It is important to know public transport in Liverpool if this is your exchange destination. After all, the city with more than half a million people might be big enough for you to need to get around using the city's different modes of transport.
The good news is that Liverpool's public transport system is quite complete and offers stops throughout the city, which makes life a lot easier for those who need to get around a lot on a day-to-day basis or just want to see the sights. incredible that are spread out beyond the city center!
In this post, we are going to talk a little bit about each of the transport options in Liverpool.
Arriving in the city via airport!
There's no way we can talk about the city of Liverpool and its public transport options without talking about the main local gateway: Liverpool-John Lennon Airport.
Despite being a relatively small airport, the terminal is very modern, comfortable and with several amenities to make your trip even more peaceful. In addition, Liverpool Airport connects the city to more than 55 other destinations around the world, spread across more than 20 countries, especially in Europe.
The main airlines that operate there are the famous low-cost airlines. That is, during your exchange in Liverpool it will be very simple and cheap to travel around Europe and discover incredible places!
It is worth mentioning that the Airport is not so close to the center of Liverpool. In fact, it's in the suburb of Speke, about 12 km from the city centre. Even at this distance, it is very easy to get to Liverpool, after all, the airport is connected to the city's bus lines.
For example, if you want to get to Lime Street Station or travel from downtown to the airport, bus 500 is the most recommended option! And, of course, if you're in love with the Beatles, you can get in the mood right away from the airport by taking the 80A or 86A bus, which runs along Penny Lane!
Public transport in Liverpool: buses
The main means of transport in the city of Liverpool are buses. Despite being a large city by English standards, public transport in Liverpool still manages to do very well with excellent buses connecting the entire city.
The most incredible side of traveling by bus through Liverpool is discovering all its architectural peculiarities and tourist attractions.
Unlike the vast majority of cities, buses are relatively cheap, punctual and of very high quality. That is, the bus is a very comfortable way that facilitates daily commuting.
In central Liverpool you can find the two main bus stations: Liverpool ONE and Queen Square. At both stations you can change modes and take a train for longer trips around the city and even go to other destinations in England.
You can use the Route Guide for the Liverpool bus network and plan your trip around the city by clicking here.
The tube is a great alternative to public transport in Liverpool.
For faster travel, it's worth taking a train from Liverpool's Underground lines. With more than 120 kilometers of railway lines, the subway can transport more than 100 people every day.
In the city center there are not many stations for those who need to use the service. The main ones are Central Station, Liverpool ONE and Lime Street.
There are two lines that cross the city: the Northern Line and the Wirral Line. The first connects the metropolitan region from north to south. The second connects the central region of the city of Liverpool to the Wirral Peninsula, where cities like Birkenhead and Ellesmere Port are located.
The metro system is a very quick and practical alternative to crossing the Mersey River, which divides the metropolitan area.
It is worth remembering that the Liverpool metro is also divided into zones and, therefore, there are different rates according to the distance.
For longer trips, use the train!
If you want to connect with other cities in Great Britain, it's worth using the UK train network. Although the trains and metro share several stations, the services are different.
This is because the train lines are intended to connect different cities. In this model, for example, there is the City Line. It operates in Liverpool and connects it with other destinations such as Manchester.
The rail network in Liverpool is also interconnected with the UK's rail transport system. So you can make quick, cost-effective, quality trips to other cities like London, Edinburgh, Birmingham or Brighton, for example.
Cross the River Mersey with the ferries!
With the ferry service you can reach another portion of Greater Liverpool. In short but very pleasant trips, you can not only move from one place to the other, but also enjoy the beauty of the city of Liverpool from unique angles!
Ferry service departs from Pier Head/Albert Dock in Liverpool and arrives at Woodside in Birkenhead. There are hourly ferries between 10am and 16pm. In the opposite direction, there are hourly ferries between 10:20 am and 16:20 pm. Trips usually last between 20 and 30 minutes.
Here is the highlight: despite serving as a means of transport from one place to another, ferry services in Liverpool are geared towards tourism, since there are more efficient and cheaper ways to cross the River Mersey - such as the subway.
How to pay for public transport tickets in Liverpool?
Liverpool public transport uses a rechargeable card as a means of paying fares. This card can be purchased at several metro, train and bus stations throughout the city. Also, it can be purchased at convenience stores.
Until recently, the card used was called Walrus. However, it has been replaced by MetroCard. That is, anyone who currently buys a transport card in Liverpool will receive a MetroCard, but the Walrus nomenclature can be found in several places.
But don't worry, the functionality of both is exactly the same: you can use it on Liverpool's public transport network and recharge it online through the MetroSmart website.
You can recharge your MetroCard with daily, 3-day, 5-day, weekly or monthly passes for one or different areas of the city, as there are different rates. You can consult the updated tariff values by clicking on this link.
Explore Liverpool with Optima's expert consultancy!
If you're looking for simplicity and practicality to get around during your exchange in Liverpool, it's really worth using the city's public transport network.
And if you're looking for an exchange agency that offers all the security and quality you deserve for your exchange, Optima is ready to help you make that dream come true!
