Ferries and cruises from Liverpool

Liverpool in Merseyside has been a city since 1880, but long before that – many centuries, in fact – it was a commercial hub of great importance.

King John founded Liverpool in 1207 and since then it has always inspired, interested, and engaged both visitors and locals alike.

Liverpool is an industrial town, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t also beautiful. Liverpool Cathedral and Liverpool Central Library are both stunning, attractive buildings with huge historical significance, and they are architecturally important. Due to its location on the banks of the River Mersey, there is much history to be found in Liverpool, and the Merseyside Maritime Museum and the Museum of Liverpool will both satisfy even the most fact hungry of researchers. Outside of London, Liverpool has more museums and art galleries than anywhere else in the UK.

Perhaps it is popular culture that most defines the city, however. It is impossible to think of Liverpool without instantly thinking also of The Beatles, and there are plenty of sites to see that an avid fan will adore such as the original Cavern Club, and the Beatles’ Liverpool Tour. Although The Beatles might be the most famous group to come out of Liverpool, the area is famed for creating some of the most important musical star in the world – other Liverpool musicians include Billy Fury, Cilla Black, A Flock of Seagulls and Gerry and the Pacemakers to name just a very small number.

Ferries and cruise ships from Liverpool

Ferry Routes

OperatorRouteServicesTravel TimePrice
Liverpool Dublin 17 weekly 7½ hoursSee prices
Liverpool Douglas 12 weekly 2¾ hoursSee prices

This information is for reference purposes only. Journey times are approximate. Frequency is based on typical schedules. Schedules are subject to availability and weather conditions. Information correct at the time of writing.

Taster Cruise Ship Itineraries

Cruise lineTypical itineraryPrices
Liverpool Ports such as Rouen; Honfleur; Cobh; Dublin; BelfastSee prices

This information is for reference purposes only. Information correct at the time of writing.

Top 3 Cruise & Ferry Deals

  1. P&O Ferries Amsterdam Mini Cruise From £55pp
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  3. DFDS Amsterdam Mini Cruise From £65pp FLASH SALE

Ferries listed above commonly depart from Bootle while cruise ships commonly depart from the cruise terminal. Check before you travel to make sure you head to the correct terminal.

To find other ports near you, take a look at the UK port map here.

Address

  • Ferry terminal: Liverpool Freeport, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 1BG, United Kingdom
  • Cruise terminal: Gate 2, Princes Parade, Liverpool, Merseyside, L3 1DL, United Kingdom

Driving directions

Liverpool Ferry Terminal is located in Bootle to the north of Liverpool. It borders the A565 which runs down the Mersey side of the city. Liverpool is easy to access from the motorway network with the M62 connecting Liverpool to the Manchester and beyond and the M57 (and M58) connecting it to the M6. It position makes it ideal for access from North Wales too.

Liverpool Cruise Terminal boasts a location far closer to the city on its historic waterfront.  The terminal is signposted on roads around the city centre although you can use the Liver Building as a landmark. From the M62 follow the A5058 (Queens Drive) south and then take the A562 (Smithdown Road) west. Take the A5052 (The Stand / New Quay) north and the unassuming terminal entrance can be found on Princes Parade.

Tip: Looking for sailings from Liverpool Birkenhead instead?

Car parking

There is no customer car parking available at Liverpool Bootle Ferry Terminal making it an unsuitable port for foot passenger mini cruises.

There is also no on-site customer car parking available at Liverpool Cruise Terminal. However, some cruise lines have agreements with parking providers so check with yours first. Long term parking is available at Princes Dock multi storey car park (pre-booking required here). In May 2016 the rate was £15 per 24 hours.

Some hotels offer cruise parking packages including a one night stay which may prove better value to you.

Getting to Liverpool cruise terminal by coach

Liverpool One Bus Station at Canning Place is the closest National Express stop to the cruise port. It's a short walk past Liverpool James Street train station to the cruise terminal.

Liverpool is one of the best served cities by the coach company, with plenty of routes feeding in and out of Liverpool One Bus Station. Cup of tea in hand? I shall begin...

Route 060 runs from Leeds to Liverpool via Manchester. Route 061 is an enhanced version of this route and runs via Manchester, Manchester Airport and Chester.

Route 303 connects Blackpool in the north to Weymouth in the South and stops at Bolton, Liverpool, Chester, Manchester, Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham, Oxford, Southampton, Portsmouth and Bournemouth along the way.

Route 350 connects Liverpool with Stansted Airport near London. This journey includes calls to Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham and Leicester.

Route 380 runs between Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and Wrexham via Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Darlington, York, Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, and Chester.

Route 538 links Inverness with Birmingham and travels through Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Carlisle, Manchester, Liverpool, and Stoke-on-Trent.

Coach 550 connects Southport with London, picking up and dropping off passengers at Liverpool, Chester, Stoke-on-Trent and Milton Keynes along the way.

Route 580 is a relatively short length between Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and Liverpool via Manchester.

Last but not least, route 385 helps bridge Newcastle-Upon-Tyne with Pwllheli in North Wales. The network connects through Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire Oaks, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, and Bangor.

Book your tickets here.

Getting to Liverpool cruise terminal by train

Liverpool Cruise Terminal is a short distance from Liverpool James Street. Most long distance rail services will terminate at Liverpool Lime Street Station or Liverpool Central Station. Taxis are available to take you from these large stations to the terminal but if you are travelling light then it may be cheaper to take the two- to four-minute train journey to James Street.

Regional services from Liverpool Lime Street Station include trains to Preston (Lancashire), West Kirby, Chester, Birmingham, Manchester, New Brighton, Ellesmere Port, Wigan, Scarborough, and Newcastle.

Manchester is an hour away by train. The journey time to Liverpool James Street from Birmingham is 2 hours, London is 2¾ hours away, and Cardiff is around 3¾ hours away. Edinburgh is only 4½ hours away by train. Plan your journey here.

2 comments on “Ferries and cruises from Liverpool

    • A mini cruise is perfect for just this. There's very little commitment involved in a mini cruise as you only spent a night or two onboard, meaning if he hates it, he knows the end is nigh. Many who try it love the experience though and wish their mini cruise was longer.

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