CHEOPS STM #32 Travel to Warwick Campus

The University of Warwick is situated in a pleasant greenfield site located 3 miles from the centre of Coventry, which is the city closest to the University. The market town of Kenilworth is slightly closer (2 miles), but the small county town of Warwick is actually much further away (7 miles).

Arriving by Train:

London St Pancras can be reached with Eurostar from several European cities. From London St Pancras, Coventry station can be reached with Avanti West Coast or London Northwestern trains.

Although the closest train station to campus is Canley station (a 30 minute walk), there are no transport links from that station to campus. Also, that station is served only by just one train company (London Northwestern) up to just twice per hour in each direction. Instead, usually the best rail option is to arrive at Coventry station (not Warwick station).

Coventry station is served by 4 train companies (Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, West Midlands, and London Northwestern), and is located on the West Coast Main LineLink opens in a new window -- connecting (among others) London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Lancaster, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. Coventry station also connects to the Cross Country RouteLink opens in a new window (linking Aberdeen, Newcastle, York, Leeds, Sheffield, Derby, Bristol, Exeter, and Penzance) through an easy transfer at Birmingham New Street station.

Trains in the UK typically run from 5-6 am until 10-12 pm each day except on Sunday (start operating at about 8:30 am). Check hereLink opens in a new window for options, or for the cheapest route check hereLink opens in a new window or you might find an even cheaper route by TrainSplittingLink opens in a new window (or hereLink opens in a new window).

Then, to get to campus, Coventry train station has excellent local bus connections (see below) as well as taxis (£10-15, 10-20 min).

Train Stations

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Arriving by (long-distance) coach:

Coventry is served by both National ExpressLink opens in a new window and MegabusLink opens in a new window. The Coventry drop-off point for both companies is Coventry's main bus and coach hub, Pool Meadow Bus Station, located in the city centre. The buses cited below that run to campus from Coventry originate from Pool Meadow Bus Station and, on the way, stop at Coventry railway station.

Arriving by (local) bus:

The campus is well-served by electric buses which operate through Coventry railway station and Coventry city centre. The price for a single ticket is typically £2.00-2.40 that can be paid via contactless card (cash accepted, but drivers won't give change), and the trip duration varies depending on traffic (10-30 min). The bus routes, with links to timetables, are the National Express 11Link opens in a new window and 12XLink opens in a new window. The 12X is faster as it takes a more direct route to campus.

The campus is also served by buses which pass through Kenilworth (2 miles from campus), Warwick (7 miles from campus), or Leamington Spa (8 miles from campus). These include the National Express 11Link opens in a new window above, as well as the Stagecoach U1 and U2, which are all superimposed on the same timetableLink opens in a new window.

Arriving by car:

Using the postcode CV4 7AL in your Sat Nav will direct you to the University of Warwick Central Campus. On approaches to Coventry, follow the signs to Warwick Arts Centre or the University of Warwick. Detailed directions can be found hereLink opens in a new window, which includes parking informationLink opens in a new window. Please note that parking on campus is controlled via ANPR.

Arriving by Plane:

By far the most convenient option for those travelling by plane is to fly into Birmingham AirportLink opens in a new window, which is 10 miles away from the University of Warwick, and then to take a taxi (or mobility service provider) to the University (£30-35, 20 minutes).

Two cheaper alternatives to travel to the University from the airport are via train, the train station located at the airport is named Birmingham International (which does not include the word "airport"):
- Option #1 is to take a train from Birmingham International station to Coventry station (£3, 10-18 min, 1-6 trains per hour depending on day/timeLink opens in a new window), and then take a bus to campus (see above).
- Option #2 is to take a train from Birmingham International station to Canley station (£3, 14 min, 1-2 trains per hour depending on day/timeLink opens in a new window), and then walk to campus (30 min).

There is no need to book tickets for these frequent, relatively cheap trains from Birmingham International in advance. Trains from Birmingham International run from 5-6 am until 11-12 pm each day except Sunday (start operating at about 8:30 am).

Alternatively London offers has several airports that are flown from more cities and might be easier to reach from some cities in Europe:

London Heathrow Link opens in a new windowhas many more flights, and is about 2 hours away from Coventry either by bus (National ExpressLink opens in a new window) or by rail (via London). The bus option is simpler and cheaper.
London Luton Link opens in a new windowalso has various international flights, and is under 2 hours from Coventry by bus (National ExpressLink opens in a new window).
London GatwickLink opens in a new window is the second largest airport in the UK, offering a variety of international flights, and is 3hrs 30mins from Coventry by bus (National ExpressLink opens in a new window).
London StanstedLink opens in a new window has various international flights, and is 3hrs 30mins from Coventry by bus (National ExpressLink opens in a new window).

Coventry can also be reached by train from all the London airports listed above. For more information see the National RailLink opens in a new window website.

Airports

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