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Trains from Manchester to Liverpool

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East Midlands Railway
TransPennine Express

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  1. Home
  2. Train times
  3. Manchester to Liverpool

Manchester to Liverpool by train

It takes an average of 54m to travel from Manchester to Liverpool by train, over a distance of around 31 miles (50 km). There are normally 222 trains per day traveling from Manchester to Liverpool and tickets for this journey start from $3.82 when you book in advance.

First train

3:43 am

Last train

12:05 am

Departure station

Manchester

Arrival station

Liverpool

Journey time

From 35m

Distance

31 miles (50 km)

Frequency

222 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From $3.82

Train operators

East Midlands Railway, TransPennine Express

What you need to know about the train journey from Manchester to Liverpool

Want to find out more about taking the train from Manchester to Liverpool? Look no further.

The average journey time from Manchester to Liverpool is around 54 minutes. Around 222 trains run on this route each day.

There are direct trains from Manchester to Liverpool.

You can find tickets on this route from $3.82. Booking in advance is often a good way to save money on your tickets.

Use our Journey Planner to compare ticket prices and get the cheapest fares.

What do people frequently ask about the train journey from Manchester to Liverpool?

Want to know more about your journey from Manchester to Liverpool? We've compiled some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers to help you plan your journey.

How do you travel to Liverpool from Manchester?

To get to Liverpool from Manchester, why not take the train? With 222 trains per day and an average journey time of 54 minutes, taking the train is a great way to travel. See our Journey Planner for up-to-date times and prices.

How long does it take to get from Manchester to Liverpool by train?

On average it takes around 54 minutes to travel from Manchester to Liverpool by train, although you can get there in 35 minutes on the fastest services. With 222 trains per day running on this route, journey times may vary, so check our Journey Planner for more information.

How much is the train ticket from Manchester to Liverpool?

The price of a train ticket from Manchester to Liverpool can start from as little as $3.82, depending on the time of day, route and class you book. Train tickets may also be cheaper when you book in advance compared to buying them on the day.

How fast can trains travel from Manchester to Liverpool?

The fastest time a train can travel the 31 miles (50 km) from Manchester to Liverpool is 35 minutes.

How do I find cheap train tickets from Manchester to Liverpool?

Planning a trip to the UK soon? As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, our Trainline team of experts have put together these tips to help you find the cheapest tickets.

1. Book in advance

Train tickets from Manchester to Liverpool start at $3.82§ one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. UK train companies usually release Advance tickets up to 12 weeks ahead of time and these can be cheaper than tickets bought on the day of travel.

2. Sign up to Ticket Alert

If you're planning a trip more than 12 weeks ahead, sign up to our Ticket Alert to get notified when Advance tickets are released for your travel date.

3. Book split tickets

Our handy feature SplitSave will ‘split’ your train journey into multiple tickets, which can be much cheaper than buying a single ticket. Find out more about split tickets.

4. Travel Off-Peak

If you can be flexible with your travel times, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are usually cheaper than Anytime tickets in the UK. Generally, Off-Peak times are any time at weekends and outside of Monday to Friday morning and evening rush hours.

For more money-saving tips on UK and European train travel, read our cheap train tickets guide.

§Advance adult single fare. Excludes booking fee. Prices seen by Trainline customers in the last 30 days. Availability limited.

What are my ticket options for this journey?

If you're like us, you've probably seen the sheer number of ticket types available in the UK and wondered "Why are there so many?!" To help, we've put together a handy guide to the main UK ticket types, simply tap the one you’re interested in to find out more.

Advance train tickets

Single tickets released ahead of time for a specific time and date. Generally, the sooner you book, the cheaper these tickets are likely to be.

Anytime train tickets

Flexible tickets that allow you to travel at any time of the day. Perfect if you have to be somewhere but aren’t sure for how long.

First Class train tickets

Fancy traveling in style? Enjoy perks like more spacious seating, complimentary refreshments and lounge access with First Class train tickets.

GroupSave train tickets

Save up to 1/3 when traveling with a group of 3 to 9 people on eligible single or return journeys at Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak times.

Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak train tickets

Available at quieter times of the day, Off-Peak tickets offer the flexibility of traveling at any time during the Off-Peak window and discounted fares.

Return train tickets

Return tickets combine your outward and return journey into a single ticket. Choose from a Day or Open Return ticket for more flexibility on travel dates.

Family train tickets

Traveling with your family? There are plenty of family offers to help you save money, including Kids for a Quid tickets for children aged 5-15 and Off-Peak Family Travelcards.

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.

Manchester to Liverpool on a TransPennine Express train

I travelled from Manchester Victoria to Liverpool Lime Street on a TransPennine Express (TPE) service. The journey took just forty minutes, and tickets were very cheap when combined with my 16-25 Railcard. However, make sure you double-check the conditions on your ticket before travelling – I almost fell into the trap of assuming mine was an Off-Peak ticket (meaning I could take any Off-Peak service), when in fact it was an Advance Single!

Lots of services operate between the two cities daily. I could have travelled from Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Oxford Road, but Victoria was the closest station to where I was staying. The Piccadilly/Oxford Road services take around twenty minutes longer but can be cheaper.

The journey

The train had one class and I didn’t have a seat reservation, so simply found a quiet spot and sat down. The journey went by smoothly, with the tall buildings in the northern part of the city quickly give way to rolling countryside.

This particular train did not have an onboard WiFi service but my phone remained connected to 4G throughout the journey. Keep an eye out for the Lime Street Tunnels (on your right) as you approach Liverpool Lime Street; it’s a very impressive entrance into a station!

I arrived into Liverpool in time to meet a friend in Concert Square, a lively spot just 10 minutes on foot from the station. All in all, a cheap and efficient journey from city to city.

Freddie, a former Trainline employee, chose to share their experience of the journey between Manchester and Liverpool.


* Based on European average monthly visitors to Trainline’s app and website from 1.1.2023 to 10.31.2023 vs other independent retailers.

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