Travelling into Birmingham
Visit Birmingham this Christmas for a fabulously festive experience. Birmingham has so much to offer, from theatre and pantomime, ice-skating, Christmas Markets and fantastic shopping spots.
The Frankfurt Christmas Market, the Big wheel and ice rink will all be open to the public from Friday 1 November.
Find out more about what you can get involved with over the festive period.
With so many exciting activities taking place, the city is going to be very busy. You can help to reduce congestion by thinking about when and how you travel:
- Public transport is the best, most convenient way of travelling to and around Birmingham City Centre, use the TfWM Journey Planner to find your fastest route and method of sustainable transport.
- NXWM bus single adult ticket will remain capped at just £2 until the end of year
- Saturday afternoons are busiest. Consider visiting on Saturday morning, Sunday or a weekday instead.
- West Midlands Cycle Hire and Beryl e-scooters are two fantastic ways of getting around the city. You can ride for as cheap as 6p a minute, depending on the type of pass you choose.
- Park and Ride services are available. For more information, visit the Transport for West Midlands website
Recent changes for city centre visitors include:
- Implementation of the City Centre Public Realm scheme
- Lower Bull Street was re-opened, and bus services have restarted
- Paradise Circus multi-storey car park is now closed
- Suffolk Street Queensway slip road is now closed at its junction with Lyon Queensway (formerly Paradise Circus).
Driving
- If you do choose to drive your car, be mindful of the Clean Air Zone. Check to see if your car is compliant, and if not, be aware that you will have to pay the charge.
- Remember to not drive in bus lanes, otherwise you may be issued a fine. The Moor Street Queensway bus gate is operating directly outside of the Bullring.
- By Saturday lunch-time, car parks in the main shopping area will be full. If you have travelled by car, do not drive around looking for a space; use Snow Hill, Millennium Point or Five Ways car parks instead.
- View the list of council run city centre car parks.
Read more detailed travel advice and get help to plan your journey.
Current roadworks
There are some ongoing roadworks in Birmingham City Centre that may impact your travel.
These include:
- the Eastside metro extension
- the development of Cross City Bus routes
- new canal street is currently closed due to HS2 construction works
You can find out more about current and ongoing roadworks on the Transport for West Midlands website.
Page last updated: 4 October 2024
