Getting Around, Liverpool Travel, Transport and Car Rental
(Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK)
Central Liverpool is relatively compact and those with plenty of time on their hands will find that it is easy to simply travel around the city centre on foot. Public transport is also on hand in the form of buses, which depart from both the Liverpool One Bus Station at Canning Place (previously the Paradise Street Interchange) and Queen Square, heading southwards and to the north / east, respectively.
Those travelling further afield can choose between flights from the nearby John Lennon Airport, trains from the Lime Street Station, or perhaps long-distance National Express coaches, linking Manchester, Stockport, Stoke on Trent and the Yorkshire Dales, amongst other popular destinations further afield. Mersey Ferries connect the city of Liverpool with the neighbouring Wirral Peninsula, crossing the famous River Mersey on a regular basis.
Those feeling a little more energetic may like to consider hiring a bicycle and exploring the plentiful off-road cycleways. For a more leisurely pace, why not hire a narrow boat for the day and sail on down the canal, all the way to the South Docks.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) / Arriving by Air
Address: Liverpool, L24 1YD
Tel: 0871 521 8484
Liverpool is served by the fast expanding
John Lennon Airport (LPL), which has good connections to the city centre and close to Bebington, Huyton, Runcorn and Widnes, being across from the Ellesmere Port.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) Guide
Car Rental
Liverpool is well-served by many major roads, with the M6, M56, M57 and M58 motorways all being close by. During heavy commuting hours, it is worth noting that the traffic in and out of the city can become congested, especially around the centre.
Many tourists either drive here or choose to rent cars, and your own set of wheels provides the very best method of transport if you are planning to explore the surrounding Merseyside towns and beyond. The city is home to many large car parks, including NCP multi-storey garages, although off-street car parking is harder to find, with some controlled zones featuring restrictions. Of note, the main council-run car parks can be found on Brunswick Street, Burgess Street, Craven Street, Dale Street, Finch Place, Fraser Street, Fontenoy Street, Kempston Street, Mount Pleasant, Old Haymarket and Victoria Street.
Liverpool is within driving distance of many major northern towns and popular tourist destinations, such as Blackpool, Chester, the Lake District, Manchester, North Wales, the Peak District and the Yorkshire Moors. Of note, London is around four hours' drive from central Liverpool.
Trains
Address: Central Train Station, Ranelagh Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1QE, England
Tel: 0845 7484950
The busy city of Liverpool is home to a large and efficient network of trains, travelling throughout the United Kingdom. Located off Lord Nelson Street, the Lime Street Station connects to the Wirral and Northern train lines and has become the main hub for inter-city trains. The Northern Line leads to Kirkby, Ormskirk and Southport, while the City Line connects destinations such as Blackpool, Crewe, Preston, Warrington and Wigan. The Wirral Line provides a convenient way to reach Birkenhead, Chester and West Kirby.
Further railway stations in Liverpool include the Central Station on Lawton Street, the James Street Station next to the Strand, and the Moorfields Station off Tithebarn Street.
Buses
Liverpool has a well-supported bus service, which provides an inexpensive way to travel around both the city and Merseyside as a whole. Buses are able to use a number of efficient dedicated lanes, with frequent stops every few minutes on the principal routes. The main bus stations in Liverpool can be found at Canning Place and on Queen Square.
The city is divided into a series of different 'areas' named A, B, C or D, with separate Saveaway passes being available for each zone and valid for an entire day. All-zone Saveaway tickets can also be purchased for a little more money. Many buses in the Liverpool area can be easily accessed by wheelchair users and are considered to be environmentally friendly.
Taxis
Address: Tourist Information Centre, Queen Square, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1RG, England
Tel: +44 (0)151 207 2222
Liverpool is full of Hackney carriages (taxis) and these provide one of the most convenient ways to travel around the Merseyside area. Black taxi cabs can either be hailed from the street or picked up at one of the numerous taxi ranks, which are located outside the shopping centres on Bold Street, Great Charlotte Street, Hanover Street, Stafford Street, Williamson Square and Whitechapel. Further ranks await around the Albert Dock, on Duke Street (evenings) and along North John Street, as well as within the business areas of Dale Street, Great Charlotte Street, Lime Street, Lord Nelson Street and Ranelagh Street.
Boats and Ferries
Mersey Ferries provide regular services that sail between Pier Head and Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula. This is a particularly pleasant and scenic way to travel between these two locations.
By Foot
The city of Liverpool is certainly small and compact enough to stroll around on foot. When the sun is shining, this is a particularly pleasant way to explore and sightsee, although if the sky quickly clouds over, rest assured that taxi cabs are never far from hand. Alternatively, you can always take shelter in one of the city's many pubs, shops or cafes, and wait for the sunshine to return.
Bicycles
Bicycles are an increasingly popular way to travel around the city and in recent years, many dedicated on-road cycle lanes and off-road tracks have been established around Merseyside. These include canalside trails and towpaths stretching for more than 125 miles / 200 km, terminating at Eldonian Village. Cycle shops are available should you wish to rent a bike for the afternoon or day, being located on Breck Road, Childwall Abbey Road, County Road, East Prescot Road, Edge Lane, High Street, Parliament Street, St. Mary's Road and Strand Street.
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