The 2026 European Athletics Championships will bring tens of thousands of visitors to Birmingham — and two of the biggest feeder cities will be London and Manchester. Whether you’re flying into Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester Airport, or travelling from city centres, this guide breaks down the best travel methods, fastest routes, and most reliable transfer options for event week.
Welcome to your complete long-distance travel guide for 2026 fans, families, corporate guests, and international visitors.
⭐ Why This Route Matters for Athletics 2026
📍 London → Birmingham
London is the UK’s largest arrival hub for international visitors attending the event.
📍 Manchester → Birmingham
Manchester will supply huge traffic from Northern England and Europe (via MAN Airport).
Both cities offer direct, fast, and convenient routes — but demand will be extremely high during Athletics week.
Planning early ensures:
- Better travel times
- Guaranteed arrival windows
- Zero delays en route to Alexander Stadium
- Smooth airport → hotel → stadium flow
🚆 London to Birmingham: Best Transfer Options
1️⃣ Train (Fastest Public Transport Option)
Route: London Euston → Birmingham New Street
Time: ~1 hour 20 minutes
Frequency: Every 20 minutes (approx.)
Pros:
- Fastest option
- Arrives in the heart of Birmingham
- Great for solo travellers
Cons:
- Crowded during event days
- Limited luggage space
- No guaranteed seating during peak hours
2️⃣ Chauffeur Transfers (Most Reliable & Comfortable)
Perfect for:
- Families
- VIP guests
- Corporate travellers
- Groups
- Visitors carrying luggage or sports equipment
Benefits:
- Door-to-door travel from London or London Airports
- Fixed pricing
- No train delays
- Zero stress during traffic
- Priority drop-off at stadium
👉 Internal Link (auto-selected):
Book Long-Distance Chauffeur to Birmingham
Travel Time by Chauffeur:
- London → Birmingham: 1h 45m – 2h 15m
- Heathrow → Birmingham: 1h 45m – 2h 10m
- Gatwick → Birmingham: 2h – 2h 30m
This is the best option for comfort, privacy, and reliability.
3️⃣ Coach Services
Best for budget travellers.
Providers: National Express, Megabus
Time: 2h 40m – 3h 30m
Pros:
- Cheapest option
- Multiple daily departures
Cons:
- Long travel time
- Less comfortable
- Slow during city congestion
4️⃣ Self-Drive
Route: M1 → M6 or M40 → M42 → A38
Time: 1h 45m – 2h 20m
Expect heavy traffic around Birmingham during event days.
✈️ Transfers From London Airports (LHR, LGW, LTN)
✈️ Heathrow
- Chauffeur: 1h 45m – 2h
- Train: Heathrow Express → Paddington → Euston → Birmingham (longer, multiple changes)
✈️ Gatwick
- Chauffeur: 2h – 2h 30m
- Train: Gatwick → Victoria → Euston → Birmingham
✈️ Luton
- Chauffeur: 1h 30m – 1h 50m
- Train: Luton → St. Pancras → Euston → Birmingham
For international arrivals, chauffeur services are 100% the most efficient option.
🏙️ Manchester to Birmingham: Best Transfer Options
1️⃣ Train (Most Popular)
Route: Manchester Piccadilly → Birmingham New Street
Time: ~1h 30m
Frequency: Every 30 minutes
Pros:
- Fast and direct
- Comfortable for solo travellers
Cons:
- Large crowds expected
- No guaranteed seat
- Possible delays
2️⃣ Chauffeur Transfers (Premium Choice)
Ideal for:
- Groups
- VIP fans
- Hospitality attendees
- Corporate travellers
- Visitors with luggage or equipment
Benefits:
- Direct door-to-door travel
- Luxury vehicles
- Fixed pricing
- Flexible timings
- No overcrowding
👉 : Airport Transfers for UK Visitors
👉 : UK-Wide Transfers to Birmingham
Travel Time:
- Manchester → Birmingham: 1h 30m – 1h 50m
Chauffeurs outperform trains during high-demand event periods.
3️⃣ Coach Services
Time: 2h 00m – 2h 30m
Good for budget travel, but much slower.
4️⃣ Self-Drive
Route: M6 South
Time: 1h 45m – 2h 15m
Expect heavy congestion near Birmingham before major sessions.
🏟️ From Birmingham to Alexander Stadium
Once you reach Birmingham, the stadium is easy to access.
Best Options:
- Chauffeur (priority lanes)
- Stadium shuttles (fast & frequent)
- Taxi (limited availability during peak times)
- Train → Perry Barr → shuttle/taxi
Travel Times:
- City Centre → Stadium: 15–20 minutes
- BHX Airport → Stadium: 25–30 minutes
🧭 Which City Is Better to Travel From? London vs Manchester
| Category | London | Manchester |
|---|---|---|
| Best for international visitors | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Best for UK day trips | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Fastest train | 1h 20m | 1h 30m |
| Cheapest coach trips | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Best chauffeur route | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Winner: Both are excellent — choose based on your origin.
But for comfort, speed, and reliability, chauffeur transfers win overall.
🔗 High-Authority External Link
Official UK travel updates:
👉 https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
🏁 Conclusion
Whether you’re travelling from London or Manchester, getting to Birmingham for the 2026 European Athletics Championships is simple — as long as you choose the right method.
🚆 Fastest public transport:
Train
🚗 Most reliable & comfortable:
Chauffeur Service
💰 Best for budget-friendly travel:
Coach
🔄 Best for groups:
Executive chauffeur minibuses
To avoid delays, queues, and uncertainty — especially near Alexander Stadium — pre-booking your long-distance transfer is strongly recommended.
👉 Book your chauffeur for 2026:
Online Chauffeur Booking – Luxe Transfers UK
❓ FAQs
1. What’s the fastest way from London to Birmingham for Athletics 2026?
The train from Euston is the fastest — around 1 hour 20 minutes.
2. How long is the drive from Manchester to Birmingham?
Approximately 1 hour 30–50 minutes depending on traffic.
3. Are chauffeurs better than taxis for long-distance travel?
Yes — chauffeurs offer fixed pricing, comfort, and guaranteed availability.
4. Which airport is best for international visitors?
Heathrow and Manchester Airport are the most common arrival hubs.
5. Should I book transfers early for Athletics 2026?
Absolutely — demand will be extremely high.
