Birmingham & Warwick for 3 Nights: Our £98.25 Per-Person Weekend
Three travellers flew from Edinburgh, stayed with family, brought food from home and combined Birmingham’s free attractions with Cadbury World and Warwick Castle.
This weekend worked because our two biggest potential expenses—accommodation and most food—cost nothing. We stayed at our cousin’s home and carried food, leaving room in the budget for both Cadbury World and Warwick Castle.
Exactly what we spent
| Expense | Per person |
|---|---|
| Edinburgh ⇄ Birmingham return flight | £50.00 |
| Full-day bus ticket: £4.75 × 3 days | £14.25 |
| Birmingham Moor Street ⇄ Warwick return train | £14.00 |
| Cadbury World + Warwick Castle combination ticket | £20.00 |
| Accommodation at cousin’s home | £0 |
| Food brought from home | £0 |
| Total | £98.25 |
Our confirmed total for three travellers was £294.75.
Friday: Edinburgh to Birmingham
We flew from Edinburgh to Birmingham and used the local bus network to reach the city. Instead of checking into a hotel, we stayed with our cousin, keeping all three nights free.
Saturday: Birmingham’s library, canals and neighbourhoods
We started with the city’s distinctive modern library and its rooftop outlook—one of the best free views in central Birmingham.
We walked beside the historic canals and red-brick waterside buildings without adding anything to the budget.
The historic workshops and streets gave us another free area to explore.
We finished with colourful street art and Birmingham’s industrial architecture.
Birmingham Airport → Library of Birmingham → Brindleyplace → Jewellery Quarter → Digbeth → Cadbury World → Warwick Castle → Bullring → Birmingham Airport.
View the route in Google Maps →
Cadbury World in Bournville
Cadbury World was one half of our £20 combination ticket. The visit added chocolate history and tastings to a day otherwise centred on free city attractions.
Sunday: train to Warwick Castle
We travelled from Birmingham Moor Street to Warwick for £14 return per person. Warwick Castle was the second attraction included in our £20 combination ticket. We explored the medieval walls, towers, grounds and Great Hall, then returned to Birmingham. We did not visit Lord Leycester Hospital.
Monday: Bullring and delayed flight home
Before leaving, we visited Bullring and Grand Central for a final city-centre walk. Our return flight was delayed by about 4.5 hours, but the airline provided food and drink vouchers while we waited.
Why this trip stayed under £100
Free accommodation and food from home made the greatest difference. We also used one combination ticket for two major attractions and filled the Birmingham day with free neighbourhoods and public spaces.
Budget traveller’s quick summary
Trip: Edinburgh → Birmingham → Warwick → Birmingham → Edinburgh
Dates: 18–21 September 2026
Travellers: 3
Cost: £98.25 per person; £294.75 total
Highlights: Library of Birmingham, canals, Jewellery Quarter, Digbeth, Cadbury World, Warwick Castle and Bullring/Grand Central
Biggest savings: staying with family and taking food from home.
More real UK budget trips
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St Andrews Day TripTransparency: This guide uses our actual trip details and confirmed prices from September 2026. Always verify current fares, attraction prices and opening times.
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