If you have arrived early to Birmingham airport and need to kill a few hours then don’t fear there is actually plenty to do at the airport. Although it is not as big and busy as other UK airports such as Heathrow or Gatwick, it still offers over 25 retail shops ans a selection of great restaurants you can enjoy.

If you are looking to do some retail therapy then Birmingham airport has a whole range of shops offering goods from electrical items – such as Dixons, to clothes and shoes such as Antler, Accessorize and Claire’s accessories. The great thing is that all the shops are tax and duty free so you can grab a bargain for yourself or a loved one.

If you are hungry or thirsty then there are several places to grab a bite to eat and drink. If you just need a coffee to wake you up then Starbucks and Costa Coffee could do the trick. If you like fast food then try burger king or subway. Or if you want to try out a finer dining experience why not visit one of the deli’s or sit down restaurants located in the airport.

If you are just arriving and you want to pick up your hire car, all 6 car rental companies are located inside the terminal within walking distance of arrivals. If you would like to see how much you could save then try out the search feature on this site which compares prices for you.

If you are heading in to Birmingham by plane, then you may be looking for somewhere nice to eat. There are places to eat at the airport but chances are that you would like something in the hub of this exciting city which is a little more sophisticated. If this is the case, then why not grab a hire car and drive to The Mailbox. This is a fairly new and very stylish shopping centre and there is a fantastic restaurant called Crystal Rivers. It is not too expensive with the average meal costing about £25. The atmosphere is good and it has the feels of a smart London restaurant.

Some people think it is a little pricey but it depends what you want, some people want cheap food and big portions and others want better quality in smaller amounts. Check out their website before you book and then you can decide whether you think you will like it. They have a good reputation for the cocktails they make. The menu is varied and Mediterranean in style. There are a choice of pizza, pasta, meat, fish, risotto, salads and many other things. There is also a very tasty looking dessert menu. All food is prepared which means that you may have to wait sometime if they are busy but if you want to relax and enjoy their cocktails then this should not be a problem. It also means you will get well cooked and tasty food which should be worth the wait.