As soon as I know my son and his chick are going I book 'em into one of the hotels on site. No! You can't walk there.

 Forget that! I'm thinking about the NEC. http://www.viewbirmingham.co.u...-nia-maps-37360.html
Have a look at this

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

I corrected myself up there ^^^^^^^^^
Have a look at the website
http://www.viewbirmingham.co.u...-nia-maps-37360.html

Oh cheers, I see now   I will have a quick look.  Did wonder if it was easy to get a cab though.  From the NIA back to the NEC at about 10pm.  Or will there be too many people?  Has anyone done it before

Thanks Demantoid.  I tried that, but still can't figure out of it would be easy to walk, from that map.

I'm sure someone from that area will turn up.
We live quite a distance away so I normally book 'em in at a hotel nearby.

Thank you.  I guess staying at a nearby hotel is a good idea.  They could go in the early afternoon and check in, and then spend the afternoon in Birmingham, then go to the concert and walk back to the hotel.

Years since I've been there and always gone on an organised coach trip and stayed in an hotel. I've always avoided that Arena when driving myself as it's quite a trek getting there if I remember rightly. Hope someone can help, coming out it's always very busy, it's a large Arena.

Yes, my sister doesn't want to drive as it's right in the middle of Birmingham.  But it's such a walk from the station; I think about 40 minutes and she doesn't want to walk from there to the station at night and she is worried about not being able to get a taxi.  Also, the last train home is about 11pm, so she will need to leave the concert by 10, so as not to miss the last train.  Staying in a hotel sounds like an option as she could split the room fee between her and her 2 pals.  Any idea of any close the NIA anyone?

There's a really grotty travelodge nearby and a much nicer Premier Inn across the road from the travelodge.  Lots of nice pubs and restaurants around there.  And the German Christmas Fair opens up this Thursday in much the same place.

Right, I'll help if I can.

The NIA is a fair distance from New Street Station, but there are buses and taxis available on Broad Street, a few minutes walk from there, when there are concerts on at the NIA, there is usually black cabs available or you could pre book a city centre private hire firm to take you to the station, which may work out cheaper.

Broad Street has got a bad reputation now because of some of the idiots that go there, but you can still find some good places to eat and drink, and quite a few decently priced hotels there as well.

Parking is reasonably good there, a well lit, well maintained multi story car park but it can be difficult getting away from there after a show.

I would imagine depending on start time, the concert would finish around 10/10.30, but you could check at the venue, you should allow time to get a black cab if that is what you are going to do from outside there, but I would recommend walking onto Broad Street and getting a black cab from the taxi rank outside the Brasshouse or Reflex, Reflex especially as it is right next to Symphony Hall and there is nearly always black cabs there, the walk is well lit and there are usually a lot of people about.  Plus we are a friendly bunch of people here and will be glad to help if we can, but don't try and walk to New Street Station, it is a long walk from there.

Hope this helps and if I can help any more, feel free to ask.

What PinkBabe says

yep I think she's said it all

Wow, thanks pinkbabe.    That is very helpful.  I think that booking a private hire cab from new street station, and then asking that same one to come back at about 10.30pm, would be a good idea, as my sister doesn't want to risk not getting a black cab.  Or are there literally 100s of them after there is a big show at the NIA?


Also, is that whole area quite safe at night, because of so many people being around?


And I know this is dead cheeky, but can you recommend any private hire cab companies who you may use yourself, or should we just look on google?


Oh and one more thing;  (sorry, I sound like Columbo The Travelodge near there.  How far is that from the NIA, and is it a safe and easy walk?


Thank you 

bump. Just in case pinkbabe didn't see my thanks and my additional query.

**gets out Thompson Local Directory**

For a TOA taxi (i.e. black cab) the main number is 0121 427 8888 - you can use this number to prebook a black cab for anywhere in Brum if you want to.

As for a private hire cab - the closest would be Red and White Taxi 0121 772 8888

You could also give these guys a buzz - Atlas cars 0800 977 4262.  They are a small firm but again you can make arrangements very easily with them before hand. 

As for the area being safe at night.  It's exactly the same as any other big city - lots of people out and about and some more drunk than others.  There is usually quite a good Police presence and I've not heard of any trouble other than the usual drunken rowdiness that happens anywhere   It would probably only take 15/20 minutes to walk from Broad Street (NIA) to New Street but then again as a local I know the short cuts so you are doing the right thing by pre-booking a taxi.

If you don't get any joy with those guys come back to me and I'll find you a few more  numbers  

Try the private hire first as the black cabs are quite expensive.

Pengy.  Thank you so much.    You guys have been so helpful.  Very grateful.    Thank you.