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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 53m to travel from London to Liverpool by train, over a distance of around 178 miles (287 km). There are normally 43 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

43 trains per day

Changes

Direct trains available

Price

From £14

Train operators

Avanti West Coast

Travel from London to Liverpool in 2 hours and 15 minutes

Thinking about a trip to Liverpool by train? This guide will give you all the information you’ll need to know to make the most out of your journey.

The average journey time between London and Liverpool is around 2 hours and 55 minutes. On the fastest direct trains with Avanti West Coast it can take as little as 2 hours and 15 minutes. There are around 40 trains a day running this route.

Trains to Liverpool leave the capital from London Euston station. You’ll be travelling with Avanti West Coast. On board, you’ll be able to make use of free WiFi, plug sockets and an onboard shop where you can buy food and drink.

You’ll arrive at Liverpool Lime Street station, right in the centre of the city. From there it is only a short walk to the city’s major attractions, including the Royal Albert Dock, the Museum of Liverpool and the Cavern Club.

Ready to book? Start your search for cheap train tickets from London to Liverpool today. Just head to the journey planner at the top of this page. Select the dates of your trip and we’ll do the rest. If you’re looking for more information on the journey, continue reading:

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 53 minutes, with around 43 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 43 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.

Avanti West Coast trains from London to Liverpool

Your train from London to Liverpool will be operated by Avanti West Coast.

Avanti West Coast has been operating on Britain’s West Coast Main Line since 2019. Its fleet of high-speed intercity trains links London to major British stations, such as Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool Lime Street, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley.

Between London and Liverpool, you’ll be on Avanti’s recently refurbished Pendolino trains. These are the ‘tilting’ trains that lean into curves on the tracks, allowing a top speed of 125mph.

More information about Avanti West Coast

Avanti West Coast train classes from London to Liverpool

Avanti West Coast trains offer seats in three different classes.

Standard Class

In Standard Class on Avanti West Coast services from London to Liverpool, you’ll be able to make use of the following onboard services:

  • Free onboard WiFi.
  • Access to the onboard shop where you can purchase food and drink.
  • Refurbished seats and tables.
  • Plug sockets at selected table and window seats.

Standard Premium Class

In Standard Premium Class, you’ll receive the same amenities as Standard Class, plus:

  • Larger seats.
  • A guaranteed table at your seat.
  • Plug sockets at every window seat.

First Class

In First Class, you’ll receive all the above, as well as:

  • At-seat service.
  • Complimentary food and drink on board.
  • Access to First Class lounges at London Euston and Liverpool Lime Street (up to two hours before departure and up to one hour after arrival). Complimentary snacks, soft drinks and coffee are available.

Onboard services from London to Liverpool

You'll find these services available on board Avanti West Coast trains from London to Liverpool.

How to get to London Euston station

Whether by tube, bus, taxi or foot, London Euston is easy to reach.

London Euston station is located on Euston Road on the northern edge of central London. It’s easily accessible by public transport.

  • Tube: Euston Underground station is on the Northern line and Victoria line. Take the escalators up to reach the mainline station concourse. You can also reach Euston mainline station by taking the Metropolitan, Circle or Hammersmith & City lines to Euston Square station and walking 5 minutes.
  • Bus: The bus station in front of the station serves 9 daytime bus routes departing in all directions: 1, 18, 30, 68, 73, 91, 205, 253, 390.

Everything you need to know about London Euston station

Did you know? London Euston has been serving passengers since 1837.

London Euston is one of the busiest train stations in London and is the southern terminus of the West Coast Main Line. It welcomes over 31 million passengers every year.

You’ll find the following services in the station:

  • Restaurants and cafés
  • Shops
  • Cash machines
  • Avanti West Coast First Class Lounge
  • Lost property
  • Luggage storage
  • Photo booths
  • Seating and waiting rooms
  • Telephones
  • Toilets (incl. accessible and changing places toilets)
  • Trolleys
  • Water fountain
  • Wheelchairs
  • Free public WiFi

Arriving at Liverpool Lime Street station

We'll show you how to make your way through Liverpool once you arrive at Liverpool Lime Street station.

You’ll arrive at Liverpool Lime Street station, which is right in the centre of the city. Either make use of the facilities at the station—First Class passengers also have access to the First Class lounge for an hour after arrival—or head straight out into the city.

The station is well-connected by public transport options:

  • By foot: Liverpool’s historic waterfront is around a 20-minute walk from Liverpool Lime Street, cutting through the centre of the city.
  • By Merseyrail: You can catch Merseyrail’s Wirral Line from Liverpool Lime Street, which connects you to Birkenhead and surrounding areas. You can also change to the Northern Line by taking the Wirral Line one stop and changing at Liverpool Central.
  • By bus: You can catch over 30 bus services from Queen Square Bus Station, which is less than a 5-minute walk from the entrance of Liverpool Lime Street station.

Discover Liverpool

If you're looking for inspiration for how to fill your time in Liverpool, look no further!

Tourists often first make their way to Liverpool’s historic waterfront, which is now filled with museums and galleries showcasing the rich culture and history of the city:

  • Museum of Liverpool
  • Tate Liverpool
  • Maritime Museum
  • Royal Albert Dock
  • The British Music Experience

The Cavern Quarter attracts Beatles fans. The Cavern Club is the birthplace of The Beatles and is just next to the Liverpool Beatles Museum.

Just opposite Liverpool Lime Street station is St George’s Quarter, home to:

  • St George’s Hall
  • Walker Art Gallery
  • World Museum

For more inspiration, check out our article on how to spend a weekend in Liverpool.

Where to travel next after Liverpool

There are so many fantastic destinations to visit by train from Liverpool. Why not extend your adventure?

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

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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