The Ultimate Liverpool Solo Travel Guide

QUICK FACTS

Located in Merseyside, England, with a population of ~500,000 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 Arriva airport bus gets you to the centre for £4 in about 30 minutes. A taxi ride from the airport takes 20 minutes, and costs about £15.

WHERE TO STAY

Hotels in Liverpool range from budget guesthouses to 4-star international chains. A great area to stay in is Albert Dock. A great budget hotel to stay is Bankhall Hotel, with private rooms and free WiFi, non-stop drinks and breakfast included for £11 per person. Belvedere Hotel, located two minutes from the center, is a charming bed & breakfast offering single rooms at £25/night.

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 while you’re in town. This is where The Beatles played back in the day, and hosts many live performances.

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.
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.
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.

The Best Liverpool Guide Books:

Recommended trip duration: 1-2 days