Overnighter in Birmingham Intl

[ChrisTheRef]

Not the most glamorous location, but due to a check in deadline of 6am, I'll be spending 6 hours in International station/airport in a few weeks time.

Don't suppose anybody knows anything I can do besides read my book and race the suitcase trolleys against one another?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Not the most glamorous location, but due to a check in deadline of 6am, I'll be spending 6 hours in International station/airport in a few weeks time.

Don't suppose anybody knows anything I can do besides read my book and race the suitcase trolleys against one another?

if your on the actual railway staion the last train goes through about 0130, its a big open station, youll find something to do. if not theres shops in the airport terminal im sure

 

[asylumxl]

Not the most glamorous location, but due to a check in deadline of 6am, I'll be spending 6 hours in International station/airport in a few weeks time.

Don't suppose anybody knows anything I can do besides read my book and race the suitcase trolleys against one another?

I like the idea of racing the trollies. You could always build a tent ouf of bed linen over the chairs and pretend to be a pirate if so tickles your fancy.

 

[Greenback]

It could be worse, you could be in Holyhead

 

[MidnightFlyer]

It could be worse, you could be in Holyhead

Could be on stranraer!

 

[robert2000]

you could be stuck in knighton for 5 hours after missing the train

 

[37401]

Sit in the 1st class lounge, you have it all then free drinks and free food

 

[the sniper]

Sit in the 1st class lounge, you have it all then free drinks and free food

Surely that'd be locked overnight?

 

[Mr Spock]

Yes it would be, opening times are posted but not sure what they are.

Presumably after the last train has left the station will also be shut?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Yes it would be, opening times are posted but not sure what they are.

Presumably after the last train has left the station will also be shut?

Last train leaves about 0130 so it aint too bad

 

[the sniper]

Yes it would be, opening times are posted but not sure what they are.

Presumably after the last train has left the station will also be shut?

I think Birmingham International is a 24hr station. When I last applied to work as a dispatcher there, we were told at the assessment that there was a night shift, which struck me as odd as the last train departs at 1:30am and the first departure is at 5:40am, so I could only guess that the dispatcher becomes a glorified watchmen between those hours.

Or maybe Virgin Trains and I just have a different definition of a night shift. :P

EDIT: According to the NRE site, it is indeed open 24/7: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/bhi/details.html

 

[Old Timer]

The various food and drink outlets will be open.

Remember also that that BHX will be busy with holiday flights so make sure you go into the airport terminal EARLY

In your situation I would be at the Terminal for about 0330, to give yourself sufficient time to get through security. Do not underestimate how long this can take during the holiday period when no-one prepares properly and the queues are slowed down considerably through restricted items being packed and having to be removed, with the inevitable disputes breaking out.

I regularly fly in and out of BHX on an 0600 outwards flight I am there for 0430 in the winter but an hour earlier in the summer when I have anything for the hold. Remember as well I go through the fast-track.

Airside you can get a good breakfast at either Weatherspoons or Lloyds and the times I quote should allow for this.

 

[Mojo]

It is not unknown for stations to be staffed throughout the night even if there is a gap of several hours inbetween trains.

 

[Greenback]

I'm sure there'll be a 24 hour Tesco there, after all, they seem to be everywhere these days

 

[MidnightFlyer]

It is not unknown for stations to be staffed throughout the night even if there is a gap of several hours inbetween trains.

Like Wolverhampton: their booking office is open 24/7 and Sandwell & Dudley is manned to 0030

 

[Geezertronic]

You could see how many times you can ride Air-Rail in an hour?

Or you can see if the shops in the Terminal's are open.

 

[CCF23]

It is not unknown for stations to be staffed throughout the night even if there is a gap of several hours inbetween trains.

New Street is staff supervised 24/7, with regular security checks by network rail staff and a network rail member of staff in the customer infromation office too. I found this out when i got stranded there last week after leaving Liverpool too late to get back to London. The waiting room although not greatly comfortable was open and around a dozen people were there overnight.

 

[transportphoto]

You could see how many times you can ride Air-Rail in an hour?

Or you can see if the shops in the Terminal's are open.

Guess that would arouse a bit of say 'unwanted' attention .

So would this:

You could always build a tent ouf of bed linen over the chairs and pretend to be a pirate if so tickles your fancy.

The following is the 1st Lounge opening times for BHI as stated Here (under the Facilities, Shops & WiFi section)

Opening Hours
Monday - Friday: 05:30 - 20:00
Saturday: 08:00 - 18:00
Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00

 

[asylumxl]

New Street is staff supervised 24/7, with regular security checks by network rail staff and a network rail member of staff in the customer infromation office too. I found this out when i got stranded there last week after leaving Liverpool too late to get back to London. The waiting room although not greatly comfortable was open and around a dozen people were there overnight.

Of this I'm 100% sure Mojo is aware

 

[merlodlliw]

I'm sure there'll be a 24 hour Tesco there, after all, they seem to be everywhere these days

Except Holyhead where it shuts at 2100

 

[Greenback]

Except Holyhead where it shuts at 2100

Good grief! I had no idea some of them actually CLOSED! (Except on Saturday nights, obviously!)

Asda and Morrisons both close here at 2100, but Tesco and McDonalds refuse to shut their doors!

Does anyone know if there are there any Tesco's in airports? I mean, there's Sainsbury's and M&S in Paddington, but I can;t recall seeing Tesco...

 

[Old Timer]

No supermarkets at Glasgow (there is a Boots !), Edinburgh, Bristol, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead or Birmingham International that I have seen.

 

[Mr Spock]

According to the Virgin Trains web site Birmingham Intl is staffed full time but opening times are between 05.00 and 02.00 so it looks like it actually closes for 3 hours.

 

[Old Timer]

As with New St, they lock the doors up between those hours.

Access is still available to/from the Airport though provided the mono is running and I have a thought that this doesn't run in the early hours whilst the station is shut

 

[ChrisTheRef]

I was hoping to head to London first, then catch the last Pendolino of the night, minimizing my waiting time in the airport, but as it's a Saturday night, the last train is before midnight

 

[merlodlliw]

Good grief! I had no idea some of them actually CLOSED! (Except on Saturday nights, obviously!)

Asda and Morrisons both close here at 2100, but Tesco and McDonalds refuse to shut their doors!

Does anyone know if there are there any Tesco's in airports? I mean, there's Sainsbury's and M&S in Paddington, but I can;t recall seeing Tesco...

Not aware of any Tessie Cohens at airports in the UK, big move down here to get smaller stores near the Extras, so they can be remain open 24/7 in place
of shutting at 2359 sat to 1000 Sunday, however the council as said no up to now.

 

[37401]

You could always fester on skyrail and get you mileage up

 

[90019]

I like the idea of racing the trollies. You could always build a tent ouf of bed linen over the chairs and pretend to be a pirate if so tickles your fancy.

Or, combine the two!

 

[CCF23]

No supermarkets at Glasgow (there is a Boots !), Edinburgh, Bristol, Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead or Birmingham International that I have seen.

There is a M&S at Heathrow Terminal Five

 

[Geezertronic]

There is a M&S at Heathrow Terminal Five

There's probably some S&M in Heathrow if you know where to look (and for the record I don't)