A guide to travelling with kids

We know travelling through an airport can be a stressful time for a young family, which is why we’ve produced this quick guide to travelling with children at Birmingham Airport.

Whether you want to know what restaurant to visit or what facilities are available in the terminal, this brief guide will help you get your holiday off to a great start…

Arrive in plenty of time

Generally, we advise that you arrive at least 2-3 hours before your departure time, although some airlines will request that you check-in even earlier, so it’s important you contact your airline directly.

Arriving early has lots of benefits, especially for young families. It means you don’t feel rushed parking the car, finding your check-in desk or double-checking you’ve packed everything! Arriving early also means you get time to visit Frankie & Benny’s; a family friendly restaurant which is located in the terminal before security and is the perfect place for grabbing a quick bite to eat with the kids.

Super kids packs with exciting activities are available for all children as well as a tasty menu that’s a great way to get your 5-a-day. Filled with favourites like Frankie’s hotdog, spag bol, pizzas and omelettes, meals are freshly made and brought to your table within 15 minutes - ideal for young appetites and perfect if you have a flight to catch!

Drive and park your car at the airport

Travelling with children can be stressful enough, so why not make life a little easier and drive your family to the airport? Pre-book a parking space before you go, keep the kids entertained by supplying them with a book or iPad in the back of the car, and have a seamless start to your holiday.

Car Parks 1-3 are only a short two-minute walk from the terminal building. Car Parks 4 and 5 are a little further afield but still walkable, or you can catch a free courtesy shuttle bus to the terminal.

Pre-book your car parking space for the best prices and guaranteed spaces.

For more information, visit our Parking Information page.

Changing facilities and baby milk

For families travelling with little ones, there are baby changing rooms conveniently located throughout the terminal for you to change nappies or feed your baby.

A question we get asked regularly by parents is whether or not you can take baby milk and baby food through security as hand luggage. The answer is yes, but please make the security officer aware you are carrying this.

Handy tip! Baby milk and other essentials can be pre-ordered online at Boots for collection in our Departure Lounge shop, so there is no need for you to have to carry this through security. This must be pre-ordered at least 5 days in advance.

Express Lane

So, you’ve checked-in, had a great meal at Frankie & Benny’s and now all you need to do is get the family through security. To make life a little easier for you and the kids, use our Express Lane – a separate lane through security, designed to enable passengers to pass through the security area more quickly. Not only will it mean less waiting around for the kids, it will also give you more time to enjoy the great selection of shops, bars and restaurants in our Departure Lounge!

You can either pre-book access online or pay at the entrance to the Express Lane. Book now! 

Pushchairs

At the end of a wonderful family holiday, we understand that you will want to get home as quickly as possible when you arrive back at the airport. To help toddlers with tired legs, pushchairs are available when you get off the plane to help with your journey to the baggage hall where you can collect your luggage.

The pushchairs are coin operated with a £1 deposit, which is refundable at the pushchair return point located within the baggage hall.