How to get to Liverpool South Parkway (LPY) Train Station

Travel to Liverpool South Parkway train station from Liverpool city center

Liverpool, located in the northwest of England, is a city with a huge amount of history. The home of the Beatles, a former hub of the Atlantic slave trade, and a place that is home to two massive soccer (football) clubs: Everton and Liverpool FC, it is a great, affordable place to visit. The Liverpool South Parkway train station is located south of the city center but is one of the city's main stations, the others being Liverpool Lime Street (the world's oldest still-operating major train station), Liverpool Central, Liverpool James Street, and Moorfields. Transport links between the stations are good with regular, quick trains and buses going to South Parkway. Passengers can also get a taxi. Trains from the Liverpool South Parkway station run to Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Norwich, and Southport.

What is the best way to get to the train station from the city center

Although the Liverpool South Parkway train station is too far from Liverpool city center to walk, there are plenty of public transport options. Trains, run by Transport for Wales, East Midland Rail, West Midlands Trains and Northern, all go from Liverpool Lime Street station (right in the city center) out to South Parkway, running between every 20 minutes and every half an hour. The last train of the day departs at around 11:40 p.m. with the first train of the day leaving at around 6:00 a.m. Five bus routes run from Liverpool One Bus Station - right in the center of town - out to South Parkway: the 80A, 82, 86, 80 and 500 lines, with a bus departing at least once every ten minutes. Buses start departing at around 5:00 a.m., with the last bus leaving for South Parkway at around midnight. None of these services run through the night during the week, although the 86A - a special night service - does run on the weekends.

How far is it from the city center to the train station?

The distance between downtown Liverpool and the Liverpool South Parkway train station is approximately seven miles (11 kilometers). Taking a cab can take anywhere between 20 and 35 minutes, depending on traffic. After 11:00 p.m., it will likely take closer to 15 minutes. From London Liverpool Street, the train takes between ten and 15 minutes. West Midlands Trains tend to be faster, while Northern operates a stopping service that takes closer to 15 minutes. Getting the bus takes longer than getting the train. The number 500 bus takes the most direct route, running along the river, and takes 25 minutes to get to South Parkway. The 80, 80A, 82 and 86 all take more indirect routes, and typically take around 40 minutes. As with all road trips, the bus will take longer in rush hour (9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.) and less time at night.

How accessible is the train station for those with limited mobility?

Liverpool South Parkway station is entirely accessible for those with limited mobility. There are ramps for train access and there is full step-free access to the station and the platforms. There are also wheelchairs available to use at the station. The station provides a helpline, which passengers can call ahead of time to ask advice, and there are staff members at the station who can help passengers with limited mobility on and off the train. Liverpool Lime Street, the train hub to South Parkway, is also fully accessible. Bus services in Liverpool are run by Merseytravel, who are committed to providing accessible service. Their buses are equipped with wide doors, flat floors, and low entrances, so they are easy to access in a wheelchair. The buses also have priority seating for those who need to be able to sit down.

Local tips: the train station and nearby points of interest

The train station itself is not a particularly interesting building, but there is plenty to do in the surrounding area if you have time to kill. Near the station is Speke Hall, a large National Trust property from the Tudor era, which visitors can walk around. It has expansive woodlands and gardens ready to be explored. The station is very close to Liverpool John Lennon Airport making it convenient for those catching flights. Probably most interesting is the station's proximity to Strawberry Fields, the inspiration for the famous Beatles song, Strawberry Fields Forever, and an important place in John Lennon and Paul McCartney's childhoods.