London to Birmingham Train Ticket Cost 2026
Chiltern advance from £10. Avanti advance from £12. 84 trains a day on the two routes combined.
London to Birmingham is the UK's second-busiest mainline corridor. Two operators run it on two distinct routes: Avanti West Coast from Euston into Birmingham New Street via the West Coast Main Line (1h20m), and Chiltern Railways from Marylebone into Birmingham Moor Street via High Wycombe (~2h). Avanti is faster; Chiltern is cheaper and runs every 20 minutes from Marylebone.
For price-sensitive travel, Chiltern's advance walk-up fares undercut Avanti's typically by £5-15. For time-sensitive travel and a more direct city-centre Euston-New Street experience, Avanti is the picks. Combined advance allocation across the two operators means the corridor rarely sells out even close to travel.
London to Birmingham Train Prices
| Ticket Type | Single | Return | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chiltern Advance Single | from £10 | 2x singles | Marylebone-Moor Street, 1h55m |
| Avanti Advance Single | from £12 | 2x singles | Euston-New Street, 1h20m |
| Off-Peak Single | £40 | £55 | After 09:30 weekdays |
| Anytime Single | £75 | £140 | Maximum flexibility |
Prices indicative singles based on operator-published fares, verified May 2026. Always check the live price on National Rail or the operator's own site before booking.
Operator Comparison
| Operator | Route | Duration | Services | Advance From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avanti West Coast | Euston to Birmingham New Street | 1h 20m | every 20m peak | from £12 |
| Chiltern Railways | Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street | 1h 55m | every 20-30m | from £10 |
Saving Tips for London to Birmingham
- Chiltern from Marylebone is usually £2-15 cheaper than Avanti from Euston on the same day - the time saved on Avanti is rarely worth the price uplift unless you need the speed.
- Birmingham Moor Street (Chiltern terminus) is a 5-minute walk from New Street, so the destination is effectively the same.
- Off-peak singles are decent value at £40 if you can travel after 09:30 - around half the anytime cost.
- Family and Friends Railcard cuts adult fares 33% and children 60% - exceptional for family trips to Birmingham.
Best Days to Travel
Train vs Driving vs Coach
Driving: 120 miles, £25-35 fuel, plus £15-25 city-centre parking. Coach: National Express from £8 advance, 2h30m. The Chiltern advance fare is usually cheaper than driving for a solo traveller and faster than the coach.