The Classic Motor Show NEC runs from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026, and a pre-booked taxi is one of the simplest ways to reach it and get home again. Doors open at 10am on Friday and 9am on Saturday and Sunday. The show closes at 6pm on Friday and Saturday, and 5pm on Sunday.
Your driver drops you on the NEC site, and you agree a pickup time for after closing. That removes the parking queue, the walk back to the car park and the drive home after a long day on your feet.
This guide covers the dates, opening times, tickets and parking. It explains when a taxi beats the train or the car, how to time your pickup, and how to get autojumble purchases home. It also covers groups, accessibility and the roadworks around Junction 6. Prices and times change, so confirm the details on the show’s own pages before you travel.
Classic Motor Show NEC 2026: dates, hours and tickets
The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show takes place at the NEC, North Avenue, Birmingham B40 1NT. The organisers say the show fills seven halls. Here are the published opening times:
| Day | Doors open | Show closes |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 13 November | 10am | 6pm |
| Saturday 14 November | 9am | 6pm |
| Sunday 15 November | 9am | 5pm |
Advance adult tickets cost £47.20 on Friday, £42.20 on Saturday and £40.20 on Sunday, including a £2.95 transaction fee. A three-day pass costs £89.20, and a family ticket covers two adults and up to three under-16s. Advance booking closes at midnight on Thursday 12 November, and tickets are sold on the door during opening hours.
Expect plenty to see. The show lists more than 450 specialist traders, the UK’s biggest indoor autojumble and over 600 cars for sale with Iconic Auctioneers and dealers. New for 2026 are a Debutants theme, a Zircotec Modified Zone and a YouTube Village.
Should you take a taxi, the train or drive to the show?
The show itself points visitors to the train, and for many people that makes sense. Birmingham International station is a few minutes’ walk from the halls. The right choice depends on who is travelling and what you plan to carry home.
| Option | Works well for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Train to Birmingham International | Solo visitors and couples travelling light | Crowded trains after closing, and the journey from your home station |
| Driving and parking | Families with lots of kit | NEC-run parking, car park queues, a shuttle bus to the halls |
| Taxi rank | Unplanned trips | Queues when the show closes |
| Pre-booked taxi | Groups, shoppers, late finishes | Needs an agreed pickup point and time |
Parking is run by the NEC, not the show. The show’s page quotes £14.95 in advance and £19.95 on the day, and elsewhere on the same page it gives £13.95 and £18.95. Therefore, check the NEC’s parking page when you book. The NEC site is cashless, so carry a card or phone.
When a pre-booked taxi makes most sense
A taxi earns its place in a few situations:
- You’re travelling as a group and can share one fare.
- You expect to buy bulky parts, tools or memorabilia at the autojumble.
- You’re staying in a hotel outside the immediate NEC area.
- You’re flying in and heading to a hotel before the show.
- You want a confirmed pickup at closing time instead of a queue.
Getting your timing right on each show day
Doors times differ by day, and so do finishing times. Planning both ends of the day avoids most problems.
Arriving: aim for just before doors open
The NEC sits beside Junction 6 of the M42 and the A45, and approach roads fill quickly when a large show opens. Aim to arrive shortly before doors open rather than exactly at opening time. Saturday and Sunday open an hour earlier than Friday, so adjust your pickup to match.
Going home: allow for the closing rush
When the show closes, cars, taxis and shuttle buses converge on the same roads. If you can wait 20 to 30 minutes after closing, both the traffic and the pickup queue ease. Sunday closes an hour earlier than the other days, so plan that pickup around 5pm.
By closing time in mid-November, it will be dark outside. Agree a clear meeting point in advance, so you aren’t searching for your driver in the dark.
Fix the pickup point before the day
Pre-booked private hire cars use set drop-off and pick-up areas on the NEC site. Our guide to taking a taxi to the NEC explains the Piazza and Atrium areas and how to name one when you book.
With seven halls in use, note your hall and stand before you travel. Give your driver the entrance nearest your hall, rather than just “the NEC”.
Taxi to the Classic Motor Show NEC from Birmingham, Solihull and nearby hotels
From Birmingham New Street, trains reach Birmingham International in roughly 10 to 15 minutes, and a covered walkway links the station to the NEC. That suits solo visitors travelling light. A taxi is better from addresses away from a station, for groups, and when you’re carrying anything bulky.
Many visitors stay outside the immediate NEC area, in places such as Solihull and Coleshill, because rooms near the site fill quickly. The show also lists a hotel partner for discounted rooms. Whichever hotel you choose, give us the full address and the time you want to arrive.
Flying in for the show: Birmingham Airport to the NEC
Birmingham Airport sits right beside the NEC. On foot, the free Air-Rail Link takes you from the terminal to Birmingham International station, and the show puts the transfer at 10 to 15 minutes. That works well with a small bag.
A taxi makes more sense with heavy luggage or a hotel stop first. For arrivals, our Birmingham Airport transfers include flight tracking. Your driver waits inside the terminal with a name board, so a delayed flight doesn’t leave you stranded.
Buying at the autojumble: getting your purchases home
The show promotes the UK’s biggest indoor autojumble, and parts can be heavy. A taxi suits boxed parts, tools, books and memorabilia. It doesn’t suit items that won’t fit safely in a passenger car.
Our Mercedes E-Class and S-Class carry up to three passengers and three cases, and the V-Class carries up to seven passengers with luggage. Tell us what you expect to buy when you book, and we’ll suggest the right vehicle. For very large or heavy items, ask the trader whether they can deliver, or arrange specialist transport before the day.
Club groups, families and accessibility
Club members and family groups
Clubs often travel together, and the show has club displays throughout. The seven-seat Mercedes V-Class keeps a group together, with room for luggage. A family ticket covers five people, so one vehicle can take the whole family. For bigger parties, contact us before you book and we’ll talk through the options.
Blue Badge holders and carers
The show admits one carer free of charge with proof of disability, and you select that ticket type when you book. Blue Badge parking is allocated on arrival by NEC staff and charged at the standard rate. Taxis carrying Blue Badge holders can drop off at the main entrances, so tell your taxi firm in advance if you need a pickup there.
Wheelchair and scooter hire is available through the NEC, but the show’s pages give differing prices, so confirm when you pre-book. Tell us about any mobility needs when you book, and we’ll discuss what’s possible for your journey.
Roadworks and event traffic around the NEC
HS2 construction and National Highways’ upgrade of Junction 6 mean works around the NEC throughout 2026. The NEC’s travel updates page lists current alerts for the site. Weekend M42 closures have also affected access to the airport and the NEC.
The closure we found runs from 9pm on Friday 23 October to 5am on Monday 26 October, which is before the show. We found no closure announced for the show weekend, but schedules change, so check the NEC’s travel page and National Highways before you leave. Our guide to HS2 and the Junction 6 works explains how construction affects taxi journeys. Your driver checks live traffic on the day, and a fixed fare doesn’t change if a diversion adds time.
What to tell us when you book
A few details sent in advance prevent most show-day problems:
- Which day or days you’re attending
- Your hall and the entrance you want
- Your pickup address and the time you need to arrive
- Your return pickup time, ideally 20 to 30 minutes after closing
- Number of passengers, luggage and any purchases you expect
- Child seats or accessibility needs
- A mobile number that will stay switched on during the show
Book your taxi to the Classic Motor Show NEC
NET Airport Transfers runs pre-booked, fixed-price taxis to and from the NEC for shows, concerts and airport connections. You agree the price when you book, name the entrance you need, and arrange your return pickup before you arrive. Book your NEC taxi online or contact us to arrange a group booking or a return journey for the show weekend.
