.

The journey

But for a handful of pleasant stretches of countryside, the journey isn’t particularly scenic. But it is super quick. I arrived into Birmingham New Street in just under an hour and a half, a few minutes after the scheduled arrival time. The Avanti West Coast service is significantly faster than the London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street route, which usually takes over two hours. While Avanti West Coast tickets are more expensive, my Super Off-Peak ticket combined with a 16-25 Railcard got me a very good deal indeed!

Freddie's Top Tip:

Make sure you secure a table seat on the window side if you want to guarantee yourself a plug socket.

About Freddie

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

† 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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