Birmingham Transportation Tips by sourbugger Top 5 Page for this destination

The car is king Train Review

Birmingham's rail infrastructure is relatively undeveloped compared to other English cities such as Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield or Newcastle.

Whilst the graphics inside local trains make it look as if the West Midland has a metro system, this is not the case.

A number of lines converge on the seventh ring of hell - otherwise known as New Street station. You will always need to consult a timetable (especially at weekends) if you are planning to use the train, and expect delays.

The only exception to this is the 'Midland Metro' that runs between the centre of Birmingham and Wolverhampton (see other tip).

The 'buzz' (Bus) is the true backbone of public transport in the West Midlands.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Train

Website: http://www.centro.org.uk

Up to the capital Train Review

The main west coast train line connects Birmingham and london. Expect to pay a King's ransom for a ticket, unless you book six months in adavance, online, and wear one blue sock on a Tuesday before travelling.

The alternative is to look at Chiltern railways who run a slower (but cheaper) service from Marylebone station in london (Vigin use Euston) to Moor street or Snow hill in Birmingham (Virgin use New Street). Expect a journey of over two hours, but significant savings. The cheapest restricted fare by this method works out at only a fiver - see deals section.

Mode: TO

Type: Train

Website: http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk

Line 1 and probably only one Trams Review

The planned Midland Metro has been argued over for decades.

The only section that has ever been build is the 12 and a half mile route from Birmingham to Wolverhampton - if you ever have a burning desire to travel between the two.

You can in fact travel the journey by 'heavy rail' in a much shorter time, so it is really only useful if you are stopping at an intermediate point or are using one of the 'rover' tickets to get around.

The line one itself is very swish, clean and modern, although don't expect a service as consistent and reliable as you on the continent.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Subway/Metro

Website: http://www.thetrams.co.uk

M6 TOLL - it will cost you Driving Review

Britians first Toll motorway opened recently, as a northern by-pass around Birmingham (which many a comedian have noted as a good thing)

If you are using it to avoid the congested M6/M5 Spaegetti junction complex then it is probably worth the three pounds 50p for 27 miles of uncongested road.

Most of the time it will not be worth it, especially out of peak hours - the old free Motorway will do just as well.

Notice that the old motorway is signed 'M6' and the new one 'M6 Toll' - so if you take the latter there is no avoiding payment.

Mode: AROUND

Type: Car/Motor Home

Website: http://www.m6toll.co.uk