Crufts 2023: How to get to NEC Birmingham via car, bus, train and plane including car parking

The 2023 Crufts dog show at NEC is just around the corner, with thousands of dog lovers from all over the world gathering in Birmingham for a weekend of events, competitions and shows.

This year will host the special Kennel Club 150th Anniversary Celebration Stakes, a one off competition taking place during this year’s event only. The competition will see the winners of the Best In Show from the All Breed Championship shows from last year take part.

Returning in full scale again for the first time since before the Covid-19 pandemic, over 18,000 competitors and hundreds of thousands of people travel to NEC. But with a lot of people travelling, getting to the destination can prove easier said than done.

The National Exhibition Centre, or NEC as it is more commonly known as, is located in Solihull, only a few minutes away from Birmingham airport. And there are many different ways to get to Crufts 2023, whether you are coming from Birmingham city centre, from another city or even from another country.

How to get to NEC Birmingham for Crofts 2023

Car

There are a lot of parking options available if you choose to travel to NEC by car. Served by both the M6 and the M42 motorways, the NEC is easy to access by car, and offers extensive parking facilities on site, with shuttle buses operating from the parking to the venue.

If you are using a satnav, the NEC postcode is B40 1NT. Note that parking charges at the NEC per day are:

• Cars - £16 (£12 if you prepay)
• Minibuses - £15
• Coaches - £25

Bus

Buses and coaches to both Birmingham and to the NEC are available via National Express.

Train

Both the London Northwestern Railway and the West Midlands Railway can take you from any major city to Birmingham, with tickets from London available for as little as £7.50 when booked in advance.

Plane

With the NEC being Europe’s busiest exhibition centre, many visitors are due to arrive via plane to Birmingham Airport. The centre is located a short 15-minute walk from the airport via the Air-Rail Link and Birmingham International station.

Eurotunnel

Travelling via the Eurotunnel is a safe and easy way to bring your dog to NEC Birmingham. As soon as you depart from the train, you are on the motorway on your way to Crufts 2023.

Whether you’re arriving via ferry from Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands or France, your arrival destination will be linked to a major motorway taking you directly on course for the NEC.