The O2 Arena from Birmingham is roughly 125 miles away, in North Greenwich in south-east London. By road, the trip usually takes two and a half to three hours in normal traffic. On a concert night, the drive there is the easy part. The harder part is getting home. Around 20,000 people leave the arena at once, the Jubilee line fills up, and the last trains to the Midlands don’t wait for encores.
That’s why many fans travelling to the O2 Arena from Birmingham book a taxi for both journeys. This guide covers the route and the London charges on the way. It also explains where taxis drop off and pick up at The O2, and how to plan the late drive home. We also compare the train with driving yourself.
The O2 Arena from Birmingham at a glance
| What you need to know | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue address | The O2, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX |
| Distance from Birmingham | Roughly 125 miles |
| Typical drive | Around 2.5 to 3 hours in normal traffic |
| Free drop-off and pick-up | Car Park 1, just off Millennium Way |
| Nearest station | North Greenwich, on the Jubilee line |
| London charges | ULEZ applies; Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels are charged 6am to 10pm |
| Congestion Charge | The O2 is outside the central zone |
Journey times to The O2 Arena from Birmingham are typical and depend on traffic, especially on the M40, M1 and the roads into east London.
How to get to The O2 Arena from Birmingham by taxi
The route
Most journeys head south on the M40 or the M1, then cut across London towards the Greenwich Peninsula. Some routes cross under the Thames through the Blackwall or Silvertown tunnel. Others approach from the south via the A2 and A102. Your driver checks live traffic before you set off and on the way.
Journey time
In normal traffic, the drive usually takes around two and a half to three hours. However, east London roads can be very slow in the early evening, particularly around the Blackwall Tunnel approaches. For a weekday concert, allow extra time for the evening rush hour.
The Blackwall and Silvertown tunnel charges
Since 2025, both the Blackwall Tunnel and the new Silvertown Tunnel have a user charge. It applies each time a vehicle crosses either tunnel between 6am and 10pm, every day. Charges are higher at peak times. Crossings after 10pm are free, which often helps on the way home after a concert.
ULEZ and the Congestion Charge
The O2 is inside London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone, which covers the whole of Greater London. However, it sits well outside the central Congestion Charge zone. With a fixed fare agreed when you book, the route your driver takes doesn’t change what you pay. Our guide to fixed-price and metered taxis explains why that matters on a long journey.
Concert-night drop-off at The O2
Car Park 1 drop-off point
The O2 has a free, clearly signposted drop-off and pick-up point in Car Park 1, just off Millennium Way. From there, it’s a short walk to the venue. On event nights, follow the signs and any directions from stewards.
Arriving in good time
Doors usually open well before the main act, and queues for security build up quickly on sold-out nights. Aim to arrive in plenty of time, especially if you’d like to eat inside the venue before the show. Check your ticket for the doors time.
Accessible drop-off
The Car Park 1 drop-off point is also the accessible drop-off point, and Blue Badge parking is available in The O2’s car parks. If anyone in your group has limited mobility, tell us when you book, so we can plan the closest practical drop-off. You can find more details on The O2’s parking and drop-off page.
Going to indigo at The O2?
The smaller indigo at The O2 venue is inside the same building as the arena. You’ll use the same drop-off point in Car Park 1, and event parking for indigo shows is there too. Shows at indigo can finish at different times from arena concerts, so check your ticket when you plan your pickup.
If you’d like a fixed price for your O2 concert trip, you can get a quote online for the journey there and back.
Getting home after the concert
Why the return journey matters most
Big concerts at The O2 often finish around 10.30pm to 11pm. When the show ends, thousands of fans head for North Greenwich station together, and queues for the Jubilee line can be long. For anyone heading back to the Midlands, missing the last train from Euston is a real risk.
Where to meet your driver
The O2’s official site map shows a private hire and minicab pick-up point near North Greenwich station. It’s separate from the black cab rank on East Parkside, and pre-booked private hire cars can’t pick up from that rank. Before the show, agree a meeting point with your driver, either in Car Park 1 or at the private hire pick-up point. Then share it with your group.
Allowing for the crowds
The first 20 to 30 minutes after a show are the busiest, both on foot and on the roads around the peninsula. If you stop for a drink or some merchandise before heading out, the traffic often eases a little. Keep your phone charged, and message your driver if you’re running late.
The drive back to the Midlands
Late at night, the motorways out of London are usually quieter, so the drive home is often quicker than the journey down. Many passengers sleep on the way back. Our guide to late-night taxis in Birmingham explains what to expect when travelling after dark.
Taking the train to The O2 Arena from Birmingham
The route
Trains run from Birmingham New Street to London Euston, and the fastest take around 1 hour 20 minutes. From Euston, you’ll need to cross London to the Jubilee line for North Greenwich, a few minutes’ walk from the arena. Allow around an hour for the cross-London part of the journey.
Other ways to reach North Greenwich
You can also arrive by river, on the boat service to North Greenwich Pier. Another option is the cable car across the Thames from the Royal Docks. Both are popular for the journey there, but less practical late at night when you have a train to catch.
The late-night problem
The difficult part of the train option is the return. After an evening concert, you’ll queue for the Jubilee line, cross London to Euston, then catch one of the last trains home. If the show overruns or the queues are long, there’s a real chance of missing it. Our taxi vs public transport guide explains the trade-offs on longer journeys.
Driving yourself to The O2
Event parking
Event parking for arena shows is in Car Park 1, and The O2 advises booking in advance. Prices vary by event and can be higher if you pay on the day, so check the current rate when you book.
The drawbacks
Driving gives you flexibility, but whoever drives faces up to three hours each way. On top of that, leaving the car park after the show can be slow. That’s a long day for one person, particularly after a late concert.
Taxi vs train vs driving
| Option | Works well for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked taxi | Groups, families and late-finishing concerts | Needs booking in advance |
| Train | Solo fans and couples near New Street | Jubilee line queues and the last train from Euston |
| Driving | Groups with pre-booked event parking | Car park exit queues and a long drive home |
For a group of four or more, one taxi often compares well with several return train tickets bought close to the date. Splitting one fixed fare across the group also makes budgeting easier.
Weekday or weekend concerts?
Midweek shows
For a concert on a Monday to Friday, you’ll be travelling into London during the evening rush hour, when roads around east London are at their slowest. Leave Birmingham earlier than you think you need to. The upside is that the motorways are usually quiet on the late drive home.
Weekend shows
Saturday and Sunday concerts avoid the weekday commute, but the motorways can still be busy with leisure traffic. Rail engineering works also tend to happen at weekends, which can affect late trains. A taxi avoids both problems, and it takes the pressure off if the show finishes later than expected.
Concerts with children
Family shows at The O2 often finish earlier than evening concerts. Even so, children are usually tired by the end of the night, and a long train journey with changes can be hard work. Some concerts also have age rules for younger fans, so check the event page before you book tickets. Child seats are available on request, so tell us the children’s ages when you book.
Choosing the right vehicle
Groups of up to seven
For groups of friends or family, the Mercedes V-Class seats up to seven passengers, so everyone travels together both ways.
Couples and small groups
If there are only two or three of you, the Mercedes E-Class is comfortable for the motorway. Celebrating a birthday or anniversary? The Mercedes S-Class offers extra space.
Corporate hospitality
Businesses taking clients or staff to a show can use our corporate travel service, with journeys invoiced monthly rather than per trip.
Making a night of it
Eating before the show
The O2 has plenty of restaurants and bars inside the venue, but they get busy on concert nights. Booking a table in advance, or eating on the way down, saves queuing before the doors open.
Staying in London
Some fans stay overnight in London after a show and travel home the next day. In that case, we can drop you at your hotel after the concert and bring you home the following day.
Flying in for a concert
Flying into Heathrow before a concert? Our Heathrow Airport transfers can link the airport, the show and the Midlands in one plan.
Tips for an O2 concert night
Before you go
- Download your tickets to your phone before you leave, as signal can be weak in big crowds.
- Check The O2’s bag policy, as large bags may not be allowed into the arena.
- Bring a power bank, so you can contact your driver after the show.
- Agree a meeting point with your group in case anyone gets separated.
Security checks
Expect bag searches and security checks at the entrance on every event night. Bring only a small bag, and check the event page for any items that aren’t allowed in. Arriving early helps you clear the queues before the support act starts.
During the night
Keep an eye on the time if you’re relying on public transport. With a booked taxi, just message your driver if the show runs late, and the pickup time can move with you.
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, Coventry and Wolverhampton. Our coverage area page lists every town we serve.
Book your O2 Arena taxi from Birmingham
NET Airport Transfers runs pre-booked, fixed-price taxis from Birmingham and the Midlands to The O2 Arena, and back again after the show. Tell us your concert date, group size and preferred pickup time, and we’ll plan the journey around the doors time and the late finish. Book your O2 taxi online, or contact us for group and corporate bookings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is The O2 Arena from Birmingham?
Roughly 125 miles. The drive usually takes around two and a half to three hours in normal traffic, and longer in the early evening rush hour.
Where do taxis drop off at The O2?
There’s a free drop-off and pick-up point in Car Park 1, just off Millennium Way. The O2’s site map also shows a separate private hire pick-up point near North Greenwich station.
Is The O2 in the Congestion Charge zone?
No. The O2 is outside the central Congestion Charge zone, but it is inside the ULEZ. Some routes also use the Blackwall or Silvertown tunnel, which is charged between 6am and 10pm.
What time do concerts at The O2 finish?
Most big concerts finish around 10.30pm to 11pm, but times vary by show. Check your ticket, and plan your journey home in advance.
Can I get the train home to Birmingham after an O2 concert?
It’s possible, but tight. You’ll need to take the Jubilee line, cross London to Euston and catch one of the last trains to Birmingham, so check the last train time before you go.
Can a taxi take a group to The O2 Arena from Birmingham?
Yes. The Mercedes V-Class seats up to seven passengers, so a group can travel together and share one fixed fare for the return journey.
