Airparks Express

Overview

Airparks Express is a self-parking Park & Ride car park at NEC West, with a shuttle taking around three minutes to Birmingham Airport. You park the car yourself, keep your keys and take the free transfer to the terminal. Airparks currently says buses run every 10 minutes, day and night, making this one of the quickest off-airport Park & Ride options at Birmingham.

It is a useful alternative if you want something considerably closer than the main Airparks site at Mackadown Lane without paying for one of the official multi-storeys beside the terminal.

How does Airparks Express work?

Drive to Airparks Express at the NEC West Car Park and pull into the arrivals area. A member of the Airparks team will check you in and direct you to a parking space.

Park the vehicle yourself and keep your keys. Make a note of where you have parked and head to the nearest shuttle stop. The free transfer takes around three minutes to Birmingham Airport and Airparks currently says buses run every 10 minutes, day and night.

When you return, catch the Airparks Express shuttle back from the airport. The journey takes around three minutes and your car should be exactly where you left it, so you can collect it and drive home.

Why choose Airparks Express?

• Around three minutes from the terminal: one of Birmingham's quickest Park & Ride transfers.
• Frequent 24-hour shuttle: Airparks currently advertises buses every 10 minutes, day and night.
• Keep your keys: your car stays where you park it.
• No key handover: useful if you prefer nobody else to drive your vehicle.
• Blue Badge parking: designated accessible bays are available.
• Wheelchair-accessible buses: the shuttle service is suitable for wheelchair users.
• Secure parking: Airparks lists staff patrols, security dog patrols, perimeter fencing and floodlighting.
• Live bus tracking: Airparks provides its 'Where's My Bus?' service so you can see when the next transfer is due.

How does Airparks Express compare with APH Express?

APH Express Parking uses the same NEC West car park. Both are self-parking products, both let you keep your keys and both use the same short shuttle journey to Birmingham Airport.

This is exactly the sort of case where comparing the brand name alone makes little sense. If both products appear in your results, compare the price and booking conditions because the underlying parking site and basic customer experience are essentially the same.

How does Airparks Express compare with ShortRun?

ShortRun by Airparks is another Airparks-operated keep-your-keys option close to Birmingham Airport. ShortRun's shuttle takes around five minutes, compared with around three minutes from Airparks Express.

Both avoid the longer transfer from Mackadown Lane, so compare the prices for your dates. A difference of a couple of minutes on the bus is unlikely to be worth paying a large premium for.

How does Airparks Express compare with Airparks Self Park?

Birmingham Airparks Self Park operates from Mackadown Lane and has a transfer of around 14 minutes.

Both are self-parking products where you keep your keys. Airparks Self Park will often be the one to check if price matters most; Airparks Express is the stronger choice if you want to minimise the journey between the car park and terminal.

How does Airparks Express compare with Birmingham Airport Car Park 5?

Birmingham Airport Car Park 5 is official on-airport parking around a 5–10-minute walk from the terminal, with a free shuttle also available.

Car Park 5 has the advantage of being within Birmingham Airport itself and gives you the option of walking. Airparks Express is off-airport but actually has a shorter bus journey once you are parked. Compare the prices rather than assuming the official option must automatically be more convenient or better value.

Important things to know

Address: Airparks Express, NEC West Car Park, Bickenhill Lane, Birmingham, B37 7BQ.
what3words: ///ranch.aims.shield

Do not rely on the postcode alone. Airparks and APH both recommend following the signs for NEC West Car Park and the final directions supplied with your booking.

Current booking information gives a maximum vehicle height of 2.1 metres and requires vehicles to fit within a standard bay of approximately 2 metres wide × 5 metres long. Commercial vehicles, trailers, caravans, motorhomes, minibuses and lorries are not accepted on the standard product.

Blue Badge bays are available and the shuttle buses are wheelchair accessible.

Airparks currently offers a discretionary grace period until midnight if you return later than booked. After that, an additional daily charge may apply, so check the current booking conditions if your return arrangements change.

Directions

Please check your booking confirmation email for directions.

Arrival procedure

Drive to the car park, and pull up to the arrivals area. A member of the team will check you in and guide you to a space. Keep your keys and make your way to the nearest bus stop; the journey to the terminal takes about 3 minutes.

Return procedure

When you get back, make your way to bus stop A and wait a few minutes for the bus. Next, get off at the stop nearest to your car. It will be where you left it.

Security

Security fencing
Floodlighting
Vigilant staff patrols

Airparks Express - Larger Vehicles

Ideal for those travelling in larger vehicles.