Getting Around Liverpool Without a Car

You do not need a car for most Liverpool trips. Walk between city-centre stops, use Merseyrail for longer journeys and take a bus where the rail network does not reach.

Check the Merseytravel journey planner before you leave. It covers buses, trains and ferries, with live disruption information.

The short version

• Walk between Lime Street, Bold Street, Liverpool ONE, the waterfront and the Georgian Quarter.
• Use Liverpool Central, Moorfields, James Street or Lime Street for local rail journeys.
• Use buses for Anfield, Woolton and parts of South Liverpool away from a station.
• Leave extra time on football matchdays and when city-centre roads are closed for events.

Walk across the city centre

Lime Street, Bold Street, Liverpool ONE, the Pier Head and Royal Albert Dock sit within a manageable central walk. The route is not flat everywhere: Mount Pleasant and the streets around the two cathedrals have steady climbs.

The Baltic Triangle is also walkable from Liverpool ONE and the waterfront. For a longer route along the river, use our Liverpool waterfront walk.

If you are deciding where to stay, compare the transport trade-offs in our guide to the best Liverpool areas for a first visit.

Use Merseyrail for longer journeys

The Northern Line is useful for South Liverpool, North Liverpool and the coast. St Michaels station is the rail stop for Lark Lane and the south-west side of Sefton Park, though you still have a walk from the platforms.

The Wirral Line runs through the city-centre underground stations and under the Mersey. Use it for Birkenhead, New Brighton, West Kirby and Chester. Check the current rail information before travelling, especially at weekends when engineering work is more common.

Use buses beyond the rail network

Queen Square serves many routes heading north and east. Liverpool ONE bus station handles many services towards South Liverpool. Routes and stopping points change, so use the official bus planner and timetables instead of relying on an old route number.

Buses are often the practical choice for Anfield, Allerton Road and Woolton. On matchdays, check the club travel page and Merseytravel updates before setting off because diversions can move stops and slow the trip.

Plan around access needs

Merseytravel lists step-free access, platform gaps and station facilities on each station page. St Michaels, for example, has step-free access to its platforms but no accessible toilet. Check the station you plan to use rather than assuming every underground stop has the same facilities.

If you use a wheelchair, pushchair or walking aid, choose the journey planner option for fewer stairs or less walking. A short route on the map can still include steep streets, cobbles or a long interchange.

Cycling and taxis

The waterfront has stretches of traffic-free or separated cycling, but routes through the centre can change around building work and events. Merseytravel publishes active travel information and cycle maps.

Taxis help when several people are travelling together or your destination sits between rail and bus routes. Use a licensed vehicle and agree how you will pay before setting off.

Group stops by area and check the return journey before you leave town. Late services and Sunday timetables can differ from the weekday pattern.

Useful links and sources

• Merseytravel journey planner and live travel information
• Merseytravel rail information
• Merseytravel bus routes and timetables
• Merseytravel active travel information