Legoland Windsor is around 120 miles from Birmingham, on the B3022 between Windsor and Ascot in Berkshire. Families have three practical ways to get there. Driving usually takes two to two and a half hours in normal traffic. The train takes you to Windsor with at least one change, and then a paid shuttle bus runs to the park. Or you can book a taxi, which takes you from your front door to the park and back again.
The right choice depends on how many of you there are, how young the children are, and how you feel about a long drive home after a day on your feet. This guide compares each option, explains the parking and the shuttle bus, and shows how to plan the day around Legoland’s opening hours. The park usually opens at 10am and closes at 5pm or 6pm.
Getting to Legoland Windsor from Birmingham: at a glance
| Option | How it works | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving | Motorway south, then the M4 or M3 to Windsor; paid parking at the park | Families happy to drive both ways | A long drive home after a tiring day |
| Train and shuttle bus | Train to Windsor, then the Legoland shuttle bus | Small families travelling light | Changes, pushchairs on trains, extra shuttle fare |
| Pre-booked taxi | Door to door, with a return pickup at an agreed time | Families with young children or larger groups | Needs booking in advance |
The park’s address is Winkfield Road, Windsor SL4 4AY, about two miles from Windsor town centre.
When Legoland Windsor is open
The main season
Legoland Windsor isn’t open all year. In 2026, the main season runs from mid-March to early November, and the park closes on some midweek days outside the school holidays. The gates usually open at 10am, and closing time varies between about 5pm and 6pm depending on the day.
Halloween and Christmas events
Brick or Treat, the park’s Halloween event, runs on selected dates in October and early November. Once the main season ends, Legoland at Christmas opens on selected dates from late November into December, usually from 10am to 5pm.
Check your date before booking anything
Opening days and times change through the season, so check Legoland’s own calendar for your date before you book tickets or transport. Planning the journey is much easier once you know exactly when the gates open and close.
Driving from Birmingham
The route
Most drivers head south on the M42 and M40, then join the M25 and M4, leaving at Junction 6 for Windsor. Some take the A404 from the M40 to reach the M4 further west. Drivers coming from the south can also use Junction 3 of the M3. For the final few miles, follow the signs to the park.
Journey time
In normal traffic, the drive usually takes about two to two and a half hours. The M25 and M4 around Heathrow can be slow at peak times, so allow extra time, especially on Friday afternoons and at the start of school holidays.
Parking at Legoland
Parking at the park costs extra. Legoland lists standard parking at £12 per car, with Priority Parking closer to the entrance at £20. Booking online in advance is usually cheaper than paying on the day. Prices can change, so check the current rates before you travel.
The drive home
Driving gives you control over the day, but someone has to drive around 120 miles each way. After six or seven hours walking round a theme park with children, the return journey up the M40 is often the hardest part. It’s worth thinking about that honestly before you decide.
Taking the train from Birmingham
Train routes to Windsor
Windsor has two stations: Windsor & Eton Central and Windsor & Eton Riverside. There’s no direct train from Birmingham, so you’ll need at least one change.
Via Reading and Slough
The most direct rail route from Birmingham usually goes south to Reading, then changes for Slough and the short branch line to Windsor & Eton Central. Check the timetable for your date, as connections vary through the day.
Via London
Another option is to travel to London, then take a train out to Windsor. Trains from London Paddington run to Windsor & Eton Central via Slough, and direct trains from London Waterloo run to Windsor & Eton Riverside. This route takes longer from Birmingham, but it can suit families combining Legoland with a stay in London.
The Legoland shuttle bus
A shuttle bus runs between the Windsor stations and the park. It’s operated by a local bus company rather than by Legoland, and there’s an extra charge. The first bus leaves Windsor in the morning, and the last one leaves the park shortly after closing time.
Is the train right for your family?
The train works well for a couple with one or two older children travelling light. With toddlers, pushchairs and bags, however, the changes and the shuttle bus soon add up. Rail fares for several people can also cost more than you’d expect, especially if you book close to the day. And remember that you’ll make the same journey home in the evening with tired children.
Taking a taxi from Birmingham
How it works
A pre-booked taxi collects you from home, takes you to the park and brings you back at an agreed time. There’s no driving, no parking to buy, no trains to change and no shuttle bus queue at the end of the day.
Why families choose it
- Door to door: the children can sleep on the way home, and nobody has to drive.
- Timed around opening hours: we set the pickup time so you arrive close to when the gates open.
- Space for everything: pushchairs, coolbags and spare clothes go straight in the boot.
- One fixed fare: you know the price before you travel, whatever the traffic does.
Choosing the right vehicle
For larger families and groups, the Mercedes V-Class seats up to seven passengers, with room for pushchairs and bags. For smaller families, the Mercedes E-Class is a comfortable choice for the motorway. Child seats are available on request, so tell us the children’s ages when you book.
If you’d like a fixed price for your Legoland day out, you can get a quote online.
Planning your Legoland day
What time to leave Birmingham
Work back from opening time. For a 10am start, leaving Birmingham at around 7.30am usually allows enough time for the drive plus a buffer for traffic, though it depends on where you live. We’ll suggest a pickup time for your address when you book.
Booking your return pickup
Agree a pickup time in advance, based on the park’s closing time that day. If you want to stay right until closing, book your pickup for shortly afterwards. That way, you walk out of the gates to a car that’s already waiting, rather than joining the queue at the car park exit.
Arriving at the entrance
Rides start from 10am, and the first hour is often the quietest part of the day. Arriving early, with your tickets already on your phone, gives you the best chance of enjoying the most popular rides before the queues build.
Tips for families
- Book your tickets online in advance, as some dates sell out.
- Pack spare clothes, especially if the children are going on water rides.
- Bring snacks and drinks for the journey.
- Agree a meeting point inside the park in case anyone gets separated.
- Keep your phone charged for your tickets and for contacting your driver.
School holidays and busy days
Half-term and summer
School holidays are Legoland’s busiest times. The roads around Windsor and the motorways near Heathrow are busier in holiday weeks too. If you can visit on a weekday outside the holidays, check that the park is open that day, as some midweek dates are closed.
Weekends
Saturdays and Sundays during the season are also busy. If you’re travelling at the weekend, an early start helps on the roads and at the gates.
Combining Legoland with a trip away
Staying overnight
Some families make a weekend of it, staying in Windsor or at one of the resort’s hotels and spending two days at the park. If you’re doing that, we can arrange the journey there and the journey home on separate days.
Flying from Heathrow
Legoland Windsor is close to Heathrow. If you’re combining a visit with a flight, our Heathrow Airport transfers can take you between the airport and Birmingham, or follow a route that includes a stop in Windsor.
Taxi vs driving: the real cost
When you compare the options, count all the costs, not just fuel. Driving means fuel, Legoland parking and wear on your own car, as well as two long drives. The train means a fare for every passenger, plus the shuttle bus. A taxi has one fixed fare for everyone, and nobody has to drive.
For a family of four or more, the difference is often smaller than it first appears. Our guide to fixed-price and metered taxis explains why a fixed fare helps on longer journeys.
Pickups across Birmingham and the Midlands
We collect from homes across the region. That includes pickups through our Birmingham taxi service, as well as from Solihull, Sutton Coldfield, Wolverhampton and Coventry. Our coverage area page lists every town we serve.
Book your Legoland Windsor taxi
NET Airport Transfers runs pre-booked, fixed-price taxis from Birmingham and the Midlands to Legoland Windsor, with return journeys timed around the park’s closing time. Tell us your date, the number of adults and children, and any pushchairs or child seats you need, and we’ll plan both journeys. Book your Legoland taxi online, or contact us for larger groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Legoland Windsor from Birmingham?
It's around 120 miles. By road, the journey usually takes two to two and a half hours in normal traffic, and longer at busy times near Heathrow.
Can you get a train from Birmingham to Legoland Windsor?
Yes, but not directly. You'll need to change trains, usually at Reading and Slough or via London, to reach Windsor. From there, a paid shuttle bus runs to the park.
How much is parking at Legoland Windsor?
Legoland lists standard parking at £12 per car and Priority Parking at £20. Booking online in advance is usually cheaper. Check the current prices before you travel.
Is the Legoland shuttle bus free?
No. The shuttle bus between the Windsor stations and the park is run by a local bus company, and there's a separate charge.
What time does Legoland Windsor open and close?
The gates usually open at 10am, and closing time varies between about 5pm and 6pm depending on the day. Check Legoland's calendar for your date.
What time should we leave Birmingham for Legoland?
For a 10am opening, leaving at around 7.30am usually works, depending on where you live and the traffic. We'll suggest a pickup time when you book.
Is Legoland Windsor open in winter?
The main season runs from mid-March to early November. Legoland at Christmas then opens on selected dates from late November into December.
