Trains from London to Liverpool
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London to Liverpool by train
It takes an average of 2h 52m to travel from London to Liverpool by train, over a distance of around 178 miles (287 km). There are normally 52 trains per day traveling from London to Liverpool and tickets for this journey start from $18.36 when you book in advance.
| First train | 04:59 | |
|---|---|---|
| Last train | 22:00 | |
| Departure station | London | |
| Arrival station | Liverpool | |
| Journey time | From 2h 15m | |
| Distance | 178 miles (287 km) | |
| Frequency | 52 trains per day | |
| Changes | Direct trains available | |
| Price | From $18.36 | |
| Train operators |
Traveling from London to Liverpool by train in just 2 hours
Planning to spend some time in the home of the Beatles and need more information about the train journey from London to Liverpool? Start your journey with us!
On average, the train journey from London to Liverpool takes around 2 hours and 34 minutes but can take just 2 hours and 1 minute on the fastest services. With around 26 direct trains running on this route each day, you don’t need to worry about making any changes along the way.
When traveling on this route, you’ll board a train at London Euston station operated by Avanti West Coast. Once you’ve settled in your seat, you can begin to enjoy the onboard amenities, including free WiFi, phone charging sockets, at seat food and drink service and access to an onboard entertainment system. In just over 2 hours, you’ll be swept through 178 miles of picturesque countryside and arrive at Liverpool Lime Street station. Find out more about taking the train from London to Liverpool in our dedicated article or keep reading here.
Once you’ve arrived in Liverpool, you can begin to explore the city’s unique culture and fascinating history. From the station, you’re a short walk from some of Liverpool’s most iconic landmarks, including the Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool Cathedral and the Beatles Story – a museum dedicated to the life and music of the Fab Four. Or if you're a soccer (football) fan, follow some celebrity football fans and check out Anfield stadium!
Want to find the cheapest train tickets? Try traveling during Off-Peak hours, when tickets tend to be cheaper outside of morning/evening rush hours between Monday and Friday. To save even more money, book an Advance ticket – they are usually released 12 weeks before your departure date and tend to be cheaper.
Eager to start? Search for cheap train tickets from London to Liverpool in our Journey Planner at the top of the page. For more information, continue reading for FAQs, timetables with first and last train times, as well as tips on how to find the cheapest fares.
FAQs for London to Liverpool
Want to know more about your journey from London to Liverpool? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.
How long does the train from London to Liverpool take?
The average journey time by train between London and Liverpool is 2 hours and 52 minutes, with around 52 trains per day. The journey time may be longer on weekends and holidays, so use our Journey Planner on this page to search for a specific travel date.
What's the fastest journey time between London and Liverpool by train?
The fastest journey time by train from London to Liverpool is 2 hours and 15 minutes.
How much does the train from London to Liverpool cost?
Train tickets from London to Liverpool can start from as little as $18.36 when you book in advance and are usually more expensive when purchased on the day. Prices can also vary depending the time of day, route and class you book.
Is there a direct train from London to Liverpool?
Yes, it is possible to travel from London to Liverpool without having to change trains. There are 52 direct trains from London to Liverpool each day. Though there may be fewer direct services available depending on your exact departure date.
What time does the first train from London to Liverpool leave?
The first train from London to Liverpool leaves at 04:59. Times and services may vary during weekends and holidays.
What time does the last train from London to Liverpool leave?
The last train from London to Liverpool leaves at 22:00. Trains that depart in the early morning hours or very late evening may be sleeper services, time and services may also vary during weekends and holidays.
What's the distance between London and Liverpool by train?
Trains travelling from London to Liverpool cover a distance of around 178 miles (287 km) during the journey.
Looking for more information?
If you’re looking for the return train journey, check out trains from Liverpool to London.
Cheap train tickets from London to Liverpool
Book in advance
Look out for Advance tickets – they usually come out up to 12 weeks before the departure date and can be cheaper than buying on the day. If you’re here a tad early, sign up for our Advance ticket alert today to get notified when your tickets are released.
Consider a Season Ticket
If you catch this train more than 3 times per week, you could save money with a Season Ticket. With annual, monthly and weekly options available, find out if a season ticket for London to Liverpool is right for you.
Use your Railcard
National Railcards offer a 1/3 off eligible train tickets in the UK and can be a great investment if you travel a few times or more in a year. Find out how you can save with a National Railcard here.
Split your tickets
Download our app to find split tickets — courtesy of SplitSave, our handy feature which 'splits' your train tickets where possible to find you a better deal. Learn more about the clever tech behind split tickets, and how to spot SplitSave discounts in our app.
For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.
Avanti West Coast trains from London to Liverpool
The main train company operating on the route from London to Liverpool is Avanti West Coast. Keep reading for more details.
Avanti West Coast is one of the primary rail operators in the UK, providing services from London Euston and several terminals including Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly, and Liverpool Lime Street.
Most routes feature high-speed services with no changes required, making Avanti West Coast an excellent alternative to air travel if you're looking to traverse up or down the length of the country.
Learn more about Avanti West Coast.
Avanti West Coast train classes from London to Liverpool
There are 3 classes on Avanti West Coast trains: Standard Class, First Class, and Standard Premium Class – a new class that offers some of the perks of First Class but at a cheaper price.
Standard Class
Looking for low-budget fuss-free travel? Then Avanti West Coast’s Standard Class is the ideal class for you! On board, you’ll get to enjoy:
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Access to Avanti's onboard entertainment system | ✔ |
| Power outlets | ✔ |
| At-seat order | ✔ |
Standard Premium Class
Located between Standard and First Class, Standard Premium Class offers the usual amenities you’ll find in Standard Class, plus a few extra perks, including:
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Access to Avanti's onboard entertainment portal | ✔ |
| Power outlets | ✔ |
| At-seat order | ✔ |
| Wider more comfortable seating | ✔ |
| Extra legroom | ✔ |
| Table at every seat | ✔ |
First Class
If you want to treat yourself, upgrade to Avanti West Coast’s First Class and enjoy complimentary food and drink, as well as First Class Lounge access at London Euston before you catch your train.
| Free WiFi | ✔ |
|---|---|
| Access to Avanti's onboard entertainment portal | ✔ |
| Power outlets | ✔ |
| At-seat order | ✔ |
| Wider more comfortable seating | ✔ |
| Extra legroom | ✔ |
| Table at every seat | ✔ |
| Complimentary food and drink | ✔ |
| First Class Lounge Access | ✔ |
Food and drink onboard trains from London to Liverpool
If you want to enjoy some food and drink on your journey, keep reading for more information about the food and drink service provided by Avanti West Coast from London to Liverpool.
With Avanti West Coast, you can order food and drink during your journey and have it delivered straight to your seat.
The service is available on all their trains, just log on to Avanti's onboard WiFi and you'll be able to order and pay for your items on a dedicated page. Your food and drink will then be delivered to your seat by the staff on board.
If you want to stretch your legs, there's also a click-and-collect option on Pendolino trains. You'll receive a notification when your order is ready, then you can just visit the onboard shop to collect your food and drink.
If you’re traveling in First Class, Avanti West Coast serves complimentary food and drinks throughout your journey. The menu can vary depending on the type of train you're traveling on and the time/day of your journey. Here's an idea of what you can expect during your journey:
- Breakfast is served until 11:00 am and includes soft drinks like tea or coffee, and usually a bacon roll or a veggie option
- During the rest of the day (10:00 am - 10:00 pm), light dishes or a hot meal will be on offer
- Healthy options are available
- Meals are made with unique, quality products made by local suppliers along the route.
Other onboard services on trains from London to Liverpool
Learn more about the other onboard services you can find onboard Avanti West Coast trains.
Baggage
Entertainment
Pets
Bikes
Traveling from the airport to central London
Visiting London from abroad? Chances are you'll be arriving at one of London’s airports. If you want to know how to get to central London from the airport, keep reading for more details.
London has six major airports:
- Heathrow Airport
- Gatwick Airport
- Stansted Airport
- London City Airport
- Luton Airport
- London Southend Airport
Each airport is well-connected to central London (zone 1) thanks to the city’s extensive rail and bus network. Trains are typically the quickest way to get from any airport to the city center.
How to get from Heathrow Airport to central London
How to get from Gatwick Airport to central London
How to get from Stansted Airport to central London
How to get from London City Airport to central London
How to get from Luton Airport to central London
How to get from London Southend Airport to central London
How to get to London Euston station
To get to Liverpool from London by train, you’ll need to take your Avanti West Coast train from London Euston station.
London Euston station is conveniently located in the heart of the capital. If you’re in the city center, you can simply walk to the station to catch your train. Alternatively, you can travel to the station by:
- London Underground: London Euston station is served by 2 Tube lines, the Northern (black line) and Victoria (light blue) lines
- London Overground: services run between Watford Junction and London Euston station
- Buses: Bus lines 18, 30, 59, 68, 73, 91, 168, 205, 253, 390 and night bus lines N5, N20, N73, N91, N205 and N253 stop at London Euston.
Arriving at Liverpool Lime Street station from London
When traveling from London to Liverpool, your train will arrive at Liverpool Lime Street station.
How to get from Liverpool Lime Street station to the city center
Liverpool Lime Street is situated in the heart of the city center – you can easily reach the city’s main attractions on foot, including Liverpool Cathedral, Albert Dock, the museum of Liverpool and the Beatles Story.
If you’re heading to the waterfront attractions, you can also take a Merseyrail train to James Street station, which is adjacent to Liverpool waterfront.
Using public transport in Liverpool
Read on for more information on how to navigate Liverpool’s public transport system.
Taking the bus in Liverpool
The main mode of public transport in Liverpool is the bus. There’s an extensive bus network with regular services. The main terminals are centrally located at Liverpool ONE and Queen Square, taking you as far as the airport.
Get to know some of Liverpool’s most iconic locations when you travel by bus to sites like the Beatles’ Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields.
Taking the train in Liverpool
Thanks to an extensive train network operated by Merseyrail, you can easily move around the city. There are 4 central underground stations – Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Central, Moorfields, and James Street.
Taking the ferry in Liverpool
If you want to enjoy the ultimate sightseeing experience, you can take the ferry across the Mersey. Board the iconic Mersey Ferry and sail between Liverpool and Birkenhead – you’ll get to enjoy Liverpool’s legendary docks and waterfront from a completely different perspective.
Things to see and do in Liverpool
Home to the Beatles and two successful football clubs, Liverpool is one of the most legendary cities in England. With so many things to see and do, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help inspire your trip, here are some of the best things to do in Liverpool and its surroundings:
Explore Europe by train with a Eurail Pass
Once you’ve finished exploring Liverpool, why not continue exploring Europe by train? With a Eurail Pass, you can travel across 33 European countries as much as you want on participating European train networks for a set amount of travel days.
You can use a Eurail Pass if you’re not a European citizen or resident. If you're a European citizen or a non-European who is an official legal resident of a European country, you can use an Interrail Pass instead.
Tips and tricks from our Trainline team
We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. Discover some travel stories written based on our employees' experiences.
A long weekend in Liverpool by train
* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.