Accommodation

Where to stay

In 2022, Birmingham hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which according to the event organisers, it was estimated the games attracted over 1 million people (non-residents) to the city during the 11 days of the event. It goes without saying that the city has more than enough capacity to accommodate attendants to SfNIRS 2024. However, where to stay depends on a lot of factors; your budget, your preference and taste, your willingness to use public transport, any collateral considerations (e.g. visiting a friend), etc.

By areas

The campus is easily accessible via a number of bus lines as well as by train (the campus has its own train station!), or even walking from the city centre using the canals! In terms of areas; the Edgbaston campus is located in a conservation area of Birmingham, and it is here that the area’s most prized properties are situated, making it one of the most expensive postcodes outside of London. All the city centre and the five ways area (the side of Edgbaston closes to the city center) is full of hotels of all prices, and only one or two train stops from the Uni.

Around the Uni, i.e. within walking distance (up to 20 mins), there is a lot of AirBnB rooms and departments. Selly Oak and Selly Park are mostly for students. Other areas within walking distance are Edgbaston, Harborne, Metchley, Weoley Castle (strictly part of Selly Oak, but the nicer part of it).

If you are happy to take public transport, then your opportunities grow a lot; Bournville, Cotteridge, Kings Norton, Kings Heath, Northfield, Bearwood, and of course the city center… All of these are within reasonable proximity to the Uni. Buses from the city centre take about 15-20mins, with lines surrounding the campus (61-63 on the south via Bristol Rd, lines X21-X22 crossing from east to west, lines 48, 76 and 19 serving the north-west of the campus). Trains to Birmingham New Street go approximately every 10 minutes and the trip only takes 7 minutes. Walking from Brindley Place takes about 40-45 mins.

Taxi operators such as Uber, Lyft, Bolt are available in the city and suburbs.

By hotel

The University has a 4-star hotel on campus – Edgbaston Park Hotel. Prices start at £125/per night (2022). The Edgbaston Park Hotel is only within 5 min walking distance to the conference venue.

The city centre also boasts over 300 hotels (source: Booking .com) of all sizes and price-range (2-5 stars), and because of the excellent train and bus connection to the University campus from the city centre, any of these hotels are within 15-20 mins of the Edgbaston campus (a little longer if you prefer to walk). Booking.com lists over 100 accommodations within 3km from campus https://tinyurl.com/5f7mrbym.