liverpool day travel card

• Jun 5, 2021

A Quick Guide To: The Liverpool MetroCard & Getting Around The City Region On Public Transport

Updated: Mar 13, 2023

Here Is A Quick Guide To Travelling Around Liverpool's Boroughs With The New Liverpool MetroCard

The recently released MetroCard enables you to easily get around the Liverpool Metropolitan Area, hence the name MetroCard .

The MetroCard is replacing the Walrus Card that was previously used to navigate the Liverpool City Region on public transport for the trains and busses.

Unlike a Walrus Card, you can register your MetroCard and top up your funds to travel across the City Region accordingly, like you would with a FastTag if you are driving through the tunnels.

The Liverpool City Region Boroughs included in the MetroCard transport initiative is the City of Liverpool and the Boroughs of Wirral, Sefton, St. Helen's and Knowsley. The Borough of Halton is as of yet, not included.

For example, you can buy a weekly bus pass for £16, which enables you to get any bus around the Liverpool Metropolitan Area . So you can get a bus from Wallasey or Dingle, Bootle or Birkenhead, Heswall or Crosby, West Derby or Prescot - the City Region is yours to explore and navigate.

You can switch busses and don't have to pay any more when you get onto the next one, it's all included in the price of the weekly pass, or for however long you wish to prepay online. You can also just pay when you get on the bus too.

With the MetroCard, you can also pay for the train and ferry travel too. So you can pay to use either the bus, the ferry or the train, or pay for the Liverpool Metro Trio and use all three methods of transport in the City including the train, the ferry and the bus services.

Through the MerseyTravel website you can work out the price of your journeys as there are numerous areas and zones that can alter the price of your ticket, depending on how many services your want to use and how far you want to travel.

Generally speaking, an ' Area ' generally refers to a Borough in the City Region, and a ' Zone ' refers to a particular district in a part of the Borough.

For example, say you lived in Huyton in the City's Borough of Knowsley and wanted to get to work in Speke in the City of Liverpool, you can pay for just the bus or train via a MetroCard using the 1 Area or 2 Zones price point.

Another example is if you live in the suburbs of the City's Borough of Wirral and want to travel to the City Centre for work, you can get the Metro Tro for £24.60 per week.

If you are wanting to just travel within your Liverpool Borough, you can get even cheaper tickets.

You can pay for the MetroCard using cash and debit or credit cards.

Once paid for, the MetroCard is contactless so you just scan your pass and can enjoy the journey.

You can prepay for a day-ticket, for a week, for a month or for the length of term-time.

The MetroCard is supported by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Metropolitan Mayor Steve Rotheram , as MerseyTravel is part of the Liverpool Combined Authority.

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Liverpool Day Trip: The Perfect 1 Day in Liverpool Itinerary

Table of Contents

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Planning a day trip to Liverpool? Great shout! This is one of my favourite cities in the UK . Although you could spend much longer, 1 day in Liverpool makes for a fantastic introduction. From the Beatles to the Titanic, Liverpool’s iconic history and connection to pop culture put it on the map. However, it’s a vibrant and cosmopolitan city in its own right. In particular, the Royal Albert Docks give the city a bright, outdoorsy feel with sea views. Since I have friends and family in Manchester , I’ve taken more than one day trip to Liverpool in the last few years. I love revisiting the same places and finding new, cool spots.

LIVERPOOL ESSENTIALS Accommodation:  Booking.com // Hostelworld Activities:  GetYourGuide Getting there: Air ( Skyscanner ) train ( Trainline ), bus ( Busbud ) Getting around: Foot / bus / Uber

Want more northern day trips? Check out my top 20 day trips from Manchester

When to visit Liverpool

It goes without saying that the summer months have the best weather. Liverpool is renowned for being rainy during autumn and winter but if you pack waterproof shoes and an umbrella, you’ll be fine.

Visiting out of season? Here’s what to do in Liverpool during winter

Something to note is that many of the museums and galleries are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. I’d really recommend visiting from Wednesday to Sunday to make the most of the city. Of course, if you hate crowds, avoid Liverpool at the weekend.

Getting to Liverpool

By train: this is usually the quickest way to get to Liverpool. Prices from Manchester to Liverpool Lime Street station start at £2 each way! Search for tickets on Trainline . By bus: Although buses usually take a bit longer in England , you can get super cheap tickets. Book bus tickets with Busbud . By car: Liverpool is an expensive city for parking. The most central option is Liverpool ONE shopping centre (£19 for 12 hours). If you don’t mind a walk, park along Otterspool Promenade for free and walk into town along the riverfront. It’s a few kilometers but completely flat. On a Sunday, there’s free parking on Bold Street and Rodney Street.

Getting around Liverpool

It’s easy to explore Liverpool on foot. If you’re feeling lazy, hop on a bus. Another tourist-friendly option is taking the Liverpool hop-on-hop-off bus tour .

Looking for UK day trips ? Read my 1 day itineraries for Oxford , Bath , Brighton , Margate , the Cotswolds and Cardiff .

What type of Liverpool itinerary is this?

This is a fast-paced itinerary for those exploring Liverpool for the first time. I’d recommend arriving as early as you can as there’s quite a bit to cover. Customise this 1 day Liverpool itinerary by choosing the museums and galleries you’re most interested in and set your own pace. If you’re speedy, you can probably do three museums but if you like to take your time, just do one thoroughly.

1 day in Liverpool highlights

• Royal Albert Dock
• Museums (pick 1-3)
• The Waterfront

Queen Avenue

• Mathew Street (Wall of Fame & Cavern Club)
• The Bluecoats (gallery)
• Chinatown & the Bombed Out Church
• Dinner (keep reading for options).

Liverpool itinerary: Morning at the Royal Albert Dock

I’d suggest beginning your day here. If you’ve arrived by train, walk from Liverpool Lime Street Station to the Royal Albert Dock in 20 minutes. Although there’s plenty to do in terms of culture and history, let’s start this Liverpool day trip the right way with…

Coffee & pastries at Rough Hand Made

Although I sniffed out this place by myself (if you don’t believe food hunting is my special skill, check out my foodie archives ), TWO Liverpudlians have told me about it since. Rough Hand Made is apparently a local institution, describing itself as a ’boutique bakery’. I don’t think I’ve ever seen bigger croissants, or ones stuffed and slathered with more delicious ingredients. I opted for a white chocolate croissant with flakes on top and liquid white chocolate inside. Other decadent options include dulce de leche croissants. This cafe beside the water also serves excellent coffee, as well as sandwiches and pizza slices. Address: Unit 2A, Britannia Pavilion Royal Albert Dock, L3 4AD.

Visit 1-2 museums

Although all the waterfront museums are worth a visit, with just one day in Liverpool you won’t be able to visit them all. I’d suggest picking two you’re interested in and spending around 90 minutes at each. The most popular museums at the docks are:

• The Museum of Liverpool (free)
• TATE Liverpool (free)
• Merseyside Maritime Museum (free)
• The Beatles Story (£17)
• The British Music Experience (£16).

If you’re unsure which to visit, here are more details…

Museum of Liverpool

The Museum of Liverpool makes for a great introduction if it’s your first time in the city. This colourful, interactive centre covers everything Liverpool-related from archaeology to social history, community, suffragettes and the Beatles. Ever-changing exhibitions include Liverpool Against the Apartheid (how the city’s Black community supported the anti-apartheid movement in the ’80s) and Blitzed: Liverpool Lives (personal stories about the Blitz in Liverpool). Opening times: 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Sunday. Entry price: free!

Beatles Story

Beside the Royal Albert Dock is this iconic museum dedicated to the fab four. The Beatles Story covers the history of the band from their humble beginnings to international stardom. Admire replicas of Abbey Road Studios and The Cavern Club as they’d have looked in the ’60s, listen to an informative audio guide, and travel to another time and place via the Beatles in India exhibition. Opening times: 10am-5.30pm (last entry 4pm) daily. Entry fee: £17 for adults, £13.50 for concessions, £9.50 for children. Get your Beatles Story ticket here .

Maritime Museum

Where better to learn about Liverpool’s maritime history than the Docks? During the 19th century, Liverpool was the wealthiest port in the world; there are countless tales to be told from this era. Visit the Titanic collection to learn more about the famous ship registered to Liverpool, and the Life on Board gallery as told by past passengers. Opening times: 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Sunday. Entry price: free!

TATE Liverpool

The Tate is worth a visit while spending a day in Liverpool. The colourful stone sculpture outside is a prelude to the many vibrant and thought-provoking works of art inside. I especially enjoyed the Whose Tradition? collection rethinking how artists like Pablo Picasso and Constantin Brancusi took inspiration from Central and West African cultures which were not necessarily theirs to take. 2023 update – this specific exhibition is now over but I’m sure there will be more like it. Opening times: 10am–5:50pm, Tuesday-Sunday. Entry fee: Free but you need to book an arrival slot in advance.

British Music Experience

The British Music Experience in the impressive Cunard Building explores the iconic history of British rock and pop. Voted Liverpool’s Tourism Experience of the Year in 2020, it’s a must for music fans regardless of age or era. See outfits worn by Freddie Mercury and the Spice Girls, instruments played by world-famous musicians and even Adele’s hand-written lyrics. Opening times: 10am-5pm, Wednesday-Sunday. Entry fee: £16 for adults, £10 for children, £11.50 for concessions. Get your British Music Experience ticket here .

Wander the Waterfront

When you’ve had your fill of museums, continue your Liverpool itinerary by wandering the waterfront. This area is particularly enjoyable on a sunny day when live musicians play and boat trips cruise the harbour. Related activity: 50-minute harbour cruise for £11 . A few iconic waterfront buildings to see include… The Three Graces: this trio of buildings includes the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building. These are some of the grandest and most striking buildings in the city.

Mann Island : this distinctive black building at Liverpool waterfront has apartments, a restaurant and a small art gallery inside. It’s free to enter so pop inside to visit the Open Eye Gallery .

By this point, you’ll have spent several hours at the waterfront so it’s time to explore other parts of Liverpool. Walk just 10 minutes to Queen Avenue off Castle Street, a hidden shopping street dubbed the ‘Diagon Alley of Liverpool’. Support local business by browsing the shops or stopping for lunch at Queen Bistro .

Foodie pick – another fantastic place for lunch is Chop Chop Korean just across from Queen Avenue. This cafe is known for its delicious and affordable Korean food.

Liverpool itinerary afternoon – Mathew Street’s Beatles locations

You can’t spend 1 day in Liverpool and miss Mathew Street, put on the map by the Cavern Club where the Beatles played their early gigs. There are a few points of interest for fans including…

The Eleanor Rigby Statue

Located on Stanley Street just before the turning to Mathew Street, the Eleanor Rigby Statue is worth a quick stop. This sculpture of the fictional woman namechecked on the Yellow Submarine album was built in 1982 by singer, Tommy Steele. Turn onto Mathew Street to see the following…

Cavern Club

At number 10 Mathew Street is the venue described as the ‘birthplace of the Beatles’. The Cavern Club started life as a jazz club in the 1950s before switching to a rock ‘n’ roll venue. After returning from Hamburg in 1931, the Beatles played their first of 292 shows at the Cavern Club. You can go inside for a drink or night out but know you won’t be rubbing shoulders with the locals. The clientele is strictly tourists!

The Wall of Fame

In front of the Cavern Club is a wall adorned with the names of famous bands who played at the club. Don’t miss the chance to pose with the lifesize statue of John Lennon! As you’ll read, the bar beside it named the ‘Wall of Fame’ has no affiliation to the historic wall.

Beatles Museum

The Beatles Museum is another place to learn about everyone’s favourite Liverpudlian band. Tour five floors containing over 1,000 rare items relating to John, George, Ringo and Paul. You’d have to be a super fan to visit the Beatles Story AND the Beatles Museum during a day trip to Liverpool (and probably wouldn’t have time to do much else) but I bet people do! Entry fee: £15 for adults, £10 for concessions, £7.50 for children. Opening times: 10am-5pm, 7 days a week. Last admission at 4pm. Get your Beatles Museum ticket here .

Mid-afternoon – the Bluecoat

Before finishing your Liverpool day trip, squeeze in a quick trip to the Bluecoat . This hidden gem near Liverpool ONE shopping centre is an alternative art gallery with a cafe and lovely outdoor square. Sitting with a coffee listening to the birds sing is a peaceful experience in otherwise busy Liverpool city centre. This independent venue started life as a boarding school for poor children. Now the oldest building in Liverpool city centre, it’s also one of the most captivating. Tour exhibitions by local artists, many with a social conscience. Address: School Lane, L1 3BX. Opening times: 11am-5pm, Wednesday-Sunday. Entry fee: free!

Dinner option #1 – Chinatown

While spending 1 day in Liverpool, be sure to visit Chinatown , home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe (something you’ll know if you were paying attention at the museums earlier!). Shop at Chung Wah supermarket or eat a fantastic meal at one of the many highly-rated restaurants. Chamber 36  serves pan-Asian cuisine and cocktails while Yuet Ben has been serving authentic Northern Chinese cuisine since 1968. A couple of other places of interest near Chinatown include:

• The Bombed Out Church (St Luke’s) – this church on the corner of Berry Street and Leece Street is now a cultural arts centre, cafe and garden bar. Visit ’til 10.30pm.
• Rodney Street – hidden away from the city centre, this grand street of houses is one of the most historic places in Liverpool. For TV filming , the paved road is removed to reveal atmospheric cobbles beneath. Stroll down it to see where Peaky Blinders was shot.

Dinner option #2 – Duke Street Market

A handful of cool Liverpool food markets have sprung up in the last couple of years. One is Duke Street Market , a stylish food court with seating upstairs and downstairs. Eat tacos and burritos at Big Lola’s or Asian bowls at Ginger . It’s not the cheapest place to eat but it’s not the most expensive either: most main dishes are around £12. They also serve excellent coffee and cake, plus a huge range of drinks. Food times: Weds & Thurs ’til 9pm, Fri & Sat ’til 10pm and Sun ’til 8pm. From Weds to Sun, it stays open later but just for drinks.

Dinner option #3 – the Baltic Market

For hipster dinner and drinks, finish your Liverpool day trip by walking 20 minutes from Chinatown to the Baltic Market , a colourful indoor marketplace popular with young people. Don’t expect anything gourmet but do expect excellent cocktails and fun foodie options like pizza, f ried chicken and Greek, Korean and Thai food. My friend and I shared halloumi fries and chicken katsu curry fries before I moved onto pad Thai and she ordered (much too much) Greek food including tzatziki, pitta, chicken souvlaki and, perhaps the highlight, feta rolls glazed with honey. What a feast! We spent about £20 each including drinks. Opening times: 5pm-10pm Weds & Thurs; 12pm-11pm Fri; 11am-11pm Sat; 11am-10pm Sun. Tip – the Baltic Market is quite far from Lime Street Station so I’d recommend calling an Uber on the way home. Liverpool is a safe city but it’s never fun walking at night especially as the market isn’t in the best-lit part of town.

I ended my day in Liverpool by hopping on a 9pm train arriving back in Manchester for 10pm. It was a busy day but worth it. Safe travels!

Thanks for reading my Liverpool itinerary

Read my other blogs about Northern England:

• How to spend a weekend in Manchester
• Cool restaurants in Manchester
• 11 cheap eats in Manchester
• The best speciality coffee in Manchester
• Manchester street art guide
• 20 amazing Manchester day trips
• The perfect Lake District for 2 days

For more travel content, follow me on Instagram , Facebook , Twitter and YouTube .

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Visiting the UK? Guidebooks – LP always get my seal of approval. Use the latest copy of Lonely Planet England . Flights (international and domestic) – I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. You can also use the ‘to anywhere’ feature if you’re flexible on where you’re going. Car hire – use Rentalcars.com to compare car rentals in the UK (and all around the world). For UK trains , I use Trainline . The search feature allows you to compare prices, and they show live departure times on the website. For buses , I use Busbud . It’s the only site that compares UK coaches and buses. Find London to Manchester journeys for £1!  Use Omio to compare trains and buses in one search. It’s so handy. For hotels and self-catering apartments, I use Booking.com . You can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld.com . To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters , a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets. I use GetYourGuide for tours & activities when I don’t want to travel solo. The guides are knowledgeable and you can’t beat the prices. I also check Viator as they often have fun and unique offerings. For food tours pairing travellers with passionate local chefs and foodies, check out EatWith . Pack the latest copy of Lonely Planet UK . Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and budget tips from my 10+ years on the road!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

4 thoughts on “ Liverpool Day Trip: The Perfect 1 Day in Liverpool Itinerary ”

I’m usually left unsatisfied by one-day tours that I read, because I feel like they don’t cover a lot of ground, but I loved reading this one! I’m hoping I can squeeze it all into my day and I can’t wait to get to Liverpool 🙂

Hi Al, thanks for reading and commenting. I’m glad you enjoyed the itinerary and hope you love Liverpool… It’s a great city!

This was a perfect 1 day itinerary! Let me say Rose does not lead you a stray with her food recommendations! We started our morning with a pastry and coffee from Rough Home Made, which gave us an opportunity to visit the docks, stroll by the waterfront and power up for the British Museum Experience. The BME was a fun experience with some great artifacts. However, several major British artists were not represented or barely mentioned such as Led Zeppelin (1 mention), Elton John (3 pairs of glasses), Rolling Stones (minimum mentions), The Police (no mention), Adele (1 mention) and a little disappointing. However, Joe who was in the “play” section was a wonderful ambassador and gave us tons of stories and information. We walked down Queen Anne Street and then over to the Cavern Club. Be aware that the original Cavern Club no longer exists. It was rebuilt a few doors up and cost £5 to go into. Lastly, we went in search of Chinatown. On our walk, we passed the Duke Street Market that was inviting, but we pressed ahead. We found the gate, but the holy grail is across the street…..Chamber 36! The pan-asian food is delicious there was not an item that we did not like and the service was like a neighborhood hangout! It was an outstanding experience! Thanks Rose for all the wonderful recommendations. we enjoyed our visit to Liverpool!

Hi Karen, wow thanks for such a detailed comment! I’m so glad you had a good day and especially that you enjoyed the food suggestions. Rough Hand Made have the best croissants ever!!

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Travel in Liverpool City Region

Travelling around liverpool city region is easy, travel around liverpool city region.

Liverpool City Region is well-connected via public transport. The Merseyrail network links Chester, Wirral, Southport and Liverpool Airport via the Wirral and Northern Line network.

The region is also serviced by Arriva and Stagecoach buses with each single journey costing just £2 per adult.

The local transport in Liverpool City Region prides itself on its accessibility making travel around the area easy for all. The  Merseytravel website  provides accessibility information on each mode of transport in the area, as well as access guides, useful contacts and links to learn more. Whilst you’re here, local travel centres can help with information on getting around.

Travel links

Travel to and around Liverpool City Region with a single fare costing just £2 per adult.

Linking Chester, Wirral, Southport, and Liverpool Airport through the Wirral and Northern Line…

Self drive and hire options

Our vast experience in the transportation industry means that we can offer our clients a wide range…

Auto Europe

For over 60 years, Auto Europe has been a leader in worldwide car hire services. In recent years, we…

Liverpool Connect

Premier travel & transport company based in Liverpool, specialising in the following: Luxury…

How to Visit Liverpool from London: Day Trip Itinerary, Train Info & Travel Tips

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 19, 2024

The city of The Beatles, Liverpool is one of the most popular cities to visit in the UK . And while it’s definitely worth a longer trip, it’s also possible to visit Liverpool from London and see some of the main highlights in the city in a day.

In this guide, you can find all the information you need in order to plan a perfect Liverpool day trip from London. How to get there, what to see and do in Liverpool in a day, and how to make the most of your time. Find out!

Good to know: To help you plan your visit, this guide includes practical information for traveling from London to Liverpool by train and a detailed 1-day itinerary that’s actually doable in just a day, with approximate time indications, etc.

In addition – at the end of this guide – you can also find a short overview of this itinerary and a map indicating all the places mentioned in our guide, as well as some useful tips .

TIP: You can easily organize your Liverpool day trip from London with the help of this highly-rated pre-booked rail tour . It includes return train tickets to Liverpool from London, maps, info, and the main Beatles attractions in Liverpool that you’ll want to see on your first visit. This is a self-guided trip, so you explore on your own, but all the practicalities are taken care of.

READ ALSO: Best Day Trips from London

How to get to Liverpool from London

Liverpool is about 220 miles or 355 kilometers from London. While you can drive, by far the best way to get to Liverpool from London is by train . You can find all the practical information for your journey below.

By train 

The best and easiest way to travel to Liverpool from London is by train. A direct train from London’s Euston rail station to Liverpool Lime Street station takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. The train makes several stops on the route but you do not have to change trains. The journey is quick, relaxing, and comfortable.

Direct trains from Euston Station run once an hour. There are also indirect trains more frequently, but the journey takes longer, so it’s not something to even consider for a day trip. Here you can see train schedules and get tickets .

TIP: For a Liverpool day trip from London, we recommend that you take a train at around 7 am. This will allow you to make the most of your day. !!! The day tour from London to Liverpool that we mentioned above already includes a train ticket with departure at around this time.

Good to know: If you book your own train tickets, you should know that the cheapest rail tickets are released about 12 weeks in advance so book your tickets as early as you can. This is particularly important as you will need to depart London at peak travel times to ensure a full day in Liverpool. Peak travel times are before 9.30 am on weekdays. The train will be busier and tickets are usually more expensive.

Check Nationalrail.co.uk or Avanti West Coast for the tickets and shop around since they may differ. We recommend checking this website for the best deals.

Good to know: Children under 5 years are free on English trains but they are not guaranteed a seat unless you pay for one. 

TIP: If you are traveling as a family, it may prove more cost-effective to buy and download a digital Family and Friends Railcard. This card costs £30 for one year and gives discounted rail travel for up to four adults (33% off) and four children aged 5-15 (60% off). This might not make sense for just one train journey, but can be of great value if you are planning more train trips in the UK.

London to Liverpool drive time is 4 hours 15 minutes without stops or traffic delays. It is a 220-mile / 355-kilometer journey. You will need to take a break on route so you need to allocate at least five hours for a one-way trip. 

Plus, most of the route is on major motorways so it is not a scenic journey. You will also need to find parking once you arrive and pay parking fees. So we do not recommend driving to Liverpool from London, and definitely not if you just have a day or two.

With a rail tour

As already mentioned before, you can also book a day tour from London to Liverpool . There are several options and none of them is an actual organized tour. Instead, you receive train tickets, the Magical Mystery Tour in Liverpool is prebooked for you, and you also get other tickets and information to help you plan a perfect visit on your own.

The best option for this trip at the moment is this highly-rated tour . It takes away lots of guesswork and preparation.

TIP: No matter how you book your train tickets, read below on how to actually plan your time once you get to Liverpool.

London to Liverpool day trip itinerary

Below, you can find all the details, practical information, and useful tips on what to see and how to plan your day in Liverpool.

Early morning: arrive in Liverpool & walk to Albert Dock

Catch the 07.07 am train from London Euston to Liverpool. This train arrives at Liverpool Lime Street Station around 9.20 am.

Follow the signs to the Royal Albert Dock which is just 1 mile away, about 20 minutes on foot. 

You could also shorten the walk by catching the Merseyrail from Liverpool Lime Street for two stops to James Street. From here, it is a shorter 10-minute walk to the Royal Albert Dock. But by the time you figure out where to be, you’ll likely be halfway already. So we recommend simply walking.

Follow the signs to The Beatles Story, the first stop on your Liverpool day trip itinerary. You will walk past the historic Salthouse Dock before reaching Albert Dock where The Beatles Story is located. Salthouse Dock is the oldest dock in Liverpool. Its walls are Grade II listed and parts of it date back to the mid-18th century.

TIP: If you feel like stopping for a cup of coffee or a quick late breakfast, you’ll find a few cafes at the docks. A good option right along your way is Rubens Coffee Albert Dock, which is open daily from 8.30 am. However, it would be better to eat on the train or take some coffee to go upon arrival in Liverpool and head straight to The Beatles Story.

The Beatles Story

The largest Beatles museum in the world, The Beatles Story is one of the must-sees in Liverpool . It charts the history of The Beatles from their formation to their breakup. The stories, history, and music of The Beatles come alive through artifacts such as clothes, letters, song lyrics, stage outfits, and instruments. 

You can also see recreations of the famous Abbey Road recording studios and a mock-up of the original Cavern Club stage. Kids will get the most fun out of the interactive Discovery Zone.   

Good to know: The Beatles Story is a self-guided tour so you can stay as long or as little as you like. Audio commentaries are available in many different languages.  Count around 1.5 hours for a visit.

TIP: The Beatles Story is one of the most popular attractions in Liverpool, so expect it to be busy. Ideally, you come here first thing in the morning, which should help you to avoid the biggest crowds.

Practical information: The Beatles Story is open daily except on the 25-26 of December. You can get timed skip-the-line tickets here . For this itinerary, it’s probably best to book tickets at around or a bit after 10 am.

Lunch at The Royal Albert Dock

Spend lunchtime wandering the colorful, lively Royal Albert Docks which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A good option for lunch is the Peaberry Coffee House . It has a wide-ranging menu including a good-value kids menu. Breakfast is served until 12.30 pm when the lunch menu starts. Pre-booking is recommended.

For something a little different, try The Smugglers Cove . This pirate-themed pub has a two-course menu for kids and an extensive menu for adults. It also offers a traditional roast dinner on Sundays.

Both of these restaurants are just next to The Beatles Story, and you’ll find plenty of other choices in the area. Keep in mind, however, that going for lunch at a restaurant will take up a lot of your precious time.

TIP: If the weather’s nice, you can also pick up a takeaway lunch from any of the cafes or street food stands on the Docks. Enjoy a picnic on the grass or on a bench on the waterfront. This is a great spot to people watch, enjoy street performances, or watch the ferries on the Mersey.

With some extra time to spare, you could pop into Tate Liverpool or Maritime Museum (both free to enter). There are also a couple of short attractions that are ideal for kids including a Victorian-era carousel and riding the Wheel of Liverpool.

However, with just a day in Liverpool, you’ll probably have a pretty tight itinerary, so we recommend concentrating on the main places and activities that you really want to see and do.

Since you only have one day in Liverpool, you’ll have to make some tough choices on how to spend your afternoon in the city. Below, we highlight two of the best options for your first visit – one for The Beatles fans, and one for those who want to see more of Liverpool.

And no, you really can’t see ‘everything’ on a day trip to Liverpool. But the good news is that both options are really nice and so you really can’t go wrong with either. Take a look!

Option 1: Beatles Magical Mystery Tour

Take the Magical Mystery Bus Tour , a popular Beatles-themed tour that visits all the major Beatles landmarks in Liverpool. This is one of the most popular things to do for first-time visitors to Liverpool, and a must for The Beatles fans. It’s also the option that is included with the self-guided tours from London that we talked about earlier in this article.

Conveniently, the tour departs from The Royal Albert Dock , so it’s really easy to do with just a day in Liverpool. This will help to minimize your walking on your day trip to Liverpool. If you decide on this option, be sure to book the Magical Mystery Tour in advance . Depending on the season and availability, you could opt for a tour at 1 pm or at 2 pm.

Good to know: This is a 2-hour guided bus tour. You will get to see a lot of Liverpool as well as all the main Beatles landmarks. The coach makes brief stops at Geroge Harrison and Paul McCartney’s childhood homes, at Strawberry Fields, and at Penny Lane. Other locations (such as schools that The Beatles attended) are drive pasts. 

The tour is led by a knowledgeable and entertaining guide and accompanied, of course, by music from the Fab Four. The tour culminates at the legendary Cavern Club.

TIP: Be sure to use a bathroom before you board the coach as it does not have toilet facilities.

PRO TIP: If you don’t like big-bus tours, you can also book a similar Beatles-themed tour by private taxi .

Option 2: Liverpool waterfront and the River Mersey

If a visit to The Beatles Story in the morning is plenty of the Fab Four for you, you can opt for an alternative itinerary for the afternoon. In that case, focus on Liverpool’s historic waterfront, which has a lot to offer.

From the Royal Albert Dock, walk along the pedestrianized waterfront to the iconic Royal Liver Building (more info below). It is just a short walk of around 15 minutes. 

On the way, you will pass Lovers Locks and several statues including ‘Billy Fury’ and ‘The Working Horse’. An evocative statue is ‘The Crossing’ (sometimes called ‘Legacy’) which depicts a young family emigrating to the United States. Liverpool was the departure point for thousands of families seeking a better life in the U.S.

TIP: The most visited statue on the waterfront is The Beatles statue at Pier Head . The lifelike bronze statues have captured The Beatles in their happier early years. Look out for the extraordinary details on the statues that hint at future life paths such as George Harrison’s Sanskrit belt. 

Royal Liver Building 360

The Royal Liver Building dates back to the early 1900s and is a Grade-I listed building. Sitting on top of the building are the symbols of Liverpool, the famous Liver birds. 

On the ground floor, you’ll find the Visitor Center (free to enter). Exhibitions inside detail how the building was constructed and its colorful history. In addition, we highly recommend the Royal Liver Building 360 experience.

This guided tour gives you access to the 10th and 15th floors where you can get a fantastic 360-degree view of Liverpool. There is also a newly opened audio-visual display in the clock tower.

Good to know: The full tour is not suitable for people with access difficulties. You can travel to the 10th floor by lift but from here, the 15th floor can only be accessed by stairs.

Practical information: If you want to go to the top, be sure to book the tickets for a specific time slot in advance . You will need to allocate 70 minutes for the guided tour. Count at least 1.5 hours for the overall visit.

River Mersey Cruise 

After all the sightseeing, you can rest weary feet with a 50-minute sightseeing cruise on the River Mersey .

The cruise departs directly opposite the Liver Building at Pier Head. It travels a loop of the River so you can see both the Liverpool and Wirral skyline. The route travels as far as Dockers Clock and Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral. There’s also an audio commentary so you can learn about the buildings you are seeing as well as the city’s rich maritime past. 

Practical Information: Ferries depart every hour on the hour. Pre-booking is advised. Arrive at the dock at least 15 minutes before your departure time. 

Good to know: There is both indoor and outdoor seating available on the boat. We recommend dressing warmly and staying outside.

After your cruise, walk from Pier Head to The Cavern Club on Mathew St. It’s a short 10-minute walk.

Late afternoon: The Cavern Club

No matter which option you choose above, The Cavern Club will be the next stop on your itinerary. If you booked the Magical Mystery Tour , it ends here (and the entrance to the Cavern Club is included in your ticket). And if you opted for the second sightseeing option, you can easily walk here after your river cruise.

The Cavern Club is forever linked with The Beatles. It is where they launched their career. But the club still operates as a music venue today.

The club has a main stage for daily live music and a separate live lounge for special events. Live music is performed each day from 11.15 am. Beatles tribute bands also perform here. Check the lineup for the day of your visit here.  

Practical Information: Unless you go with one of the tours where the standard entry to the club is included, you cannot pre-book The Cavern Club and have to pay at the door on entry. However, you can pre-book events in the live lounge . A ticket for the live lounge includes general admission to the rest of the club but not vice versa.  

Good to know: Children are welcome in The Cavern Club but only until 8 pm.

TIP: Mathew Street where Cavern Club is located is home to some of Liverpool’s most popular statues. Be sure to visit the John Lennon and Cilla Black statues.

READ ALSO: The Best Beatles Attractions in Liverpool

Early dinner

Before you leave from Liverpool back to London, you’ll likely want to have some dinner .

If you are looking for traditional British food , The Cavern Restaurant is a good option. It has a surprisingly affordable menu for such a popular location. Its restaurant sits two floors above the basement music venue and the menu has a wide range of options. The restaurant serves a traditional fish, mushy peas, and chip dinner. You can also try ‘Scouse’, a Liverpudlian dish made from stewed beef and vegetables. 

A popular option nearby is Smoke & Dough . This is a highly rated restaurant in Liverpool ONE, just 5 minutes walk from The Cavern Club. If you order meat, it is cooked in front of you on a grill at your table. Kids will be mesmerized.

Another nice place for dinner is Lunya . This is a popular Catalonian tapas restaurant on Hanover Street, a 7-minute walk from The Cavern Club. They have an extensive menu that includes a street food section, and a very extensive kids’ menu. Plus, for the end of a long day of sightseeing, there is a long cocktail menu. 

Evening – back to London

Return to Liverpool Lime Street Station to catch the train back to London Euston. The railway station is just about 0.5 miles, 10 minutes walk from the Cavern Club or the above-mentioned restaurants.

The direct trains to London leave once every hour and take around 2 hours and 15 minutes. The last direct train leaves at around 8.48 pm, although times vary.

Of course, you can also opt for an earlier train, but booking one of the latest direct trains would allow you to make the most of your day trip to Liverpool.

London to Liverpool Day Trip Itinerary Overview & Map

Here’s a short overview of the detailed Liverpool day trip itinerary:

• +- 7 am: train from London Euston station to Liverpool Lime Street station.
• 10 am: The Beatles Story .
• Lunch at Royal Albert Dock Liverpool.
• Option 1: Magical Mystery Tour (or a similar private tour ).
• Option 2: The Royal Liver Building 360 + River Mersey Cruise .
• Late afternoon: The Cavern Club.
• +- 8 pm: train from Liverpool back to London.

Important! Whichever option you choose, be sure to book your train tickets as well as entrance tickets/ tours in advance. If you opt for one of the organized tours from London ( like this ), the train tickets, but also the Mystery Tour in Liverpool (including the Cavern Club), and The Beatles Story tickets will be pre-booked for you already.

To help you orient, here is a map indicating all the main places to see in Liverpool in a day – see below.

And if you decide to stay longer, check out our guide to the best things to do in Liverpool for more inspiration on what to see.

How to use this map:  Use your computer mouse (or fingers) to zoom in or out. Click on the icons to get more information about each place. Click the arrow on the top left corner for the index. Click the star next to the map’s title to add it to your Google Maps account. To view the saved map on your smartphone or PC, open Google Maps, click the menu and go to ‘Your Places’/’Maps’. If you want to print the map or see it in a bigger window, click on ‘View larger map’ in the top right corner.

Tips for Visiting Liverpool from London

Here are some practical tips and info that you may want to know when planning a day trip to Liverpool:

• Take a very early train from London and a late train back as it will give you a full day in Liverpool.  You can rest or catch up on sleep on the train. Also, arrive at the station well in advance – it can be overwhelming when busy.
• Avoid traveling by train on a Monday or Friday morning. Also, tickets on a weekend usually cost more. Either way, get your tickets in advance.
• Pick up a continental breakfast at London Euston or nearby before you board the train. This will save buying expensive food on the train. It will also save you time once you arrive in Liverpool. There are several cafes, supermarket outlets, and pastry shops on the Euston Station concourse. Some of them are open as early as 6 am.
• Book in advance . This counts for all the attractions you want to visit and the tours you wish to take, but also restaurants (especially for dinner). It will save lots of queuing time, especially in peak season, AND you’ll be sure you can actually visit the places you want at the best time that fits your sightseeing itinerary.
• You can use online maps, or download one to your phone before you arrive in Liverpool. This day trip to Liverpool itinerary minimizes walking, but it’s useful to have a map to guide you from one place to another.
• Unless you want to be part of the action, avoid visiting Liverpool on football match days. Liverpool city center gets very busy when Liverpool or Everton host a home game. You can check the match schedules here. Similarly, the city is very busy when horse racing is on at the nearby Aintree Racecourse. The busiest day is on Grand National Day in early April.
• Wear comfortable shoes . As with all city trips, you’ll be walking a lot, so be sure that your footwear is comfortable and your clothing is adapted to the ever-changing English weather.

So, this is our guide to a perfect Liverpool day trip from London. Have a great time!

TIP: If you found this guide useful, be sure to check our other articles about London and many other destinations all over the UK.

London travel inspiration & tips:

• Best Things to Do in London
• Hidden Gems of London
• London Travel Tips
• 1-day London Itinerary
• 2-day London Itinerary
• Best Views & Viewpoints in London
• Camden Town  &  Camden Market
• Best Things to Do in Greenwich
• The Painted Hall & Old Royal Naval College
• Queen’s House & Tulip Stairs
• London with Kids
• FREE Things to Do in London with Kids

You can find many other destinations in our UK travel guide .

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• Places to Visit
• Sightseeing
• Practical Tips
• Where to Stay

London Oyster Card

The Oyster card is a reusable electronic card which is used to pay for travel on all types of public transport in London: buses, underground, DLR (Docklands Light Railway), trams and local trains. There are two main ways to use the Oyster card:

As a Pay as you go (PAYG) Oyster card You add money to the Oyster card and use it to pay for single journeys or for travel for the whole day (the ‘daily cap’). It’s a bit like a Pay as you go SIM card for mobile phones. When you use your card (by tapping in and out at the ticket barriers), the cost of travel is deducted from your Oyster card balance. To store season tickets Weekly or monthly Travelcards or Bus Passes are ‘loaded’ onto an Oyster card.

See Travelcards or Bus tickets & passes

You can also add some extra money to your Oyster card if you have a Weekly or Monthly Travelcard. This is useful if you need to travel outside your weekly Travelcard zone.

Are you visiting London for the first time? Read our guide to London’s transport tickets and passes .

Pay as you go (PAYG) Oyster card: an overview

The PAYG Oyster card is the cheapest and most flexible way to pay for travel, especially if your visit to London is between 1–5 days. Even if it’s only for a few journeys, it’s much cheaper than paying the full cash fare.

How much does an Oyster card cost?

The Oyster card costs £7 . You then add money to the card to pay for your travel. The £7 fee is not a deposit. You do not get this money back.

How does it work?

Once you have an Oyster, you add money to it (‘ top up ‘) and the fare for your journey is taken from your Oyster card balance when you use it.

It works out the cost of the journey and how many journeys you take when you tap your card on the Oyster card reader (‘ tap in and out’ ) at a tube or train station ticket barrier, or by tapping the reader when you get on a bus.

Oyster single fares: 2024 prices

The Pay as you go Oyster card is the cheapest way to pay for single tickets on the underground. For journeys in central London (zone 1), ticket prices are more than 50% cheaper with an Oyster card.

Here’s a comparison between Pay as you go Oyster card single fares and the standard tube ticket fare from a ticket machine (‘Cash single’).

Oyster single fares 2024

See single ticket prices for travel in zones 2,3,4,5 & 6

Oyster single fares: peak and off-peak times

If you use your Pay as you go Oyster card only few times a day, the price you pay for each single journey depends on the time of day you travel.

Off-peak fares apply on Fridays from 8 March until 31 May 2024

Peak Monday–Friday 6.30am–9.30am and from 4pm–7pm. If you travel into central London (zone 1) from an outer zone, there is no afternoon peak fare . The off-peak fare is charged. Off-Peak Off-peak fares are charged at all other times, including Public Holidays.

Oyster one-day fares: 2024 ‘daily cap’ prices

If you plan to travel by tube at least 3 times in one day, you benefit from the Oyster card ‘daily cap’. This is the maximum amount deducted from your card for travel in one day.

Oyster Daily Cap from 3 March 2024

There’s a cheaper ‘daily cap’ if you only use the buses

How does the Oyster daily cap work?

For example, if you load £10 onto your Oyster card and travel by underground in central London (zone 1- off peak):

• If you make 1 journey £2.70 is deducted from your card
• If you make 2 journeys, £5.40 is deducted
• If you make 3 journeys, £8.50 is deducted. You have now reached the ‘daily cap’ and all other journeys until 4.30am the following morning are free. £1.50 of Pay as you go credit will remain on your Oyster card

Oyster Weekly Travelcard Cap

Your Oyster card will automatically cap at the weekly Travelcard fare (this is also available on a contactless card ). The cap starts on Monday and ends Sunday, so it mainly benefits Londoners or those working in London.

How much money do I need to add to an Oyster card?

It’s up to you how much money you add to the card. The beauty of the Oyster card is that it’s flexible.

Some people add enough for a single journey, especially if they’re not a frequent traveller. Some add the price of the daily ‘cap’ for the zones they’re visiting for that day. Others just add £15 or £25 and keep an eye on the balance.

Best option for visitors

For visitors, the best option is to add the cost of the daily cap to your card x the number of full days in London. Add a little extra to cover any single journeys at the start or end of your trip if necessary. For example, to and from Heathrow airport.

If you do this then you won’t need to worry about topping up your card again. If there is money on your Oyster card at the end of your trip, you can get it back or keep it on your card for your next visit (it never expires).

Aim to have £10 or less of Pay as you go money on your card at the end of your trip and you can easily get a refund at an underground station ticket machine . Refunds are more complicated if you have more than £10 left on your card.

Where to buy an Oyster card

Oyster cards are available from the following outlets. You can usually top up your card as well.

Underground ticket machines

There are no longer any underground ticket offices. Oyster cards are available from ticket machines. The machines take notes (not £50 notes), coins and credit/debit cards.

Local shops and newsagents

Many newsagents and corner shops are licensed to sell London Transport tickets including Oyster cards. They normally have signs in the window saying ‘Oyster Ticket Stop’.

Find an Oyster Ticket Stop .

London train stations ticket machines

Oyster cards and oyster top-ups are available from ticket machines in London train stations

TfL Visitor Centres

Transport for London has several Visitor Centres at Heathrow, Victoria, Kings Cross/St Pancras International, Liverpool St & Piccadilly Circus.

How to use an Oyster card

Underground.

It’s important to touch in and out when using a PAYG Oyster card. Even if there’s no physical barrier or if the barriers are open, you still need to touch the yellow card reader when you enter and exit the station. If you don’t, the full cash fare (£4–£7) is deducted for your journey.

If you have a lot of luggage or are pushing a pushchair, station attendants will quite often push open the barrier for you. Do make sure you touch the yellow reader for the reason mentioned above. The attendants don’t always remind you to do it.

Place your card flat on the yellow card reader near the driver when you get on the bus. You do not need to touch out when you get off the bus.

How to check your Oyster card balance

If you want to check how much money you have on your Oyster card, there are several ways to find out:

From an underground station ticket machine

Place your card on the yellow card reader on a ticket machine and your remaining balance will flash up on the screen. This is the easiest way to check your balance.

Via an Oyster account online

If you register your card online with TfL , you can check how much money you have on your card.

Via the Oyster app

Check your balance on the official Oyster app. You will need to register your Oyster card. ( ios or android ).

On an underground station ticket barrier

When you place your card on the yellow card reader on a ticket barrier, the balance on your card flashes on the screen. When you arrive at your destination and touch out at a barrier, your remaining balance flashes on the screen along with the fare charged for that particular journey. This doesn’t work on all barriers.

How to get back unused money on your Oyster card

Anyone can get any unused money on your Pay as you go balance. See how to claim back unused money on a PAYG Oyster card .

The Visitor Oyster card

The Visitor Oyster Card is aimed at tourists — you might be offered one by a tour company or airline before you arrive.

The card comes pre-loaded with money and there’s a £5 fee (plus postage).

You can’t load a weekly Travelcard or Bus Pass to a Visitor Oyster, which makes it less flexible than the ‘ordinary’ Oyster. It can only be used as a Pay as you go card, and the ‘daily cap’ is still applied.

The Visitor Oyster Card is only worth buying if:

• You’re happy to pay for postage to your country and you can order it in advance
• You want to pay for your travel before you arrive
• You’re arriving after the tube stations have closed and can’t use a contactless card payment and want to use the night buses

Otherwise, just wait until you arrive in London and get an ordinary Oyster card from one of the places listed above.

Related pages

• Guide to London’s transport tickets & passes
• Oyster single tickets
• Oyster refunds
• Contactless cards
• London Transport zones

Last updated: 22 February 2024

Transport tickets & passes

• Guide to London's transport tickets
• One day & weekly Travelcards
• Zone 2–6 weekly Travelcards
• Bus tickets & passes
• Oyster card
• Oyster card refunds
• Child tickets & passes
• Local train tickets

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