Trains from Manchester to Liverpool from £3 in 42 min

Trains from Manchester to Liverpool

Trains from Manchester to Liverpool run regularly from three of the departure city’s stations, with the direct journey taking 37min to 1h 14min depending on provider. Multiple trains leave per hour during operating times, with services from Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria, and Manchester Oxford Road. Trains from Manchester to Liverpool arrive at either Liverpool Lime Street or Liverpool Central, irrespective of the station they depart.

Manchester to Liverpool Train Time: Daily Departures

Around 92 journeys are made from Manchester to Liverpool each weekday between the hours of around 5:59 a.m. and around 11:22 p.m. This equates to at least one and up to seven trains per hour across all three stations. Weekend operations see around 90 departures on a Saturday between around 6:00 a.m. and around 11:22 p.m. with around 52 scheduled on a Sunday between around 7:46 a.m. and around 11:42 p.m. This equates to between two and six trains running per hour on a Saturday, and between one and four trains running per hour on a Sunday.

How long is the journey by train from Manchester to Liverpool?

On average, train journeys from Manchester to Liverpool take around 58min, with times varying between providers and time of day. Journeys range from around 37min on the fastest service and 1h 14min on the slowest. Every journey, regardless of provider or from which station it departs, is direct, with no changeovers for those travelling on the service.

What are the departure and arrival stations for trains from Manchester to Liverpool?

Departure train station: Trains from Manchester to Liverpool leave from three of Manchester city’s stations, with services travelling from Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria, and Manchester Oxford Road. Each of the three is located within a 15min walk from the city centre, with public transport and taxi services readily available. All stations offer toilets and a station buffet, with post boxes and telephones available payable by both coin and card. Piccadilly also boasts baby-changing facilities on site.

Both Piccadilly and Victoria stations have accessible booking counters, wheelchairs available for passengers, and step-free access throughout, while ticket office staff at Oxford Road station will make every accommodation necessary for passengers with access difficulties. All three have ramps available for train boarding and hearing induction loops installed. Piccadilly and Victoria stations have space for 900 and 233 cars to park respectively, and both they and Oxford Road have ample bike storage, with Piccadilly accommodating 43, Victoria accommodating 38, and Oxford Road accommodating 72 cycles on site.

Arrival train station: Trains arrive at either Liverpool Lime Street or Liverpool Central dependant on the route. Both stations are less than a 10min walk away from Liverpool city centre, with convenient access to public transport and busses within walking distance of the entrance. Travellers can find toilets and retail on-site, along with baby-changing facilities, Wi-Fi, telephones payable both by cash and by card, and various hospitality options. Both Liverpool Central and Liverpool Lime Street benefit from step-free access throughout, with assistance widely available, and ramps on hand for boarding at customer request. Hearing induction loops are also installed.

Liverpool Lime Street boasts a mobility team available from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, and has an accessibility vehicle available to passengers who call ahead. Both stations have wheelchairs readily available for guests. Parking is available at both stations, with 16 and 280 at Central and Lime Street respectively, with facilities to store 30 cycles at the former and 52 at the latter on site.

Liverpool City Buildings. Source: Shutterstock

Which train companies travel from Manchester to Liverpool?

Travel providers operating along the Manchester to Liverpool route include Northern Rail, East Midlands Railway, and TransPennine Express. All providers offer a direct service with no changes necessary. TransPennine provides the fastest journey from Manchester to Liverpool by train, with travel times as low as 37min on some routes.

Northern Rail trains from Manchester to Liverpool

Northern Rail operates two trains from Manchester to Liverpool per hour, scheduled at approximately 30min intervals, with travel times ranging from around 40min to 1h 14min depending on service. All trains are direct. Both standard and first-class seats are available to book, in addition to off-peak and advanced single options. Assistance is available on board for passengers who have disabilities.

East Midlands Railway trains from Manchester to Liverpool

East Midlands Railway trains operate from Manchester to Liverpool at approximately 40min intervals, with the route taking approximately 45min to 1h to complete. All journeys are direct, with both standard and first-class seats available to book. Assistance is available on board for passengers who have disabilities.

TransPennine trains from Manchester to Liverpool

TransPennine Express operates the fastest service from Manchester to Liverpool, with their once-hourly travel times ranging from just 37min to up to 1h. TransPennine Express offers both standard and first-class seats available to book on their service. Assistance is available on board for passengers who have disabilities.

Liverpool Couple Tourists. Source: Shutterstock

Trains Manchester to Liverpool: Services on Board

Northern Rail operates a 23kg carry-on policy and encourage customers to place larger items of luggage in the allocated storage areas on board. Well behaved animals are welcome on trains at no inconvenience to other travellers, and up to two bikes are able to be transported at a time. East Midlands Railways operates a three item policy on luggage, equating to a single handheld item and two larger pieces which passengers are encouraged to store in the allocated racks.

Pets are welcome on board providing they are kept under control, and up to two bikes can be accommodated on any one journey. TransPennine Express operates a 25kg allowance, with racks available for larger items and overhead storage available for small luggage. Well behaved animals are welcome on board, providing dogs are controlled on leads, and bike spaces are available upon prior reservation.

How to find cheap train tickets from Manchester to Liverpool?

For cheap train tickets from Manchester to Liverpool, it is advised that customers book their journeys in advance. In addition to this, being flexible with travel dates and times, and choosing slower journeys when you are able, can further contribute to price reductions on travel tickets.

To Liverpool by train—travel tips

Most famous as the birthplace of such icons as the Beatles and Cilla Black, Liverpool also boasts a thriving football community, fine dining, and a lively nightlife scene, with numerous tours and experiences to suit every interest. Sightseers can also take advantage of the paid 50min Mersey River Cruise, a proven hit with both tourists and locals alike.

After all the excitement, peckish travellers can visit one of many fine eateries that Liverpool has to offer. Notable mentions include Bundoburst, rated highly for its offering of vibrant and authentic Indian cuisine, and Almost Famous, Liverpool’s answer to the classic burger bar, with a range of drinks and cocktails also available.

Courtyard Bar and Kitchen is another hit with travellers, boasting locally sourced seasonal British cuisine and a generous alcohol selection. The bar can be found in the heart of Liverpool’s city centre, and so is perfectly situated for an impromptu bite to eat after travellers arrive at their station.