Birmingham Airport, located 13 kilometres east-southeast of Birmingham city centre in Solihull, ranks as England’s seventh-busiest airport, handling over 12.9 million passengers in 2017. Serving as a hub for airlines such as easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair, and TUI Airways, it connects to over 150 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.
The airport operates a single terminal, combining former Terminals 1 and 2 since 2011, with check-in desks on the ground floor, security and departures on the first floor, and arrivals below. Clear signage in English guides passengers through the straightforward layout, though longer walks to gates in the International Pier may require extra time during peak periods.
Access to the airport is seamless with robust transport options. The free Air-Rail Link monorail connects to Birmingham International Railway Station in two minutes, where trains reach Birmingham city centre in 10-15 minutes for about £4.50 or London in 70 minutes. National Express and Megabus services link to the city centre and cities like Manchester and Bristol, with fares starting at £5.
Taxis to central Birmingham take 15-20 minutes, costing £16-£30, while the M42 motorway provides direct access for drivers, with over 12,000 parking spaces across seven lots, including short-term Car Parks 1-3, just a minute’s walk from the terminal. Car rentals from Sixt, Europcar, and Hertz are available in the arrivals hall.
Dining and retail options cater to diverse preferences. The departure lounge offers Wetherspoon’s Factory Bar and Kitchen for pub-style meals, Giraffe for global-inspired dishes, and Costa Coffee for quick snacks. Shelby & Co. Bar . Kitchen, inspired by Peaky Blinders, provides a unique dining option.
Retail includes duty-free shops, WHSmith, and fashion stores like Superdry, alongside outlets selling local souvenirs. Facilities are well-equipped, with free Wi-Fi, water fountains, and a multi-faith prayer room open from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The Aspire Lounge and No1 Lounge offer snacks and Wi-Fi for £20-£35, while a Changing Places toilet and children’s play areas near Gate 54 and the South departure lounge ensure accessibility. Passengers with reduced mobility can request assistance through airlines, with dedicated parking and lifts available.
On-time performance is generally reliable, but ongoing construction of a new security area has led to delays, with queues reaching up to 90 minutes during peak times like summer holidays. Weather disruptions and air traffic control issues can also impact schedules, so arriving three hours early for international flights is recommended.
Connections within the single terminal are efficient, with domestic-to-domestic transfers taking as little as 20 minutes and international transfers up to 45 minutes due to passport control. Passengers with separate tickets may need to reclaim luggage and recheck, adding up to an hour.Potential delays to watch for include extended security queues, particularly during morning and evening peaks, worsened by construction work. Baggage handling delays, sometimes up to 45 minutes, and occasional staffing shortages can slow operations. The £3 drop-off zone charge and limited trolley availability may also inconvenience travellers.
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus operates from the Main Terminal at Birmingham Airport for flights to Dublin. Check-in desks are typically in the Check-in Zone A or B (desks 1–30 range), but exact desks vary. Check-in opens 2 hours before departure and closes 45 minutes before departure. Online check-in is available 30 hours to 2 hours prior.
Departure Gates: are typically from Gates 40–60 in the Main Terminal. Specific gate assignments are displayed on airport departure boards or via the Aer Lingus app.
Ryanair
Ryanair operates frequent daily flights to Dublin from Birmingham from the main terminal, with check-in desks typically in the check-in zone A or B (desks 1–30). Exact desks are displayed on airport screens.
Flights to Ireland usually depart from gates in the main terminal (gates 1–20 or 40–60). Specific gates are announced on departure boards.
Ryanair strongly encourages online check-in via their app or website (48 hours to 2 hours before departure). Passengers with hold luggage must use the bag drop desks at the airport, open 2 hours to 40 minutes before departure.
Gates are often assigned close to departure time and can vary daily. Passengers should monitor airport departure boards for real-time updates.
