Planning a solo trip to Liverpool, England? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit:
QUICK FACTS
- Located in Merseyside, England, with a metro population of around 910,000 people.
- Home of The Beatles, Billy Fury, Gerry and the Pacemakers, and Liverpool F.C.
- Inhabitants of Liverpool are called Liverpudlians, but are widely referred to as Scousers.
- Nicknames: The Pool of Life, The Center of the Creative Universe, World Capital of Pop.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Currency: British Pound (GBP).
- Spoken languages: primarily English.
- Best time to visit: from May to September.
- Arriving via airport: Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) is located ~6.5 miles (10.5 km) from the city centre. You can get a taxi or a bus to the centre of Liverpool.
- The AirLink 500 bus (most comfortable, coloured bright purple) costs £2.30, while the Arriva bus costs £2.10. Both will get you to the centre in about 35 minutes.
- A taxi ride from the airport takes 20 minutes, and costs about £45 (standard saloon car).
WHERE TO STAY
- Best hostel for solo travelers: Liverpool International Inn. It’s clean, safe (good security), and situated perfectly for a city visit (in an area full of restaurants and bars). Friendly staff, good kitchen, and a nice lounge for socializing. Overall great value – just book ahead!
- Hotels in Liverpool range from budget guesthouses to 4-star international chains. A great area to stay in is Albert Dock.
GETTING AROUND
- Most attractions in the centre of Liverpool are within walking distance – try to explore as much of the city as you can on foot. You will get to see more of the city that way!
- There is a bus system that goes around the city centre as well as the outskirts.
- There are a few train stations located across Liverpool. If you are staying slightly out of the centre, hop on a train to get downtown.
- Tip: a cheap method to get around is to buy a Saveaway ticket, which gives you 24 hours of unlimited journeys on every train and bus.
LIVERPOOL NIGHTLIFE
- Drinking age is 18, last call is 3 AM (4 AM in some places).
- Main nightlife scene: check out the areas around Mathew St. and Concert Square. These areas are alive at night, and attract a good mix of students and locals.
- Tip: check out The Cavern (Matthew Street) while you’re in town. This is where The Beatles played back in the day (292 times), and hosts many live performances.
- Great bars in Liverpool to start your night: The Merchant, Teddy’s, The Shipping Forecast, The Jacaranda, and Kazimier Garden (beer garden).
- Need some emergency food at 4 AM? Do as the locals do and head to Mr Kebab.
UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT
- Visit the Liverpool Town Hall, an elegant stone building built in 1754. On a clear day, the tower of the Liverpool Cathedral (one of the oldest churches in the world) offers breathtaking views of the city and beyond.
- The most important heritage sites are Croxteth Hall and Country Park, the home of the Molyneux family.
- Pier Head played an important role in the modern history of Liverpool, and is considered a UNESCO world heritage site.
- The Albert Dock area contains the UK’s largest collection of Grade 1 Listed buildings (structures of particular architectural or historical interest).
- Liverpool’s Three Graces are: The Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building, and Port of Liverpool Building.
INTERESTING WALKS
- Take a relaxing walk along the waterfront and the docks on a warm day.
- For first time visitors, the ideal walk would be a tour of historical Liverpool. Tip: you can catch walking tours from the centre, led by qualified official Liverpool Tour Guides.
LOCAL WISDOM
- Catch a ride on the Mersey Ferry, a service that has been operating since the 12th century. Popular with locals and visitors alike, the ferries run between Liverpool and the Wirral Peninsula.
- For those that are more active, Liverpool Cycle Tours offers tours around the most beautiful parks, sea fronts, and the Wirral Peninsula.
- Great restaurants to try: So Salsa Castle Street (tapas), Casa Italia (gets busy), Kassap Meat House (steak), Hibiki Sushi & Ramen, Crust Liverpool (great pizza), Madre (Mexican), Free State Kitchen (burgers), Maray (healthy choice – multiple locations), and Sanskruti Restaurant (Vegetarian/Vegan).
- Where to find good cheap food: various restaurants on Allerton Road offer great food for reasonable prices. Lark Lane, 1.5 miles south of the city center, has restaurants serving good food for just £4-7 a meal. For budget Hong Kong cuisine, head to Hee Kee Restaurant.
- Dangerous areas: crime rates in the city are very low. Use common sense and exercise caution when walking alone at night. Don’t leave valuables on display in a car, and avoid the homeless people around William Brown Street (near the museums). Call 999 or 112 for any emergency you may have.
Recommended trip duration: 1-2 days
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