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Trains from Manchester to Liverpool

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  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 219 trains per day traveling from Manchester to Liverpool and tickets for this journey start from $4.77 when you book in advance.

First train

4:30 am

Last train

1:04 am

Departure station

Manchester

Arrival station

Liverpool

Journey time

From 32m

Distance

31 miles (50 km)

Frequency

219 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From $4.77

Train operators

TransPennine Express, East Midlands Railway

Traveling by train from Manchester to Liverpool in 38 minutes

Hoping to spend some time in the home of The Beatles and need more information about the journey from Manchester to Liverpool by train? You’ve come to the right place! 

Usually, you can expect the journey from Manchester to Liverpool by train to take around 54 minutes, but on the fastest services it can take as little as just 38 minutes. As there around 171 direct trains traveling the 31 miles between these two cities, you can sit back and make yourself comfortable as you don’t need to make any changes.  

On this route, you can travel with two train operators. If you travel with East Midlands Railway, you’ll board a train at Manchester Piccadilly station. If you opt for Transpennine Express, you will depart from Manchester Victoria station. No matter who you end up traveling with, you’ll enjoy onboard amenities such as free WiFi and comfortable seating. Also, on both services, your train will arrive at Liverpool Lime Street station, close to the city centre.  

From the station, you’re just a short walk from some of the city’s most famous landmarks. If you’re not sure where to start, you can’t go wrong with the Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool Cathedral or the Titanic museum. Also, no trip to Liverpool is complete without a visit to the Beatles Story – a museum celebrating the life and music of the Fab Four. Take a look at our full Liverpool city guide for more inspiration.

If you’d like to save money on your train tickets, try traveling during Off-Peak times. In the UK, tickets tend to be cheaper outside of morning/evening rush hours on weekdays. Also, to save more money, keep an eye out for Advance tickets, as they are usually cheaper than buying tickets on the day of travel.  

Ready to start? Begin a search for cheap train tickets from Manchester to Liverpool in our Journey Planner at the top of the page. For more information about the journey, keep reading for FAQs, tips on finding cheap tickets and train timetables.

FAQs 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 219 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 32 minutes on the fastest services. With 219 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 $4.77, 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 32 minutes.

Cheap train tickets from Manchester to Liverpool

Train tickets from Manchester to Liverpool start at $4.77‡ one way for a Standard Class ticket if you book in advance. As most UK train companies increase their prices as the departure date approaches, we’ll help you find the cheapest tickets.

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 Manchester 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.

‡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 34% 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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