Coventry Train Station

It's as though they didn't realise any travelling individuals would need pickup or dropping off. Total mess of no waiting zones despite the fact trains are frequently late. Very very poorly designed with reality clearly not a priority

Coventry Train station is the pitts.
I’ve used this station for close to 2 decades now and I think it’s a real shame that it can’t be improved due to being a ‘listed building’ — I agree some things need protecting, but this isn’t one of them! If it were me, I’d tear it down and build a new station that’s more efficient and warm.
The station is freezing in the Winter, absolutely FREEZING! And the lifts just don’t work! I’ve got stuck in the lifts 4 times in as many years which is why I don’t use them unless I absolutely have to such as for heavy luggage. I feel sorry for all the pensions and people in wheel chairs that get stuck all the time.
The one plus point is that they’ve improved the roads outside the station now so it’s a lot more efficient at least. But again, car parking… WOW! Thinking of parking at Coventry station for the day and getting the train to Birmingham or London maybe… sounds good huh? NO, FORGET ABOUT IT! It’s physically impossible to get a spot after 8am. Impossible.
But on the plus side, at least there’s nice places to sit down, relax and eat whilst waiting for your train, right? Oh wait… no there isn’t! There’s Starbucks or the Pumpkin Café… that’s it! That’s your choices guys…
Honestly, I love Coventry, this is my City but I can’t stand the train station… it’s a monstrosity and people need to stop protecting it and let the bulldozers come in and tear it down and build us something spectacular and efficient.
I went to Birmingham the other week and my jaw dropped at the sheer comparison… it’s like being in a third World Country one minute (Coventry station) and a future metropolis the next (Birmingham).
But let’s look on the bright side, at least there’s a chocolate vending machine here…

I am Really hoping that when the area of Coventry that is getting a full face lift and new buildings is complete, or perhaps Soon… that this place is completely torn down and recreated.
This train station is Very inefficient. End of story.
If you are waiting for a guest, you must wait behind the barriers and stand (no seating) without any snacks or beverages (those are all behind the ticketed barriers) and don’t even think of using the toilet as those are for ticketed guests as well.
If you are a wheel chair passenger, this station cannot guarantee the lifts will be working. I’ve come through a couple times with loads of luggage and ended up having to beg someone to help me carry it up and down the plethora of stairs.
The lounges are outdated. The toilets are just there and are never a pleasant experience. (Old fashioned, sinks broken, only one hand dryer that is usually broken and doesn’t work very well).
Why I am giving 3 stars in my review is because there is a new efficient Starbucks. That’s all. And the fact that it is only a 5-​minutes walk from the City Center.
And because it’s easy to get a taxi. But make sure you arrive with UK currency cash! Coventry cabs only take cash, and there’s no cash points at this train station.
Good luck. I really hope they fix this stations major flaws one day soon!!!

Very helpful staff at the station who helped us buy correct tickets to get to London-​Euston quickly. Station is also easy to navigate, but if you have luggage, good luck — I couldn’t find any elevators on the platforms and do had to lug my 20 pound bag around — can only imagine how hard it would be for parents with young kids!
It was also easy to catch a taxi from outside the station — but a note of caution here, they only take cash and the station doesn’t have a cash withdrawal machine!

Could it be any more inefficient or unpleasant? Only when the weather is cold and wet…

Sometimes you wish you could go back in time to the 1960s tell building designers to STOP right there and do something else. However I bet it looked beautiful and futuristic to them.
I came to Coventry with my grandmother when i was a kid in the 1980s and the station is pretty much how I recalled it then. Black, metal and slate grey EVERYWHERE.
The stairs are a slog and the lifts are cramped, I feel like I will be stuck in the lifts forever everytime I step into one.
Bonuses. The heating worked in the waiting room on the platform and the staff are pretty friendly.