QPR face a tough trip to Birmingham City on Saturday - here are the usual tips for those planning on making the journey.

Ground Name: St Andrews
Capacity: 30 016 (all seated)
Address: St Andrews Ground, Birmingham B9 4NH
Main Telephone No: 0844 557 1875
Ticket Office: 0844 557 1875

By Car:
Two or three ways to do this from West London actually. Up on the M40 and M42 to junction six and then into the ground on the A34 is one. M1, M6, M42, off at the airport exit and then down to the ground on the A45 is another. Or M1, M6 to junction six (same as for Aston Villa) onto the Aston Expressway and then second exit onto the inner ring road signposted for Coventry and Stratford from where the ground is well sign posted. Turn left towards Small Heath at the McDonalds heading towards Small Heath and the ground is there. I’d take the second option personally, just over 110 miles from Loftus Road.

Map:


Click map to visit Multi Map site and zoom in/out or tour round.

Parking:
As ever with Birmingham street parking is your best bet and be prepared for some local chav to demand five pounds from you for that privilege. There is an away fans car park next to the away end although whether or not it opens on matchdays seems to be determined on a whim and with no real logic to it at all – it was shut for our last visit. We parked round the corner in the retail park the last time we were here although admittedly that was Boxing Day and the barriers that seemed to be there to prevent people doing that were not in operation. Signs are up saying customers only so I wouldn’t chance that this time.

By Train
Two ways to get to Birmingham from London as ever – the conventional but more expensive way from Euston or the cheaper but longer trip from Marylebone. Being a Saturday this trip is much cheaper if booked in advance than the week night visit to Aston Villa ten days ago – a £30 return can be bought now based on leaving Euston at 0903 and coming back from New Street at 1700. That is also based on buying two advance single tickets and we found the price on thetrainline.co.uk. On a Saturday the walk up adult fare is only just under £40, if you’re walking up and paying on the day you can get it for £30 from Marylebone. Neither Birmingham New Street nor Snow Hill stations, the ones served from London, are walkable from the ground for any sane or reasonable person so either get a connection from Snow Hill to Bordesley which is closer or pay a fiver for a cab up there. 57A, 58 and 60 buses from from the city centre to near the ground.

Pubs:
Birmingham is normally a pretty difficult place o get a drink around the ground at as an away fan although The Cricketers and The Brighton are both named by the guide as possible destinations. Those walking up to the ground from the city centre direction may come across The Anchor which is the Birmingham CAMRA pub of the year although it’s worth bearing in mind that with an early kick off you may be unlikely to find too many pubs open much before the kick off. Those arriving by train are best advised to drink in town and head out to the ground by train, bus or taxi late on.

Tickets
Rangers were given 1000 tickets to sell in advance with at least that many again available for purchase at the turnstiles, cash only. These are priced £30 adults, £18 juniors, seniors and students. Under 12s get in for a tenner and disabled people can buy a pair of tickets for them and a helper for £20.

Links:

Detailed fans' guide to St Andrews

Official website



 

Photo: Action Images

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