Birmingham Airport Map & Terminal Guide 2026

Birmingham Airport Map

The Birmingham Airport map below shows the full layout of Birmingham Airport (BHX/EGBB) in Solihull, West Midlands. BHX welcomed 13.66 million passengers in 2025, making it the UK’s seventh busiest airport and the largest outside London and Manchester. It is the operating base for Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 and TUI Airways, with long-haul services from Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Air India and Saudia, plus hub connections via KLM, Lufthansa and Air France across more than 35 airlines in total.

As the Birmingham Airport map shows, the layout is straightforward: a single integrated terminal building combines the two former terminals via the Millennium Link walkway. Gates 1 to 20 sit in the former Terminal 2 area and are mainly used by low-cost carriers. Gates 40 and above occupy the former Terminal 1 building and the 240-metre International Pier. Check-in and arrivals are on the ground floor; security and the airside departure lounge are on the first floor. Study the BHX airport map before you travel so you know exactly which gate zone to head for.

Birmingham Airport Location Map

Birmingham Airport is located in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, roughly 7 nautical miles (13 km) east-southeast of Birmingham city centre. The airport sits just off Junction 6 of the M42 motorway, adjacent to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and directly connected to Birmingham International railway station via the Air-Rail Link. The Birmingham Airport location map below shows BHX in relation to the city and major road routes.

Birmingham Airport Terminal Layout

Birmingham Airport operates from a single terminal building that merges the former Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 via the Millennium Link walkway. There is no inter-terminal transfer; all airlines use the same building. The terminal has 115 check-in desks and 58 self-service kiosks on the ground floor, alongside the arrivals hall and baggage reclaim. Security and the airside departure lounge are on the first floor.

The gate numbering reflects the airport’s history. Gates 1 to 20 are in the former Terminal 2 wing, predominantly used by low-cost and short-haul carriers. Gates in the 40 to 68 range occupy the former Terminal 1 building and extend into the International Pier, which handles wide-body long-haul aircraft including the Emirates Airbus A380. Walk time from check-in to any gate is typically 5 to 10 minutes.

Airlines at Birmingham Airport

More than 35 airlines operate from BHX, ranging from low-cost carriers on short European routes to daily long-haul A380 services. The four main base carriers — Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2 and TUI Airways — together account for the majority of seat capacity and serve destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. Long-haul services connect Birmingham to the Middle East, South Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.

Birmingham Airport Security

Security at BHX is located on the first floor of the terminal. Birmingham Airport was the first large UK airport to complete next-generation security screening in 2024. As a result, passengers can now carry up to 2 litres of liquids in hand luggage, removing the previous 100ml restriction. Electronics and liquids no longer need to be removed from bags at Birmingham Airport.

Birmingham Airport Lounges

Three independent lounges are available airside at BHX, all accepting Priority Pass and available to pre-book. The Emirates Lounge is available exclusively to eligible Emirates passengers and is located in the Gate 40 to 68 zone near the International Pier.

Getting to Birmingham Airport

BHX has some of the best transport connections of any UK regional airport. The free Air-Rail Link monorail connects the terminal directly to Birmingham International railway station in under 2 minutes. From there, trains reach Birmingham New Street in roughly 10 minutes and London Euston in just over 1 hour on Avanti West Coast services. All ground transport departs from the terminal’s ground floor.

Birmingham Airport Parking

Pre-book parking at birminghamairport.co.uk for the best prices — booking online can save significantly compared to turning up on the day. All official car parks have Park Mark safer parking status. Car Parks 1, 2 and 3 are the closest options, within a covered walkway of the terminal.

Birmingham Airport Map — Arrivals

Arriving passengers at BHX deplane and proceed through the terminal on the middle level of the International Pier (for wide-body long-haul flights) or at ground-level gates. UK and EU/EEA passport holders can use ePassport gates in the immigration hall to speed through border control. Baggage reclaim carousels are on the ground floor. A recent expansion increased the South Immigration and Baggage Reclaim area from five to eight primary control points operated by Border Force, reducing wait times during peak periods.

Ground Transport from Arrivals

All arrivals ground transport departs from the forecourt at the front of the terminal on the ground floor. The Air-Rail Link entrance is well signposted from within the arrivals hall. Taxis queue at the rank directly outside. Bus stops for the X1 and X12 services are on the terminal forecourt. Car rental desks are inside the terminal on the ground floor.

Birmingham Airport Map — Departures

Check in on the ground floor at your airline’s designated desk zone or at a self-service kiosk. Bag drop closes 40 to 60 minutes before departure depending on the airline. Take escalators or lifts to the first floor for security, then proceed airside to the departure lounge and your gate. Gate assignments are displayed on screens throughout the departure lounge and on your airline’s app. Allow 5 to 10 minutes to walk from security to any gate.

Recommended Arrival Times

Birmingham Airport recommends arriving at least 2 hours before European flights and 3 hours before long-haul departures. For domestic flights, 90 minutes is generally sufficient. During the summer peak (June to September) and at Christmas, queues at check-in and security can extend significantly — give yourself extra time. Note that easyJet, Jet2, Ryanair and TUI offer day-before bag drop, which can save time on departure day.

Birmingham Airport Investment & Expansion (2025–2029)

Birmingham Airport is in the middle of its most ambitious capital programme to date. A £300 million investment plan announced at the Regional Investment Summit commits £75 million per year through to 2029, targeting 17 million passengers by then and 18 million by 2033. Major current projects include a departure lounge refurbishment with three new food and beverage outlets, a multi-million-pound WDF duty free reconfiguration to create a new commercial concourse linking the north and south lounges, expanded baggage facilities (adding a new makeup area capable of handling around 500 bags per hour), and £40 million of airfield works covering taxiway reconstruction, new stands and runway maintenance.

Insider Tips

BHX is compact and easy to navigate, but a few things are worth knowing. The gate zones are further apart than they appear: if your gate is in the 1 to 20 area, head left after security; if it is 40 and above, head right toward the International Pier. Emirates A380 departures can make the departure lounge very busy around boarding time, particularly near the Gate 40 to 68 zone. The Air-Rail Link is the fastest way into the city but check its maintenance status before you travel. Car Park 5 is the most practical choice for passenger pick-ups. Pre-booking Express Lane security for £5 is worth it during the early morning rush. The new next-gen security means no need to bag liquids, so packing your carry-on is much simpler than at many other UK airports.