Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Oxford Road Trains From £3.70*

Take the fastest train from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Oxford Road with East Midlands Railway and get there in just 45 minutes. With two lines connecting the stations, the 49 km (31 mile) route is served by very frequent departures, giving you plenty of options for getting between the two rival cities.

Depending on which line you are travelling on, you may pass closer to the River Mersey for some riverside views or get a glimpse of local life as you pass through towns such as Newton and Eccles on the northern line.

Many operators provide services on this route, including East Midlands Railway, who run intercity and regional connections between the East Midlands, South Yorkshire and London St Pancras.

Departing from Liverpool Lime Street

Located on Lime Street in the centre of Liverpool city, Lime Street station is a major transport hub and is very easily reached – just over a 10-minute walk from the city’s main shopping thoroughfare, Church Street.

The station is connected to Liverpool Central station via a short underground train journey with Merseyrail, who also offer frequent overground connections within the Merseyside region.

Many key operators run intercity services from Liverpool Lime Street, including Avanti West Coast, London Northwestern Railway, TransPennine Express, East Midlands Railway and Northern. With these services, you can reach cities like London, Norwich, Newcastle, Manchester and many more.

Main stops

The main stops on direct trains from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Oxford Road with East Midlands Railway and TransPennine Express typically include Liverpool South Parkway, Widnes and Warrington Central, with Northern trains making several more stops along this route. 

Some Northern trains may take the northern line with stops such as Edge Hill, Earlestown and Eccles, among others. Stops will vary according to route, so consult your journey for specific stop information.

Arriving at Manchester Oxford Road

Oxford Road Station is Manchester’s second-largest railway station and is located on Oxford Road, just off the main road. It acts as a vital interchange for travel between Manchester city centre and the surrounding region. 

The station connects Manchester to various locations across the UK, with popular destinations including Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Airport, Blackpool and Glasgow. Some of the key operators serving this station include Northern, TransPennine Express, Transport for Wales and East Midlands Railway. 

Manchester Oxford Road is a great station to arrive in if you’re attending an event in the Palace Theatre or the O2 Ritz to attend, as both are situated just a two-minute walk from the station. Also located on Oxford Road are the University of Manchester and the Manchester Museum, both definitely worth a visit if only to admire the architecture alone.

East Midlands Railway train classes

With East Midlands Railway’s trains, you can choose between getting the cheapest tickets from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Oxford Road with Standard Class seating, or go all out with their First Class tickets.

• Standard Class: Comfy seating and tables or tray tables. Free Wi-Fi is available on all trains, and some routes offer a catering service.
• First Class: EMR’s First Class service includes catering, quieter carriages and more comfortable seating with a table.

East Midlands Railway train travel advice

Climb aboard prepared, having consulted our nifty passenger info for travelling with East Midlands Railway.

• Luggage: One large suitcase and one small bag per person. Luggage racks to be used for large suitcases only.
• Bicycles: Reservations required between Liverpool and Manchester during summer months. Limit of two bikes per train. Folding bikes do not require reservation. No e-scooters.
• Children: Free travel for under 5s, 50% off for under 16s. Railcards can help you save on tickets for older children, such as the 16–27 Saver Railcard.
• Pets: Up to two pets travel free. Must be transported in a pet carrier. Dogs must be on a lead if not in a pet carrier. Pets may accompany you in First Class.
• Passenger Assist: Disabled or elderly passengers on EMR trains may request help with planning and booking, carrying luggage and navigating stations and trains. Can be booked up to two hours before travel.

TransPennine Express offers services from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Oxford Road. The route typically takes 51 minutes with TPE, and the operator runs on both the northern Chat Moss line and the southern Cheshire Lines Committee line.

TransPennine Express operates three routes across Northern England and Scotland, which serve key destinations such as Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, York, Newcastle and Glasgow.

TransPennine Express train classes

TPE trains offer both Standard and First Class tickets for your Liverpool to Manchester train.

• Standard Class: Free Wi-Fi and power points at table seats.
• First Class: Reclining seats with more space, sockets at every seat. Complimentary refreshments on some routes.

TransPennine Express train travel advice

Plan for your travels with TransPennine Express by checking out our informative overview.

• Luggage: Up to three bags allowed. Large suitcases to be stored in luggage racks by carriage doors, smaller items in overhead racks or under seats.
• Bicycles: Reservations required for bike space. TPE-managed stations provide secure bike storage sheds.
• Children: Up to two children under 5 travel free. Under 16s travel at half price. Family & Friends Railcards can help you save on family travel.
• Pets: Up to two pets travel free. Pet carriers required for pets, dogs may travel in a carrier or on a lead.
• Passenger Assist: Passengers requiring assistance can book Passenger Assist on TPE trains for help planning travel and navigating trains and stations.

The Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Oxford Road train route is also serviced by Northern. Their direct northern route between the cities usually takes 58 minutes, with the southern route through Warrington taking slightly longer at 1 hr 11 min.

Northern serves many destinations across Northern England, providing intercity routes to cities including Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool, in addition to local commuter services.

Northern train classes

Northern offers one Standard Class across their trains, which may vary depending on whether your route is serviced by their newer fleet or not. New fleets feature free Wi-Fi and a priority seating system.

You can buy cheap train tickets between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Oxford Road by booking in advance on TrainPal.

Northern train travel advice

Travelling with Northern will be a breeze thanks to our handy travel guide, so you can board your train to Manchester without a second thought.

• Luggage: Northern asks that passengers are mindful about how much luggage they board with. Bags should be stored in the dedicated compartments.
• Bicycles: No reservations required for bikes. Bicycle storage available at select stations.
• Children: Prams should be folded and stowed in luggage compartments. If your pram doesn’t fold, it may be stored in wheelchair space if otherwise unoccupied. All Northern trains have baby-changing facilities on board.
• Pets: Up to two dogs travel free and must be on a lead or in a carrier. Other small pets must travel only in a carrier. Pet carriers should not take up passenger space.
• Passenger Assist: Assistance for elderly or disabled passengers can be booked in advance.

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