Trains to Liverpool Central

A rarity for the UK, especially outside of London, Liverpool Central Station is located entirely underground. It is the city's busiest station and the busiest underground station in the UK outside of London. However, it’s considerably smaller than Liverpool Lime Street Station in size.

Initially, the station began its life in 1874 as a large terminal station serving routes to London, Manchester, and Hull. Over the years, this changed with its routes gradually diverting towards Liverpool Lime Street. In 1973, the buildings were demolished at ground level, but the station’s subterranean levels remained.

Liverpool Central received a £40 million refurbishment in 2012. Today, the station serves Liverpudlian commuters and regional travellers, acting as an excellent transit point for those using the wider Merseyrail network.

Liverpool Central offers a wide range of amenities, including:

• A ticket office (opening times: Monday to Saturday: 5.25am – 12.15am; Sunday: 7.45am – 12.15am). You can book train tickets as well as monthly and annual season tickets at the ticket office.
• Self-service ticket machines and accessible ticket machines. Plus, you can collect tickets you have bought online from the self-service machines.
• Step-free access to all platforms.
• Boards to check the real-time train timetable.
• ATMs, shops, and hospitality.
• Public Wi-Fi and post boxes.
• 58 bicycle storage stands are near the main entrance.

Liverpool Central is located on Ranelagh Street in the city's heart, making it incredibly easy to reach by public transport. Local buses stop along Ranelagh Street, and a taxi rank is also on the same street.

It’s possible to book rail tickets to Liverpool John Lennon International Airport from any Merseyrail station. To get to the airport, you must go to Liverpool South Parkway station from Liverpool Central, which takes only thirteen minutes.

Liverpool Central Station primarily serves destinations in the Merseyrail area, such as Chester, New Brighton, Southport, Ormskirk, Headbolt Lane, and Hunts Cross. It also connects Liverpool with John Lennon Airport via Liverpool South Parkway.

Maghull to Liverpool Central

It takes twenty-four minutes to get from Maghull to Liverpool Central with Merseyrail. Trains come every ten minutes or so.

Orrell Park to Liverpool Central

The journey from Orrell Park to Liverpool Central takes only sixteen minutes with Merseyrail. Trains are frequent and run every ten to fifteen minutes.

Ellesmere Port to Liverpool Central

Getting from Ellesmere Port to Liverpool Central with Merseyrail takes forty minutes. Trains run every half an hour between the two destinations.

Liverpool South Parkway to Liverpool Central

Getting from Liverpool South Parkway to Liverpool Central takes only thirteen to fourteen minutes. South Parkway is the station that connects Liverpool to John Lennon International Airport.

Merseyrail is the sole operator at Liverpool Central Station, managing the Northern Line and Wirral Line of the Merseyside rail network. The Northern Line offers services to destinations such as Southport, Hunts Cross, and Headbolt Lane, while the Wirral Line connects to destinations like New Brighton, Chester, and West Kirby, ensuring convenient transport links between Liverpool and its surrounding areas.

Liverpool Central is an outrageously convenient station, located close to hotels, bars, restaurants and excellent shopping facilities as it’s literally built beneath a shopping centre. It’s also near Liverpool ONE, the city's premier shopping centre and entertainment complex.

If you head left after leaving the station, continue walking down Ranelagh Street and Hanover Street, and you’ll eventually reach Liverpool’s famed Albert Dock, which is packed with exciting things to do, including Tate Liverpool, the Maritime Museum, and the Museum of Liverpool as well as plenty of cool bars, cafes, and trendy restaurants. From there, you could even take a river cruise up and down the River Mersey.

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What is the main train station in Liverpool?

Liverpool Lime Street is the terminus railway station serving the city centre of Liverpool.

However, if you’re travelling from a station which is on the Merseyrail network then you can also get to the centre of Liverpool via Liverpool Central.

What time does Liverpool Central open?

This station opens at the same time as its ticket office. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday – 05.25am to 12:15am, Sunday – 07.45am to 12.15am.

What is the best station to visit Liverpool City Centre?

This depends on where you are coming from. If the station you are coming from is on the Merseyrail network, then Liverpool Central will be best. However, Liverpool Lime Street is best if you’re coming from further afield.

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