How to get to Spring Fair International

Spring Fair International is perfectly located in the centre of the UK, with easy links to the country’s major motorway network.

The NEC is just ten minutes by train from the centre of Birmingham and 80 minutes from London. And with Birmingham International airport and railway station right next door, it’s an effortless journey from anywhere in the world.

The NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT

 By train >
 By car >
 By coach >
 By plane >
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 Travel Services Directory >


By train 
Birmingham International station is just a five-minute walk under a covered bridgelink from the show, linking Spring Fair with all major cities in the UK. Regular trains connect the city’s central station, Birmingham New Street, to Birmingham International in around ten minutes. London is only 90 minutes away and trains also run direct to many regional towns and cities.

For timetables and tickets visit www.thetrainline.com or call +44 (0)8457 484950.

 More information and tickets for Virgin trains

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By car
Birmingham is at the hub of the UK motorway network, enabling visitors to travel directly from the M6, M1, M40 and M42. From the M6, exit at Junction 4 or 4a for the M42. From the M42, leave at Junction 6 and follow signs for the NEC.

The NEC is signposted on motorways and major roads and is marked on most good maps. If you are travelling by car, we recommend that you allow plenty of time for your journey.

The NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT

M6 Toll

As a free flowing alternative to the M6, the M6 Toll offers reliably shorter journey times through the West Midlands. It runs between Junctions 4 and 11 of the M6, and there is easy access to The NEC from Junction T1 of the toll road.
 M6 Toll Website

Using Sat Nav If you are using a satellite navigation system please enter the postcode B40 1NT to pinpoint the NEC. Please be aware that the Sat Nav system will not direct you into the onsite car parks. Please follow the clearly signposted directions once in the vicinity of the venue.

Traffic Radio For visitors travelling to The NEC by car, Traffic Radio broadcasts the latest traffic conditions, emergency incidents and roadworks on motorways and major A roads. Traffic Radio broadcasts continuous live traffic updates online at www.trafficradio.org.uk and on DAB digital radio.

 View a route map here - AA route planner 

Free Parking
The NEC has its own on-site car parks with regular shuttle buses taking you to the nearest show entrance.

Car parks are more broadly categorised into North, East, South and West. All in all there are over 20,000 FREE onsite parking spaces!

On your arrival at The NEC, traffic officers will direct you to the most convenient parking area.

 View a site map of the NEC here

The NEC has designated car park spaces for visitors with disabilities.

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By coach
National Express runs direct routes to Birmingham International from all major cities and airports in the UK.

 For timetables and tickets visit www.nationalexpress.com or call +44 (0)8705 808080.

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By plane
Fly direct! More than 20 international airlines serve Birmingham International Airport, which is conveniently situated a few minutes from The NEC (via a 90 second monorail). Together they provide scheduled flights from 34 destinations in the UK, Europe and North America. Birmingham International Airport is located in the centre of England, 8 miles (13km) east of the city centre. From the first floor of Terminal 1 take Air-Rail Link to Birmingham International rail station. Then follow the directional signs to the NEC.

The NEC is also easily accessible from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and other regional airports (please see below for more information). Visit www.bhx.co.uk or call +44 (0)8707 335511.
 
 View the Airline Guide for your country

Travelling from London:

Heathrow Airport
Visit www.baa.co.uk
Fastest route is with the RailAir coach (operated by Virgin Trains) from Heathrow Terminal 4 to Watford Junction, then a direct train to Birmingham International and the NEC. Total journey time from Heathrow less than 2.5 hours.

Alternative routes via London:
Heathrow Express to London Paddington, then the Underground to Euston for direct rail services to Birmingham International
(1 hour).
Underground (Piccadilly and Victoria line) to Euston (1 hour).

Gatwick Airport
Visit www.baa.co.uk
Regular trains connect Gatwick Airport to Kings Cross Thameslink and London Victoria stations. Underground services connect these stations to London Euston for direct rail connections to Birmingham International and the NEC.

Stansted Airport
Visit www.baa.co.uk
Direct trains run between Stansted Airport and Birmingham New Street (journey time 3 hours). Regular services connect Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International for the NEC.
Regular trains connect Stansted Airport to London Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale stations. Underground services connect these stations to London Euston for rail connections to Birmingham.

Luton Airport
Visit www.london-luton.co.uk or call
+44 (0) 1582 405 100.
Fastest route: Regular trains connect Luton Airport Parkway to Luton town. Virgin Trains operate connecting coach services (45mins) between Luton and Milton Keynes for fast direct trains to Birmingham International and the NEC. Total journey time 2hrs.

Alternative airports near Birmingham:

East Midlands Airport (Nottingham), 40 miles to the NEC
Visit www.eastmidlandsairport.com or call +44 (0)871 919 9000.

Manchester Airport, 82 miles to the NEC
Visit www.manchesterairport.co.uk or call +44 (0) 161 489 300.

Once You've Landed

Walk
This is the quickest way to reach The NEC. If you are on foot follow the signs to the Air-Rail Link which leaves the airport from the first floor of Terminal 1. Once you have stepped off the Air-Rail at Birmingham International Interchange continue straight ahead through the concourse onto The NEC bridgelink.

Taxi
Taxi ranks are situated outside of the passenger terminals. Black cabs are the safest way to travel and each vehicle carries 5 people with luggage.

Air–Rail Link: What is it?
The Air-Rail Link is a free, speedy and convenient way to travel between the Airport Passenger Terminals and Birmingham International Station and The NEC. Using a cable drawn system the Air-Rail Link has two trains each with a maximum capacity of 24 passengers.

Where is it?
The Air-Rail Link leaves the airport from the upper level of Terminal 1. It connects the Airport Passenger terminals to Birmingham International Rail Station. The NEC is connected to the rail station via a covered bridgelink.

Times
The Air-Rail Link operates every two minutes and has a one-way travel time of 90 seconds. The Air-Rail Link operates daily between 0515 and 0200.

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The Travel Services Directory
Visitors to the NEC are also able to plan their travel in advance with The NEC Group Travel Services Directory. Whether it's being chauffeured to the door courtesy of a luxury car or coach or being taxied to a restaurant after the show, The NEC Group Travel Services Directory will help visitors find the best companies to suite their needs. 
 More information

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