Liverpool FC is one of the most successful football clubs in the world and one of the oldest clubs in the English Premier League, founded all the way back in 1892. The team’s home ground, Anfield, is one of the UK’s most iconic (and largest) stadiums, with a seating capacity of over 53,000. It’s home to the legendary Kop, the steep grandstand for Liverpool fans that can hold over 12,300 supporters – it’s well-known as one of the world’s most raucous football stands.
If you’re lucky enough to have scored tickets to see a Liverpool FC football match at the team’s home turf of Anfield (or are still in the planning stage of your traveling for a sports trip), you need to know exactly how to get to the stadium. That’s where I come in. In the guide below, I’m going to take you through everything you need to know about the various options available, travel discounts on offer, and other hints and hacks to make your visit to Anfield a truly memorable one for all the right reasons.
Flying into Liverpool
Flying into the city? You’ll arrive at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and, from here, can catch a shuttle bus to Liverpool South Parkway station, where you can hop onto the Northern line for Sandhills. From this station, you can either walk to Anfield or catch a bus to the ground – I’m going to cover these options in detail below.
Traveling to Anfield Stadium via Public Transport
By Bus
If you’re staying in Liverpool, traveling to Liverpool FC’s stadium by bus is a convenient and affordable means of getting to the game. While onboard, you can relax, sit back, and enjoy the sights of the city without the stress of having to find a parking space.
Bus services 14, 17, 19, 26, and 68/168 all depart from Liverpool city centre and will get you to Anfield in around fifteen minutes. You’ll pay about £2.30 for an adult single fare and £1.20 for a child.
Alternatively, you could ride the Soccerbus, a dedicated service running for all Cup and Premier League matches. This bus runs from Sandhills station (on the Merseyside Northern line) two hours before kickoff, with the last bus leaving Sandhills about fifteen minutes before the football match begins.
By Train
If you’ll be coming to Liverpool from outside the city, train travel is likely your best bet. Most trains come into Lime Street station, which is about two miles from Anfield Stadium. Trains also run from this station to the city centre as well as to other parts of the UK. The journey time between Liverpool city centre and Lime Street station is five minutes, and the cost for an adult single fare is around £2.80 and around £1.40 for a child ticket.
You could also opt for the train if you’re staying within the Liverpool area. Regular services run into the city from Chester, Ellesmere Port, New Brighton, and West Kirby via the Wirral line and via Southport, Ormskirk, Kirby, and Hunts Cross on the Northern line.
Fans making their way to Anfield from the south of the city can travel on the line from Southport to Hunts Cross station. This service calls at Brunswick, St Michael’s, Aigburth, Cressington, and Liverpool South Parkway stations.
Saving Money When Traveling to a Liverpool FC Football Match
Everyone loves an easy way to save money, right? A great means of making your travel budget stretch is to save on transport costs, and a travel pass is the perfect way of doing so. Consider purchasing a Merseytravel pass to potentially bag a big saving when it comes to getting to Anfield and exploring the city.
There are lots of different passes available, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and budget. For example, the Solo Ticket offers anytime bus travel across all of Merseyside, while the Trio Ticket gives the holder unlimited, anytime bus, train and ferry travel in the area. You can find more information, including travel pass prices, here.
Is it Easy to Drive to Anfield?
There’s a small car park at Anfield stadium, as well as several other car parks nearby – more on these below. Be warned, however: these tend to fill up fast, particularly on match days, so I recommend using public transport instead of driving if possible. There are, however, a number of dedicated accessible parking spaces both at Anfield’s car park and those others near the stadium.
From Liverpool city centre it’ll take you around fifteen minutes to drive to Liverpool FC’s home ground. The best route is via Anfield Road, heading towards Walton Lane. From here, simply follow the signs to the stadium. While there are several other ways to reach the ground, this is the quickest and most direct. However, the roads around the stadium typically get very congested on match days, so if you will be arriving by car, it’s important to allow plenty of time for your journey.
Offsite car parks near Anfield Stadium are:
- Stanley Park Car Park – at 0.3 miles from Liverpool FC’s home ground, you can walk to Anfield in about five minutes from here. This car park, like the others listed here, is open twenty-four hours, and you’ll need to shell out around £5 to park here for the day.
- Kirkdale Car Park – around a fifteen-minute walk to Anfield (0.9 miles), you’ll pay about £4 to park here all day.
- Lime Street Car Park – further away than the other nearby car parks at 2.3 miles, this option is handy for those arriving by train, and the charge to park here is around £6.
Park-and-Ride Scheme
A convenient park-and-ride facility serves Anfield, allowing supporters to park their cars at the Liverpool Echo Arena (about two miles from Anfield) on match day and, from here, take a dedicated shuttle bus to the stadium. It’s a handy way to avoid the inevitable congestion on the roads – and enjoy a lively bus ride in the company of other Liverpool FC supporters!
Getting to Anfield Stadium By Taxi or Uber
You may wish to get a taxi to The Reds’ stadium – there are plenty available from Liverpool’s city centre and stations. The journey time is around ten minutes, and expect to pay around £10 for a single journey. While this is costlier than public transport if you’re traveling with family or a couple of friends, it could be a relatively cost-effective option.
Traveling to Anfield by Bicycle
Have you considered traveling to see a Liverpool FC football match at Anfield by bike? It may be easier than you think due to the Cycle Hub scheme in operation, which allows fans to drop off their bicycle with an attendant and have the peace of mind that it’ll be securely parked. You can find this free service in the Stanley Park Car Park, which is an easy few minutes walk from the venue. Once you arrive at the car park, a staff member will register and securely park your bicycle, and you’ll be given a receipt for later collection.
It’s also worth noting that Merseyrail trains allow bikes aboard, so you could combine a train journey with cycling to get to Anfield.
Can I Walk to Liverpool FC’s Stadium from the City Center?
If you fancy traveling to Anfield on foot, it’s a great option, allowing you to take in some of the city’s most famous sights as you make your way to the football match, including Stanley Park, Lime Street Station, and the Royal Liverpool Hospital. With a distance of approximately 2.4 miles, the journey time is around fifty minutes.
What Time Should You Aim to Arrive at Anfield?
My advice is to aim to arrive at Anfield Stadium at least an hour before kickoff. As well as preventing any last-minute panic should you get caught in traffic or the bus be running late, this will give you time to grab some refreshments, find your seat, and enjoy the match buildup.
Anfield usually opens its gates about two hours before kickoff on match day, and arriving early also means you’ll hopefully avoid the long queues that build up as the start of the game approaches.
Another great reason to arrive at the venue early is that you’ll have the opportunity to explore the Liverpool FC museum to learn more about the rich culture and heritage of the club. Not to mention checking out one of the many nearby restaurants and bars.
FAQs about Getting to Anfield Stadium
All buses running in Merseyside are accessible, featuring low entrances, wide doors, flat, step-less floors, contrasting easy-grip handles, and priority seating for those with mobility difficulties.
You’ll pay around £18 for a taxi from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Anfield.
The best way to get to Liverpool FC’s home ground will depend on where you’re staying, your needs, and your budget. In general, public transport is a cheap and convenient option for getting to and from Anfield stadium.
Buckle Up! We’re On the Road to Anfield
Watching a Liverpool FC football match at their home ground of Anfield is an experience like no other. The electrifying atmosphere, convivial vibe, and excitement of the game itself are the stuff that memories are made of. Ensure a smooth match day experience by using the traveling for sports guide above to plan your journey to the ground, whether you’ll be flying into the city, staying near the stadium, or arriving at Liverpool from another part of the UK. Of course, you can even walk to the stadium from the city centre – but be sure to do so with your head up high, hope in your heart….and while listening for the sweet silver song of a lark.
