How Much Does Liverpool Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Liverpool is a prominent maritime city that offers a wide spectrum of costs, typically proving more affordable than London but subject to significant price spikes during events. A solo traveler can navigate the city on a budget of $79 / £58 per day, while those seeking a premium experience at the historic docks should plan for upwards of $603 / £448. The cost of a visit is uniquely tied to the local football calendar and major festivals, which can cause accommodation rates to double or triple overnight. Visitors will find that the city’s rich musical heritage and coastal location provide ample opportunities for both low-cost exploration and high-end dining. Balancing a trip between the vibrant city center and the scenic waterfront is key to managing the overall budget.
Is Liverpool expensive to visit?
Liverpool is a moderately priced coastal destination—expect to spend between $79 / £58 and $603 / £448 per day depending on whether you are prioritizing budget hostels or luxury waterfront hotels.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Liverpool
$79
per person /day
$291
per person /day
$603
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $235 | $873 | $1,808 |
| 5-Day Trip | $393 | $1,456 | $3,013 |
| 7-Day Trip | $550 | $2,039 | $4,220 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is advisable to maintain a 15% buffer to account for the Liverpool ABID Levy of approximately $1.35 / £1.01 per night and the discretionary 10–12.5% service charges at restaurants. This buffer also covers potential $2.71 / £2.01 bridge tolls or the mandatory $68 / £50 cleaning fee if a Hackney Carriage is soiled.
How Does It Compare?
See how Liverpool stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Liverpool
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Traditional Pub Meal (Fish & Chips) Standard price in central pubs like The Philharmonic or The Ship & Mitre. | $22 £17 |
| Pint of Local Lager/Ale Outside of January promotions, expect to pay ~$7.06 / £5.24 in the city center. | $7.04 £5.23 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| AirLink 500 Express Bus (Airport to City) The fastest bus link to the city center. Contactless payment is standard. | $6.77 £5.03 |
| Merseyrail Day Saver (All Zones) Valid for unlimited rail travel after 09:30 on weekdays and all day weekends. | $8.12 £6.03 |
| Mersey Ferry River Explorer Cruise A 50-minute circular cruise with commentary. Includes entry to U-boat Story. | $18 £13 |
| Hackney Carriage Base Fare (Day) Daytime rate (06:00–23:00). Additional passengers cost ~$0.53 / £0.39 each. | $4.06 £3.02 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dorm bed in central hostel (YHA Liverpool Albert Dock) Budget option near the waterfront. Prices rise to ~$53 / £39 during weekends or football match days. | $38 £28 |
| Mid-range hotel (Leonardo Hotel Liverpool) Average rate for a central 4-star hotel. Expect to pay ~$212+ / £157+ during graduation weeks in July. | $183 £136 |
| Luxury hotel (Titanic Hotel Liverpool) Located in the historic Stanley Dock. Includes access to thermal suites for ~$27 / £20 extra. | $359 £267 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| LFC Stadium Tour & Museum (Anfield) Must be booked in advance. Prices may rise to ~$38 / £28 on match days. | $34 £25 |
| Magical Mystery Tour (Beatles Bus) 2-hour tour of Beatles landmarks. Includes admission to the Cavern Club (~$6.77 / £5.03 value). | $27 £20 |
| The Beatles Story Exhibition Located at Albert Dock. Audio guide in 12 languages included. | $27 £20 |
Other (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Merseyflow Bridge Toll (Unregistered) Applies to the Mersey Gateway and Silver Jubilee bridges. Pay online within 24 hours. | $2.71 £2.01 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The dining landscape ranges from casual waterfront eateries to high-end excellence menus, with a traditional pub meal like fish and chips costing $22 / £17 at central spots. A pint of local lager or ale typically costs $7.04 / £5.23, though independent hubs like the Baltic Market provide more variety for budget-conscious travelers. Many mid-range restaurants automatically add a discretionary 10–12.5% service charge to the final bill.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Mowgli Street Food
$12–$24 / £9.05–£18Bold Street · Local chain
The 'Office Worker's Tiffin' for ~$12 / £9.18 is a great value blind tasting of four dishes.
Bakchich
$11–$20 / £8.05–£15Bold Street · Street food area
Excellent Lebanese food; try the Falafel wrap for a quick lunch under ~$12 / £8.74.
Baltic Market
$9.49–$19 / £7.04–£14Baltic Triangle · Street market
Visit on a Sunday for a more relaxed vibe and varied trader options starting from ~$9.42 / £6.99.
Chop Chop
$10–$16 / £7.54–£12Fenwick Street · Local chain
Tiny Korean takeaway famous for Mega Chicken; expect a queue at lunch.
Shiraz BBQ
$14–$27 / £10–£20North John Street · Local chain
Massive portions of Turkish grilled meats; their lunch deal is unbeatable value at ~$14 / £10.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Navigating the waterfront and city center is efficient with the Merseyrail Day Saver, which offers unlimited travel across all zones for $8.12 / £6.03. For those arriving by air, the AirLink 500 Express Bus provides the fastest connection to the center at $6.77 / £5.03 per person. Exploring the Mersey from the water is best done via the River Explorer Cruise, which costs $18 / £13 and provides a unique vantage point of the city's skyline.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging options are diverse, from the YHA Liverpool Albert Dock where a dorm bed costs $38 / £28, to mid-range stays like the Leonardo Hotel Liverpool at $183 / £136. For a high-end maritime experience, the Titanic Hotel Liverpool at Stanley Dock charges $359 / £267 per night, offering a luxury atmosphere near the historic canals. The sweet spot for value is often found in the Ropewalks district, provided your stay does not coincide with a home football match.
Accommodation Budget in Liverpool
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase a Merseyrail Day Saver for $8.12 / £6.03 to travel to Crosby Beach for free outdoor art, rather than paying for multiple single tickets.
- 2 Book the LFC Stadium Tour in advance for $34 / £25 to avoid the increased $38 / £28 rate typically charged on match days.
- 3 Save on nightlife entry by taking the Magical Mystery Tour for $27 / £20, which includes a complimentary admission voucher for the Cavern Club worth $6.77 / £5.03.
- 4 Walk the 2km distance between the Albert Dock and the Baltic Triangle to avoid the $4.06 / £3.02 Hackney Carriage base fare.
- 5 Visit during May or September when temperatures are 15–20°C (59–68°F) to secure better hotel rates than the July peak or graduation weeks.
- 6 Utilize contactless payment on the AirLink 500 bus to ensure you pay the standard $6.77 / £5.03 fare without needing a physical ticket.
- 7 Eat at independent spots on Bold Street like Bakchich or Shiraz BBQ for lower prices than the tourist-heavy waterfront restaurants.
- 8 Always pay the Merseyflow Bridge toll of $2.71 / £2.01 online within 24 hours of crossing to avoid expensive penalty charges.
- 9 Check for pub lunch deals at The Ship & Mitre where a meal can be significantly cheaper than the $22 / £17 evening pub standard.
- 10 Look for hotels outside the immediate city center during the Grand National (mid-April) to avoid the quadrupled room rates.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-25-40%
Apr, May, Sep, Oct
Avoid match days and the Grand National (mid-April) when hotel prices can quadruple. May and September offer 15–20°C (59–68°F) weather and better room rates than the July peak.
Events to Watch
- ● International Beatleweek (late Aug): +60% hotels
- ● Grand National (April): +100% hotels
- ● LFC Home Matches: Significant price spikes
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Museum of Liverpool: Explore the city’s social and maritime history on the waterfront for $0.
- 2 World Museum: Discover five floors of natural history and space exhibits with no admission fee.
- 3 Walker Art Gallery: View one of the finest art collections in Europe for free.
- 4 Crosby Beach: See the 100 cast-iron figures of Antony Gormley's 'Another Place' installation at no cost.
- 5 Liverpool Central Library: Visit the stunning Picton Reading Room, one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.
- 6 Sefton Park: Wander through 235 acres of Grade I listed parkland and the Victorian Palm House.
- 7 Liverpool Cathedral: Entry to the UK's largest cathedral is free, offering incredible Neogothic architecture.
- 8 Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King: Visit this strikingly modern circular cathedral for $0.
- 9 The Georgian Quarter: Take a self-guided walking tour through the historic streets often used as film sets.
- 10 Pier Head and The Three Graces: Walk the UNESCO-listed waterfront to see the famous Liver Building.
- 11 St George's Hall: Admire the Neoclassical architecture and explore the heritage center for free.
- 12 Royal Albert Dock: Enjoy the atmosphere of the largest collection of Grade I listed buildings in the UK.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Afternoon Tea at Panoramic 34
One of the UK's highest restaurants; the 360-degree views of the Mersey are worth the ~$47 / £35 cost.
Private Beatles Taxi Tour
A personalized 3-hour tour in a classic black cab visiting spots bus tours can't reach. Costs ~$121 / £90 per cab.
The Art School Excellence Menu
Liverpool's premier fine dining experience by Paul Askew. The tasting menu (~$169 / £126) is a local culinary legend.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Liverpool
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Liverpool and what they cost
Chester
$12 / £9.26 by train
Free
$61 / £45
Crosby Beach (Another Place)
$7.04 / £5.23 by train
Free
$34 / £25
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
British Pound (GBP)
1 £ ≈ 1.35 $
No
Everywhere including street food markets and buses
10% is standard in restaurants. In pubs, tipping is not required, but 'keeping the change' is common. Taxis should be rounded up to the nearest $1.35 / £1.01.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (Barclays, HSBC) to avoid fees. Avoid 'Euronet' machines which charge high conversion fees (~$4.71–$7.06 / £3.5–£5.24).
Connectivity
eSIM: $14 for 5GB (30 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $20–$24 / £15–£17 at airport for 10-20GB
WiFi: Excellent in the city center via 'Liverpool-Free-WiFi' and in almost all cafés.
Use a local eSIM from Airalo or a Three UK SIM card for the best coverage.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Liverpool.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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