Plan your journey to Care Show Birmingham 2026 at the NEC. Below you will find the event opening times, venue details, the latest road travel information and options for travelling by rail, coach or air.
important M42 Junction 6 travel update
The NEC remains fully open and accessible. However, a temporary closure on the northern side of the M42 Junction 6 roundabout may affect journeys leaving the venue.
Access to the NEC continues to operate as normal. When leaving the NEC:
- Traffic using Southway can only join the M42 northbound
- Other outbound traffic will be directed via Eastway and Northway
- Clearly signposted diversion routes are in place
- The M42 remains open in both directions beneath the affected bridge
Some congestion may occur during busy periods, so please allow extra time for your journey home. Follow the signed diversion routes rather than relying solely on your sat nav, as navigation systems may not reflect the latest restrictions. For the latest information, visit the National Highways M42 Junction 6 update.
getting to the NEC
by rail
Birmingham International Station is directly connected to the NEC by a covered walkway, making rail one of the easiest ways to reach the show. Direct services run from Birmingham New Street and many towns and cities across the UK.
Care Show Birmingham attendees can save 20% on selected Avanti West Coast Advance fares in Standard, Standard Premium and First Class.
The offer is valid for travel to and from Birmingham International or Birmingham New Street between 2 and 10 October 2026. Bookings must be made by 28 September 2026, and you will need to carry proof of event attendance. Terms and availability apply.
by coach
National Express operates coach services from locations across the UK, including services to Birmingham Airport, which is close to the NEC.
by air
Birmingham International Airport is located next to the NEC and is a short journey from the exhibition halls.
by road
The NEC is easily reached from the M6, M1, M40 and M42 motorways. Enter B40 1NT into your sat nav to reach the site.
Once you arrive at the NEC, follow the electronic signs for Care Show Birmingham rather than your sat nav. These will direct you to the correct car park. Blue Badge holders should follow the blue signs and display their badge clearly for traffic staff.
Please also read the M42 Junction 6 travel update above and allow additional time when leaving the venue.
View NEC travel information
parking
The NEC has thousands of visitor parking spaces and uses an Automatic Number Plate Recognition system.
For the best available rate, pre-book your parking before midnight on the day before your visit. If you do not book in advance, you can pay before leaving the venue by following the on-site instructions. The NEC is cashless, so payments must be made by card or smartphone.
Parking charges apply, including for Blue Badge holders. Accessible spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Pre-paid parking is valid only in NEC-operated car parks and cannot be used in Resorts World Birmingham car parks.
On arrival, follow the electronic signs to the car park allocated to Care Show Birmingham. Free shuttle buses operate between the NEC car parks and the exhibition venue where required.
accommodation
We’ve partnered up with specialist accommodation agency Event Express to provide discounted hotel accommodation and flexible cancellation policies exclusively for our attendees.
If you’re unsure of your requirements at this stage, the flexible cancellation terms will allow you to make amendments and cancellations at no charge until closer to the event date. However, we do advise that you book now and amend later to guarantee your preferred hotel.
The Event Express service is completely free to use with no hidden charges and no booking or transaction fees, and the friendly reservations team will liaise with the hotels directly on your behalf.
For more information, please contact Event Express directly via the email or telephone number listed below.
If you would like to book a hotel not featured on the accommodation link or have specific budgets or requirements, then please contact the team who would be happy to assist you.
Telephone: +44 1905 732737
WARNING: HOTEL BOOKING SCAM
It has come to our attention that there is a scam operating around hotel accommodation bookings at the NEC Birmingham.
Company calling itself CONVENTION EXPO TRAVEL and GLOBAL TRAVEL ASSOCIATION have been approaching companies at the show purporting to be the official hotel booking agency for the show and taking credit card details and bookings without making any such bookings with the hotels concerned.
We have discovered from fellow exhibition organising companies, that other trade shows’ exhibitors have also been approached in similar fashion.
We would advise you if you are contacted by CONVENTION EXPO TRAVEL or GLOBAL TRAVEL ASSOCIATION, do NOT under any circumstances make a booking with them or give any credit card details.
