Travel

How to Get to EuroPython

Being slap bang in the middle of the country, Birmingham is probably the easiest place to get to in the UK.

By Rail

Train by Canal Birmingham New Street and Moor Street stations are within 10 minutes' walk from the conference venue and hotels. Virgin Trains and Chiltern Railways offer direct services from major UK cities. Fares can be expensive, but if you book more than seven days in advance there are massive savings, for example return fares from London can be as low as £10 (Chiltern) or £25 (Virgin).

You can book both Virgin and Chiltern trains in advance at TrainLine and pick up your tickets at the station from a machine. Virgin Trains depart from London Euston (EUS) and go to Birmingham New Street, Chiltern Trains depart from London Marylebone (MYB) and go to Birmingham Moor Street, these Birmingham stations are very near to each other and the venue.

New Street station was opened by the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) on 1st June 1854. Today it handles around 31 million passengers every year.

By Coach

Digbeth coach station is about 15 minutes' walk from the conference and hotels. Fares are unbelievably low from UK cities. National Express are the operators.

By Car

Motorways by night Birmingham is at the heart of the UK road network, at the confluence of the M6, M5 and M42 motorways, and the conference venue and hotels are in the heart of the city. Directions can be downloaded or viewed here.

By Air

the Air Rail Link Birmingham International Airport is the Midlands hub, with connections to all major European cities and many further afield. The airport is adjacent to Birmingham International rail station, with a direct air/rail overhead link running every two minutes. From the rail station there are frequent services to Birmingham New Street, 10 minutes' walk from the conference venue. The usual culprits provide cheap flights:

Taxis

Taxi You're unlikely to need a taxi for this conference, as all our locations - stations, conference venue and hotels - are within a short walking distance. If you do need a cab, the Black Cabs may be hailed from the roadside, but private hire cabs must be booked in advance by telephone. Black Cabs can also be booked in advance from Birmingham TOA, telephone 0121 428 8888. TOA taxis take credit cards.

Street Map and Pedestrian Directions

Here are a PDF map of the city centre around the Conservatoire (EuroPython 2009 Venue), and PDF pedestrian directions between the Conservatoire and the Etap Hotel and New Street Station:

pdf Map (2.7Mb) of the city centre around the Conservatoire.
Etap to Conservatoire (297kb)
Conservatoire to Etap (296kb)
New Street Station to Etap (294kb)
New Street Station to Conservatoire (293kb)

Thanks to Simon Stanford for preparing the directions, which cost him shoe leather as well as time. If you use these directions please make sure you buy him a pint!

Here are detailed directions to the Conservatoire, including advice for exhibitors delivering goods.

Driving directions to Conservatoire (120kb)

Google Map

and here is a Google map of the area, which Alex has marked up with all the locations (Venue, hotels, sprint space, etc) relevant to EuroPython

View Larger Map

Venue Address

Birmingham Conservatoire
Birmingham City University
Paradise Place
Birmingham
B3 3HG
Tel: +44 (0) 121 331 5909

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