Birmingham New Street Railway Station
Birmingham New Street Railway Station
Birmingham New Street Railway Station
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Neighbourhood: Ladywood
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- Mahan88Worcester, United Kingdom31 contributionsMixed ThoughtsFacilities are very good but I still find it difficult to know where to go to get near to my destination. I get confused with the different exits both on arrival and departure. The old station was much easier to navigate. Why is the ticket /information office hidden behind the escalators, we nearly missed a train because we couldn’t see it. Shopping/eating facilities are very good with plenty of choice; prices can tend to be expensive.Visited August 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 1 October 2023
- Lesley BWatford, United Kingdom37 contributionsgreat train stationa huge station but very impressive. Easy access to the Bullring shopping centre by either crossing the road at ground level or the bridge on the 1st floor. Lots or restaurants covering all tastes and a large wetherspoons if you just want cheap. The mechanical bull was there when we visited, great sight. the only thing I found confusing is the platform numbers.i.e. Your ticket tells you to go to platform 7 but the overhead signage shows 7a and 7b so, as a newcomer, you are not really sure which you need. Its obvious once you get there as its just 2 ends of the same platform but needs some getting used toVisited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 29 October 2023
- Lisa B59 contributionsGreat service from passenger assistance team ..Travelled from New St to London Euston.. needing to use my mobikity scooter.. I pre contacted passenger assistance to let them know I'd need ramps to access my train and a companion space to sit with me.. The staff at Bham New Personal Assistance team were amazing. So helpful .. and got us to the train on time and with the ramp. London Euston team we're good also. If you travel with a disability downland the passenger assistance app in advance .. and book this assistance.. Thank you to New Street staff who were amazing and helped make our day trip stress free..Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 3 January 2024
- fiona aEdinburgh, United Kingdom14 contributionsDelightful platform and concourse staffI loved the upstairs "Birmingham Palette" paint stripes on the walls and their witty names - "Sabbath Black" being a favourite! Plus the option of getting a professional manicure while waiting for a train - or indeed drinking rose champagne at one of the bars. This review would have been an "excellent" if the mis-titled "Customer Assistant" had been even remotely helpful! Fortunately the platform and concourse staff were just that.Visited June 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 21 June 2024
- Win TaskBedford, United Kingdom1,600 contributionsBest station so far5 stars for the service, building architecture, hundreds shops around for food, drinks, shopping etc. Good security, well staffed station. Like the modern building. Train service at time, hardly delays or cancellations. I really like that placeVisited July 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 7 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
1,770 reviews
Excellent
802
Very good
578
Average
181
Poor
92
Terrible
117
Sam3314
Derby, UK2,087 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
If you want shopping it's probably ok and the roof looks nice. However if you are actually using it to catch or change trains it is one of the worst stations in the country. The platforms are narrow and dark and there is little information to help you. Platforms are grouped and have separate hidden entrances from the main concourse so when entering the station you need to walk miles to get to the gate line for your platform. If you need to change you want the B end of the platform as this gives you access to a central corridor that links all the platforms. This could be better signposted.
The departure screens could also show where the front of the train would be to make the information about which coach you need more useful.
The departure screens could also show where the front of the train would be to make the information about which coach you need more useful.
Written 2 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JA57
6 contributions
Aug 2021
I am reviewing the station, not the Grans Central shopping centre here.
The station is dark and miserable. It is difficult to find your way from the platforms to the part of the concourse level you want to be at because the signage is poor.
Network Rail may have spent a fortune on the place but it has not been of benefit to passengers, It is still dark and dismal
The station is dark and miserable. It is difficult to find your way from the platforms to the part of the concourse level you want to be at because the signage is poor.
Network Rail may have spent a fortune on the place but it has not been of benefit to passengers, It is still dark and dismal
Written 9 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam3314
Derby, UK2,087 contributions
Jan 2020
For directions to it follow 'Grand Central'. This includes on the metro. The main purpose now is a shopping centre. Confusing where to go to catch your train and even worse when changing trains, remember to head for the B end of the platform to avoid going through the gates twice
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KazMcGaz
Consett, UK36 contributions
Aug 2022 • Business
Whenever I know I have to travel via New Street my heart sinks. Some of this isn’t to do with the actual station but the trains that service this station. I travelled from Durham on the cross country train to Plymouth. The train was a apparently a carriage down and we were made to feel lucky that the train was running i.e. don’t complain if you can’t get a seat, at least you’re on the train. It was like travelling in a third world country with people cramped in and standing all over. This isn’t unusual this service is always over capacity and I’d already been worrying about my journey home as I don’t have a reservation.
Whilst a lot of us got off at New Street a hell of a lot more were getting on, and I can’t actually imagine that number of people squeezing on since there still weren’t many seats available despite people getting off.
Next I had to get the train to Wolverhampton due in at 11.25. It turned up at 11.38 after numerous delay notifications changing the time by a couple of minutes each time. Surely the people who update this stuff know how far the train is from the station to avoid having to adjust by a couple of minutes to eventually have a delay of 13 minutes. The same as my earlier train, it was packed and we were all crammed on like sardines.
Surely the train operators know these trains are busy to ensure there are sufficient seats for travellers.
All about the money grabbing as usual!!
I will continue to hate having to travel via Birmingham New Street!
Whilst a lot of us got off at New Street a hell of a lot more were getting on, and I can’t actually imagine that number of people squeezing on since there still weren’t many seats available despite people getting off.
Next I had to get the train to Wolverhampton due in at 11.25. It turned up at 11.38 after numerous delay notifications changing the time by a couple of minutes each time. Surely the people who update this stuff know how far the train is from the station to avoid having to adjust by a couple of minutes to eventually have a delay of 13 minutes. The same as my earlier train, it was packed and we were all crammed on like sardines.
Surely the train operators know these trains are busy to ensure there are sufficient seats for travellers.
All about the money grabbing as usual!!
I will continue to hate having to travel via Birmingham New Street!
Written 15 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liam K
Birmingham, UK6 contributions
June 2021
Ordering a train pass is very confusing, multiple help desks, kept getting sent to different ones, I basically done a tour,
once sorted its very clear on platforms, but they have a habit of changing platforms for trains once you are stood at one, meaning a long trek often a rush to get to the re allocated platform only to just make it on the train before it drives off. god help anyone with walking difficulties because even a slight jog was needed for me to make the train.
and if you miss it, its near impossible to complain and get some sort of compensation as they allow delays for a certain time, not platform change
once sorted its very clear on platforms, but they have a habit of changing platforms for trains once you are stood at one, meaning a long trek often a rush to get to the re allocated platform only to just make it on the train before it drives off. god help anyone with walking difficulties because even a slight jog was needed for me to make the train.
and if you miss it, its near impossible to complain and get some sort of compensation as they allow delays for a certain time, not platform change
Written 26 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OftenLostO
2 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
I used to think any train travel would be impossible for people like me with sensory issues and anxiety. BNS is a particularly challenging station in terms of navigating the layout and the rushing travellers.
But the staff there make up for it if you trust them and ask for help.
Many thanks to the ticket office and security workers who showed me how and made this journey a pleasure!
But the staff there make up for it if you trust them and ask for help.
Many thanks to the ticket office and security workers who showed me how and made this journey a pleasure!
Written 23 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elaine k
1 contribution
May 2021 • Solo
I arrived at new at new at station yesterday at 15.00
I had a ticket that required scanning so not familiar with the process. There was a well presented middle aged male member of staff with short white hair on the barrier that was obviously agitated and not interested in helping customers. He was very sharp barking out his instructions. At customers. I struggled to hear him with the wearing of masks. I eventually passed through the barrier and heard him telling the next customer that he didn’t think he was speaking the same language as I was. I heard him and immediately challenged him on what he had just said. He chose to ignore me so I challenged him again and he said that he hadn’t said anything.
So sad with so many people having lost their jobs that this vile man is working with customers needing support and guidance.
I could have had a disability but he wouldn’t have cared.
I’ve always had good service at new St station but this man was awfully rude and left me feeling very despondent. I’m happy to be contacted for more information.
I had a ticket that required scanning so not familiar with the process. There was a well presented middle aged male member of staff with short white hair on the barrier that was obviously agitated and not interested in helping customers. He was very sharp barking out his instructions. At customers. I struggled to hear him with the wearing of masks. I eventually passed through the barrier and heard him telling the next customer that he didn’t think he was speaking the same language as I was. I heard him and immediately challenged him on what he had just said. He chose to ignore me so I challenged him again and he said that he hadn’t said anything.
So sad with so many people having lost their jobs that this vile man is working with customers needing support and guidance.
I could have had a disability but he wouldn’t have cared.
I’ve always had good service at new St station but this man was awfully rude and left me feeling very despondent. I’m happy to be contacted for more information.
Written 29 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie M
105 contributions
Nov 2020
Of all the railway stations in the UK, New Street is one of the easiest to use in my opinion. It's well signposted, the boards are updated very frequently and there's plentiful staff around who generally seem very happy to help. It's a massive station and if you have to make a quick change it can be difficult, but there's lots of lifts, stairs and escalators around to allow for differing access needs. There's also a variety of places to buy food and drinks if needs be in the station, though they're somewhat overpriced.
The toilets are, however, a different matter. In my experience they're generally dirtier than you'd expect for a railway station - and I don't have high expectations. I can't blame the cleaners, it's a massive place to keep clean, but I personally avoid the toilets at New Street at all costs.
The toilets are, however, a different matter. In my experience they're generally dirtier than you'd expect for a railway station - and I don't have high expectations. I can't blame the cleaners, it's a massive place to keep clean, but I personally avoid the toilets at New Street at all costs.
Written 23 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew Y
Singapore, Singapore5,059 contributions
July 2022
This train station is a work of modern art. Beautiful shimmering surfaces reflecting the scene below. Navigating the within the station is fine as all the platforms are well laid out but the entrances and exits are a little confusing and you can enter it from a wrong entrance with full flight of steps. As the terrain is sloping, one side of the station is inaccessible but this is only a problem for visitors. One midnight I arrived near the station and the access was blocked by a group of workers setting up a WW2 Hurricane (I think it is). I can only find toilets within the gates.
Written 23 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akiko T
1 contribution
Aug 2021
31 Aug 21: I changed at New St station to get from Oxford to Burton-on-Trent, a journey I made many times between 1995 and 2016, when New St was a simple station to use, with very clear screens showing destination, time and platform. The old station was admittedly dingy but very easy to use. Four times since the rebuild I have had to change there and each time have found it extremely confusing, with few platform-level screens telling you which platform you need, frustrating glass walls preventing you from crossing to the platform you need, irritatingly unnecessary internal ticket barriers that may or may not swallow your ticket, and far too much visual distraction, so that the dim blue platform numbers are easy to miss. Seven minutes used to be more than enough for a platform change; now 17 minutes is nearer the mark. All in all, a hopeless jumble that gives no sense of where you are or even how to get out of the place.
Written 1 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wellsy1738
York, United Kingdom
How easy is it to get from platform 11b to platform 1 to go to Coventry and is 15 mins enough time?
Written 15 February 2024
Beryl D
Oswestry, United Kingdom
I am arriving at New Street from Gobowen. What platform do I need for onward journey to Derby Cross Country?
Written 28 July 2023
leave your platform via the B/C end, they way you'll stay in the Red zone on the coucourse, and not have to mess about the ticket barriers so much.
Written 13 August 2023
How far is it to walk from 1a to 10b, how long do you reckon?
Written 19 February 2023
Less than 5 minutes depending how fast you walk.
Written 20 February 2023
My train arrives into Birmingham new street Thursday night i then have to get onto a train to stetchford (platform 7m). What does it mean that’s the middle either go on 7a or b why didn’t it say to just get on 7a or b?
Written 10 August 2021
In my experiences at the station there is ALWAYS knowledgable staff around so my advice is to ask when you arrive. Good luck.
Written 12 August 2021
Trip14705026332
Greater Johannesburg, South Africa
Hi there i am travelling cross country to New Street Station and only have 12mins to find my next train to Birmingham Intl. Will i have time and if not do i catch the next train on the same ticket
Written 23 January 2020
You should be fine if the train comes in on time, ask the train staff on the train you are travelling in which platform your other train is leaving from wrt what platform you arrive on and you should be fine, good luck.
Written 25 January 2020
Hello. I was very interested in your comments as pretty much the same thing happened to me & I ended up missing my train. I'm in my 80's & quite ok generally but I'm recently bereaved so whereas in the past we drove to our family in Oxford I now have to brave the railway. And boy does it take courage & patience.Maybe I've become a grumpy old woman but my experience of railway staff was not very impressive & I'm dreading the journey I'll be making in a couple of weeks. Fingers crossed I'll be pleasantly surprised
Written 27 October 2019
Hi ukgrandma
Firstly I think you do so well to do what you do braving the railway alone as it can be confusing and daunting. I think the experience of rail staff is very varied, I've seen some people getting excellent assistance, usually when they have planned it up front, whereas I've also come across unhelpful staff.
Good Luck, Jane
Written 3 November 2019
Hi. I am travelling from Burton to Plymouth and have only 12 minutes to make a connection in Birmingham. I am a senior citizen with arthritis and cannot run so am anxious to know if I will have enough time. I am told I can organise assistance. How do I do this?
Written 6 October 2019
Sorry I don’t know exactly but common sense tells me ... I think if you ask at the station you are leaving from they will ring ahead and organise it for you and people will be on the platform then to assist you I am sure this is how it works .
Written 10 October 2019
Hi. I am travelling from Burton to Plymouth on October 17th. at 7p.m. I have 12mins to transfer from the Burton train to the Plymouth train. I have arthritis and cannot move fast so am really worried I will not have time to get my connection. I will panic if the burton train is late. Will I have time to find the right platforms. It is all new to me as I don't travel and will be well out of my comfort zone and no doubt panicking.
Written 28 September 2019
I think you may make it but all the station platforms are in a row you'll come from underground to find the next area you need and be straight down to it try not to panic you should hopefully make it safe travels my lovely hope it goes okay
Written 14 October 2019
Hi I have booked a ticket to Birmingham Airport from Loughbrough that includes a change at Birmingham New Street and I only have 12 minutes (fingers crossed all my trains are on time!) to connect from Platform 10A to Platform 6, is are these platforms close together, or will I have to walk through all the shops to get there? Is 12 minutes enough to get from Platform 10A to 6?
Thanks In Advance!
Written 19 September 2019
Very doable assuming your inbound train is on time, or even a handful of minutes late.
Written 22 September 2019
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