HS2 Interchange is a new high-speed railway station under construction in Solihull, close to Birmingham Airport and the NEC. A driverless people mover will eventually link the two, but that’s still years away. The government’s May 2026 report to Parliament puts HS2’s opening stage between May 2036 and October 2039.
For now, you reach the airport and the NEC exactly as before: by taxi or car via Junction 6 of the M42, or by train to Birmingham International and the free Air-Rail Link. This guide explains what Interchange is and how the people mover will work. It also covers how the construction affects taxi journeys today.
HS2 Interchange at a glance
| What you need to know | Details |
|---|---|
| Station name | Interchange (also called Birmingham Interchange) |
| Location | Solihull, on land between the M42, A45 and A452 |
| Railway | HS2 Phase One, London to Birmingham Curzon Street |
| Link to BHX and the NEC | A planned automated people mover |
| Expected opening | Opening stage between May 2036 and October 2039, per the latest government estimate |
| Effect today | No change to rail access; road works around the M42 and Junction 6 |
Where is HS2 Interchange?
The station sits east of the M42, near Bickenhill, on a triangle of land formed by the motorway, the A45 and the A452. It’s part of the wider “Hub” area, which also includes Birmingham Airport, Birmingham International station, the NEC and Birmingham Business Park.
It’s close to the airport on a map, but it isn’t within walking distance of the terminal. That’s why HS2 plans a people mover to connect them.
Is it the same as Birmingham International?
No. Birmingham International is the existing station beside the NEC, served by Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Railway and CrossCountry. Interchange is a separate new station for HS2 trains. Once both are running, the people mover will join them up.
How the people mover will work
HS2’s plans describe a driverless shuttle on a route of around 2.3km, with four stops:
- Interchange station
- The NEC
- Birmingham International station
- Birmingham Airport
Design-stage plans proposed a service every three minutes, with a journey of about six minutes from Interchange to the airport. Those figures could change before the system is built.
The people mover hasn’t been built yet. When RAIL magazine visited the site this summer, construction hadn’t started, and the delivery contract hadn’t been agreed.
When will HS2 Interchange open?
HS2 was first due to open in 2026, then between 2029 and 2033. In 2025, the government confirmed that window could no longer be met. HS2 chief executive Mark Wild then began a full reset of the programme.
The latest range comes from the government’s May 2026 report to Parliament, which expects the opening stage between May 2036 and October 2039. HS2 has set an ambition of late 2037 for the first trains between Old Oak Common in west London and Birmingham Curzon Street.
A final schedule and cost baseline are due by the end of 2026. The government is also reviewing HS2’s speed specification, so journey times quoted in older plans may change.
What HS2 Interchange will mean for travellers
When it opens, Interchange will give the airport and the NEC a direct high-speed rail link to London. That should help people flying from BHX, as well as visitors heading to exhibitions and concerts at the NEC.
Until then, nothing changes for rail passengers. The Air-Rail Link will keep running between Birmingham International and the terminal. For most travellers, the bigger question for the next decade is the roads, not the railway.
How HS2 construction affects taxi journeys now
M42 closures
HS2 is building a large structure to carry the railway over the M42 near the NEC, as well as viaducts across the motorway near Water Orton. That has meant several weekend M42 closures in 2026. The next full closure is planned from 9pm on Friday 23 October to 5am on Monday 26 October 2026.
Junction 6 works
National Highways is also upgrading Junction 6, the main exit for the airport and the NEC. The new Junction 5A is open, but overnight lane and slip-road closures around Junction 6 still happen regularly.
What it means for your taxi
Junction 6 is still the main road route to BHX and the NEC. Closures and diversions can add time, especially early in the morning and on closure weekends.
With a pre-booked taxi, your driver checks the roadworks and live traffic on the day, then chooses the most practical route. Because the fare is fixed when you book, a longer diversion doesn’t change the price.
If you’re travelling soon, you can book a fixed-price airport taxi and tell us your flight time, so we can allow for the works.
Getting to Birmingham Airport and the NEC today
| Option | How it works | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked taxi | Door to door via the M42 or A45 | Fixed fare; your driver plans around roadworks |
| Train and Air-Rail Link | Train to Birmingham International, then the free Air-Rail Link to the terminal | Not affected by HS2 works; affected by rail disruption |
| Train to the NEC | Birmingham International, then a short covered walk | The simplest rail option for events |
For flights, our Birmingham Airport transfers include flight tracking. On your return, your driver waits inside the terminal with a name board, even if your flight lands early or late.
For exhibitions and concerts, our guide to taking a taxi to NEC Birmingham explains the drop-off points and event-day timing. If you’re arriving by train first, our guide to getting a taxi from Birmingham New Street shows where to meet your driver. For a wider comparison, see our taxi vs public transport guide.
Early flights and late arrivals
Many roadworks around Junction 6 happen overnight, which is exactly when early departures and late arrivals are travelling. Our guide to late-night and early-morning taxis in Birmingham explains how those bookings work.
Families, groups and business travellers
For families and groups heading to the airport or a show at the NEC, the Mercedes V-Class seats up to seven passengers, with room for luggage.
Businesses with regular trips to BHX or the NEC can use our corporate travel service. Journeys are invoiced monthly rather than paid trip by trip.
Interchange is being built in Solihull, and we cover the area through our Solihull taxi service and our Birmingham taxi service. Our coverage area page lists every town we serve.
Book your Birmingham Airport or NEC taxi
NET Airport Transfers runs pre-booked, fixed-price taxis to Birmingham Airport and the NEC from across the Midlands, including during HS2 and Junction 6 works. Tell us your flight or event time, and we’ll plan the pickup and route around the roadworks. Book your taxi online, or contact us for group and business bookings.
