Birmingham to Alton Towers: Best Way To Get There (A Brummie’s Guide)

Looking for the best Birmingham to Alton Towers transport routes?

Looking to make your way from Birmingham to Alton Towers for a fun day out? As the UK’s most popular theme park, Alton Towers offers thrilling rollercoasters, family-friendly rides, and much more. 

Being a thrill seeker myself, and having grown up in Birmingham and the West Midlands region, you won’t be surprised to find I’ve visited Alton Towers several times since the late 90s.

Getting there is easier than you think, with various transport options to suit your needs and budget. This comprehensive insider guide will provide you with everything you need to know to plan your journey from Birmingham to Alton Towers.

Directions from Birmingham to Alton Towers

Alton Towers is located just outside the village of Alton in Staffordshire, about 40 miles northwest of Birmingham. Below are detailed info and the best routes to get there from Birmingham:

✪ Address: Farley Ln, Alton, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 4DB (Google Maps Location).
✪ Opening times: 9am-5pm, March-November (closed during winter months)
✪ Admission: Adult Day Pass: £68 at the gate, £39 online. Parent & Toddler Pass: £29. Under 3s go free.
✪ For more info on all pass options available, see the official Alton Towers site.

✨ Save up to 33% off when you book in advance and online (£34 instead of £68 at gate) ✨

🚗 Birmingham to Alton Towers By Car

>> The fastest route and most flexible option.

Driving from Birmingham to Alton Towers is the most direct, convenient and flexible travel method. It’s the option I used the last time I went to Alton Towers, three years ago.

Simply head northwest out of the city on the M6 motorway. Continue on the M6 past junctions 7-10 until you reach junction 15. Exit here and follow the A50 west for around 10 miles. Then take the exit for Alton Towers Resort and follow the signs to reach the theme park.

➤ You can hire a rental car for your trip here:

How Long Is The Car Ride From Birmingham to Alton Towers?

The drive takes around 50 minutes in normal traffic conditions. Be sure to leave extra time on peak days and school holidays when roads may be busier. Parking at Alton Towers costs £6 per day for standard parking.

What Are Some Great Stops Along The Way?

📍Trentham Gardens – Beautiful gardens and shopping village near Stoke-on-Trent
📍Emma Bridgewater Factory – See pottery being made at this popular factory
📍Cannock Chase – Area of natural beauty perfect for stretching your legs
📍Sudbury Hall – Stately home with museum and gorgeous grounds

🚂 Birmingham to Alton Towers By Train

>> A comfortable experience but slowest option and more costly than the coach.

You can easily travel from Birmingham to Alton Towers by rail as well. Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International are the nearest major train stations, both offering frequent services to Stoke-on-Trent.

From there, you can connect to a local train to Alton station, which is right next to the theme park entrance.

How Long Is The Train Journey From Birmingham to Alton Towers?

The quickest journey takes around 1 hour 20 minutes from Birmingham New Street. Fares start from £15 one-way or less if booked in advance. Be sure to check timetables in advance as services are less frequent on weekends and holidays.

Once at Alton station, it’s a short 5-minute walk to the park entrance. Just follow the signs or join the crowds of eager theme park goers!

👉 Traveling from Birmingham to Alton Towers by train? Book your tickets in advance here:

🚌 Birmingham to Alton Towers by Coach

>> Second-cheapest option after the bus, but comes with extra comfort and features (WiFi, WC etc.)

National Express coaches provide a direct link between Birmingham and Alton Towers, with journey times of around 1 hour 30 minutes. Tickets start from £5 when booked online.

Coaches depart from Birmingham Coach Station in the city centre. Drop off is right at the theme park entrance, making this a convenient option.

The coach is a comfortable option, and one I took when I visited as a young boy years ago (I went to Alton Towers on a weekend trip from boarding school in Berkshire).

Fares start from £5 one-way when booked in advance online. Tickets can sell out fast during peak periods, so book early. Buses run throughout the day, but there are fewer late night return services, so check schedules if planning a full day at the park.

If coming from other cities, National Express can connect you to Alton Towers as well, with coaches from Manchester, Liverpool, London, and more.

👉 Travelling from Birmingham to Alton Towers by coach? Book your tickets in advance here:

🚌 Birmingham to Alton Towers by Bus

>> Taking the bus is the most affordable option, but is also the slowest route.

Local buses also run between Stoke-on-Trent, Uttoxeter, and Alton Towers, which you can use to reach the park on a budget.The most useful services are:

➤ Service 32 from Hanley Bus Station in Stoke – Takes around 1 hour, runs every 30 minutes
➤ Service DAF from Uttoxeter – Takes 25 minutes, hourly service
➤ Service 420 from Stoke Railway Station to Alton Towers – Takes 50 minutes, limited services

Fares start from £5 one-way from Stoke. While cheaper, journey times are longer than train or coach. Check bus timetables closely to coordinate your arrival and departure from Alton Towers.

👉 Word of advice: Your best bet is to take the coach from Birmingham directly to Alton Towers, or, arrive in Stoke and then get the bus from there to the park.

What to See and Do at Alton Towers

Once you’ve made the journey from Birmingham, an amazing day out awaits at the UK’s biggest and most popular theme park. Here are some of the top attractions and rides not to miss:

Alton Towers Top Rollercoasters

1. The Smiler – My absolute fave ride, with a record-breaking 14 loops, and Alton Tower’s newest thrill ride
2. Nemesis – Iconic inverted rollercoaster set into the rock cliffs (my former favourite before The Smiler opened)
3. Oblivion – The world’s first vertical drop rollercoaster, plummeting riders over an 180ft drop
4. Wicker Man – England’s first wooden rollercoaster, based around a giant flaming Wicker Man structure

👉 Word of advice: Tickets start from £34 when booked online, whereas at the gate you’d pay £68. Be sure to book Your Alton Towers tickets in advance HERE:

Best Family Rides at Alton Towers

✪ Runaway Mine Train – Wild mine train-themed rollercoaster perfect for younger kids
✪ Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure – Gentle rollercoaster ride inspired by the TV series, great for little ones
✪ Galactica – Space-themed virtual reality rollercoaster experience
✪ Spinball Whizzer – Twisty rollercoaster with spinning cars

Best Water Rides

✪ Congo River Rapids – White knuckle raft ride guaranteed to soak you!
✪ Ripsaw – Fast-paced watercoaster reaching top speeds of 50mph
✪ Battle Galleons – Family water ride where you blast other boats with water cannons

Alton Towers Shows and Experiences

✪ Alton Towers Dungeon – Hilarious yet spooky live action show
✪ Monorail Skyride – Soar over the park and enjoy stunning views on this monorail
✪ CBeebies Land – Dedicated area for young families themed around CBeebies shows
✪ Extraordinary Golf – Unique themed 9-hole mini golf courses

Alton Towers is one of the best family day trips from Birmingham (or from anywhere for that matter). As such, I highly recommend booking your tickets online and in advance to avoid disappointment.

✨ Save up to 33% off when you book in advance and online (£34 instead of £68 at gate) ✨

Where to Stay in Alton Towers

To extend your Alton Towers experience, why not stay over in one of the on-site hotels? Here are some top options to suit every budget.

The on-site hotels all offer Early Ride Time when staying, allowing access to certain rides before the main park opens. This helps you maximise your day and avoid long queues. Hotels are within walking distance or a short shuttle bus ride from the parks.

Budget Option

📍: The Manor Guest House (double rooms or family rooms, family-friendly) situated in nearby village of Cheadle, 4 miles away. Fabulous 8.6

Luxury Option

📍: Angel Cottage (luxury family cottage) situated just 5 mins drive away (2 miles away). Superb 9.4

Camping & Glamping

For a budget outdoor stay, pitch a tent at the Alton Towers Campsite. Or upgrade to a ready-setup Premium Glamping Tent complete with cozy beds and electricity. Shower facilities are on-site. Campers can access Early Ride Time and free shuttle buses to the parks.

Alton Towers from Birmingham FAQs:

Now that you know what your travel options are, here are the most asked about questions related travelling between Birmingham and Alton Towers.

Conclusion: Birmingham to Alton Towers

I hope this guide has provided you with all the key information to plan your perfect theme park trip from Birmingham to Alton Towers. 

Getting from Birmingham to Alton Towers is simple whether you drive, take the train or coach. Arrive early to maximise your time and consider staying at one of the on-site hotels to extend your visit.

Regardless of which travel option you choose, taking the trip to Alton Towers is worth it, having been several times myself, they certainly were worth it for me! After all, we are talking about the best theme park in the UK here.

So now that you know the way and what to expect, you can look forward to an awesome theme park getaway!

Read more: UK posts

21 Best Zoos in the UK for a Perfect Day Out
British Slang Words: A Beginners Guide
29 Memorable Things to Do in the West Midlands
23 Top Things to See and Do in Birmingham UK
What to Pack for London and the UK
24 Incredible Things to Do in Cardiff
9 Epic Places to Go Paddleboarding in the West Midlands
13 Best Mazes in the Midlands (Insider’s Guide)
Where to Stay in London for First-Timers