Birmingham Airport Car Park 1 (formerly Short and Medium Stay 1)

Overview

Birmingham Airport Car Park 1 is an official undercover multi-storey car park around a one-minute walk from the terminal. Park the car yourself, keep your keys and walk straight across to check-in. There is no shuttle bus and no need to leave your vehicle with anybody else.

It is one of Birmingham Airport's most convenient self-parking options, particularly if you have lots of luggage or simply want to get from the car to the terminal with as little fuss as possible. That convenience usually comes at a price, so it is still worth comparing Car Park 1 with the other official car parks and nearby third-party options.

How does Birmingham Airport Car Park 1 work?

Drive to Birmingham Airport and follow the signs for Car Park 1. The car park uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition, so if you have pre-booked and entered the correct registration number, the barrier should recognise the vehicle and open automatically.

There is no need to take a ticket. Find an available bay, park the car and keep your keys. The multi-storey has lift access to all levels and the terminal is around a one-minute walk away.

When you return, walk back to Car Park 1, collect your vehicle and drive to the exit. For pre-booked customers, the ANPR system should recognise the registration and raise the barrier automatically. If there is a problem, use the assistance button rather than making another payment.

Why choose Birmingham Airport Car Park 1?

• Around one minute from the terminal: one of Birmingham Airport's closest self-parking options.
• No shuttle bus: simply park and walk to check-in.
• Undercover parking: useful when Birmingham's weather decides to see you off on holiday.
• Keep your keys: your vehicle stays where you park it.
• Open 24 hours: suitable for early departures and late arrivals.
• Lift access: lifts serve all levels of the multi-storey.
• ANPR entry and exit: your registration number is matched to your booking.
• Blue Badge parking: 56 designated spaces are located next to the pedestrian exit.

How does Car Park 1 compare with Car Parks 2 & 3?

Birmingham Airport Car Parks 2 & 3 are the closest like-for-like alternatives. They are also official undercover multi-storeys around a one-minute walk from the terminal, and you park yourself and keep your keys.

There is very little difference in terminal convenience, so compare the prices for your dates. One useful distinction is vehicle height: Car Park 1 accepts vehicles up to 2.15 metres, while Car Parks 2 & 3 have a lower 2.05-metre limit.

How does Car Park 1 compare with Car Park 5?

Birmingham Airport Car Park 5 is an official outdoor surface car park around a 5–10-minute walk from the terminal. A free shuttle is also available.

Both let you keep your keys, but Car Park 1 is considerably more convenient and gives you undercover parking. Car Park 5 is the one to compare if you are prepared to walk a little further in return for a potentially lower price.

How does Car Park 1 compare with Birmingham Airport Valet Parking?

Birmingham Airport Valet Parking is also around a one-minute walk from the terminal, but instead of finding your own space you hand over the car and keys and the airport team parks it for you.

Car Park 1 therefore gives you almost the same terminal convenience while allowing you to keep your keys. Valet is the premium option if you would rather not park the car yourself. Compare the prices and decide whether that extra bit of convenience is worth paying for.

How does Car Park 1 compare with off-airport parking?

If the price of Car Park 1 is high for your dates, compare it with options such as Airparks Express, ShortRun by Airparks or APH Birmingham Self Park.

You will have to take a shuttle with those options, but they are designed to compete more aggressively on price. Car Park 1 is what you pay for when you want to park yourself, keep your keys and be at the terminal about a minute later.

Important things to know

Address: Birmingham Airport Car Park 1, Birmingham Airport, Birmingham, B26 3QJ.
what3words: ///patrol.league.quiet

The maximum vehicle height is 2.15 metres. Birmingham Airport states that the parking bays are approximately 2.9 metres wide × 4.82 metres long.

There are 56 Blue Badge bays, located beside the pedestrian exit. If you need to take your Blue Badge with you while travelling, Birmingham Airport allows you to obtain a temporary permit to display in the vehicle instead. An Assisted Travel Help Point is also available on the ground floor near the disabled bays.

Make sure the registration number on your booking is correct because the car park uses ANPR. If the barrier does not recognise the vehicle, use the assistance button rather than taking a ticket or paying again.

Birmingham Airport currently also provides designated motorcycle spaces within the Permit Holder bays on Level 0. Motorcycles should use the designated spaces rather than ordinary car bays.

Directions

- Leave the M42 at junction 6 and take the A45, following the signs to the airport.

- Keeping left, take the first exit towards Solihull.

- Follow the left fork, which will take you back over the A45 and towards the airport.

- At the roundabout, take the second exit straight on to Airport Way.

- Keep left. You'll see signs for Car Park 1.

- Take the third exit at the next roundabout, signposted for the car park.

- The entrance will be on your left.

Arrival procedure

- When you pull up to the barrier, the camera will recognise your number plate, dispense a ticket and raise the barrier.

- Drive through and find yourself a parking space.

- This is a contactless service so you can keep your keys; your car will be where you left it upon your return.

Return procedure

- As your car will have stayed where you left it, there will be no waiting for it to be returned.

- Drive to the barrier, which should raise automatically, and then exit the car park.

- Use the intercom button to speak to staff should the barrier not raise automatically.

Security

Entry and exit barriers restrict access to this Park-Mark awarded car park, complete with CCTV and regular patrols.

Disabled facilities

- Bays reserved for blue badge holders are available on a first come, first served basis.

- You will need to leave your blue badge displayed in your window. If you need it for your trip, however, head to the customer service desk to fill out a form. You can call for assistance should the desk not be manned.

Additional information

- They operate a 3 hour grace period for those running a little early or late; anything over this time frame, however, will be subject to the standard £15 daily rate.

- Vehicles over 2.15m tall will not fit into the car park.

- Payments can only be made by card as they have no cash facility.

Car Park 1 Saver

Bookings for this package cannot be cancelled or changed.

Previously known as

Birmingham Airport Short and Medium Stay 1
Birmingham Airport Multi Storey 3