London to Birmingham Train Ticket Cost 2026
Chiltern advance from £6.40. Avanti advance from £12. 84 trains a day on the two routes combined.
A London to Birmingham train costs from £6.40 on an advance single, £40 off-peak, £75 on a fully flexible anytime single. The fastest direct journey takes 1h 20m.
Indicative single fares, last reviewed June 2026. Advance "from" prices are early-booking floors that change with demand and how far ahead you book. Full breakdown and saving tips below.
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 £6.40 | 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 |
Indicative single fares based on operator-published prices, last reviewed June 2026. Advance "from" fares are the cheapest early-booking floors and move with demand and how far ahead you book, so the live price is often higher. 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 £6.40 |
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.