Student Travel Birmingham: Railcard and West Midlands Metro
How to travel cheaply in and out of Birmingham as a student. Railcard, Metro, and bus tips.
Birmingham is the UK’s second largest city and well-connected by rail. Getting around it cheaply requires knowing a few things upfront. Here is the practical breakdown.
16-25 Railcard
Essential. The £30 annual railcard gives 33% off most rail fares and Birmingham New Street is one of the best-connected stations in the country – London Euston is 85 minutes, Manchester Piccadilly is 80 minutes, Bristol Temple Meads is 90 minutes. The railcard pays for itself on a single London return. Buy it in your first week and load it onto your phone via the Railcard app so it is always available.
West Midlands Metro
The West Midlands Metro tram runs from Birmingham Snow Hill through the city centre and out towards Wolverhampton. An extension to Edgbaston is underway and will eventually connect more directly to the University of Birmingham area. Currently, the most useful stops for students are in the city centre – Corporation Street, Bull Street, and Grand Central. Pay using contactless or the Swift card for the best fares.
Swift Card for Buses and Metro
The Swift card is the West Midlands transport smartcard covering buses and Metro. Loading a day or weekly cap onto a Swift card is cheaper than paying individually. The Swift student season ticket for the academic year is significantly cheaper than buying daily – available through West Midlands Trains and National Express West Midlands. University of Birmingham students should also look at the University travel options, which sometimes include subsidised bus passes.
Cross City Line Train
The Cross City Line running through New Street to University station is the most direct route for University of Birmingham students. The short hop from New Street to University station takes around 5 minutes and student season tickets covering this are available. Much faster than any bus option covering the same route.
National Express Coaches
Birmingham Coach Station on Digbeth High Street is one of the busiest coach hubs in the UK. National Express services to London Victoria, Manchester, Bristol, and most other major cities are significantly cheaper than trains when booked early. A midweek London return booked a week ahead often costs under £20. Worth bookmarking for term breaks.