Travel
By Air
Birmingham is served by its own airport (BHX) which is just a 10 minute train ride from the city centre or a 30 minute drive. There are regular flights from numerous European cities including Berlin, Dublin, Amsterdam, Geneva, Frankfurt and many more. Please consider the environment and take another mode of transport where possible. Alternatively Birmingham is just 86 minutes by train from London Euston train station, so you could also look at London airports, or even Manchester.
By Train
Birmingham has three major train stations (Birmingham New Street, Birmingham Moor Street and Birmingham Snow Hill). With direct trains running from most major cities across the UK. Trains running between London Euston and Birmingham New Street take 1 hour 24minutes and run 3 times an hour. Cheaper but slower options are available. We particularly recommend the cheaper Chiltern train line from London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street, which only takes 20 minutes longer but has nicer carriages and better free wi-fi.
We recommend taking the Eurostar from mainland Europe and then walking the short distance from the London Eurostar terminal to London Euston to take a train to complete the journey to Birmingham.
By Road
Megabus and National Express services run to Birmingham frequently from most UK cities, all arriving into Digbeth Coach Station in the city centre, and near to many Fierce venues.
By car the city can be accessed from the north via the M6, the south via the M40 or M1, M6 and the South West via the M5.
Getting around the city
Many venues are walking distance from each other, and we’ve planned the schedule to allow enough time to get between all venues in time for the next show, but plan your route beforehand!
The city is served well by taxis and Uber. There are lots of bus routes around Birmingham with contactless card now accepted on them, so you could consider staying out of the city centre.
Midlands Arts Centre and Moseley Road Baths are slightly further out of the city centre, but both can be walked in 40 minutes. If you would prefer to hop on a bus, routes 1, 35, 45, 47, 61 and 63 take you to MAC, and routes 50, 35, 61 and 63 take you to Moseley Road Baths. Or take a 10 minute taxi to reach either – but beware Birmingham rush hour is notoriously bad
Warwick Arts Centre and Belgrade Theatre are in Coventry. Take a short train journey from Birmingham New Street then it’s a 10 minute bus ride or taxi. Trains run until late. OR on Tuesday 11th October, get the free Fierce bus to Warwick Arts Centre for Farm Fatale. The Fierce Fun Bus leaves from the bottom end of Corporation Street (just past the Magistrates Courts) at 6pm, returning after the last show.
Where to stay?
If you need somewhere to stay during the festival there are numerous options to suit all budgets. Airbnb isn’t great in the city, so move quickly if that’s your preference.
Birmingham has dozens of cheap hotels. The cheapest probably being the EasyHotel, but also worth considering some of the other cost-effective, reliable chains include Travelodge, Adagio Aparthotel and Ibis Budget.
If hostels are more your vibe, we can recommend two: Selina (slightly fancier) in the Jewellery Quarter and Birmingham Backpackers (staggering distance from Club Fierce) in Digbeth.
If you’re looking for something a bit nicer, try the boutique Frederick Street Hotel or the BLOC Hotel – both in the Jewelry Quarter offering something a bit more stylish that won’t break the bank. And if you really want to push the boat out, the newly restored Grand Hotel is stunning, and benefits from a fantastic city centre location just off Cathedral Square.
Speaking of boats, if you’re a fan then try the Boatel, run by friend of Fierce Saima Razzaq: Hotelboatel.co.uk.
If you’re after somewhere that’s more of a home from home, StayCity in the Jewellery Quarter (near to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery) offers nice and modern apartment style rooms, complete with your own kitchen/lounge and the rooms are nice and modern.