Liverpool City Guide - Getting Around

Most of the city's main sites are within easy walking distance so many visitors to Liverpool opt to arm themselves with a comfy pair of shoes and a good map and take to the streets on foot. But the public transport is excellent and is run by Mersey Travel (tel: 0870 608 2608; website: www.merseytravel.gov.uk), which operates a comprehensive range of bus, train and ferry services throughout the city. Public transport runs frequently throughout the day and a number of bus services operate at night. The city's two bus stations are on Roe Street and Paradise Street, closer to the centre of the city. There is also an underground system that operates between the city's four main train stations (Lime Street, Central Station, James Street and Moorfields). In 2005 the city introduced a Live Smart (website: www.livesmart.tv) pass for tourists offering free travel on two of the city's main bus routes and free trips with a circular sightseeing bus and Mersey Ferries. The card also entitles the bearer to free or discounted entry to a number of the city's main attractions (see Sightseeing Overview for more details).

There are many taxi ranks throughout the city including at all the major train and bus stations. They can also be hailed anywhere on the street. To pre-book a taxi try Mersey Cabs (tel: (0151) 733 3393; website: www.merseycabs.co.uk), Anfield Taxis (tel: (0151) 263 2222) or Central Radio Cars (tel: (0151) 260 1010).

There are numerous car hire companies operating in Liverpool. Avis (tel: 0870 608 6347; website: www.avis.co.uk), Europcar (tel: (0151) 448 1652; website: www.europcar.co.uk) and Mersey Hire (tel: 0870 066 4066; website: www.merseyhire.co.uk) all have offices either at the airport, in the city or both.

There is currently nowhere in the city that hires out bicycles. The Merseyside Cycling Campaign (website: www.merseyworld.com/mcc) can offer information and advice for cycling routes in and around Liverpool.