Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street Trains From £3.80*

Effortlessly travel to Liverpool Lime Street from Manchester Piccadilly, with trains from TransPennine Express. With journey times as short as 47 min on the fastest trains, you won’t waste any valuable time in arriving in Liverpool for whatever excitement lies ahead. 

The 50 km (31 mile) journey follows the southern CLC line through Irlam and Warrington, offering views of the River Mersey as you approach Liverpool.

This route is serviced by numerous operators, one of which is TransPennine Express. This company offers three routes across Northern England and Scotland: the North Route, the Anglo-Scottish Route and this route, the South Route.

Departing from Manchester Piccadilly

Manchester Piccadilly is one of four train stations in Manchester and its busiest. Located in the southeast of the city, the station can be accessed via the Station Approach entrance by the bus and tram stops, Piccadilly Plaza to the northeast, Fairfield Street to the southwest by the taxi rank or London Road, to the southeast.

Manchester Piccadilly station is connected to many major destinations in the UK, such as London, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh and Liverpool. The station also offers services to various parts of Greater Manchester, including Manchester Airport and Stockport.

These routes are operated by six train companies: TransPennine Express, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Northern and Transport for Wales.

Main stops

The main stops on the Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street train with TransPennine Express usually include Manchester Oxford Road, Urmston, Irlam, Birchwood, Warrington Central and Liverpool South Parkway. East Midlands Railway takes a similar approach, although they normally do not stop between Manchester Oxford Road and Warrington Central, and make an additional stop at Widnes.

Northern usually makes many more stops on its route, including Deansgate, Eccles, St Helen's Junction, Broad Green and more. Stops may vary according to departure time and operator, so consult route details for specific stops.

Arriving at Liverpool Lime Street

Liverpool Lime Street station is a major transport hub located on Lime Street in Liverpool city centre. It is about a 15-minute walk north-east from Lord Street, one of the city’s prominent shopping streets.

The station at Lime Street is served by many major operators including Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, London Northwestern Railway, Northern and TransPennine Express. These companies provide services to major destinations such as London, Norwich, Birmingham, Blackpool, Manchester and Newcastle.

Right on the station’s doorstep is Liverpool Empire Theatre, a very popular theatre located on the corner of Lime Street, hosting musicals, plays and concerts in a stunning, historical auditory

TransPennine train classes

With a choice of train classes from TransPennine Express, you can choose whether to nab the cheapest train tickets between Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street or to soak up the luxury of First Class.

• Standard Class: Enjoy free Wi-Fi and plug points at table seats.
• First Class: More spacious reclining seats and power points at every seat. Some routes offer complimentary refreshments.

TransPennine Express train travel advice

Your Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street train will be a breeze with our nifty travel tips for TransPennine Express.

• Luggage: Up to three bags allowed. Smaller items can be stored in overhead racks, larger ones in luggage compartments.
• Bicycles: Bike space reservations required. Option to securely store bikes at sheds in TPE-managed stations.
• Children: Up to two children under 5 travel free with an adult. Kids up to 16 travel for half price. Railcards such as Family & Friends Railcards can get you discounts on family travel.
• Pets: Free travel for up to two pets, dogs to be transported on a lead or in a pet carrier. Pet carrier only for other pets.
• Passenger Assist: TPE passengers with limited mobility or special needs can book Passenger Assist in advance for help planning journeys and navigating stations and trains.

Another option for getting the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street is with East Midlands Railway. With journeys usually taking just 52 minutes, you can travel along the River Mersey between these two cities in no time.

Primarily offering views of urban landscapes along the journey, once you arrive at Lime Street station you’ll be in the heart of Liverpool with many attractions within easy reach.

East Midlands Railway offers intercity and regional services between the East Midlands, South Yorkshire and London St. Pancras.

East Midlands Railway train classes

If you’re travelling to Liverpool Lime Street with East Midlands Railway, you have a choice of two train classes.

• Standard Class: Standard Class offers comfortable seating and tables or tray tables. Enjoy free Wi-Fi on all trains and access to catering on certain routes.
• First Class: The Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street First Class train ticket includes more spacious seating with a table, quieter carriages and a catering service from Monday to Saturday.

East Midlands Railway train travel advice

Our train tips for travelling with EMR will ensure you’re prepared before you set out on your Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street train journey.

• Luggage: You may bring one large piece of luggage and one small bag. Luggage racks to be used for larger suitcases only.
• Bicycles: Reservation required for bike space on the Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool EMR route during summer months. Two bikes only per train. No reservation needed for folded bikes in luggage compartments. No e-scooters.
• Children: Under 5s travel free, under 16s travel for half price. Use Railcards for discounts for older children, such as the 16–27 Saver Railcard or the 16–24 Student Railcard.
• Pets: Up to two pets travel free. Dogs must be transported in a pet carrier or on a lead. Other pets must be in a carrier and not on seats. Pets are permitted in First Class carriages.
• Passenger Assist: Passengers with additional needs can request help planning and booking their travel, navigating the station and train, and carrying luggage. Book up to two hours before travel.

Northern trains also offer service from Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street. With their direct routes taking just 58 min, this is another convenient option for arriving in Liverpool. Both located in North West England, your trip from Manchester to Liverpool will give you plenty of opportunity for sightseeing, shopping and eating – and maybe even a football game between these rival cities.

Northern operates train services across Northern England, and runs intercity routes to major destinations like Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds, as well as regional commuter services.

Northern train classes

Northern only offers one class across their trains. Their new fleet has free Wi-Fi, and passengers with additional needs can benefit from priority seating.

Get the best deal on Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street trains by booking in advance on TrainPal.

Northern train travel advice

Our tips for travelling with Northern will see you right for your journey from Manchester Piccadilly to Liverpool Lime Street.

• Luggage: Passengers on Northern trains should be mindful of how much luggage they bring and store it in the dedicated compartments.
• Bicycles: Bike spaces are free of charge and operate on a first come, first served basis. Bike storage is also available at some stations.
• Children: Under 5s travel free, with half-price tickets for under 16s. Children over 16 can use Railcards for savings on fares.
• Pets: Up to two dogs travel free. Must be on a lead or in a carrier placed out of the way of other passengers. Other small pets must travel in a carrier.
• Passenger Assist: Passenger Assist can be booked in advance on Northern trains for help planning travel and navigating stations and trains.  

*Information is subject to change. Please check the latest train timetable before your trip.