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Each fare is the lowest adult economy ticket fare found by our customers on Trainline. Fares booked further in advance than the dates displayed may be cheaper. Prices are updated daily, subject to change and indicative of price last update. Limited availability. Discount cards and coach journeys excluded, prices exclusive of booking fee.

London to Liverpool by train

It takes an average of 2h 49m to travel from London to Liverpool by train, over a distance of around 178 miles (287 km). There are normally 52 trains per day travelling from London to Liverpool and tickets for this journey start from £14 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 £14

Train operators

Avanti West Coast

London to Liverpool train times

Check out the next trains departing from London to Liverpool for Tuesday 19th March 2024 using our handy timetable below, including platform and live travel information. You can view the full day timetable or search for a different date here.
DepartsArrivesTrainDuration
05:31 On timelondon euston08:17 liverpool lime streetavanti west coast PeakGet tickets2h 46m, 1 change
06:36 london euston09:04 liverpool lime streetavanti west coast PeakGet tickets2h 28m, direct
06:43 london euston09:42 liverpool lime streetwest midlands trains PeakGet tickets2h 59m, 1 change
07:30 london euston09:59 liverpool lime streetavanti west coast PeakGet tickets2h 29m, 2 changes
07:43 london euston10:04 liverpool lime streetavanti west coast PeakGet tickets2h 21m, direct

Travelling by train from London to Liverpool

Thinking about travelling from London to Liverpool by train? You’ve come to the right place!

Usually, the train from London to Liverpool takes around 3h 2m. But, if you’re travelling on the fastest services, the journey to Liverpool can take just 2h 1m. With around 62 direct trains running on this popular route per day, you don’t need to worry about changing along the way. 

On this route, you’ll be travelling with Avanti West Coast. All Avanti trains come with free WiFi, power sockets and luggage racks, as well as a bar carriage where you can buy drinks and snacks. 

Once you’ve arrived in the heart of Liverpool, you can make your way to the Royal Albert Dock to explore the city’s fascinating dockyard history. You can find out more about this at the nearby Museum of Liverpool.

How to get cheap train tickets from London to Liverpool

Want to snap up the cheapest fares? Read our top tips for finding cheap train tickets from London to Liverpool below or check out the latest train deals and discounts:

  • Get a Railcard: Save up to 1/3 on eligible journeys for a whole year
  • Book in advance: Most train companies in the UK usually release tickets 12 weeks in advance
  • Travel Off-Peak: Tickets are usually cheaper during quieter times on weekdays and weekends compared to Peak times
  • Use GroupSave: If you're travelling in a group of 3-9 people, you can save up to 34% on eligible journeys at Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak times
  • Split your train tickets with SplitSave, our new split-ticketing app feature.

If you want to find out more about the train journey from London to Liverpool, keep reading for our timetable, tips on finding cheap tickets and FAQs including first and last train times. Want to go straight to booking? Start your adventure with us today!

Journey details

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 49 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 ticket prices from London to Liverpool can start from as little as £14 when you book in advance. The cost of tickets can vary depending on the time of day, route and class you book and are usually more expensive if you book on the day.

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. If you’re looking for other options, you can also catch the bus from London to Liverpool.

Cheap train tickets from London to Liverpool

Train tickets from London to Liverpool start at £14 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 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.

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

Tips and tricks from our Trainline team blog

We love helping our customers find inspiration for their next train journey. We also believe about taking those journeys and sharing our experiences with you, so you can sit back, relax and get the most out of your trip.

A long weekend in Liverpool by train

When we were looking for a short city break from London, we were surprised to see Liverpool was just over two hours away by train and on the bucket list, it went!

Arriving at London Euston for the 7.02 pm train (which is 2 hours and 6 minutes in total) about 30 minutes early we headed to the Avanti First-Class lounge which offers aside from the complimentary refreshments a bird’s eye view of the station below, which is great for people watching whilst you sip a coffee.

There’s more than coffee on offer too in the lounge, there are newspapers, decent Wi-Fi speeds, and snacks including fresh fruit, cookies, muffins, and assorted pastries. Depending on the time of day, you can even grab an ice-cold beer!

When we boarded the Pendolino train and settled down in First-Class the extra comfy seats by the large window meant we good gaze out the window which for me is the best bit about travelling by train, just watching the world whiz by at over 100mph. And who doesn’t like to race the traffic along the motorways when you’re just sitting back and relaxing?!

Heading out of Euston and once you’re past the London suburbs the countryside swiftly creeps up alongside the track as we head north towards Milton Keynes (our first stop). By this point, we’ve been well looked after by the folks in First-Class and happily watching the world go by. In no time at all really, we’re skirting around Birmingham, through Crewe before stopping for the second and last time at Runcorn just outside of Liverpool.

As the clock ticked past 9 pm we were on the approach to Liverpool Lime Street (a magnificent station) and feeling refreshed and well-fed headed out from the railway station towards the docks and our hotel for the weekend.

In all honesty, the perfect trip and a great way to start our weekend away in Liverpool.

About Richard

Richard, a Trainline employee, chose to share his experience of the journey between London and Liverpool.

† Average savings on advance fares booked at least one week before day of travel vs Anytime fares purchased on day of travel. Subject to availability. Excludes coach.

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