Flying from NYC. Would like to visit birmingham and liverpool. would it be cheaper to fly to London and do the trains or is there a better airport? Money is the important factor here.
thanks

Assuming you've already seen London, Liverpool affords some attractions, but Birmingham is not really noted for its tourist qualities.

I agree - except for some very good shopping there isn't too much in B'ham. But if you are not visiting London I'd fly directly from the States into Manchester. It is very close to Liverpool and convenient for Birmingham.

Liverpool is about 45 minutes drive from Manchester Airport. I don't know about shuttle buses but a pre-booked taxi would cost around £30.

Thank you for the advice. What would be the approx. cost for a rt train ticket from London to Birmingham?

For train fare information, visit www.virgintrains.co.uk
The are substantial variances in fares -as a general rule if you can commit well in advance you can get much cheaper fares than the standard prices, i.e., up to 80% discount.
Virgin trains cover the London/Birmingham/Manchester/Liverpool routes, but not Manchester Airport to Liverpool, which is not expensive anyway.
As a matter of interest why do you want to go to Birmingham or Liverpool anyway?

Birmingham - geneology stuff
Liverpool - what else, Beatles fan since 1964

Did you see the recent thread on where to stay in Liverpool? I topped it for you yesterday but it disappeared fast!

Yes, thank you.

If I were to take Virgin trains to Birmingham or elsewhere north, would I be able to get one from one of the London airports?

I've really no idea on trains,sorry but I've just found another train operator which might be worth a look.
www.Midlandmainline.com which goes between London and the East Midlands and Manchester.

In Britain only take a train if you want to arrive late!

Either fly or drive in the UK!

<In Britain only take a train if you want to arrive late!>
First entry in the 2004 "stupidest generalization of the year" contest.

In answer to pauleau's question, no, you cannot get a Virgin train from any of London airports to Birmingham, but you can get a train into London to catch a train to B'ham.

Pauleau

From Heathrow there is an express train to Paddington Station in central London. From Gatwick there is an express train to Victoria Station.
For Birmingham, Liverpool or Manchester Virgin trains depart from Euston station.
If you are travelling light you can use the Underground railway from either Paddington or Victoria to Euston, but not recommended if you have much luggage, in which case cabs would not be too expensive.
If you are concentrating on Birmingham and Liverpool you really should try and fly into Manchester airport, much less hassle, and good train connections direct from the airport. Also much cheaper train fares.Closer to both Liverpool and Birmingham than London.
Tony.