Liverpool Central to Formby Trains From €8.40*

Merseyrail operates its modern Class 777 trains on the Liverpool Central to Formby route. As a short journey mainly for commuters and day trippers to the coast, all services are Standard Class only. Here’s what to expect:

• Onboard facilities: There’s air conditioning throughout, digital screens showing stop names, and help points along the train. A train manager is on board from start to finish.
• Passenger assistance: Book at least 2 hours before travel by calling Merseyrail on 0800 0277 347 (freephone, Mon–Fri 07:00–19:00) or 0151 555 1111. Outside those hours, call 0151 702 2704.

Are pets allowed on trains from Liverpool Central to Formby?

Yes. Up to two pets per passenger travel free with Merseyrail. Dogs have to be on a lead, and other pets in an enclosed carrier. They can’t occupy seats.

Can I bring a bike on trains from Liverpool Central to Formby?

Yes, it’s free and there’s space for up to three bikes at each end of the train — these are assigned on a first come, first served basis. You can’t reserve a space in advance. If the docking areas are full, you may be asked to wait for the next service.

How much luggage can I take on the train from Liverpool Central to Formby?

You can take up to 3 bags on board and they can be stored in the overhead racks, under your seat or at the end of the carriage.

The 10-mile journey takes around 30 minutes and the first service during the week and Saturdays is at 06:02. Trains then depart every 15 minutes throughout the day, until the last train goes at 23:39. As for Sundays, timetables start at 09:36 and there are departures every 30 minutes.

Departure from Liverpool Central

The two nearest bus stops are both around 5 minutes on foot.

• Queen Square Bus Station (via St John’s Lane). Services include: routes 8, 9, 10, 10B: from Huyton and East Liverpool; routes 14, 14A, 14B, 14X: from Croxteth, Kirkby and Tower Hill; routes 17, 17A: from Aintree University Hospital and Kirkby Admin; route 47: from Crossens via Bootle, Seaforth, Waterloo and Crosby; route 53: from Crosby; route 300: from Southport via Formby, Waterloo and Bootle; route X2: from Preston and Southport via Formby and Crosby
• Liverpool ONE Bus Station (via Hanover Street). Services include: routes 80, 80A: from Speke and Liverpool John Lennon Airport; routes 82, 82A: from Liverpool South Parkway and Speke; routes 86, 86A, 86C: from Garston, Mossley Hill, Liverpool South Parkway and the airport; route 136: from Bootle Bus Station

You’ll find toilets, accessible toilets, public Wi-Fi, refreshments and shops on the concourse. There’s step-free access to all platforms via the lifts. Keep in mind that there’s no Changing Places toilets or baby changing facilities.

• Parking: There’s no general car park at Liverpool Central — only one accessible parking space.
• Bikes: Bicycle storage is available at the station, and bicycle hire is on site.
• Pets: St John’s Gardens is around 5 minutes on foot via Renshaw Street and St John’s Lane in case you want to walk your dog before the journey.

Onboard trains from Liverpool Central to Formby

• Don’t-miss views: Sit on the left-hand side facing forward for the Sefton Coast dune landscape from Hall Road onwards. Between Hightown and Formby, the train runs parallel to the National Trust Formby pinewoods, with the Irish Sea visible beyond on clear days.
• The “you’re nearly there” cue: After Hightown, the pinewoods appear on the left. Hightown is the penultimate stop before Formby.
• Right-side views: On the right, you’ll see inland suburban streets and farmland.

Arriving at Formby

• Duke Street exit (Liverpool-bound platform): Use this exit for Formby village centre (about 5 minutes on foot via Duke Street), the Formby Station Interchange bus stops, and the walk to the beach and pinewoods.
• Ennerdale Road exit (Southport-bound platform): Use this exit for residential areas to the north and east of the station.

• Routes F1–F6: Stop at Sumner Road, Kings Road, Chapel Lane and Victoria Road in Formby village
• Route 44: north to Southport
• Route 300: the Southport–Liverpool corridor through Formby
• Route X2: between Preston, Southport and Liverpool

There are refreshments and accessible toilets, but no baby changing facilities, Changing Places toilet or Wi-Fi.

• Bikes: There’s a sheltered area to store up to 48 bikes across both platforms, covered by CCTV. Access is by a free security fob, which you can apply for through Merseyrail.
• Pets: For a proper walk after the journey, the National Trust Formby Pinewoods at Lifeboat Road are around 1.2 miles (20–25 minutes) west on foot from the Duke Street exit, via Duke Street and Lifeboat Road.