TFN Declassified - Entry 03: Location, Location, Location
https://bit.ly/2MWKzWqWe know that many people are travelling for a long while and a long distance to attend TFNation 2018, and some are even attending the UK for the first time - so for ease of mind and stress, we are sharing once more this short guide to help make that journey just a little less worrying.
TFNation 2018 is being held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel. This is located next to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. The NEC has strong transport links via Birmingham International Train Station and Birmingham International Airport, which are both linked by one convenient hub.
Depending on how you're travelling, the following sections below will assist you in reaching Birmingham International/NEC – from there, you are just a short walk / taxi ride away from the hotel!
Birmingham international airport receives flights and flight connections from many major cities across the world.
Once you reach arrivals, go up the escalators. At the top of these you will see the entrance to a Monorail. This is important as it is your gateway to the convention.
The free monorail runs every 10 mins from 5:00am to 2:00am. The journey itself only takes a couple of minutes and it will drop you off safely at Birmingham International train station. You do not need to book or board a train from here: during daytime hours, you can simply walk across the overpass that runs between the train station and the NEC. All you have to do once here is follow the signs to the Hilton.
Please Note – The overpass closes at night. It normally closes at 1:00am but has been known to close earlier. If this happens you can either get a taxi from the train station (approx. £8.00 at time of writing) or hope on a free shuttle bus to the hotel – look out for the Subway fast food restaurant: next to it, is a free yellow phone that will connect you to the Hilton. Give them a call and they will tell you when the next shuttle is due.
2) By Rail
Birmingham International is part of the national rail network and can be reached from most locations. If your journey requires you to change at Birmingham New Street, fear not: there are regular services between New Street and International.
Once you arrive at the station just head for the overpass, and follow the indications from the previous section.
Trains from New Street to International
Thursday 16th: First train 05:29 Last train 23:54
Friday 17th: First train 05:29 Last train 23:54
Saturday 18th: First train 05:50 Last train 23:14
Sunday 19th: First train 08:30 Last train 23:14
Monday 20th: First train 05:29 Last train 23:54
Trains from International to New Street
Thursday 16th: First train 06:05 Last train 01:30 (fri)
Friday 17th: First train 06:05 Last train 01:29 (sat)
Saturday 18th: First train 06:18 Last train 23:49
Sunday 19th: First train 08:30 Last train 00:09 (mon)
Monday 20th: First train 06:05 Last train 01:24 (tues)
Please note: UK trains can get quite expensive the closer you purchase your tickets to your travel date. We recommend planning rail travels in advance for both peace of mind and of budget.
Birmingham coach station is located in Mill Lane, postcode B56DD. It is approximately a 15mins walk from there to Birmingham New Street (via the B4100 until you reach the Bullring, then follow signs for New Street) though we would suggest attendees use a taxi as the journey is mostly uphill. Once at New Street station, follow the indications as explained in the section above.
The Hilton is approximately 200 yards from Junction 6 of the M42. For SatNav users, the NEC postcode is B40 1NT. Road users will be able to reach the Hilton without going via the NEC. The hotel includes an award-winning 700 space "Safe Park" car park, but should spaces fill quickly, the NEC has thousands of parking spaces. Up to date pricing can be found on their website.
Alternative accommodation Many guests and attendees have been lucky enough to secure a room at the Hilton for part of or all of TFNation; if you have been unable to do so, there are several other options nearby still available, which you can check out in the interactive map below.
https://bit.ly/2MWKzWq
To reach the Hilton and TFNation from any of these locations, either take a taxi directly to the venue, or follow the indications explained in the sections above.
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