I’m currently loving it and living it up in Liverpool, UK, before I head off to Paris mid-September. I’m finding Liverpool to be one of the friendliest, funniest and most exciting cities in the UK. From live music, to culture, to football, Liverpool has it all. It’s also a much cheaper option than staying in London, but with a similar level of internationally renowned tourist attractions.
I’m currently writing a piece on being a digital nomad with Liverpool as a base. Until this is ready for publication, I thought I’d introduce the city with a bit of a ‘getting there and away’ info. Liverpool is extremely accessible. Here’s how to get to and around Liverpool.
Once you’ve arrived and got settled, you can then read about things to do in Liverpool.
Liverpool – Getting there – Liverpool Airport
Liverpool has an international airport frequented by cheap airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet. Liverpool Airport is a hub of international flights across Europe. Here’s a map to show the destinations of flights from/to Liverpool Airport.
Liverpool city centre is accessible from Liverpool airport by public transport. Jump on the bus to Liverpool South Parkway and then the train from Liverpool South Parkway to Liverpool Lime Street (approx. 20 mins).
If you are flying from another continent such as North or South America or Asia, you may want to consider flying direct to Manchester Airport. You can then take a train from Manchester Airport to Manchester Picadilly or Manchester Oxford Road, and another train from Manchester to Liverpool Lime Street.
You can search for the best value flights to and from Manchester and Liverpool on eDreams.
Arriving in Liverpool by Train
Liverpool Lime Street is the national rail station and central to Liverpool, just minutes away from St George’s Hall, the Tate Gallery and the World Museum.
Trains arrive in Liverpool Lime Street from Manchester, London, York, Newcastle, Birmingham New Street, the list is endless. If you are heading to Liverpool by rail from another UK city, you will probably end up in Lime St.
If you intend to travel frequently in the UK, you may want to look into getting a rail card which can offer you 1/3 off. You can get rail cards for discounts for families, students and those with disabilities. There are also special offer rail cards or tickets such as the ‘Two Together’ which discounts for two passengers travelling the same journey at the same time.
It is also cheaper if you book your journey at least 3-7 days in advance online with Virgin Trains. Trains in the UK can be expensive, but the advance tickets are much better value.
At Liverpool Lime St there is a manned information desk with help regarding onward travel.
Arriving in Liverpool by Coach
National Express Coaches stop off in Liverpool and the city is connected by coach to many main cities in Britain. National Express offer student discounts. To Liverpool there are services every two hours from London and Birmingham, half hourly services from Manchester, and hourly services to York. The National Express coach terminal is approximately 500 yards from Lime Street Station.
Taxis in Liverpool
When you get to Liverpool Lime Street, there is a taxi rank both sides of the station. Taxis are relatively cheap in Liverpool compared to other UK cities. I usually pay around £6-7 to Tuebrook, near Anfield – about a 20 minute journey. It’s a little more to South Liverpool (e.g. Sefton Park or Garston – pay around £8 or £12 respectively).
You can also book an Uber and it will tell you the price in advance (sign up with invite code: amyt8709ue for free credits). You can register your credit or debit card to your Uber account so that you don’t have to pay cash. Pay around £4-5 in an Uber from Liverpool Lime street to the Albert Docks.
Buses and the Walrus Card
If you are looking for a connecting bus, you are like to find it, or at least someone to help you, at Queens Square Bus Station over the road from Liverpool Lime St.
To save money on your bus journeys, get yourself a Walrus Card. It works a bit like the Oyster Card in London. Pre-pay for a week or a months worth of travel and then simply scan your card when you get on the bus.
Merseyrail Liverpool Underground
If you are heading to Chester or the Wirral from Liverpool, you will more than likely be taking the Merseyrail, which is Liverpool’s alternative to the London Tube. It goes under the water! The Liverpool underground network is well sign posted and easy to use.
You can plan your Merseyrail journey here. You can book tickets in advance or get a Merseyrail travel pass which is good value for multiple journeys.
Liverpool by boat
Liverpool is a port, so it is a popular option to arrive by boat from the Isle of Man (Douglas) with Steam Packet or Ireland (Belfast) with Stena Line. You will arrive at the Port, approximately a 15-20 minute walk from Liverpool city centre.
Cruises also depart from Liverpool on two cruise liners – Cruise and Maritime Voyages and Fred Olsen Cruise Lines – find out more here.
Thanks for listening, and if you have any Liverpool questions, please comment below! I’m happy to help.