Train to Liverpool - connections, tickets and itinerary

• Currency: Pound Sterling (GBP)

• Best time to go: May-June and September - daytime temperatures are 14-20°C and tourist traffic remains moderate

• Local transport: you get around the city centre mainly on foot; for further afield there is the Merseytravel bus network and the Merseyrail commuter rail service

• How much to go for: 2-3 days are sufficient for a city break

• Practical tip: in the Mathew Street area, many bars and pubs run late, so it's worth planning an evening there with live music

The best choice is May-June or September, when the daytime temperature is 15-20°C and the crowds of tourists are smaller than in peak summer.

Spring (March to May)

• Temperatures rise from 9°C to 16°C and Sefton Park gardens are in bloom from mid-April.

• May sees Liverpool Sound City, a music festival for fans of the independent scene.

• Accommodation prices are lower than in summer and queues to museums are shorter.

Summer (June–August)

• The warmest time of year with daytime highs of 18-22°C, although rain can also occur in July.

• August sees the Liverpool International Music Festival with outdoor concerts in Sefton Park.

• Tourist traffic is heaviest then and accommodation prices are at their highest.

• In June, the sun sets after 9pm, so you can still sightsee in the evening.

Autumn (September–November)

• It is 10-17°C in autumn and it is still pleasant to walk along the waterfront in September.

• The Liverpool Biennial, an international festival of contemporary art, takes place every two years in even-numbered years.

• Accommodation prices drop and there are fewer crowds in museums and galleries.

Winter (December–February)

• Daytime temperatures are 5-8°C, the days are short and it often rains, so it is worth focusing on indoor attractions.

• In December, a Christmas market and an ice rink operate in the city centre.

• You can still visit museums and galleries in winter, and many permanent exhibitions remain free.

You get to Liverpool from Poland via London. You take a train to Paris or Brussels, from there you take the Eurostar across the Channel to London and then change trains to Liverpool. The whole journey takes an indicative 12-16 hours, depending on the connections you choose.

From London to Liverpool

• You travel approximately 2 hours from London Euston station to Liverpool Lime Street station.

• Services run throughout the day and the route is operated by Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern Railway.

• You will get to London Euston station by tube from various parts of London.

• If you are arriving at London St Pancras International Station, London Euston Station is a few minutes' walk away.

• At weekends and in the summer, trains can sometimes be full, so buying your ticket in advance gives you more choice of seats.

Route from Poland across the Channel

• From Warsaw or Krakow you take the train to Paris or Brussels, from where you take the Eurostar to London.

• There is passport control on the Paris/Brussels-London leg, so your passport must be valid.

• Seat reservations are compulsory on the overseas leg. On the London-Liverpool route, booking is recommended, especially at weekends and in summer.

• Total travel time from Poland is indicatively 12-16 hours. You can leave in the morning and arrive in the evening, or spread the journey over two days with an overnight stay in London or Paris.

You buy tickets on Europodróże without registering - you enter the route, choose the connection and pay. Your ticket goes to your email and SMS, and 30 minutes before departure you get an SMS reminder with a link to your ticket. The earlier you buy, the better the price and the greater the choice of seats. For details, see the page describing the refund and exchange policy - for PKP Intercity tickets, refunds are possible up to 20 minutes before departure and exchanges up to 30 minutes before departure.

You can walk from Liverpool Lime Street station to the Albert Docks, Mathew Street and most of the main attractions in a matter of minutes. The station is close to the city centre and the main tourist spots are within a 2 km radius.

There is a network of Merseytravel buses and Merseyrail commuter rail for longer journeys. A single ticket costs a few pounds and a day ticket a little more. If you plan several journeys in a day, a day ticket will be more convenient.

Taxis and Uber are available at the station and in the centre. They come in handy for getting to Anfield Stadium or John Lennon Airport, which is 12 km from the centre.

City bikes operate in the centre. Cycling is a comfortable way to travel along the Mersey waterfront, from the Albert Docks to Pier Head.

Where to stay:

• City Centre and Albert Docks – the most convenient location for tourists, close to the main attractions and Liverpool Lime Street station

• Baltic Triangle – a foodie and cultural district, a good choice for those looking for a local atmosphere and independent restaurants

• Ropewalks – a less touristy area with independent bars and pubs, a few minutes' walk from the centre

The Albert Docks, attractions associated with The Beatles and an evening on Mathew Street are the most worthwhile.

Albert Dock

A historic dock complex and one of the symbols of the city. There are museums, galleries and restaurants on site. A walk along the waterfront is free. It is worth planning 2-3 hours for the Albert Docks, and more if you want to enter the museums.

The Beatles Story Museum

A museum dedicated to the history of The Beatles, located in the Albert Docks complex. There is an entrance fee and the tour takes 1.5-2 hours. It is advisable to buy your ticket online in advance, as queues can be long in the summer.

Tate Liverpool

A major contemporary art gallery associated with the Albert Docks. Entrance to some exhibitions is sometimes free, while temporary exhibitions are chargeable. Check the current address and opening times before you go. Tours take 1-2 hours.

Merseyside Maritime Museum

A museum telling the history of the Port of Liverpool, transatlantic trade and emigration. In the same building you will also find the International Slavery Museum dedicated to the history of the slave trade. Entry is free and the tour takes 1.5-2 hours.

Anfield Stadium

Liverpool FC Stadium. The stadium tour is chargeable and it's worth booking in advance online. The tour includes the changing rooms, the tunnel leading to the pitch and the stands. The tour takes approximately 1.5 hours. You will buy tickets for matches separately and well in advance. You can get to the stadium by bus or taxi from the city centre.

Mathew Street and Cavern Quarter

A street associated with the history of The Beatles and a venue for the city's evening life. A recreated Cavern Club operates here with live music every evening. You'll find more than a dozen pubs and bars around, and the quarter comes alive after 8pm.

Plan for day 1

Start the morning at the Albert Docks - stroll along the waterfront, enter the Maritime Museum and, if open, the Tate Liverpool gallery. At midday, visit The Beatles Story Museum. In the afternoon, walk to Mathew Street and the Cavern Quarter. Stay there in the evening for a concert or live music pub.

Plan for the weekend (2 days)

Day 1: Arrange the same as the 1-day plan - Albert Docks, Maritime Museum, Tate Liverpool, The Beatles Story Museum, evening on Mathew Street.

Day 2: In the morning drive to Anfield Stadium, where the tour takes about 1.5 hours. In the afternoon, return to the centre and walk around the Ropewalks district with its independent cafes, galleries and street art. From there, you'll walk a few minutes to the Georgian Quarter with its Georgian architecture and the Anglican Liverpool Cathedral. Entrance to the cathedral is free and you will see a panoramic view of the city from the tower. In the evening, head to the Baltic Triangle for dinner and drinks.

In Liverpool, scouse is worth a try, and for dinner the Baltic Triangle or Ropewalks are the best choices.

What to eat

Scouse - a traditional stew with beef or lamb, potatoes and root vegetables. The dish gives rise to the nickname of Liverpool residents - Scousers. You can find it in traditional pubs in the city centre, especially around Mathew Street.

Baltic Triangle - a neighbourhood south of the Albert Docks that is Liverpool's gastronomic and cultural hub. Here you will find world cuisine restaurants, street food and speciality cafes. Baltic Market operates at weekends and houses a dozen street food stalls from a variety of cuisines under one roof.

Ropewalks - a neighbourhood known for its independent bars, pubs and restaurants. It is less touristy than Mathew Street and has a more local atmosphere. It is lively in the evening.

Souvenirs

• Liverpool ONE - a large shopping centre in the heart of the city centre, with several hundred shops in an open space. It is a few minutes' walk from Liverpool Lime Street station.

• Cavern Walks - a gallery with a boutique feel close to Mathew Street, featuring independent shops and local designers.

• Beatles memorabilia - you'll find shops selling The Beatles goodies on Mathew Street and around the Cavern Club. The official Liverpool FC shop operates at Anfield Stadium.

Liverpool is cheaper than London – accommodation and food cost an indicative 20-40% less here than in the UK capital. The currency is the pound sterling (GBP). The amounts in the table are given in PLN as indicative ranges.

Budget – hostel or basic hotel, pub food and street food at Baltic Market, sightseeing on foot with the occasional bus, and free museums such as the Maritime Museum and Liverpool Cathedral.

Mid-range – a three-star hotel, restaurants and cafés in the Baltic Triangle and Ropewalks, a ticket to The Beatles Story Museum and a tour of Anfield Stadium, plus bus travel to Anfield.

Comfortable – a four-star hotel or apartment in the centre, restaurants in the Baltic Triangle and along the waterfront, taxis, paid attractions and an evening at the Cavern Club with a table reservation.

On top of the above amounts comes the cost of a train ticket from Poland.