Compare the cheapest and fastest ways to travel from London to Birmingham by train, coach or car. See live cost comparisons for Avanti, Chiltern Railways, National Express, FlixBus and driving.
London to Birmingham is one of the UK's best-served rail corridors with trains every 20 minutes. The train is the fastest and most convenient option. If budget is the priority, the coach from London Victoria takes around 2h 20m but can cost as little as £5 booked in advance. Driving is only worth considering if you have heavy luggage or are travelling as a group.
London Euston to Birmingham New Street via Avanti West Coast. Chiltern Railways from Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street is often cheaper. Very frequent service throughout the day.
View train options →National Express and FlixBus both run frequent daily services from London Victoria Coach Station to Birmingham. Book in advance for fares as low as £5. Megabus also serves this route.
View coach options →M1 then M6 motorway. Straightforward drive but the M6 is notorious for congestion, especially on Friday evenings. Birmingham city centre parking from £8/day.
Get directions →🅿 Compare parking →Not cost-effective for this distance travelling solo. Only consider if sharing costs between 3-4 passengers.
Check Uber →The cheapest way to travel from London to Birmingham is by coach. National Express and FlixBus offer tickets from as little as £5-8 when booked in advance from London Victoria Coach Station. Megabus also serves this route at competitive prices.
The fastest trains from London to Birmingham take around 1 hour 21 minutes. Avanti West Coast operates direct services from London Euston to Birmingham New Street. Chiltern Railways services from London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street take slightly longer at around 2 hours but are often cheaper.
The bus is significantly cheaper than the train from London to Birmingham. Coach tickets start from £5-8 with National Express or FlixBus, compared to train tickets which start from around £14 advance and can exceed £80 at peak times. The trade-off is journey time — the train takes around 1h 21m versus 2h 20m by coach.
Driving from London to Birmingham costs approximately £16-20 in fuel depending on your car's fuel efficiency. The route is via the M1 and M6 motorways and takes around 2 hours outside of rush hour. Add parking costs in Birmingham city centre, typically £8-15 per day.
It depends on your priority. Avanti West Coast from London Euston is faster (1h 21m) and more frequent but usually more expensive. Chiltern Railways from London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street is often £5-10 cheaper and less busy, making it a great option if you have flexible timing. Both are comfortable and reliable.
For most travellers, the train is the best way to get from London to Birmingham. It is fast, frequent and comfortable. Avanti West Coast from London Euston runs every 20 minutes and takes just 1h 21m. Book in advance for the cheapest fares. If you are on a tight budget and have more time, the coach from London Victoria is a great alternative.
Use Siantira Travel to see real-time costs for your specific travel date and time.