Car Hire Liverpool

All you need to know about hiring a car in Liverpool

Liverpool is an iconic city that’s home to the beloved Beatles – and which has featured in songs by Jimmy Osmond, The Bangles, and more recently, The Wombats – so it’s the perfect location for hiring a car. Formerly the European Capital of Culture, there’s endless things to pack in on a trip to this maritime wonderland, whether it’s taking a ferry across the beloved River Mersey, taking a dip in the ‘Duckmarine’ (a bus-cum-boat), or visiting Albert Dock, home to Tate Liverpool art gallery. 

Although its link to the Fab Four is probably its biggest claim to fame, Liverpool also hosts the Grand National each year, has held the Eurovision Song Contest previously, and is home to both Everton and Liverpool football clubs. The first team plays at Goodison Park, which can seat almost 40,000 fans, but it’s dwarfed by Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium – which can hold 60,000.

With so much going for it, it’s no surprise Liverpool can be plagued by traffic hotspots, roadworks and travel delays. That’s why our guide can help with planning a trip to the city – whether you’re hiring a car in Liverpool for an event, group trip or couple’s break. 

Major travel links

As a leading UK city, Liverpool is extremely well-connected for travellers and commuters alike. When hiring a car in Liverpool, it helps to know:

  • The M62 motorway connects Liverpool with Hull, Manchester, Leeds, and Huddersfield.

  • The M6 takes you to Birmingham, Staffordshire, the Lake District and the Scottish border.

  • The John Lennon Airport, named after the Beatles singer-songwriter and solo artist, can take you all around the world. 

Of course, airport pick-up and drop-off can be complicated – with lots of parking zones and restrictions, and charges to contend with. With both short- and long-stay options, as well as a drop-off zone, it’s always best to check ahead of travel to factor costs and restrictions into your plans.

Something for the fans

As mentioned, football is a big deal in Liverpool (not to mention the rest of England). To get to Anfield Stadium and cheer on Liverpool FC, follow signposts from the city centre. It only takes a few minutes in the car, or around 40 minutes’ walking, but when match day comes, the crowds are out en masse. 

For Goodison Park, take care of the strictly enforced resident parking scheme. You may get fined if you park in a restricted area – or worse, clamped and towed. Parkopedia can help you find a parking space close to either stadium or the city centre.

Get ready for the races

Aintree Racecourse is found on the A59. It’s only a short distance from the motorways we’ve mentioned above, but pile-ups can happen in the three-day race period. Take extra time for travel, follow the yellow tourism signs and always check for disruptions before you leave in your Liverpool hire car. 

Time to tune in

The best local stations for Liverpool travel reports are BBC Radio Merseyside 95.80 and Capital (Liverpool) 107.60. Whether it’s an event day, holiday or just general travel, you’ll get all the latest news and reports when you tune in on-the-go.

The Mersey Tunnel

Thinking of travelling to the Wirral Peninsula? You’ll need to use the Mersey Tunnel – which comes with a charge. When hiring a car in Liverpool or beyond, the driver is responsible for any travel fees, tolls and charges, which you can pay in advance with a T-FLOW account.

Other help and advice

Hiring a car in Liverpool is easy with Nationwide Hire. From a choice of vehicles through to great add-ons and top service, just contact the team to get started.