Travelling into Birmingham
Visit Birmingham this Christmas for a fabulously festive experience. Birmingham has so much to offer, from theatre and pantomime, ice-skating, Christmas markets and fantastic shopping spots.
The Frankfurt Christmas Market, the Big Wheel and Ice rink will all be open to the public from Saturday 1 November 2025.
Find out more about what you can get involved with over the festive period.
With so many exciting activities taking place, the city centre is going to be very busy. You can help to reduce congestion by thinking about when and how you travel.
Travel tips
- Public transport is the best, most convenient way of travelling to and around Birmingham City Centre. Plan your journey with the TfWM Journey Planner
- You can enjoy free bus travel on New Years Day on all National Express buses
- Saturday afternoons are busiest. Consider visiting on Saturday morning, Sunday or a weekday instead.
- West Midlands Cycle Hire and Beryl e-scooters are two fantastic ways of getting around the city. You can ride for as cheap as 6p a minute, depending on the type of pass you choose
- Park and Ride services are available. For more information, visit the Transport for West Midlands website
Recent changes for city centre visitors
City Centre and Snow Hill public realm improvements
- Newhall Street will be made a two-way road for traffic between Edmund Street and Colmore Row
- Bennetts Hill will be made a two-way road for traffic between Colmore Row and Waterloo Street
- Traffic flow will be reversed on Waterloo Street (between Bennetts Hill and Temple Row West) and Temple Row West
- Traffic flow changes will be in place from 24 November 2025, including:
- closure of the pavement on Colmore Row between Temple Row West and Bennetts Hill. This is due to private building works
Paradise Circus area
- Suffolk Street Queensway slip road is closed at its junction with Lyon Queensway (formerly Paradise Circus).
- Paradise Circus multi-storey car park has been demolished
Digbeth High Street and Birmingham Eastside extension
- Digbeth High Street is now a single lane in both directions for general traffic except between Chapel House Street and Floodgate Street where no general traffic is permitted (except for buses, black cabs and cycles)
- There is no vehicle access between Rea Street and Digbeth
- All turning restrictions are signed
- Access to the car parks at Bullring and Selfridges is available via Bradford Street (off Camphill) and via Great Barr Street (off Garrison Circus)
Metro and HS2 construction
- Metro construction work is currently ongoing in Meriden Street and New Canal Street. These routes are closed, and signed diversions are in place
- An interim metro terminus is being constructed at Moor Street Queensway. This temporary stop will be located next to the Clayton Hotel, and is expected to open for passengers before the festive period
City Centre movement and access
- New traffic movements have been introduced around Cheapside
- Access to all premises remains available
Driving
- If you do choose to drive your car, be mindful of the Clean Air Zone. Check to see if your car is compliant, and if not, be aware that you will have to pay the charge
- Remember to not drive in bus lanes, otherwise you may be issued a fine. The Moor Street Queensway bus gate is operating directly outside of the Bullring
- By Saturday lunch-time, car parks in the main shopping area will be full. If you have travelled by car, do not drive around looking for a space; use Snow Hill, Millennium Point or Five Ways car parks instead
- View the list of council run city centre car parks
Read more detailed travel advice and get help to plan your journey.
Current roadworks
You can find out more about current and ongoing roadworks on
Page last updated: 22 October 2025
