London Marathon 2022: how to get from Birmingham to London as train providers strike this weekend - when is the strike?

The London Marathon takes place this weekend, with people from Birmingham expected to join thousands to run on the streets of the capital.

Although the marathon doesn’t take place on a day of strike action on the nation’s railways, it is still expected to have some impact on journeys between Birmingham and London.

Industrial action is planned for three days during the first week of October, with the first day set for October 1 - the day before the London Marathon.

The strike was announced in September and RMT general secretary hoped it would be a continued way of sending a clear message to employers.

He said: “Transport workers are joining a wave of strike action on October 1, sending a clear message to the government and employers that working people will not accept continued attacks on pay and working conditions at a time when big business profits are at an all-time high.

“We want a settlement to these disputes where our members and their families can get a square deal.  And we will not rest until we get a satisfactory outcome.”

If you are taking part or hoping to head down to London to watch the Marathon, here’s what you need to know about ways you can get there.

Are trains running on October 2?

Trains will be running on a more regular basis between Birmingham New Street and London Euston on October 2, but you can expect plenty of disruption following the strike action.

According to National Rail, the first train from Birmingham New Street to London Euston leaves at 8.30am but will not arrive into London until almost 12pm, meaning that anyone taking part may be slightly too late arriving in the capital to be able to get this train.

For those getting back to Birmingham after the marathon via rail, services should return to some normality and regular trains that take less than two hours will be running through the afternoon.

Getting to London by coach

National Express has several coaches from Birmingham Coach Station down to London Victoria Coach station.

Prices start from £17.90 and there are coaches that leave throughout the early hours of Sunday morning.

To select the journey for you and for information on return journeys, visit the National Express website.     

Megabus has one overnight service which leaves Birmingham at 1.40am and arrives into London at 6.05am.

Tickets for this bus are £47 per traveller.

Return journeys back to Birmingham are available through the afternoon and start from £19.95.

For all information on how to book tickets, visit the Megabus website.

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