Birmingham to Budapest British Airways Flights

  About Birmingham

Birmingham is a popular city to visit in the United Kingdom after London. The city is growing at a fast pace and is turning into one of the most happening ones, too. It is also where scenes from Jawbone, The Girl With All The Gifts and Kingsman: The Golden Circle were shot. If you are planning a trip to the UK, make sure you add Birmingham to your itinerary as well. You can explore the neighbourhood on a cycle or on a horse, whichever seems like an adventure to you. The lush green surroundings and the old buildings give it the sort of charm that makes it a great vacation destination. The city also has an eclectic dining scene, and it won't disappoint you one bit. The city is also popular for the waterways that were built in the 1760s during the Industrial Revolution. You will also find a lot of pubs and bars in the city that spruce up the nightlife scenes in Birmingham. Not to mention, the people in the city are lovely and friendly. From recommending places to explore to make sure you have had a great party, people here will make your holiday far special.

Best Time to Visit Birmingham

June to October is considered the best months to visit Birmingham. The city experiences summer during these months, and it is also a peak season for tourists. July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures ranging from 32 to 34 degree Celsius. You should book your hotel in Birmingham well in advance to avoid any inconveniences. Make sure you also book your flight tickets to Birmingham in advance. The best part about visiting Birmingham in summer is that you can attend the music and film festivals that happen in the city during these months. Planning a trip to Birmingham is the best way to spend your summer holidays. Though you might have to bear with the heat, it is completely worth it. You might even end up making friends and meeting a lot of people from around the world since the city sees a spike in the number of tourists in summer. You can also indulge in a lot of outdoor activities in summer as compared to the other months.

September to November is fall season, and while it is not the most popular time to visit Birmingham, it's not the worst either. There are fewer tourists in the city, and the weather is pleasant. It is better as compared to the hot days of summer. Flight tickets to Birmingham are also comparatively lower than the ones in summer. Hotel prices also drop considerably. However, lesser tourists and the weather do not stop you from exploring the city in its glory. All the sightseeing options and outdoor activities are open during this season for you to explore.

December to February is winter in Birmingham, and it is a low season for the city. You will easily get cheap flight tickets to Birmingham in winter. However, a lot of sightseeing spots and outdoor activities might not be accessible during winter. If you are on a budget, this might be a good season for you to visit Birmingham, but it is not a highly recommended one. March to May is the spring season, and the weather is quite pleasant. It is neither too cold nor too hot. All the tourist attractions that were shut in winter open for tourists in spring. It is right before peak season hits Birmingham and you can avoid the crowds and enjoy exploring the city peacefully during spring.

Places to Visit in Birmingham

Birmingham has a lot of tourist attractions, and you must visit the city at the right time to explore it properly. Winterbourne House and Garden is a popular tourist attraction near the University of Birmingham where you can attend art exhibits, craft workshops, live music and even get a glimpse of how theatre works here. The house was built in 1903, and its rustic feel, large gardens and 19th-century printing presses are what attract tourists to it. The Library of Birmingham is Europe's biggest public library. It has a huge collection of books and so many genres that you will want to spend an entire day at the library if you are an avid reader. You can also take guided tours of the library if you want to know more about its inception. You can also visit the Birmingham Museum and Gallery at Chamberlain Square. If you reach at the right time, you might even get to enjoy some refreshing afternoon tea in the Edwardian Tearooms that look stunning.

You can also head to Cannon Hill Park to explore the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Centre and Mac theatre. The park also hosts Foodies Festival annually that you cannot miss. Thinktank is a science museum and an award-winning one at that. It's a short walk from the Moor Street Station and also showcases a model of the Spitfire plane that was used during World War II. You can also check out the on-site planetarium and take a virtual tour of the universe. A visit to the Cadbury World is mandatory, especially if you love chocolates. Not only do you get a tour of all the action that goes behind preparing your favourite treat, but you can also pack a few to take back home.

Things to do in Birmingham

Whether you love history or architecture or food, Birmingham has a lot in store for you. You can go on a sightseeing tour of the castles and museums. You can also go on a historical tour of the city. Brindleyplace is one of the most happening places in the city. You get a breathtaking view of the canals from in here. You can chill with a bowl of ramen and a cocktail of your choice. The place also hosts events like Birmingham Chilli Festival, Open Air Film Festival and BP Dragonboat Race that you can attend. If you are a book lover, you can just head to the Library of Birmingham. It is one of the largest libraries in Europe, and you can spend an entire day here. Visit the Mac Theatre at Cannon Hill Park. If you are not catching a movie or gulping down a glass of beer, you can sign up for courses in digital media skills, health and wellbeing, visual and performance arts and the list goes on. It also has courses that you can take up with your entire family. Do not miss going to Cadbury World. It is like a paradise for everyone who loves chocolates. Birmingham is a city that celebrates performance arts, music and literature. You will find a lot of events here that showcase the best talents and make sure you sign up for it.

Food and Restaurants in Birmingham

Since the city is known for its food, you will find a lot of restaurants that serve traditional and culturally rich food here but also restaurants that serve other types of cuisine. For a contemporary dining experience, you can head to Purnell's. It has a Victorian-style feel to it from the outside and is quite modern and chic inside. You can also order your favourite cocktails or coffee with your meal. Turners is one of the most popular restaurants that are just outside the city centre, in the village of Harborne. It has been nominated and won several awards. You will also find a lot of Michelin-starred restaurants here like Adams, Carters of Moseley and Simpsons. You will also find a lot of food joints and restaurants that are cheaper and serve delicious food. Peach Garden is another popular restaurant and makes sure you try the 'three rice roast' here or pack some so you can eat in your hotel room. Otto is a pizza joint that is quite popular in the city. If you are craving Indian food, you can head over to The Indian Streatery. They have a separate menu for lunch and a different one during the evenings. You will definitely want to come back here.

How to reach Birmingham (Transportation)

Birmingham International Airport is only about 13 km away from the city centre. The flight connectivity to Birmingham from India is excellent. There are no direct flights to Birmingham, and most flights have a layover of a couple of hours in their base city. Lufthansa, Air France and Turkish Airlines are few airlines that frequently fly to Birmingham with layovers at Munich, Frankfurt, Paris and Istanbul. If you book in advance, you will come across decent flight deals to Birmingham online. You might even get cheap flight tickets to Birmingham. The airport has almost everything that would make things easier for the passengers. There are lounges, restaurants, cafes, shopping areas, smoking areas and restrooms at the airport. It is also quite easy to get a taxi from the airport to your hotel. If you haven't pre-booked your airport transfer, you can just get a cab outside the airport itself.

  About Budapest

Budapest, in Hungary, is one of the most beautiful places to go on vacation. You can head to Budapest with your family, your friends or even on a solo backpacking trip. The city has nightclubs for the party animal in you, and it also has architectural marvels that date back to the Renaissance, neo-Gothic, Ottoman and Roman times. Not to mention, you also have a lot of castles to visit and learn all about Budapest's history. The city is also known for its Jewish heritage and Danube river. It is an exciting European destination to visit, and the city does not bore you one bit. You will constantly find yourself admiring the beautiful buildings or learning more about the city without burying yourself in books or the internet. There is always something you can do in Budapest, and you will never want your holiday to end.

Best Time to Visit Budapest

March to May and May September to November are considered to be the best months to plan a trip to Budapest. March to May is the spring season, and the weather remains quite pleasant. You will get cheap flight tickets to Budapest during this time as compared to the rates in summer. You can also book a hotel in Budapest at a minimal price. The temperature ranges from 2 to 21 degree Celsius during these months. There are chances of mild rains at the end of spring, though. If you are planning a spring vacation to Budapest, you can also attend a lot of events and festivals held in the city like the Budapest Dance Festival, Budapest Spring Festival, Rosalia Festival and Budapest Beer Week. There will be a lesser tourist crowd during this time, making it ideal to go sightseeing or take up other activities that you might find restrictive otherwise, owing to a larger tourist crowd.

September to November is fall season, and it is ideal because it is right after summer. The number of tourists reduces, and hotel prices drop yet again. There are quite a few interesting festivals and events during this time that make it the best time to go to Budapest. You can attend events like the Jewish Cultural Festival, Budapest Wine Festival, Oktoberfest Budapest, Design Week Budapest and a ton of Christmassy things that happen before the big day.

Summer hits Budapest from June through August, and it is also a popular time for tourists to head to the city. You might want to book your flight tickets to Budapest in advance along with your accommodations since the prices increase in summer. Not to mention, do check the hotel facilities before booking one because not every hotel has air conditioning. It is also expected to rain in summer in Budapest. If you are taking off to Budapest in summer, you can attend a couple of festivals and events during this time like the Budapest Summer Festival, Danube Carnival, Budapest Pride (highly recommended), Sziget Festival and Festival of Folk Arts. The temperature ranges from 13 to 26 degree Celsius in summer. The climate will not be intolerable, but the increase in tourists will only make your plans difficult to execute.

The city sees snowfall from December to February and though it's not the worst times to take a trip to Budapest, the other seasons are much better. Budapest sees a major dip in the number of tourists during this time.

Places to Visit in Budapest

Buda Castles is one of the most important tourist attractions in the city. It is the perfect blend of Gothic, Roman and Baroque architectures. The castle looks far beautiful and spectacular at night. It is also a UNESCO Heritage site. Underneath the castle, you will find Hospital In The Rock, which was created during World War 2 and the Cold War as a shelter. It is recommended that you hire a guide for this one to know more about the hardships faced by people of that era. This section only opened to the public in 2008 and is one of the many exceptional places to visit in the city. Matthias Church is another popular tourist spot in Budapest and dates back to 1014. You will find peace here and be marvelled at the stunning architecture. The Hungarian State Opera is another masterpiece in the city that you must visit, even for sightseeing. Fisherman Bastion, near Matthias Church, is another place in Budapest rich with history. The complex has seven towers, several courtyards and colonnades that represent the Magyar tribes. It is named after the group of fishermen since they were the ones who saved Buda Castle from this part of the city during the middle ages. Not to mention, you will also catch a scenic view of the Danube river from up top.

Gellert Spa is one of the most popular thermal spas in the city. Spending some time here will only help you rejuvenate your body, and water also has healing properties. This is a highly recommended place in the city and a very relaxing one, too. Heroes Square was built in 1896 to celebrate Hungary's 1000th anniversary and is one of the most popular places in Budapest.

Things to do in Budapest

Take a walking tour at Castle Hill that is right above the Danube river. You can also visit Buda Castle, an activity that is not to be missed in the city. A lot of tourists also take a cruise at the Danube river, which you won't regret one bit. Try to go for a cruise around sunset and the beautiful view will leave an imprint in your mind. Budapest has a lot of different tours that you can take. You can opt for a guided historical tour or just plain sightseeing. You can also take up hiking or other activities in the city. Thermal baths are a rage in Budapest, and it would be a shame not to experience it here. The city is also known for its nightlife and has several nightclubs. You can also spend a day or two to just party till you drop. It will not burn a hole in your pocket at all. If you are taking a cruise, make it romantic by opting for a candlelit dinner cruise. You can visit the Museum of Fine Arts if you want to take a break from exploring the old parts of the city. Head over to Hungarian State Opera House, and while you are at it, you can also book tickets to a show and enjoy the musical experience.

Food and Restaurants in Budapest

While Budapest has a place for all different kinds of taste buds, you can also give Hungarian food and the local street food a try. Cupákos is popular among meat lovers and is quite affordable, too. A lot of food critics recommend that you use your hands to eat instead of a fork and knife. Be it sausages, ribs, pork or duck, and this restaurant serves the best of everything. Bable is known for its Romanian and Hungarian cuisine. It's a Michelin-star restaurant and a popular one, so you might have to reserve a table before entering. The restaurant also has a seven-course meal for vegans. Két Szerecsen is a great place for a cup of coffee or breakfast. The bistro is open all day and has a great ambience. TOPRUM Rooftop Bar, which is on the seventh floor of Hotel Rum Budapest, is where you go for a couple of drinks and food, of course. You will also experience the best views of the city from the bar. Mazel Tov is known for its Israeli and Mediterranean cuisine. It is a glass-roof restaurant that also has a huge courtyard. Do try the chicken shawarma here. You will find a lot of restaurants and cafes here that serve delectable Hungarian food.

How to reach Budapest (Transportation)

The Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is the largest one in Hungary and is well-connected to the rest of the world as much as to Europe. The flight connectivity to Budapest from India is excellent. While there are no direct flights to Budapest, there are several airlines that fly to the city and have layovers in their home cities. Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Lufthansa fly to Budapest quite frequently with layovers at Istanbul, Doha and Munich. Cheap flight tickets to Budapest are available from Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai as compared to Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi or Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. Budapest is also connected to other international cities like Paris, Dubai, Zurich, Ibiza, Vienna, Cairo and so on. However, if you are travelling to Budapest during winter, there are possibilities of flight delays and cancellations since the city experiences high snowfall during this time. December and January see the most snowfall in Budapest. Like most airports, Budapest airport also has VIP lounges, children's play areas, shopping areas, a prayer room, smoking room and restaurants. If you have to wait some more to board your flight, you won't get bored here.

  About British Airways

British Airways is the United Kingdom's national flag carrier with its headquarters in London's Heathrow Airport. In fact, Heathrow Airport is the hub for British Airways. The airline is known to be the second largest in the United Kingdom with respect to fleet size and passenger traffic. The airline follows UK-based regional airline EasyJet, which is a low-cost airline with its headquarters at London Luton Airport. Back in 2011, British Airways and Iberia (Spain-based airline) formed a merger to create International Airlines Group (IAG), a holding company with its registration in Madrid, Spain. International Airlines Group is known to be the third-largest airline group in the world with respect to annual revenue. It stands at the second position in the Europe continent. IAG is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is also listed in the FTSE 100 Index (Financial Times Stock Exchange or Footsie). British Airways managed to become the first-ever airlines to generate a revenue of over USD 1 billion out of passenger traffic on a single route, in a year. The international route in question here is the New York-JFK - London-Heathrow route.

The airlines came into existence in 1974, after an aviation board called British Airways Board was established by the British Government. The main idea behind the genesis of the government body was to manage the two national airline corporations, British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways as well as two regional airlines namely, Cambrian Airways and Northeast Airlines. In 1974, the four airlines were merged to form a solo airline named British Airways. The airline was managed by the government for about 13 years following the merger but eventually was privatised in 1987. British Airways is also known as one of the founding members of the airline alliance, Oneworld, along with Cathay Pacific, American Airlines and Qantas.

Although British Airways' main hub is at Heathrow Airport, a major presence of the airlines can also be witnessed at Gatwick Airport. In fact, the airline also has a base in London City Airport, where its subsidiary, BA Cityflyer operates from. Major international routes are connected through British Airways and operated from Heathrow Airport. In fact, British Airways owns about 40 per cent of slots at the Heathrow Airport in London. After the formation of British Airways, following the merger of the former four airlines in the United Kingdom, the aircraft was given a new look with white, blue and red colour schemes. At the same time, a stylised version of Union Jack was painted on the tail fins. The same was designed by Negus and Negus. However, after many alterations and changes, the CEO of British Airways, Bob Ayling, in 1999, announced that the planes flying under the airlines would adopt the tailfin design of Chatham Dockyard Union Flag that was initially supposed to be used only on the Concorde aircraft. Since then, all the aircraft have been given the Chatham Dockyard Union flag livery.

Fleet size of British Airways

As of 2020, British Airways has a strong fleet of 276 aircraft. These include Airbus A318-100, Airbus A319-100, Airbus A320-200, Airbus A321-200, Airbus A350-1000, Airbus A380-800, Boing 747-400, Boeing 777-200, Boeing 777-300, Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9, Embraer 170 and Embraer 190. British Airways was recognised to be the largest operator for Boeing 747-400s with 57 aircraft in its fleet.

British Airways Baggage Allowance

The limitations for baggage allowance in British Airways is divided into the weights and size for checked as well as hand luggage. The checked bag cannot exceed the dimension of 90 x 75 x 43cm. This also includes the handles, pockets and wheels. Interestingly, the airline does have diverse rules and protocols to be followed depending on the cities where the airline would be flying to. Not to mention how the mid-haul and long-haul flights would have different rules. The best thing about British Airways is that their website has all the answers regarding baggage allowances. Along with the checked and cabin baggage, the passenger is also allowed to carry sports equipment, musical instruments and other fragile items. A special procedure needs to be undertaken to carry the said items on the flight. If you are travelling with an infant, you will be allowed to carry strollers and a dedicated bag with baby products onboard. It would be best to know what you can carry for your cabin baggage.

Provisions to increase the checked baggage allowance at British Airways' flights are also available. You might even get good deals online if you try to add more to your allowance. The bags cannot weigh more than 32 kg, and if the weight does exceed, you will be asked to pay a nominal fee. Overweight bags can be carried, but an additional charge will need to be paid at the counter.

British Airways In-flight services

First-class - British Airways' in-flight services offered on the first-class include fourteen private cabins with 6 ft 6 in beds as well as 15-inch entertainment screen and in-seat power outlets. These facilities are available on some of their aircraft namely Boeing 777-200s, Airbus A380s, Boring 787-9s, Boeing 747-400s and Boeing 777-300ERs. The airline provides the first-class passengers with pre-flight dining experience along with the option to pick their seat ahead of the flight. There are intimate spaces available on the flight for comfortable legroom.

Club World - Club World is basically the business class cabin of British Airways. The same is present in various aircraft such as Airbus A380, Airbus A318, Boeing 777, Boeing 787 and Boeing 747-400. Some select aircraft of Airbus A321 also has a business class cabin which features recliner seats that can be converted into full flatbeds. To expand their business class seats, the airlines also launched the Next Generation New Club World. The Club World cabins have been designed in such a way that they share a similar design on all the widebody aircraft that have aisle seats facing forwards. In 2019, British Airways also introduced new business-class seats featuring a suite with a door in their new A350 aircraft.

World Traveller Plus - Also known as Premium Economy class, the World Traveller Plus cabin is available on all A380, B777, B787 and B747 aircraft. The seats on the premium economy class are wider with more legroom and additional seat comforts such as footrest and power sockets. The meal package can also be upgraded from what is being offered at the World Traveller bar. It is the ideal balance between business class and economy class in-flight services.

World Traveller - World Traveller is the mid-haul and long-haul economy class cabin which offers a slew of in-flight services. Some of them include a seat-back entertainment deck, complimentary food and drinks, blankets and pillows too. The recliner seats are quite comfortable with personal AVOD Tv systems installed. These are available on A321s, B787s, B747s, A380s and B777s. The economy class also offers power sockets and USB plug-in points. The outlets cater to the UK and the US plugs.

Popular routes and top cities for British Airways

British Airways is recognised to serve over 160 destinations which include about eight domestic routes and a whopping 26 international routes connecting to the United States. As one of the founding members of Oneworld airline alliance, British Airways caters to many popular international cities. Some of the popular cities include Paris, New York-JFK, San Francisco, Brussels, Calgary, Vancouver, Chengdu, Shanghai, San Jose Dubrovnik, Prague, Copenhagen, Cairo, Luxor, Addis Ababa, Marseille, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Mykonos, Hong Kong, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Tel Aviv, Milan, Naples, Rome, Tokyo, Osaka, Nairobi, Luxembourg City, Mexico City, Marrakech, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Auckland, LagosWarsaw, Lisbon, Moscow, Riyadh, Cape Town, Singapore, Seoul, Ibiza, Madrid, Valencia, Colombo, Stockholm, Zurich, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Plymouth, Detroit, Tampa, Seattle, Washington and Victoria Falls to name a few. These cities see flights from British Airways on a regular basis.

Why travel with British Airways?

British Airways has some of the best facilities available that make it one of the most sought-after airlines to travel. You can book British Airways flights at reasonable costs and find flexible fares. Plus, you can also upgrade your ticket to premium economy and business class, depending on what you want. For long-haul flights, there are complimentary in-flight services available on British Airways. You can opt for web check-in also on their portal or on their mobile app. Within 24 hours of departure, there is free seat selection available for passengers. The flight schedule of British Airways is always put up on its website with regular updates. Usually, the airline is known to be extremely punctual with respect to their short-haul carriers travelling within the United Kingdom. However, in case if there are any delays, they are all mentioned or notified to the passenger on their phone. Besides, you can always opt to know more about flight status through their apps and portals. British Airways' in-flight services are exquisite and offer world-class facilities to ensure a comfortable transit.