Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Birmingham Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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The far end of the D concourse was very quiet and had some seats without arms. This area is set up for US Airways, possibly their connection carriers – but it was not in use at all on this Saturday. -bexar4
BHX Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Birmingham International Airport.
What to Expect
Birmingham Airport (code: BHX) features a single terminal with two check-in areas linked by a central “Millennium Link” building housing shops, restaurants and service counters. The terminal houses 48 departure gates between them, including 24-hour eateries and a large duty-free complex. WiFi is available, and comfort may be found through fee-based access to one of the airport’s private lounges.
Sleeping in Birmingham Airport
Most travellers who plan to stay at this airport overnight are doing so to catch an early morning flight. After security checkpoints close for the night, passengers are restricted to landside and must re-clear security the next day after security reopens. The terminals are described as clean and secure, and seating is uncomfortable and challenging to find. Floor sleeping might be more comfortable, provided one has a sleeping bag or travel mat. The terminals are brightly lit, and the noise echoes across the cavernous ceiling at all hours, so consider bringing eyeshades and earplugs/noise-cancelling headphones. There are hotels near the airport for uninterrupted sleep. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Birmingham Airport Guide.
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In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
Birmingham Airport is open 24 hours. Security screening typically operates from 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM, or until the last departing flight. The airside closes overnight (approx. 11:00 PM–4:00 AM). Passengers already airside will be required to move landside overnight unless they are in transit and holding a valid boarding pass.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist, although there may be informal spots with padded benches around the terminal. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Birmingham Airport:
- Novotel Hotel – A 2-minute walk from the terminal. » Check Rates
- Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham Airport – 4-minute walk to the terminal. » Check Rates
- Ibis Budget Birmingham Airport – The hotel is a short walk from the terminal. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Birmingham Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.
- Aspire Lounge – Location: Airside, near Gate 1, Departure Lounge. Hours: 4:30 AM – 8:30 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (£40 per person, subject to change) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs • Complimentary access for eligible business class or frequent flyer members of partner airlines.
- Clubrooms – Location: Airside, Departure Lounge, opposite Gate 54. Hours: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (£50 per person) • Prepaid lounge passes • Complimentary access for certain premium cabin passengers and frequent flyer members.
- No. 1 Birmingham Lounge – Location: Airside, Departure Lounge, opposite Gate 54. Hours: 4:30 AM – 8:30 PM. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (£36 per person) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs • Complimentary access for eligible business class passengers.
Airline Lounges
Emirates Lounge – Location: Airside, near Gate 40, Departure Lounge. Hours: Opens approximately 3 hours before each Emirates flight departure. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Complimentary for Emirates First and Business Class passengers and Emirates Skywards Gold and Platinum members.
Drinking Water
Thirsty? Free drinking water fountains are available. Locations:
- Landside: OSC Assistance Area • North Baggage Claim Area.
- Airside: Main Departure Lounge, behind Bottega Prosecco Bar • International Pier, near Gates 47 & 52 • Pier Bussing Lounge • North Baggage Claim Area.
Food & Drinks
Food outlets operate on varying schedules. Limited options are available 24 hours:
- Greggs (Arrivals, Ground Floor)
- One Costa Coffee location (Arrivals, Ground Floor)
Most other outlets: roughly 4:30 AM – 8:00 PM, including All Bar One • Pret A Manger • Starbucks • Wetherspoon • Giraffe • Burger King • and others.
For groceries:
- SPAR – North Terminal Check-In area, landside, Ground Floor (open 24 hours)
- M&S Simply Food – Arrivals Area (open 24 hours)
These are useful for picking up sandwiches, snacks, and basic supplies late at night.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Luggage Point offers short- and long-term storage (up to three months). Location: North Terminal Check-In area, landside, next to Caffè Nero. Rates:
- £9.50 per item (up to 3 hours)
- £14.50 per item (3–24 hours)
- £60.00 per item (weekly)
Mobile Charging
Free power outlets and USB charging points are available airside.
Showers
Showers are available inside the Emirates Lounge. [ see Airport Lounges above ]
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available at Birmingham Airport but is reportedly slow. Connect to the “BHX Free WiFi” network.
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
Family Services
- Baby Care – Baby changing facilities are available both landside and airside throughout the terminal. Boots (airside) offers a pre-order service for baby milk, allowing collection after security.
- Sky Zone – A children’s play area with interactive games for ages 13 and under. Adult supervision is required.
- Strollers – Coin-operated pushchairs are available after arrival, with a refundable £1 deposit. Returns are made in the baggage hall.
Luggage
- Baggage Trolleys – Baggage trolleys are available throughout the terminal for a fee. Payment is contactless only.
- Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
- Luggage Wrapping – Luggage wrapping and related services are available through Luggage Point.
Mobility Assistance – Assistance services are available for passengers requiring extra support, including wheelchair and mobility assistance.
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available landside and airside. Fees may apply.
- Currency Exchange – Travelex currency exchange kiosks are available both landside and airside.
Pharmacy – Boots operates airside locations within the departure areas.
Postal Services – Postal services are available at Spar.
Prayer Room – Multi-faith prayer rooms are available within the terminal.
SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.
Security Lines
- Express Lane Security (Departures) – Express Lane Security (Departures) – Paid fast-track access through security is available.
- Premium Fast Track (Arrivals) – Paid fast-track service is available at passport control for arriving passengers.
Shopping – World Duty Free operates airside for international passengers. A small selection of additional retail shops is also available.
Spa – Aerospa offers beauty treatments and massage services airside.
Smoking – Smoking is not permitted inside the terminal.
Bus
BHX airport is well connected to the bus system, directly connecting the airport to 35+ cities and towns across the UK. Megabus and National Express offer budget inter-city services as well. Tickets are not always available on the bus. For fares, routes, schedule information, and to purchase tickets, visit the Birmingham Airport website.
Car Rentals
The car rental area can be found exiting the terminal and following the signs. It can be reached with a five-minute walk. On-site car rental agencies include Avis, Budget, Enterprise/Alamo/National • Europcar/ • Hertz/Firefly • Sixt. Hours of operation vary between agencies, but most are open daily from about 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Hotel Shuttles
A few hotels provide an airport shuttle: Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport.
See Airport Hotels above.
Taxis
Licensed black taxis are the only ones allowed to operate at the airport taxi rank. They are available on a 24-hour basis in front of the airport terminal. All licensed black taxis at the airport are wheelchair-accessible and can transport up to 5 or 7 passengers with luggage. You can book your taxi and get an estimate of your fare here.
Train
Birmingham International Station is linked to the airport by AirRail Link, a free monorail service that runs daily from 3:30 AM to 12:30 AM. AirRail Link runs frequently throughout the day; the total trip time is just two minutes. From Birmingham International Station, the following services are available:
- Avanti West Coast Trains
- Cross Country
- West Midlands Railway / London Northwestern Railway
For more information regarding destinations, schedules and fares, visit the airport website.
Last updated: 2026-01-21
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.