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Sleeping in Airports

Birmingham Airport Guide

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.

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

birmingham airport guideTo 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 two interconnecting terminals (1 and 2) linked by a central “Millennium Link” building housing shops, restaurants and service counters. The terminals house 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. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for locations and rates.

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, but seating is described as hard to find and uncomfortable. Floor sleeping might be more comfortable, provided one has a sleeping bag and/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. For uninterrupted sleep, there are hotels near the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below or read traveller airport reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Birmingham Airport Guide.

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.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

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. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and to also find out how you can gain lounge access with just an economy class ticket!

  • Aspire Lounge – Location: Airside. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
  • Aspire Lounge (South) – Location: Airside, next to Gate 1. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
  • Clubrooms – Location: Airside, near Gate 54. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass.
  • No. 1 Birmingham Lounge – Location: Airside. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.

Airline Lounges

Emirates Lounge – Accessible to passengers travelling with Emirates on first class or Business class tickets or if you are a Skywards Gold Member. Location: Airside, near gates 40-68 on the North Pier. Showers are available. Related Pages: Birmingham Airport Lounges

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 WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available at Birmingham Airport but is reportedly slow.

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

Communications

Family Services

  • Baby Care – Baby change stations are located both landside and airside throughout both terminals. Boots Drugstore, located airside, offers a pre-order service for baby milk. Place your order five days before your journey, and pick up post-security, freeing up space in your hand luggage for other essentials.
  • Sky Zone – Fun and interactive games and activities are available in the Sky Zone, play areas open to all children 13 and under! Adult supervision is required. Location: Departure Lounge, Gate 55, near Costa Coffee and WHSmith.
  • Strollers – If you are arriving at Birmingham Airport, coin-operated pushcars are available once you disembark the plane. Rate: £1 refundable deposit. The return point is within the baggage hall.

Food & Drinks

  • Food & Drinks – Food concessions throughout both terminals operate with varying schedules. At Greggs and one of the two Costa cafés, both of which are located on the Ground Floor in the arrival area, operate 24/7. Most of the other food stores operate between 4:30 AM – 8:00 PM. All Bar One • Caffe Nero • Bottega Prosecco Bar • Costa Coffee (2) • Factory Bar and Kitchen • Greggs • Pret a Manger • Starbucks • Wetherspoon • Giraffe • Soho Coffee • Burger King.
  • Grocery Store – If you need to pick up groceries on your way to your destination in Birmingham, stop at Spar. Various hot and cold sandwiches, take-away meals and general groceries are available. Location: North Terminal Check-In area, landside, Ground Floor. Hours: Open 24 hours. Alternatively, you can opt for M&S Simply Food. Location: Arrivals Area. Hours: Open 24 hours.
  • Water Fountains – Thirsty? Drinking water fountains are available free of charge. 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.

Luggage

  • Baggage Trolleys – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage trolleys are available for the price of €2 per trolley. The rate is non refundable. You can find several vending points throughout the airport, but keep in mind they only accept contactless payments. Locations: Drop & Go Car Park • Car Park 1,3, 5 • Bus stop • Arrival Halls.
  • Luggage Storage & Lockers – Luggage Point offers storage for up to 3 months. Location: North Terminal Check-In area, landside, next to Caffé Nero. Hours: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Summer).
  • Luggage Wrapping – Luggage Point offers luggage wrapping with rates from £10 and up per piece of luggage. Bubble-wrapping, and shipping services are also available, along with a small retail section of travel goods for sale. Location: North Terminal Check-In area, landside, next to Caffé Nero. Hours: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Summer).

Medical Services

  • Mobility Assistance – BHX offers a range of assistance services for customers who require additional support, such as wheelchairs, help points, mobility scooters, etc.
  • Pharmacy – Boots – Locations: Airside, within the Departure Lounge (Hours: 3:30 AM – 10:00 PM) • Airside within the Departure Lounge, Gates 1-20 (5:00 AM to 8:30 PM).

Mobile Charging

Money

  • ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you travel internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Location: Landside and Airside.
  • Currency Exchange – Two Travelex Currency Exchange kiosks are available in the terminals. Airside, in the Departure Lounge • Landside, Departure Hall.

Prayer

  • Prayer Room – There are two multi-faith prayer rooms. Locations: Ground Floor, behind desk 28 • International Pier, near the Departure Lounge.

Rest & Relaxation

Security

  • Express Lane Security (Departures) – If you want to get through security “quickly,” you can pay £7.50 at the kiosk (or £5.00 per person if you pre-book online).
  • Premium Fast Track (Arrivals) – Skip the long line at Passport Control. Fee: £7.00 pre-booked online at least 24 hours before arrival.

Shopping

  • Duty-Free & Shopping – World Duty-Free offers duty-free shopping airside to passengers departing and arriving on international flights. A small variety of retail shops is also available.

Showers, Salon & Spa

  • Showers – Showers are available in the Emirates Lounge. [ see Airport Lounges above ]
  • Spa – Aerospa offers beauty treatments and relaxing massages. Hours: 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM (daily). Location: After security check in the departure lounge.

Smoking

  • Smoking -Smoking is prohibited inside the airport.

Airport Hours

The airport is open 24 hours.

Airlines

Birmingham airport is served by the following airlines: Aegean Airlines • Aer Lingus • Aeroflot • Air France • Air India • Anadolujet • Aurigny • Balkan Holidays • Blue Islands• Brussels Airlines • Corendon • EasyJet • Emerald Airlines • Emirates • Eurowings • Freebird Airlines • Jet2• KLM Royal Dutch Airlines • Loganair • Lufthansa • Qatar Airways • Ryanair • SAS • Saudia Airlines •Sun Express Airlines • Swiss • Thai Airways • TUI • Turkish Airlines • Vueling • Wizz Air.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

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. Onsite 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 able to 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 3:30AM – 12:30AM. AirRail Link runs frequently throughout the day, and total trip time is just 2 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: 2023-08-15

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.