Travel information
Transportation
Airport
Birmingham International Airport is the fifth-largest airport in the UK, handling more than 10 million passengers per year. It is located next to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), about 8 miles (13 kilometers) from the city center. There are frequent flights to and from all major European gateways including Amsterdam and Frankfurt, twice-daily flights to Dubai (a major hub for the Far East, the Indian subcontinent, Australia, and Africa), daily service from New York, and direct service to Toronto.
Preferred airline partners
Discounted airfares for direct travel into Birmingham are provided by the following airlines:
Air France and KLM
Air France and KLM operate flights to more than 250 destinations. Fly from Birmingham International Airport with KLM and transfer at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, or fly with Air France to Paris Charles de Gaulle, with a 45-minute connection time.
For more information, visit the Web site .
Upon instructions, enter reference code 04775AF , this is both the promotion and access code, and identify yourself to the call center agent as a Rotarian.
Brussels Airlines
In Europe, visit Brussels Airlines online . Upon instruction, enter access code 20090627 .
In Africa and the United States, call +00 32 2 723 2316 . Upon instruction, enter access code 301063 .
Emirates
Fly Emirates to Birmingham from more than 100 worldwide locations via quick and convenient connections through Dubai.
For more details on the applicable discounted fares, contact an Emirates sales or reservation office, advising the representative that you are attending the RI Convention in Birmingham.
Find your nearest Emirates office .
Lufthansa
For details, contact the Lufthansa sales or reservation office nearest you and refer to GGAIRLHCONGRESS code LH09BHX008 .
Find your nearest Lufthansa office .
In Germany, call 01803-803-803. In North America, call toll-free 1-800-645-3880.
Swiss
Visit Swiss International Airlines and enter your e-mail address. You’ll be redirected to the ticket booking site.
More transportation options
Trains
Trains run from the station adjacent to the NEC to Birmingham New Street Station every 5 to 15 minutes throughout the day, or taxis are available to take you to the city center.
Road
Birmingham sits at the heart of the UK's motorway network, with the M5 and M6 linking with the M42 that leads to the NEC.
Shuttle service
Transport will be available between official RI hotels with room blocks and the NEC for registered convention attendees through an intermodal system arranged by RI, using shuttle service and public transit.
Getting around town
Birmingham has one metro line, cross-city rail services, and an extensive bus service. In addition, water buses and taxis offer service along the canals. Pedestrians will also find Birmingham a pleasant walking city, especially along the towpaths of the many canals.
Reminder: Don't forget to reserve a hotel room
The Birmingham Convention Bureau will handle all individual and group housing requests. Reservations are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The convention bureau can be reached via e-mail at bcb.accommodation@marketingbirmingham.com . Please return your completed reservation form by 17:00 GMT on 8 May 2009 .
Download the hotel reservation form or reserve your hotel online .
Read more about housing .
Alternative housing
In the Birmingham area are a selection of economic housing alternatives, including hostels, dormitories, youth hostels, and bed and breakfasts, which are not part of Rotary International’s official convention housing block. As such, these housing altervatives will not be serviced by the RI Convention shuttle. Read more .