We'll be arriving at B'ham airport in September and want to take the train to Church Stretton in Shropshire. I think we'll have to change in Shrewsbury but can we take the train direct to Shrewsbury from the airport or do we have to go into Birmingham's main station and change there for Shrewsbury? We'd appreciate some clarification of this, and also, when should we buy tickets? Thanks for some help. Julia
Posted by
Yorkshire
1359 posts
about half the services from Birmingham International (airport) go to Shrewsbury with no change of train.
Nationalrail website is THE resource to use.
Wouldn't think theres much benefit to buying tickets ahead of time.I have never prebought when return back to UK, too many scopes for delays
Posted by
OP
43 posts
Thanks. That's very helpful and now I know which trains go directly to Shrewsbury. I'm all set. Julia
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33994 posts
There is approximately one Arriva Wales train per hour to Wales from Birmingham International via Birmingham New Street and Shrewsbury.
There are frequent services of other operators through Birmingham International to Birmingham New Street, and onwards to various other points. At Birmingham New Street there is an approximately hourly service to Shrewsbury provided by London Midland.
Depending on the ticket you get you may be able to use one or the other or either as far as New Street and change to the other if needed. Be careful if you get a ticket from the machine - or window - to make the short trip to New Street that it doesn't restrict you - written at the bottom of the ticket - to one specific company, such as "VTWC ONLY" which translates to Virgin Trains West Coast only and means that you can only ride their trains. If you board any other and are examined and found with the wrong ticket you face a £20 fine.
Is is actually pretty easy in practice.
Just read your ticket and listen to the platform announcements.
If it were me I'd check National Rail Enquiries which will give you the ticket prices on your exact day of travel, check 90 days out plus or minus, and put in a dummy date now on the same day of the week. If you have luggage one change in Shrewsbury is probably plenty, let alone another at New Street which is a big complicated station undergoing redevelopment and all its fun.
Posted by
OP
43 posts
Thanks, Nigel. I think I've got the info I need now. I love this forum! Julia