Trains to Southport
Heading for a sunny day out at the beach or a weekend getaway? Trains to Southport take less than an hour from Liverpool and just over an hour from Manchester so you’ll be soaking up the sun in no time. With beautiful blue-flag beaches, one of the oldest piers in the UK, great shopping, markets, theatres, and nightlife, Southport is a lovely spot for a weekend away. If you're partial to a bit of golf, Southport is also world-famous for its golf courses and plays host regularly to the Open Championship.
We’re here to be your one-stop-shop for cheap train tickets, times and info about how to get to Southport by train. If you want to get straight to booking, start a search for times and tickets above, or keep reading to find out more about trains to Southport.
How to buy cheap train tickets to Southport
There are a few ways you can save money on train travel this summer. Some of our top tips for booking cheap train tickets to Southport include:
Travel Off-Peak
Tickets are usually cheaper to Southport if you travel during Off-Peak hours. This is normally outside of rush hours during Monday to Friday, and anytime during the weekend. We’ll highlight whether a journey is during Off-Peak train times as your search for tickets.
Book in advance
Train tickets to Southport normally go on sale around 12 weeks in advance, usually at their cheapest price. If Advance train tickets aren’t on sale yet, why not sign up to our Ticket Alert tool, and we’ll email you as soon as you can buy tickets for your chosen date.
Save up to 1/3 with a Railcard
Railcards can save you to 1/3 on the price of eligible train tickets to Southport. Costing just £30 for one year, it doesn’t take long to make your money back either. Find out if you qualify for one and buy a Railcard online with us today.
Save up to 34% with GroupSave
If you’re heading to Southport with three to nine of your favourite pals, we’ll let you know if you qualify for GroupSave when you search. This discount allows groups that are travelling together to save up to 34% on rail fares.
Split your train tickets
Splitting your journey into several sections and buying tickets for each part can sometimes be cheaper than buying a single ticket on longer journeys. Our ticket-splitting app feature, SplitSave, does the hard part for you.
Why not check out our train deals and discounts guide to discover the latest offers from train companies you can book with us.
Popular train routes to Southport
Travelling by train is the fastest, easiest and greenest way to get to Southport from the other UK destinations. Northern and Merseyrail services run frequent services to Southport. Have a look at our table below for more information about the most popular routes to Southport, or start your search for a different station in our Journey Planner at the top of the page.
| Route | Fastest journey | Train operator |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool to Southport | 47m | Merseyrail |
| Manchester to Southport | 1h 6m | Northern |
| Wigan to Southport | 32m | Northern |
| Bolton to Southport | 51m | Northern |
| Burscough to Southport | 18m | Northern |
Getting from the station to Southport beach
It's about a 27-minute walk from Southport train station to the beach. Head out of the station onto Chapel Street, then turn right onto Eastbank then left into Lord Street. In about 370 feet take a left into Kingsway and follow the road round along the side of Princes Park until you see the beach in front of you.
Visting Southport
You can't talk Southport without mentioning golf. The beautiful game might not be everybody's bag, but there is no denying the importance it has had on the area. The Royal Birkdale Golf Club has hosted golf's Open Championship and other there are several other courses to try your hand at avoiding the bunkers as well.
But if you can't avoid the sand, you may as well head to the beach to soak up some rays and play the penny slot machines or wander along the UK's oldest iron pier, with its grand Pavilion at the far end. Splash World, also on the seafront, is a less-sandy way to enjoy the thrills and spills of a beach holiday.
Moving away from the beach, Southport has some great retail therapy at Central 12, a big retail park five minutes' walk from the city centre, and more along Lord Street and the High Street, with a good range of mainstream stores. But if you fancy something a little more off-beat, Wayfarers Shopping Arcade, a Grade ll listed building, has over 30 independent shops.
For the culture vultures, the £18-million Atkinson arts venue, also a Grade II listed building, has some thought-provoking art galleries and a theatre with an eclectic programme catering to all tastes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main train station in Southport?
The main train station in Southport is Southport railway station. Check out live arrivals and station facilities for Southport railway station.
Which train companies run trains to Southport?
The primary operator of trains to Southport is Merseyrail.
How do I find cheap tickets to Southport?
It's easy to bag cheap train tickets to Southport. We'd recommend using a Railcard, buying your ticket in advance or travelling during Off-Peak hours if you can. Read our cheap train tickets guide to find out more.
Are trains to Southport running?
There are frequent daily services to Southport, although there may be fewer services on weekends and bank holidays. Check our live train times for up-to-date information on trains to Southport.