If you are working out how to get to the O2 Arena from Birmingham, the short answer is simple. There are three real choices. A train to London plus the Jubilee line gets you to the venue. Driving about 120 miles takes you to The O2 car park. Or book a chauffeur and ride from your door to the arena.
Each option works. Which one suits you depends on your group size, your budget and, most of all, how you plan to get home after the show. This guide compares all three. It also covers parking, the Tube, river buses, traffic and what to do about late night returns. Details were last checked on 26 October 2026. Prices and timetables change, so confirm them before you book.
Where is The O2 Arena?
The O2 Arena sits on the Greenwich Peninsula in North Greenwich, south east London. Use the postcode SE10 0DX in sat navs and journey planners.
This matters because London has no single station for the O2. You make the trip in two parts:
- Birmingham to London. This is the long leg, and you can do it by train, car or chauffeur.
- London to The O2. This is the onward leg, and it needs its own plan.
The nearest station is North Greenwich on the Jubilee line. The O2 says so on its own travel page, and the station sits next to the venue. Plenty of people lose time because they book the first leg and forget the second.
Quick comparison
| Option | Typical time | Cost to know | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train and Tube | About 1 hour 30 minutes to Euston, plus the Tube | Advance fares from £6.40 on Chiltern; Tube fare extra | Solo travellers and couples on a budget |
| Drive | About 120 miles; map apps estimate around 2 hours 30 minutes | Event parking £29.39 to £40, plus fuel and road charges | Groups of three or more who want to leave when they like |
| Chauffeur | About 2 hours 30 minutes in normal traffic | Quoted per booking | Families, groups and late night returns |
The train time comes from Avanti’s own page. The drive time is an estimate from a mapping service, not a promise, because London traffic changes by the hour.
Train from Birmingham to The O2
Two train companies operate direct services from Birmingham to London. They arrive at different stations, which changes your Tube route.
Birmingham New Street to London Euston
Avanti West Coast trains leave Birmingham New Street for London Euston. Avanti’s page gives an average journey time of around 1 hour 30 minutes. Fares vary a lot depending on when you buy and when you travel, so check Avanti’s site or National Rail for live prices. Booking early usually costs less, but only if you can fix your travel day.
From Euston, you have two simple ways to reach North Greenwich:
- Victoria line to Green Park, then Jubilee line to North Greenwich. Both are Tube lines, and you change at Green Park.
- Northern line to London Bridge, then Jubilee line to North Greenwich. You change at London Bridge.
TfL’s Journey Planner will show you the quickest option on the day, including any disruption.
Birmingham Moor Street to London Marylebone
Chiltern Railways trains leave Birmingham Moor Street for London Marylebone. Chiltern says the journey takes 1 hour 47 minutes, with two trains every hour. Its page says advance single fares start from £6.40. The first direct train leaves at 05:15, and the last direct train to London leaves at 21:20. Chiltern trains also call at Birmingham Snow Hill, so check which station is closer to you.
The Marylebone route has one big advantage. Baker Street is next door, and the Jubilee line goes direct from Baker Street to North Greenwich. Marylebone to Baker Street is one stop on the Bakerloo line or a short walk. You then stay on one train until North Greenwich.
Which London station is better?
| Euston (Avanti) | Marylebone (Chiltern) | |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham station | New Street | Moor Street (and Snow Hill) |
| Journey time | Around 1 hour 30 minutes | 1 hour 47 minutes |
| Changes on the Tube | Usually one | One, or a short walk to Baker Street |
| Good if | You want the fastest main line train | You want a cheap advance fare and a simple Jubilee line link |
Neither route is always better. Check both on National Rail for your exact day.
The Elizabeth line
The Elizabeth line does not go to North Greenwich. It can still help if your route takes you through central London. For example, you can take it to Canary Wharf and then ride the Jubilee line two stops to North Greenwich. For most Birmingham visitors, the Euston or Marylebone routes above are simpler. Use TfL Journey Planner if you want to compare.
Train costs and the Tube
Add a Tube fare to your rail ticket. TfL fares depend on the zones and time of day, and contactless payment works on the Tube. Check the current fare on the TfL website.
Getting to The O2 once you are in London
North Greenwich station is the usual choice, but it is not the only one. The O2 lists these options.
- Jubilee line. Get off at North Greenwich. The station is next to the venue.
- Bus. Many buses stop at North Greenwich bus station, about two minutes from The O2. The O2 does not list route numbers, so check TfL for the bus that fits your start point.
- River bus. Thames Clippers (also sold as Uber Boat) stop at North Greenwich Pier. The O2 says the walk to the main entrance takes about three minutes. Check the timetable, because river services stop earlier than the Tube.
- Taxi. A taxi rank sits outside North Greenwich bus station, about two minutes from the arena.
- Cycling. The O2 says there are over 400 cycle racks at the station and in Car Parks 2, 3 and 4.
After the show
Thousands of people leave at the same time. Expect long queues at North Greenwich station, on the buses and at the taxi rank. Walking away and having a drink nearby, or waiting 30 to 45 minutes, can be easier than joining the first rush.
Night Tube has operated on the Jubilee line on Friday and Saturday nights since 2022, according to a TfL announcement reported at the time. Do not rely on that. Check TfL’s current Night Tube page before you travel, because services change.
Driving from Birmingham to The O2
Driving gives you control of your own day. It also puts you in London traffic.
Map apps put the drive at about 120 miles, and estimate around 2 hours 30 minutes in normal traffic. Most drivers join the M40 or M1 and then use the M25 to reach south east London. After that, the A2 and A102 lead towards the Blackwall Tunnel and North Greenwich. Sat nav will choose a route based on live traffic, so follow it, but check it against the O2 postcode before you leave.
Road charges to know about
- Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels. Both carry a user charge. Reports in September 2026 said the charges were rising. Check the current price on the TfL website before you drive.
- ULEZ. Greater London is an Ultra Low Emission Zone. Non-compliant vehicles pay £12.50 a day. Check your number plate on the TfL vehicle checker.
- Congestion Charge. The zone covers central London, roughly from Marylebone Road to Old Street and Vauxhall. The O2 is outside it, so you only pay if you drive through the zone.
Parking at The O2
The O2 has about 2,500 parking spaces across four car parks. For arena events, use Car Park 1. Book in advance through JustPark, because the car parks can fill up.
| Parking type | Price |
|---|---|
| Car, pre booked early bird | £29.39 |
| Car, pre booked | £35.28 |
| Car, pay on the day (if space is left) | £40 |
| Minibus or coach, pre booked | £59.35 |
| Valet, pre booked | £75 |
The early bird price is on sale until three weeks before the event. Event parking is valid from 10am until 10am the next day. The O2 says pre booking closes about 24 hours before the show, although its page gives two slightly different cut offs. Book well before then. Prices are from The O2’s own parking page and may change.
Other points to plan around:
- Free drop off and pick up is in Car Park 1, just off Millennium Way.
- Blue Badge spaces are available in all of The O2’s car parks. The badge holder must be in the car.
- The car parks have charging points on the BP Pulse network.
- Valet opens two hours before doors.
Leaving after the show
The O2 warns that up to 2,000 cars can try to leave at once, with limited road access. It also mentions major roadworks that can cause long delays after events. Allow extra time. If you have a two and a half hour drive ahead and a long queue to leave, you may get home well after midnight.
If you are driving, think about who is driving home. A tired driver at the end of a long evening is a real risk.
Taxi and private hire in London
You can take a black cab or private hire car from Euston or Marylebone to The O2. Taxis are easy to find on the day, but fares depend on traffic and the meter. For a longer journey, check the fare first if you can. Our guide to black cab vs chauffeur service in London explains the main differences.
Whichever way you travel, remember that London rush hours affect road transport. Our guide to rush hours in London shows when roads are busiest.
Which option is best for you?
| Traveller | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Solo traveller or couple | Train and Tube | Often cheapest, and you avoid parking |
| Family with children | Chauffeur or car | Less walking, fewer changes and no waiting for a train late at night |
| Group of four to seven | Chauffeur or shared car | Split cost, no one drives, one pickup |
| Business traveller | Chauffeur | Time to work or rest, and one booking for both ways |
| Evening concert | Chauffeur or car | Late finish and a long journey home |
| Sports event or daytime show | Train or car | Easier timings and more train choices on the way home |
| Wheelchair or mobility needs | Car or chauffeur | Door to door travel avoids stairs and long walks |
Our own guide to chauffeur vs train from Birmingham to London goes into more detail on the trade offs.
Planning your day
When to leave Birmingham
For an evening show, plan to arrive in London in the afternoon, not at the last minute. Doors often open about an hour or two before the start time, so check your ticket. Leaving earlier also gives you time to eat, find your entrance and handle any delay on the way.
A good rule is to aim to be at North Greenwich at least an hour before doors. On the train, build in time for the Tube. By car, build in time for the M25 and the tunnel.
Plan the return before you buy tickets
This is where most trips go wrong. A concert can finish late, and trains from London to Birmingham do not operate all night. The 21:20 last direct Chiltern train mentioned above is the one leaving Birmingham, so it will not help you get home. Look up the last train from London to Birmingham before you book.
If the last train looks too tight, you have three options. Stay overnight in London. Leave the show early. Or travel by car or chauffeur.
Luggage and bags
Check The O2’s bag policy for your event, because security rules can change. If you travel by train, keep bags small. Large cases are hard to carry through a crowded Tube. By car or chauffeur, you can leave luggage in the vehicle.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Booking only the first half. Plan the trip from Birmingham to London and then to North Greenwich.
- Arriving late. Tube and road delays can push a tight trip over.
- Forgetting parking. Pre book, because pay on the day space is not guaranteed.
- Ignoring the last train. Check it before you buy tickets.
- Driving without a charge check. Look up ULEZ and tunnel charges first.
Booking a chauffeur from Birmingham to The O2 Arena
A pre booked chauffeur transfer is the simplest way to cover the whole journey in one step. The driver collects you from your home, hotel or office in the Midlands, takes you to the O2 and brings you home again.
Here is what that does for different travellers.
- Groups. One booking replaces several train tickets and a Tube change. A Mercedes V-Class seats up to seven passengers, and the group travels together.
- Families. Children do not have to manage a crowded Tube after a long day. Coats, bags and pushchairs stay in the car.
- Concertgoers. You are not watching the clock for the last train, and nobody has to drive home tired.
- Business travellers. The journey becomes time to read emails or rest before a client event.
It also solves the return trip. You can plan the pickup time with your driver, so you are not left hunting for a taxi among thousands of other people. Tell the driver your event end time when you book, and ask about waiting options if the show may overrun.
NET offers long distance chauffeur travel from the Midlands, and our guide to chauffeur services for events in London explains how event bookings work. If you are comparing the options for the capital as a whole, see our best chauffeur service from Birmingham to London guide. For a quote, contact the team through the National Executive Transfers website, and give the date, pickup address, number of passengers and event finish time.
Prices depend on the date, the vehicle and the time you need the car, so a quote is the only reliable way to know the cost.
Conclusion
The best way to get to the O2 Arena from Birmingham depends on who is travelling and when you plan to come home. The train and Tube suit solo travellers and couples. Driving suits groups who want control and have booked parking. A chauffeur suits families, groups and late finishes.
Before you decide, plan both legs of the trip, check the last train home and look up current road charges. If you want to skip the Tube changes and the queue at North Greenwich, ask National Executive Transfers for a quote.
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