LIVERPOOL TRAVEL GUIDE

LIVERPOOL TRAVEL GUIDE

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Overview

Known for The Beatles, there is more to Liverpool than those famous lads. We share everything you need to know in this Liverpool Travel Guide.

Birthplace of The Beatles and the port of registry for the infamous Titanic, Liverpool has become a tourist destination in its own right. Located in the northwest of England, travelers can jump on a 3-hour train from London or a 4-hour train from Edinburgh.

Football fans may wish to watch a Liverpool FC or Everton FC game whilst music lovers can choose The Beatles Story or the British Music Experience.

Hours can be spent wandering around the Albert Docks, having a pint in the selection of bars or tasting a Great British Pub lunch at many of the restaurants dotted around.

Typical costs

Accommodation

Budget:

Basic single rooms and B & B’s can be found for as little as £21 a night whilst hostel dorm beds cost around £11 a night.

Midrange: When travelling the UK we always opt for budget chain hotels such as Travelodge or Premier Inn. These offer clean and spacious rooms with no fancy extras but costing as little as £23 if you book in advance.

Luxury: More luxurious hotels start at £75.

Transport: Buses 80A, 82A and 86A run between the Liverpool Airport and the city centre, taking around 20 minutes. Tickets around £4.30.

The city is a fairly easy place to drive around, should you wish to hire a car.

The average cost of food:

Head to stores such as Sainsbury’s or Tesco if you are on a tight budget and want to stick with sandwiches and snacks.

A sandwich, packet of crisps and drink costs around £3.

Cheap eats and reasonable drinks can always be found at Wetherspoon Pubs (Burger and pint costs around £5).

Meals in restaurants around the Albert Dock will cost anywhere between £12 – £20 per main dish.

There are plenty of bars around the city with cheaper drink prices than in London.

Best time to visit Liverpool

The UK has temperamental weather; it rains far too often and Liverpool is not fun when you get caught outside during a rain storm. 

The best time to visit Liverpool is April to September, when the weather is warm and there is less chance of rain. However, this is England, you always need to have a raincoat or umbrella with you, just incase. 

August is the hottest time of the year and visiting Liverpool can be busy – it is the school holidays and international visitors arrive throughout the summer too. 

If you are hoping to catch the football, make sure to visit during the season – which runs from August to May. 

Where to stay in Liverpool

Budget:

Spacious and cheap rooms are available at the Tune Hotel from £30 whilst dorm beds cost £15 a night at the Euro Hostel Liverpool.

Midrange:

As mentioned above, we love staying in a Travelodge. You always know what to expect, there are very rarely any problems and the staff are generally friendly and helpful. Travelodge Liverpool Central – The Stand is our top choice, overlooking the Albert Docks, surrounded by restaurants and with a Tesco Express store on the ground floor. Even at busy times of the year, this hotel is fairly cheap – we stayed for two nights during Christmas and it was £45 a night. 

If you wish to stay near the popular Cavern Bar (the location of the first ever Beatles concert), you may opt for the Ibis Styles Liverpool Centre Dale Street Hotel starting at £54.

Top End:

If you’re looking for something a little more unusual, check out the Signature Living at Shankly Hotel; an assortment of colorful, unusually decorated, and bright rooms starting at around £72.

For comfortable luxury, head to the Crowne Plaza near the Albert Dock, costing £78 a night.

Save money in Liverpool

The UK is an expensive destination to visit in Europe but there are many ways you can save money in Liverpool. 

• Stay in chains – Chain hotels such as Travelodge or Premier Inn can be in many neighborhoods, with rooms costing as little as £60 when booking in advance. Hostels can be found for around £20 and can even include breakfast. 
• Cheap food – Head to a takeaway shop or street vendor for lunches from £5 whilst dinners will cost upwards of £10. Budget chain restaurants you should consider are Nandos, Pizza Express, Wagamamas and the Gourmet Burger Kitchen. 
• Albert Docks – Do not eat or sit in or around the Albert Docks. Prices here are higher than elsewhere and you can either be charged for just sitting in a restaurant or cafe. 
• Walk – Liverpool is a walkable destination so plan your days out and get your comfortable shoes on. 
• Book tickets in advance – When heading to the paid attractions, book your tickets in advance to save money. Also, check Groupon for discounted prices and restaurant deals.  
• Clubcard points – If you live in the UK or are spending some time in the UK, pick up a club card for Tescos. You can earn points on shopping and use these points for attractions, restaurants and transport. 
• Pub food – Typically speaking, eating food in a pub is a lot cheaper than a normal restaurant. Wetherspoons is a great choice for those on a tight budget, with meal and drink deals starting at £6. 
• Visit off-season – The summer is when Liverpool is at its busiest. Visit from October to April to save money on accommodation. 

Best things to do in Liverpool

How to get to Liverpool

Fly – If you are coming from anywhere else in Europe, you may wish to fly into Liverpool John Lennon Airport or into Manchester Airport then catch a train (taking just over an hour). Direct flights to Liverpool are available from Belfast, Dublin, Amsterdam, Barcelona and Paris.

Train – Direct trains from London Euston are available from TrainLine, starting at £24. You can also catch a train down from Edinburgh, taking just under 4 hours and costing as little as £18.50.

How to get around Liverpool

One thing I loved about Liverpool is how close everything of interest is once you are in the city centre.

Walking between the main shopping area to the Albert Docks and the many museums can be reached within 15 minutes.

Merseyrail Trains offer frequent underground trains between 4 stations around the city centre as well as stations near the two football grounds.

The CityBike bicycle hire scheme is also a great option for those looking to bike around the City.