Budget-Friendly Guide to Exploring Liverpool

Liverpool is frequently recognized as one of the top UK cities for budget travelers. The city benefits from affordable public transportation, inexpensive accommodations, and cost-effective dining options, meeting all essential travel requirements.

To enhance your experience, consider filling your itinerary with complimentary museums, unticketed attractions, and numerous exceptional parks, ensuring a memorable yet economical adventure in Liverpool.

Dine out at Liverpool’s wonderfully affordable indie restaurants

Liverpool boasts one of the finest independent dining scenes in northern England, if not the entire UK. The city’s rich heritage as a significant trading port is well-reflected in its diverse gastronomic offerings, providing nearly every type of cuisine imaginable.

Dining at local establishments presents an excellent opportunity to save money while indulging your palate. Bustling Bold Street hosts Bakchich, often recommended as one of the city’s best-value eateries, with delectable Lebanese mezze dishes beginning at just £4. Additionally, several outstanding Chinese restaurants provide excellent buffet deals, alongside numerous cafes where you can enjoy a substantial breakfast for under £10.

Interested in sampling local gastronomic specialties? Scouse stew stands as Liverpool’s unofficial dish, offering a hearty, satisfying experience at typically low prices. Several establishments serve this delicacy, including Maggie May’s (the classic cafe on Bold Street) and The Welsford Bistro located at Liverpool Cathedral, which even features a vegan variation for £6.95.

Walk around the city as much as possible

An effective method to maintain budgetary constraints in Liverpool is to walk throughout the city. Fortuitously, the compact nature of Liverpool’s city center facilitates easy navigation on foot.

Certain locales—such as the charming Georgian Quarter and the vibrant Cavern Quarter—are best experienced at a leisurely pace. Areas like the Liverpool ONE shopping area and the historically rich Liverpool Waterfront are predominantly pedestrian-friendly.

Alternatively, if cycling is your preference, Liverpool features an excellent bicycle rental program operated by City Bike, with rates starting at 25p for a 15-minute ride.

Buy a travel pass instead of paying for individual tickets

If you wish to explore the broader city region or venture north to the beaches along the Sefton Coast, public transportation remains an economical choice in Liverpool. Merseytravel, the city’s principal transport service, provides exceptional tickets and passes that can reduce travel costs to as low as £4.30 per day or £20 for a week.

Take a free or self-guided walking tour

Engaging in a walking tour presents one of the most effective methods to familiarize yourself with a new city. Liverpool offers several options, with New Europe providing donation-based tours. Alternatively, consider embarking on a self-directed walking tour, whether exploring the historically significant docks or enjoying a Beatles-themed excursion encompassing various sites throughout the city.

Make the most of Liverpool’s free museums and art galleries

Nearly all of the museums in Liverpool are free, offering an extensive range of exhibits. For history enthusiasts, the Mersey Maritime Museum presents insights into the city’s significance as a major trading port, while the moving International Slavery Museum provides poignant historical context.

The World Museum houses an intriguing array of global artifacts spanning centuries. Art enthusiasts will appreciate the numerous noteworthy galleries in Liverpool, such as the Tate Liverpool and the family-friendly Walker Art Gallery.

Most museums and galleries can be found around the Royal Albert Dock or the Knowledge Quarter (the vicinity near Lime Street train station), both easily accessible by foot.

Liverpool has plenty of cheap and quirky things to do

Experiencing the educational offerings of world-class museums is not the only complimentary experience Liverpool provides. The welcoming city features an abundance of unconventional attractions, including enigmatic underground tunnels and stunning Grade II-listed public libraries, all available for exploration without requiring a financial investment.

Shop around for your accommodations

While certain hotels in Liverpool may incur high costs, finding suitable accommodations within a tighter budget is still feasible. Opting for locations in the city’s core or near the waterfront provides proximity to various attractions; however, the most economical hotel options typically reside on the outskirts of the city center and in more remote suburbs.

Self-catering accommodations can also yield savings. Many hosts tend to offer discounts for off-peak stays or for durations exceeding a week. Furthermore, Liverpool is home to various hostels, including a YHA at Albert Dock as well as the chic Selina located in the Baltic Triangle. Due to the abundance of budget hotel options across the city, hostel prices may not always present significant savings.

Spend an afternoon outdoors

On sunny days, consider spending an afternoon in one of Liverpool’s many fantastic parks. Walking through a verdant park stands as one of the best complimentary activities in Liverpool, and many parks are conveniently located throughout the city center.

If visiting Liverpool Cathedral is part of your itinerary, take the time to wander around St. James Mount and Gardens, the prior cemetery that serves as a serene picnic location and features a sculpture by acclaimed artist Tracy Emin (one is also located inside the cathedral).

Falkner Street Gardens, situated in the Georgian Quarter, provides an excellent viewpoint for admiring the neighborhood’s sophisticated architecture. Although a bit farther away, the expansive Sefton Park, replete with its charming Victorian Palm House and decorative lake, is an ideal locale for enjoying a leisurely afternoon.

Avoid visiting in the summer months if you can

The months of June, July, and August are often the most desirable times to visit Liverpool, coinciding with a plethora of summertime festivals. However, these events may increase accommodation prices and significantly limit your selections. Additionally, attendance at soccer games can impact accommodation availability and generally contribute to a busier city atmosphere.

If your visit to Liverpool in the summer aligns with securing tickets for a musical performance or football match, it is prudent to reserve your hotel or self-catering residence well ahead of time or consider staying a bit further out. Opting for accommodations beyond the city center may yield more opportunities for complimentary parking.

Daily costs in Liverpool

• Hostel dorm room: £30–50

• Basic hotel room for two: £45–75

• Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): from £40

• Public transport pass: £4.20 Day Saver Train ticket, £5.60 all areas Saveway transport pass

• Pint of beer: £3–4

• Cup of coffee: £2.50–3.50

• Bowl of Scouse stew: from £6.95