Merseyrail
Merseyrail runs the Northern and Wirral lines around Liverpool. Buy before boarding or tap MetroCard, contactless or a smart device.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Official website
- Official website
- Train tickets
- Direct
Two electric lines make up the Merseyrail network, meeting in an underground loop beneath Liverpool city centre. Between them they cover the fastest rail route to Southport, Chester, the Wirral coast and Liverpool's outer suburbs.
Where Merseyrail runs
The Northern line runs from Liverpool through Kirkby and Headbolt Lane, Ormskirk and Southport, with a further branch reaching Hunts Cross to the south of the city. The Wirral line crosses under the Mersey through the tunnel and splits toward West Kirby, New Brighton, Ellesmere Port and Chester. In the city centre, trains call at the underground stations Liverpool Central, Moorfields, Lime Street Low Level and James Street before continuing out on either branch, so most journeys across the network pass through one of these central stops rather than needing a separate change of train.
Trains and network
Merseyrail's fleet is the Class 777, a modern electric unit with wide aisles, digital next stop displays and onboard Wi-Fi. The network is one of the most intensively used in the UK, with more than 600 trains running on a typical weekday and around 90,000 passenger journeys made each day.
Buying a ticket
Buy your ticket before travelling, either at a staffed ticket office, from a ticket vending machine, or online. Vending machines are placed at stations across the network and issue Standard Anytime Singles and Returns, Day Saver tickets, weekly Railpass and season ticket renewals, and Long Distance tickets covering onward travel on the rest of the national network; they also accept most Railcard discounts. Staffed ticket offices can advise on the full range of tickets, including long distance journeys beyond Merseyrail's own network.
Merseyrail also runs Tap & Go smart ticketing. Tap a MetroCard, a contactless bank card or a smart device on the platform validator or ticket gate at the start of the journey and again at the end; there is no need to buy a paper ticket in advance for journeys made this way.
Who runs Merseyrail
Merseyrail is operated jointly by Transport UK and Serco. The trains and stations are branded Merseyrail throughout, and the operator employs more than 1,200 staff to run the network.
Where to book
Train tickets
- Buy direct from Merseyrail
Merseyrail
Frequently asked questions
Where does Merseyrail run?
Merseyrail's Northern line links Liverpool with Southport, Ormskirk, Kirkby and Hunts Cross, while the Wirral line crosses under the Mersey to West Kirby, New Brighton, Ellesmere Port and Chester. Both lines pass through the underground city centre stations.
Who operates Merseyrail?
Merseyrail is run jointly by Transport UK and Serco, and all trains and stations are branded Merseyrail.
How do I buy a Merseyrail ticket?
Buy before boarding at a staffed ticket office, a ticket vending machine, or online. Vending machines issue Standard, Day Saver, Railpass and Long Distance tickets and accept most Railcard discounts.
Can I use contactless or a smartcard on Merseyrail?
Yes. Merseyrail's Tap & Go system lets you tap a MetroCard, a contactless bank card or a smart device on the platform validator or ticket gate at the start and end of your journey instead of buying a paper ticket.
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Official website
