Birmingham, Back to Backs to Birmingham New Street stn

Posted by Tina (TO) on 08/02/16 05:03 AM

I'm looking at taking a train that departs from Birmingham New Street Station at 3.17 pm. I'd like to visit the Back to Backs sight and the earliest time I can book a tour is at 1 pm. If I left at 2.30 pm from Back to Backs and head to my hotel (will stay somewhere close to the station) to collect my luggage from left luggage and then to the station is there enough time to get this train? If not, what;s the earliest train I should book? I'm travelling from Birmingham to Penzance.

Thanks in advance.

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

08/02/16 07:44 AM

34010 posts

Since the National Trust Back to Backs are just 5 or 10 minutes walk from the station it will all depend on where your hotel is. Most of the decent hotels are more toward Broad Street. There is an Ibis in Chinatown.

You do seem to prefer to travel late at night. I would leave much earlier so as to see some scenery. Is this the day after the night you arrive at Birmingham at 11pm?

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

08/02/16 10:12 AM

34010 posts

When is your trip? The Back to Backs open earlier during school holidays and on weekends.

Posted by Tina OP

08/02/16 12:25 PM

110 posts

Thank you, Nigel.

I will be in Birmingham for two nights a Sunday and Monday night. I can't visit Back to Backs on Monday as they are closed. As for most museums, so Tuesday is the only day I can enter some sights. I have received an email from Back to Backs and they are closed until 1 pm on the Tuesday I'll be in Birmingham.

I'm travelling in October. I had thought of the fact that it will be dark for most of the train ride, I've travelled around the England but I'd rather forego some scenery instead of cultural sights. I will be in Cornwall so after Birmingham and will make it a point of travelling to some scenic sights. I also have a Lake District tour booked with Rabbies from Edinburgh before I arrive in Birmingham, so again, I'll be able to see some scenic sights in England during this tour.

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

08/02/16 05:59 PM

16895 posts

It sounds like you have several days of significant rail travel and would enjoy the hop-on convenience of a BritRail Pass. Reservations are not necessary, though they are available for free up to a day ahead at train stations there. If you miss a train, you're not out anything for the free seat assignment and can take the next train. Your full itinerary is not clear to me, but for the sake of argument, you could consider a pass for 8 consecutive days at $361, or 4 travel days within a month at $319, or 8 days in a month for $457. All cheaper if you're under age 26. If you're flying out of London and have a day still unused on the pass, then it can cover a train to Heathrow, Gatwick, or Stansted.