The Ultimate Liverpool Solo Travel Guide

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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