The Birmingham to London train route is one of the busiest rail corridors in the UK, connecting the West Midlands with the capital in under 1 hour 30 minutes. Fast services from Birmingham New Street and Birmingham Moor Street offer frequent, reliable and comfortable travel into London Euston and London Marylebone.
1. Journey Overview
- Fastest journey: ~1 hour 24 minutes
- Typical journey time: 1h 24m – 1h 40m
- Distance: ~110 miles (177 km)
- Direct trains: Yes
- Frequency: 4–6 trains per hour across operators
- Main operators: Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Railway, Chiltern Railways
2. Major Stations
Birmingham New Street
The largest station in the Midlands with extensive retail, dining, and transport connections. See the Birmingham New Street station guide for full details.
Birmingham Moor Street
A smaller, historic station serving Chiltern Railways services to London Marylebone.
London Euston
The main arrival point for Avanti West Coast services. Good links to the Northern and Victoria lines. Also see our London Euston station guide.
London Marylebone
Arrivals for Chiltern Railways services. Offers a quieter travel experience with convenient links to Baker Street and Oxford Street.
3. Route Highlights
Depending on the operator, trains may pass through:
- Coventry
- Rugby
- Milton Keynes Central
- Banbury (Chiltern route)
- High Wycombe (Chiltern route)
Avanti services are the fastest; Chiltern Railways services offer a calmer, often cheaper alternative.
4. Onboard Experience
- Wi-Fi on most services
- Power sockets at seats
- Modern air-conditioned trains
- First Class available on Avanti West Coast
- Snack trolleys or onboard cafés depending on the operator
5. Best Time to Travel
- Peak: Weekday mornings and early evenings
- Off-peak: More comfortable and often cheaper
- Weekends: Great for day trips but may be affected by engineering works
6. Ticket Tips
- Advance tickets offer the best value on longer trips
- Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak fares available on selected services
- Railcards save up to 33% on most fares
- Consider Chiltern Railways for cheaper fares at slightly slower times
- Book early for business travel to secure seats
7. Useful Connections
If continuing travel:
- For travel north, see the Manchester to London train guide.
- Heading to Scotland? Check the London to Edinburgh guide.
- Travelling from the South Coast? See the Brighton to London train guide.
8. Why Choose the Train?
- Fastest Birmingham–London travel option
- Direct city-centre to city-centre connections
- Comfortable, modern trains with excellent onboard facilities
- No motorway congestion or fuel/parking costs
- High-frequency services suitable for flexible travel
Part of the Train Routes in the UK series.