Birmingham to London from $8: 5 ways by bus, train, flight or car

• Along the M6 and M1, expect to find gas stations approximately every 20-30 miles; as of October 2023, prices are around £1.50 to £1.65 per liter, so fill up before entering heavier traffic areas.

• When driving into London, be aware of the Congestion Charge zone, which can cost £15 per day, and consider using parking apps like JustPark or Parkopedia to find spaces; daily parking rates in central London range from £25 to £60.

• Upon arriving in London, familiarize yourself with the narrow city roads and watch out for cyclists and pedestrians; a good resource for traffic updates and navigation is Google Maps or Waze, which can help you avoid unexpected road closures or delays.

• On this route, two operators provide services: Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway. Avanti West Coast offers onboard catering with a selection of snacks and hot meals, including vegetarian options. You can also purchase drinks, including alcohol. London Northwestern Railway has a more limited service with a focus on light snacks and coffee. Check their websites for any specific menu details: Avanti West Coast - avantiwestcoast.co.uk and London Northwestern Railway - lnwraillink.co.uk

• For seating, Avanti West Coast provides First Class and Standard Class options. First Class features more spacious seating, complimentary food and drink, and access to the First Class lounge at select stations. Standard Class offers comfortable seating but generally no complimentary catering. London Northwestern Railway primarily offers Standard Class with basic seating and limited legroom compared to the First Class options on Avanti. Be sure to book your preferred class in advance.

• Upon arrival at London Euston Station, be prepared for a bustling environment. A useful tip is to utilize the station's left luggage facility, located near the main concourse, where you can securely store your bags for a small fee. This allows you to explore the area unencumbered. Euston also has restroom facilities available. To get to London’s city center quickly, take the Tube from Euston Station on the Victoria Line towards Walthamstow Central, which will take you directly to Oxford Circus in about 10 minutes, connecting you to major shopping areas.

• Book your bus ticket in advance using FlixBus or other providers like National Express (nationalexpress.com) and Megabus (megabus.com) to secure the best prices, as fares can vary between £14 and £19.

• Arrive at Birmingham Summer Row- Great Charles Street at least 15 minutes early, as buses may leave promptly; check the live departure board on the FlixBus website (flixbus.co.uk) to confirm your specific bus time and platform.

• Once you arrive at London Victoria, follow the signs to either the Tube or bus stops; you can find useful maps and transport schedules at Transport for London's website (tfl.gov.uk) to navigate further, especially if you plan to explore the city.