Visitor FAQs

The NEC is the UK's best connected venue so by whether travelling to us by air, rail or road - the choice is yours. Simply head to our Getting Here page for more information.

We’ve got over 16,500 spaces available, including designated parking areas for blue badge holders, so you won’t need to search for a spot when you get here. Head to our dedicated Car Parking page to find out more about our options and charges. Visit our parking page for more information and to book.

Yes, save money by pre-paying in advance and avoid payment queues on the day so you have more time to spend at your event. To book and for more information, visit our parking page. 

Yes. Please visit our Parking at the NEC webpage for more information.

Our black cab partners TOA Taxis are available 24/7 at the NEC. To book, simply call 0121 427 8888 or 0800 0142 729, visit toataxis.co.uk or use their handy TOA app.

The NEC is located a five-minute covered walk from Birmingham International Railway Station. Follow signage from the Piazza concourse past Hall 2 and up the escalator to the bridge link - which directly links to the railway station.

Yes. We operate a free shuttle bus service between all car parks and the venue during exhibition open days. These usually start running one hour before the event and stop one hour after the event. You’ll find service times and alternative walking routes at all our bus shelters, located near the car parks.

To reach the airport on foot, follow the signs from the NEC to Birmingham International Station. Walk across the covered bridgelink and carry on until you reach the Air-Rail Link. This will take you to the airport on the first floor.

It's approximately 14 miles by car or a 10 minute train ride from the NEC.  Buses are also available from Birmingham International Rail station.

Yes, we have cycle racks available which are located by the Piazza main entrance and Atrium 1 entrance.

Yes, please follow digital signage for coach parking once on-site.

We understand the need to stay connected during you visit, which is why we provide free visitor wi-fi across the NEC. No code required is required simply just search for our network and follow the steps on screen. 

NEC Free Wi-Fi is ideal for browsing the web, checking emails or using social networks. This free service should not be used where the connection is integral to the operation of your event or exhibition stand. If you're an Organiser or Exhibitor and looking for a faster connection, please contact our Venue Services Team on 0121 767 3253 who will be happy to talk you through your options.

If you’re looking to take the load off and leave your coat or bags for the day, take advantage of our cloakroom facilities that are available next to our halls (cloakrooms are open 30 minutes prior the event opening and close when the event closes). Items are charged at £2 per coat and £3 per bag. Unfortunately, we’re currently unable to offer overnight storage lockers or 24 hour cloakroom facilities. 

You’ll find free portable cash dispensers around the venue.

Toilets are located in every hall plus on the Piazza and Atrium concourse. 

Of course. You’ll find baby facilities throughout the venue. See the baby change & feeding leaflet below for more info. We also offer additional services such as our complimentary Children Identification Wristbands, which can be picked up from our security officers on entry to the show.

You can bring pushchairs but be aware that some trade shows don’t permit children, so it's always best to check with the organisers before bringing little ones with you.

You’ll find baby facilities throughout the venue. View the baby change & feeding leaflet below for more information.

If you’ve lost something at the NEC, head to our Security Office at either the Piazza (near hall 1) or Atrium (near hall 6) and we’ll do our best to help. Alternatively, call our Lost Property Department on 0121 767 3883.

Sorry, smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the venue aside from our designated smoking areas.  This also applies to e-cigarettes and vaping. Our designated smoking areas are outside the Piazza entrance, the Piazza garden (weather and daylight permitting) and just off the Atrium main entrances.

Smoking areas are located outside the Piazza main entrance, in the Piazza gardens and outside the Atrium main entrance.

Yes. Londis offers a variety of everyday essentials with two across the venue, one located in the Piazza and the other in the Atrium. Alternatively, there's a Spar at the airport which is accessible from the NEC via a walk and 90 second mono rail link.

Yes. We have a number of charging points and lockers across the venue for you to recharge your phone during your visit.
There is a charging station in the Piazza and chargers opposite Hall 8 in the Atrium.

We always have trained first aid staff available in the event of an accident or incident. Just ask the nearest member of staff for immediate assistance.

Sorry, but only assistance dogs are permitted on our premises. The only exception being those lucky enough to be taking part in Crufts, of course.

No problem. You’ll find a Bureau de Change kiosk at Birmingham International Railway Station, which is linked to the venue and just a short undercover walk away. 

You may be as filming does take place at the venue throughout the year at different events. It's worth checking the organiser's website before you visit.

It's always best to check with the organiser directly before visiting as you may need permission.

For further information, call us on 0121 780 4141 or email [email protected]   In addition, the venue also has vending zone areas within the Piazza and Atrium where printing facilities are available.

Yes. The NEC has seven on-site hotels which are all within walking distance of the venue. 
There are also a number of hotels in the local area and city centre so you'll be spoilt for choice when finding a great night sleep.

Find out more about the nearest hotels on our Visitor page.

From luxury suites to simple rooms, you’ll find a host of hotels right on our doorstep. With 7 hotels available on-site and many more in the local area, you'll have plenty of choice for a great nights sleep. 

Find out more about hotels in the area on our Visitor page.

Resorts World Arena is located on the NEC campus. It is located next to The Bear Grylls Adventure which sits between the NEC and Resorts World. If you visit the NEC campus, the Arena will be clearly signposted.

The Bear Grylls Adventure is located on the NEC campus between Hall 1 and Resorts World Arena. Refer to signage around site. 

The Bear Grylls Adventure, Resorts World Birmingham and Resorts World Arena are all on located on the NEC Campus. Resorts World Birmingham is home to a broad range of places to eat and drink, from favourites like Miller & Carter and Zizzi to somewhere a little more special like Sky by the Water. 

Whether you're looking for a healthy snack on the go, a posh sit down Italian or a burger, we've got you covered. Visit our food and drink page for more tantalizing details. 

There's food and drink outlets located around the concourse areas near to where your event is taking place. For coffee in particular, this includes Starbucks which is located in the Piazza by Hall 5 and one in the Atrium opposite Hall 7.

You can bring in food and drink, but no alcohol.

Yes, we have restaurants available across the venue, within your event halls and across the NEC campus for a range of food options to suit your budget. Whatever you fancy, the campus has a range of delights from Sky By The Water to the Gourmet Burger Kitchen to TGI Fridays or Nandos. Whether it’s food on the go or fine dining, there is something for everyone.

Check out the What's on section of the website to see what's on and to buy tickets.  You can also head to our kiosks open during the events to buy or pick up your tickets. These are located around the venue near to the main entrance of the halls. 

The Service Fee covers our running costs; our people, our software and everything else that we need in order to sell tickets (like keeping the lights on). The Admin Fee is charged per order rather than per ticket. This goes towards the processing both physical and digital tickets, letting the venue know you’re coming and maintenance of our hardware.

You can book tickets online - check out the What's on section of the website for more details on the events we host and how to book for each exhibition.

You will need to contact the ticket agent you purchased your tickets from who will be able to advise accordingly.

At the NEC we are constantly reviewing our measures to ensure that they remain effective and proportionate. West Midlands Police and Counter Terrorist Security Advisors work in partnership with us at the venue, often deploying a variety of resources to work alongside those of our team. These include a number of overt and covert security measures, so whilst you may not see all operational security activity, you should be assured that it is on-going, often behind the scenes to prevent crime and keep you safe whilst you enjoy your visit.

You may be searched, as we do carry out random bag searches.  Security arches are also in operation at the venue.

Alcohol is not permitted, as we are a licenced premises.  Also other items which may be classed as a security issue should not be brought into the venue.

Our security teams work hard to keep you safe, please help them by co-operating with their requests. You have an important role to play in helping us by reporting anything that doesn’t feel right, for example any unattended items or someone acting suspiciously. You can report anything suspicious to any of our security officers or the Police.

If you’ve lost something at the NEC, head to our Security Office at either the Piazza (near hall 1) or Atrium (near hall 6) and we’ll do our best to help. Alternatively, call our Lost Property Department on 0121 767 3883.

Absolutely. We’ve worked tirelessly to make our venue fully accessible to all our guests. Head to our Accessibility page for further details. And if you can think of any other ways we could improve our accessibility, we’d love to hear them.

In addition to our standard accessible toilets we have Changing Places toilets, which provide additional space for up to two carers. They also includes height-adjustable changing benches and a hoist system.

Yes, you can hire mobility equipment when you visit the NEC. You can find out how to book mobility hire before arriving here under 'Mobility Equipment Hire | Getting around'.

Yes, assistance dogs are permitted on our premises. 

Lifts are located and signposted on the Atrium and Piazza concourses and by all the escalators.

Yes. For more information on blue badge parking please visit on our Parking page.

Yes. Induction loop audio systems are fitted in various locations around the venue. 

We love to receive feedback to help us better the NEC experience. If you'd like to leave feedback, go to the 'contact us' page and complete the contact form. Alternatively email [email protected]

Go to the 'contact us' page and complete the contact form. Alternatively email [email protected]

Yes. You can call 0121 780 4141 and select option 2 for the NEC.

If you bought your tickets via The Ticket Factory:

tel: 0844 338 8000 Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company's access charge. Lines are open from 9am to 7pm (Monday to Friday) and 9am to 5pm (Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays)