Car hire in Liverpool - home to the Beatles

Liverpool is a city and a seaport in northwestern England, forming an irregular crescent along the north shore of the Mersey River just a few miles from the Irish Sea. With amazing cultural sites and the UNESCO World Heritage site The Royal Albert Dock, it is well worth a visit.

Once a small settlement, the city started to grow in 1207 when it was granted a Royal Charter by King John and was used as a port to dispatch men and supplies across the sea to reinforce his interests in Ireland. During the next centuries, it developed into an important trading port, exporting iron and wool, and importing mainly animal skins from Ireland. Due to the English Colonies in North America and West Indies, during the late 17th century, it was possible to trade sugar, tobacco and slaves. By the end of the 19th century, it had become the largest port outside of London in Britain. And, with the industrial boom the city begun to grow as many public buildings and structures started to appear all over the city.

During the 80’s Liverpool started to redevelop and re-grow around the dock area. By 2008, as new museums spread to celebrate the history and heritage, the city was awarded European Capital of Culture. With a car hire in Liverpool, you can explore all that this gem of a city has to offer, including the Philharmonic Hall, the Central Library, St George's Hall, the Walk Art Gallery, the two stunning Cathedral's and perhaps most important, the rise of the most influential band of all time, the Beatles.

Thanks to strong partnership between Auto Europe and local and international car hire suppliers you are sure to find, not only a suitable vehicle, but also the perfect car hire offer for your trip. Choose between pick-up locations throughout the city, and find, compare and book your rental car today. Should you need any assistance then our excellent reservations team are on hand to guide you over the phone on +44 123 3225 114.

How is the traffic in Liverpool?

As most major cities in the UK, traffic during rush hours can be quite bad, and as the centre is not very large we would recommend you to park your rental car during these hours. If you are planning on reaching the city centre via Queensway or Kingsway tunnel please be aware that a toll charge is mandatory. Cash and card options are both available as payment method.

Pay a visit to Auto Europe's driving information page to learn more about traffic regulations in the UK.

Where can I park my car hire in Liverpool?

The city has plenty of parking possibilities for you to choose from when planning on parking your car rental in Liverpool. Park on the waterfront and explore that part of the city, or park in the centre where you are right in the heart of Liverpool for shopping, restaurants, and theatres.

The city council offers parking at a variety of car parks, as well as on-street Pay and Display parking areas usually from 8 am-6 pm, every day. The parking charges are divided into an inner and outer zone where the charges vary between £1.00 - £5.00 depending on the length of your stay. Another alternative for parking is is Liverpool ONE car park situated within the ONE Shopping centre, it is open 24/7 and is a good option for your hire car.

It can be difficult to find parking during the peak hours. Outside of these zones, there are some restricted zones where parking is only for residents. These areas are signposted so make sure that you are not parking illegally.

Liverpool Airport

Known as John Lennon Airport, and one of the fastest-growing airports in Europe, Liverpool Airport is the 12th busiest airport in the UK. It provides more than 70 destinations routes, through 7 airlines companies.

Only 10 miles from the city centre and strategically located close to the motorway network, linking the M56, M57 and M62 motorways, it provides good road access from the North West, North Wales and so on. Drivers should follow the road signage to access car parks and drop off areas.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL)
Address: Speke Hall Ave, Speke, Liverpool L24 1YD, United Kingdom
Official website: liverpoolairport.com
Phone number: +44 871 521 8484

What to do in Liverpool

With a car hire in Liverpool you can explore this diverse city and the surrounding areas in comfort and style. Jump in your hire vehicle and drive out of the city to experience the world famous Grand National horse race at Aintree or visit some of the most iconic sights below:

• The Beatles Story: Located at the amazing UNESCO World Heritage site at the Royal Albert Dock, The Beatles Story is a must-see attraction that transports you on an immersive journey into the Beatles. A FAB4 Cafe is located in site and open all year, perfect for a re-fuel after the visit and offers free Wi-Fi as well. Do not forget to buy your souvenir from one of the FAB4 Store, with some unique gifts and limited editions.


• Tate Liverpool: Upon its opening in 1897, Tate displayed a small collection of British artworks. Nowadays it is the biggest art gallery outside of London and a must-see-attraction also located at the Albert Dock.


• The Cavern Club: One of the most famous clubs worldwide is still a cradle to British pop music and the place where The Beatles began its amazing journey. Nowadays it is a live music destination with three venues, showcasing The Beatles, established artists and new up and coming bands. With live music from 11:15 AM every day, you can't miss this stunning club.


• Royal Albert Dock: Opened in 1846, and considered revolutionary thanks to its loading and unloading of ship cargo directly from the warehouses, as well as the instalment of a hydraulic cranes, the docks were once a popular place for storing valuable cargo. Today the docks are transformed in to a busy cosmopolitan centre with cafes, shops, bars, hotels, restaurants and museums and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.


• Anglican Cathedral: Known as the Liverpool Cathedral, this Anglican cathedral was erected between 1904 and 1978. With 207 yards (189m) it is the longest cathedral in the world. The tower experience is a one of a kind panoramic view from 500ft above sea level and the only open-air 360º rooftop view of Liverpool.


• Metropolitan Cathedral: The construction begun in 1962 and was completed in 1967, several designs were proposed in 1933 and 1953 but never completed. The spirit of the Cathedral is embedded in its history, a tale of determination and conviction created a spiritual place for all who use it. Take some time to explore the Crypt our witness one of the music concert.

Best day trips with my car rental in Liverpool

If you've decided to rent a car in Liverpool, you’ll have the freedom to get to know the surroundings and discover more of what the north of England has to offer. Why not start with some of the below. And for all the Golf-lovers out there we highly recommend our road trip guide to the Golf Course road trip, taking you to some of the best golf courses in the world.

Lake District National Park

Just 1.30h away from Liverpool via M6 motorway, lies the largest national park in England, with breathtaking skylines and beautiful lakes it is well worth the drive. Here you can walk, cycle and even take a step back in time by visiting the historic houses and gardens,as well as the roman remains and the four well-conserved stone circles.

Southport

This seaside town is just 40 minutes away from Liverpool and offers a range of attractions. This small town has everything you might look for in a relaxing get-away, with sandy beaches, a stroll along the quiet pier or perhaps some excitement with a visit to SplashWorld and Pleasureland theme park. Perfect in all weather conditions, take a break from busiest city life and enjoy.

Manchester

Driving along the M62, 1 hour later you'll reach this lovely city, with a lot on offer. Being the first industrialised city in the world, Manchester pays homage to its roots with museums and the conservation of historic sites. Also known for its music, like the Oasis and The Smiths.

How to get around Liverpool

Liverpool has a good public transport system and is accessible by all. Mersey Travel runs all the public transportation network, including bus, train and ferry services.

Train

Liverpool has two separate rail networks. The local metro runs in the centre of Liverpool and surrounding Birkenhead and is operated by Merseytravel. It has three lines, Northern, Wirral and City Line, with over 75 miles of track. In the city centre, there are 4 central stations located in the shopping and business area. There are also mainline train services running from Lime Street station to the rest of England.

Bus

Close to the city centre, you can find two main bus terminals, the Queen Square and Liverpool One bus station. There is a variety of tickets and passes available, including one-day Saveaway passes. Local buses serve the city centre and surrounding areas. There are also long distance coaches operating from Norton Street Coach Station.

Taxi

Taxis can be found in several places around the city, including the main bus stops and train stations.

Boat

Located at the Pier Head Ferry Terminal, you’ll find the Mersey ferry which offers river exploring, bird watching and day trip cruises.

Bicycle hire

More than 100 stations are available across the city. Daily passes can be purchased.

Useful links

Visit Liverpool Official Visitor’s Guide