Our guide includes ideas for best things to see, cheap places to visit and advice for how to save money on transport, accommodation and eating / going out. Get inspired to visit Liverpool today!
Top Reasons to Visit Liverpool
There are so many reasons why you might want to visit Liverpool including:
- Easy to get to by flying, train, bus or car
- Great value for money especially compared to other UK cities
- Culture, art, music and a vibrant atmosphere
- Cathedrals
- Football
- The Beatles!
How to Get to Liverpool
Flights
Liverpool is home to John Lennon airport which is connected to a number of European and international destinations. Budget airlines which fly to Liverpool from Europe include EasyJet, Ryanair, Blue Air and Wizz Air.
Places you can fly to Liverpool from include Belfast, Isle of Man, Dublin, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga, Alicante, Barcelona, Faro, Amsterdam, Jersey, Nice, Paris, Warsaw, Kraków, Berlin, Geneva, Lanzarote, Lisbon, Madrid, Cork, Prague, Rome, Bordeaux, Budapest, Fuerteventura, Gdańsk, Ibiza, Derry, Milan, Naples, Bucharest, Shannon, Tenerife, Venice, Wrocław, Bacău, Bergen, Bodrum, Bari, Cluj-Napoca, Dalaman, Bergerac, Girona, Katowice, Larnaca, Las Palmas, Malta, Porto, Palermo, Poznań, Pisa, Pula, Marrakesh, Reus, Rhodes, Sofia, Szczecin, Vilnius and Zakynthos.
Bus & Train
From destinations in the UK you can catch the train or book a coach service like Megabus and National Express which offer affordable passages to Liverpool. Travelling by bus offers the cheapest way to get to and from Liverpool although distances and times can be long compared to going on the train.
How to Get to the City Center from John Lennon Airport
From John Lennon airport you can catch a taxi, book an Uber or the cheaper option is the bus which takes about an hour to get to the city centre. If you have a car you could stay in a hotel near Liverpool John Lennon Airport and commute in, be aware though parking costs in the city centre can be high.
Transport & Getting Around
There is a good public transport system in Liverpool, you can use the bus, metro and train system to navigate and get around. If you are looking for a city break and are going to be staying central you might not even need to use public transport as the centre is walkable. There is also a hop-on hop-off tourist bus taking you to the main sights.
Accommodation
You can choose from options including hotels, hostels, AirBnB and guest houses. Prices are generally higher on weekends and in summer. To get the best deals book in advance.
Where to Stay in Liverpool
We recommend you stay in the city centre which is easy to walk around. There are cheaper hotels and hostels on the outskirts of the city but then you are relying on public transport and taxis.
Hotels
You can find a range of hotels for all budgets with prices starting from around £35 per night. Most hotels cost around £40-£100 per night depending on the brand and level of comfort.
Hostels
A bed in a hostel dorm can start from around £10 per night, with prices usually ranging from £10-£25. Sometimes private rooms in hostels can be more expensive than hotels.
Food and Drink
In the past decade Liverpool has had a major facelift and the city centre is now a really modern area with shops, hotels, bars, cafes and numerous restaurants. There are literally hundreds of bars, cafes and restaurants dotted around the city centre so you have a lot of choice. For cheap eats try the streets stands which sell hotdogs and burgers or there are also cheap restaurants like Wetherspoons. You can find cheap supermarkets like Sainsburys and Tesco where you can buy sandwiches and other food. There are bars and clubs dotted all around the city center.
Best Things to See and Do in Liverpool
Here are some essential things to add to your Liverpool travel itinerary:
Go Beatles Crazy
You could visit Penny Lane, go to the Beatles museum in the Albert Dock, listen to live music on Matthews Street or even jump aboard the Magical Mystery Bus Tour where you can visit some famous sights including the former homes of the band.
Spend a Night at the Cavern Club
The Cavern Club is where some of the biggest bands in the world have played and where the Beatles famously starting out. The setting is really special underground in a cellar with a music stage and seating area where you can watch some live music and dance the night away.
Wander Around the Albert Dock
The Albert Dock is one of the main attractions in Liverpool, this riverside location is home to various shops, bars and restaurants.
Take in the Local Culture
Take in some culture and visit a museum or art gallery, there are a number you could visit which include the Tate Modern. You also need to check out the Superlambanana art installation.
Watch a Football Game
You could go and watch Liverpool, Everton or Tranmere which are all based in the city. Getting tickets for Liverpool games can be difficult so try to search online in advance to avoid disappointment. You can usually get tickets for Everton and Tranmere online fairly easy just be sure to check the fixtures to see if they are playing at home.
Enjoy the Nightlife
Around Concert Square and the city centre area of Liverpool has lots of bars and nightclubs including the world famous Cream nightclub.
Matthew Street Festival
If you happen to be visiting Liverpool during August you can experience the famous Matthew Street Festival. Here you can enjoy one of the biggest events of the year with live music, culture and entertainment.
Other Places to Consider Visiting:
- Chinatown
- The Liverpool Cathedral
- The University of Liverpool
- World Museum
- The Bluecoat
- International Slavery Museum
- Merseyside International Street Festival
- Merseyside Maritime Museum
- The Williamson’s Tunnels
Free Things to Do in Liverpool
Join a Free Walking Tour
One of the best ways to learn more about the city and see new places is to go on one of the free walking tours of the city. They depart daily usually last a couple hours and are a great way to immerse yourself in the city while learning about its past. New Europe Tours offers daily tours of the city, including a Beatles tour.
Most Tourist Spots Are Free
There are lots of free museums and also most of the other main attractions don't cost anything to enter e.g. the Liverpool Cathedral.
Alternative to the Beatles Magical Bus Tour
The Magical Beatles Bus Tour is quite expensive but you can visit all the places independently by travelling by bus/taxi then walking. This will save you lots of money!
Top Tips for Visiting Liverpool on a Budget
- Book flights or transport in advance
- Buy food at supermarkets
- Don't stay in large multinational city center hotels
- Find a budget accommodation central so you avoid spending money on public transport
- Use public bus instead of offical tours
Day Trips & Places to See Near Liverpool
If you have enough time and would like to see somewhere different you could take a day trip to the coast, Crosby and the beach is recommended. Another option is to visit medieval city of Chester. Chester is is around 30 minutes away by train and here you will find old buildings and a cathedral, a castle and a quient little city centre which is great to wonder around on foot.
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