Living in South Yorkshire we have 4 airports within an hour and a half drive. Despite the variety, we have flown from Birmingham airport more often than any other! It’s a firm favourite for our family with lots of ways to make it go smoothly. Whether you choose Birmingham Airport’s fast track, on-site parking, airport lounges or airport hotels there’s something for everyone!
We usually drive from Sheffield down the M1 to Birmingham but it is well linked for public transport. There’s a small connection from Birmingham train station. National Express coaches run here too. And of course, many Taxis are available to take you down. This is the most expensive way to get there but the most convenient too. It’s a great little airport with lots of choices of airlines and destinations. You could fly with Ryanair to Dublin or do as we did and fly Qatar Airways to Perth Via Doha.
Security Upgrades
Birmingham airport has been in the news a lot recently, as the summer season really starts to get into the swing of things. The airport security is getting an upgrade which will mean that we no longer need to separate the liquids from the rest of our hand luggage. This is brilliant news, but it does mean things aren’t as smooth as they complete this work. It does look worse than it is at the moment though. The upstairs space where you’d normally queue is reduced, so the queues are carrying on downstairs and outside at times. Despite how it looks at first, it’s not really taking any longer than usual. To make it quicker you could choose to pre-book Birmingham airport fast track to get you in the quicker lane. Also, for the time being you still need to separate your hand luggage so make sure you are ready. Also, get to check in in the appropriate time frame, most airlines check-in opens 3 hours before departure, if you get there any earlier there’s nowhere for you to go!
More details of what can and cannot be carried in hand luggage can be found on the Gov.uk Website. If you want to make your experience even quicker you can purchase Birmingham airport fast-track security tickets before the day.
Airport Parking
If like us, you choose to drive to Birmingham airport you have a host of choices for parking. We often have parked at APH or Airparks parking. These parking options aren’t on-site at the airport but secure parking around 15 minutes from the airport. They are usually the most cost-effective option and include a transfer from the car park to the airport and back.
If convenience is your priority Meet & Greet parking is the one for you! You call them as you’re approaching the airport, pull up to meet a driver who then takes the car and parks it for you. You can head off on your holiday without stressing about finding a parking space. And the best bit… When you return they bring the car right back to the doors! As an alternative, if you prefer to keep hold of your car keys, there are a couple of on-site parking options which are a short walk to the terminal.
Birmingham Airport hotels
If you have an early flight departure or a late arrival, the airport hotels at Birmingham are a must. There are 3 hotels all on-site. there are the 3* Ibis, and the 4* hotels, Novotel and Hilton Garden Inn. All 3 hotels are situated directly opposite the terminal. Having stayed at the Novotel a couple of times I know how great this location is. We were able to park up the night before, stay at the hotel and then the morning of our flight get up and stroll across the road to the departures.
Check-in at Birmingham Airport
One bonus of Birmingham Airport over Manchester Airport, for instance, is there is just one terminal. There’s no ending up in the wrong terminal and getting lost! The airport is pretty easy to navigate in the departure area. the Jet2.com area is marked with its bright red branding. On the opposite side to departures is where you will find scheduled airlines like Emirates, Qatar and Turkish Airlines. And everyone else fits in the middle. We’ve never found it crowded at any time of day or year, lots of friendly staff and toilets within reach of all the desks.
Twilight Check-in
To help make your life easier, TUI and Jet2 both offer a twilight check-in service at Birmingham Airport. For Jet2 flights before 12pm the following day, you can drop your bags between 16.30 and 21:00. Check out the Jet2 terms and conditions before you do. Similarly, with TUI flights before 12pm the next day you can drop your bags off between 14:00 and 21:00. It’s ideal if you are staying in a hotel the night before, in the morning you can head straight to security.
A brilliant combination would be meet & greet parking, airport hotel, twilight check-in, Birmingham airport fast track and then a lounge for the ultimate stress-free airport visit!
Airside eating and drinking
Once you are through security you can relax a little before you are called to board. Big screens are located all over the airport so you can locate your flight and keep an eye on whether it’s still on time or not. If you have time to sit and eat (We make sure we have time to eat!) there are lots of options. Our favourite is Giraffe, That’s right next door to Wetherspoons. There are loads of options like Costa, Burger King and even a prosecco bar.
Lounge Access
If you don’t enjoy the hustle and bustle of airports a lounge could be the answer. There are various lounges in the airport to suit different needs. Some are adults only, some are family and some are just for business and first-class passengers on certain airlines. If you aren’t flying First class but still want a lounge you can pre-book a 3-hour slot in your preferred lounge. They usually include complimentary drinks (they may limit alcoholic drinks) and snacks. there’s WiFi access and as you need to pre-book you are sure of somewhere to sit and relax. Prices vary but adult access is usually around £35.
Shopping
Arguably the most essential part of the airport is the shops. There’s a range of stores in the departure area to get your fix of duty-free and make sure you have the snacks and book ready for the journey. There’s a currency exchange desk and currency ATMs in the terminal too for those who are as unorganised as me!
The modern Birmingham airport is a great international airport to start your trip. Up there with the best of the airports in the UK, with lots of amenities. Perfectly placed in the heart of England, it’s a great option for most people to travel from. Next time you are considering a London or Manchester departure, check Birmingham to see how the price compares. We’ve found the cost from Birmingham much more reasonable than most local airports lately.
Wherever your end destination, have a great trip!
Becky x
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