Hi, I’m Sean Robertson, Deputy Sector Marshal at Mountain Box (Sector 9) on the TT course, and an Ambassador at Liverpool Cruise Terminal. Every year we welcome thousands of bikers through Liverpool on their way to the Isle of Man and I have updated my guide to Liverpool and the embarkation process to help your journey to the Isle of Man go smoothly and safely.
Location
The Liverpool terminal is situated at the Pier Head, next to the Royal Liver Building and the Cruise Terminal. Address is St Nicholas Place, L3 1DL
The Liverpool terminal is situated at the Pier Head, next to the Royal Liver Building and the Cruise Terminal. Address is St Nicholas Place, L3 1DL
Access
M62, M57, M58 follow signs for “Waterfront” not for the commercial freight docks. As you approach the tall waterfront buildings the Royal Liver Building is recognisable by the Liver Birds on top of the towers, head for this building. From the south turn left at the lights immediately after the Liver Building. The slip road into check-in is second on the left (not counting the car park). From the north as you approach the Liver Building get into the right lane and turn right at the lights at the Liver Building.
p.s. If you’re coming in on the M62 the speed limit reduces to 50 about half a mile from the end (with a very profitable speed camera, next to the “Motorway Ends 1/3rd Mile” overhead sign).
M62, M57, M58 follow signs for “Waterfront” not for the commercial freight docks. As you approach the tall waterfront buildings the Royal Liver Building is recognisable by the Liver Birds on top of the towers, head for this building. From the south turn left at the lights immediately after the Liver Building. The slip road into check-in is second on the left (not counting the car park). From the north as you approach the Liver Building get into the right lane and turn right at the lights at the Liver Building.
p.s. If you’re coming in on the M62 the speed limit reduces to 50 about half a mile from the end (with a very profitable speed camera, next to the “Motorway Ends 1/3rd Mile” overhead sign).
M53, go through the Wallasey Tunnel, when leaving at the Liverpool tunnel keep right and follow for the Waterfront – the exit road from the tunnel is a favourite place for the police to do speed checks – 30mph. Once off the tunnel approach road and onto Scotland Road you'll be turning right at the next lights. Then carry straight on until the road veers to the left after the 3rd set of lights, get into the right-hand lane and turn right at the Liver Building.
A41 through Cheshire head for the Birkenhead tunnel. Keep in the left-hand lane as you enter the tunnel, the tunnel is 2 miles long, but towards the end there is a left turn, take this and when you emerge from the tunnel you’ll be directly opposite the Liver Building. Go straight ahead at the lights leaving the tunnel, then get into the right lane as you turn right at the next lights.
If you miss the turn off in the tunnel turn left after leaving the main exit of the tunnel then left at the second set of lights. Head down Leeds St carrying straight on until the road veers to the left after the 3rd set of lights, get into the right-hand lane and turn right at the Liver Building (updated 19/08 as Dale Street is temporarily closed)
p.s. as you approach Birkenhead on the A41 the Rock Ferry Bypass now has average speed cameras operating (50 mph)
p.s. as you approach Birkenhead on the A41 the Rock Ferry Bypass now has average speed cameras operating (50 mph)
For both tunnels, motorbikes are free, there is a dedicated motorbike lane at the toll booths, Cars are £1.80, and you pay in cash or contactless card at the booths (Birkenhead/Wallasey end only - both directions).
M56 and over the Runcorn Bridge, the old bridge is closed, the new bridge is a toll bridge, it is free for motorbikes but if you’re in a car or van you need to pay (£2 for cars), there are no toll booths you need to log onto https://www.merseyflow.co.uk/ and pay your toll, you have until midnight the day after you cross the bridge, but you can log on and pay in advance and the toll will be taken when you cross.
Security
As with any large city, Liverpool has its share of crime, although statistically, and despite the stereotype, it has one of the lowest levels of vehicle crime of any large UK city. Indeed, with increased Police presence in Liverpool some of the organised thieves have moved their attention to Heysham.
However, if yours is the bike that gets stolen statistics are meaningless. Opportunistic and organised thieves will always help themselves to easy pickings and thousands of bikers who don’t know the area are an all too easy target. Never leave your bike or belongings unattended.
As with any large city, Liverpool has its share of crime, although statistically, and despite the stereotype, it has one of the lowest levels of vehicle crime of any large UK city. Indeed, with increased Police presence in Liverpool some of the organised thieves have moved their attention to Heysham.
However, if yours is the bike that gets stolen statistics are meaningless. Opportunistic and organised thieves will always help themselves to easy pickings and thousands of bikers who don’t know the area are an all too easy target. Never leave your bike or belongings unattended.
If you need to head off for food or the shops and cannot leave someone looking after your bike put it one of the nearby car parks. A few pounds are a small price to pay for peace of mind.
These three are open and staffed 24/7.
Liverpool Waters - Princes Dock - along from the Crown Plaza Hotel.
Q Park - Liverpool One - enter/exit via The Strand
Capital Building - enter/exit via Rumford Place behind the Mercure Atlantic Tower Hotel.
Liverpool Waters - Princes Dock - along from the Crown Plaza Hotel.
Q Park - Liverpool One - enter/exit via The Strand
Capital Building - enter/exit via Rumford Place behind the Mercure Atlantic Tower Hotel.
Terminal
The passenger terminal is on the floating stage, and marshalling area for bikes/cars has no facilities apart from the check in booth. Toilets are in the passenger terminal on the floating stage, or in the hotels over the road - Crown Plaza or Mercure Atlantic Tower. Toilets also in the Museum of Liverpool.
The passenger terminal is on the floating stage, and marshalling area for bikes/cars has no facilities apart from the check in booth. Toilets are in the passenger terminal on the floating stage, or in the hotels over the road - Crown Plaza or Mercure Atlantic Tower. Toilets also in the Museum of Liverpool.
Check In (bikes and cars)
Once through the pair of check in booths you’ll be directed round to the holding area, then down the grey bridge onto the floating stage. Note: halfway down the bridge to the stage your boarding pass will be collected so keep it handy, from that point the stage becomes a secure location so anyone not travelling will not be able to go down there, nor will you be allowed back up. Once on the stage you’ll be parked up in rows to wait your turn to board the ship. Bikes normally go on first, then foot passengers, with cars put on last.
Food
McDonalds* and KFC* are on the Strand and are 24/7, but if you are here during the day, consider heading to the Baltic Triangle area.
McDonalds* and KFC* are on the Strand and are 24/7, but if you are here during the day, consider heading to the Baltic Triangle area.
Thursday to Sunday I recommend the Baltic Market at Cains Brewery on Stanhope Street.
A good place during the day is Brasco Lounge near to Liverpool Museum on the waterfront, just a few minutes’ walk from the terminal. If you want something more substantial head to Liverpool One or Castle Street.
* warning - a few bikes have been stolen in the past from McDonalds - don’t leave your bike unattended here!
Nearest Services and Facilities
Supermarkets
Tesco - Strand L2 0PP - Daily 6am to 11pm
Tesco - Old Hall Street L3 9RQ - Daily 6am to 11pm (Sainsburys opposite)
Cashpoints - at the above supermarkets
Hotels - many in the city centre, the nearest are:
Crown Plaza (opposite the terminal)
Mercure Atlantic Tower
Malmaison
Ibis (opposite Albert Dock)
Jury’s Inn (Kings Dock)
Shops - the open air Liverpool One Shopping area with 170+ shops is opposite the Albert Dock. Shops are open Mon to Fri 9:30am to 8pm; Sat 9am to 7pm; Sun 11am to 5pm
Supermarkets
Tesco - Strand L2 0PP - Daily 6am to 11pm
Tesco - Old Hall Street L3 9RQ - Daily 6am to 11pm (Sainsburys opposite)
Cashpoints - at the above supermarkets
Hotels - many in the city centre, the nearest are:
Crown Plaza (opposite the terminal)
Mercure Atlantic Tower
Malmaison
Ibis (opposite Albert Dock)
Jury’s Inn (Kings Dock)
Shops - the open air Liverpool One Shopping area with 170+ shops is opposite the Albert Dock. Shops are open Mon to Fri 9:30am to 8pm; Sat 9am to 7pm; Sun 11am to 5pm
Fuel
Nearest petrol stations are:
Costco - Cardholders only - Waterloo Road L3 7HY - Store hours
BP - Great Howard Street L3 7AT - 7am to 10pm
BP - Sefton Street L8 6UD - 7am to 10pm
Shell - Scotland Road L5 5AQ - 24 hours
Shell - Derby Road L20 1AD - 24 hours
Shell - Edge Lane L7 9LD - 24 hours
Nearest petrol stations are:
Costco - Cardholders only - Waterloo Road L3 7HY - Store hours
BP - Great Howard Street L3 7AT - 7am to 10pm
BP - Sefton Street L8 6UD - 7am to 10pm
Shell - Scotland Road L5 5AQ - 24 hours
Shell - Derby Road L20 1AD - 24 hours
Shell - Edge Lane L7 9LD - 24 hours
Cruise Terminal
The cruise terminal is next to the Isle of Man terminal, and the ships berth on the same floating stage. Take care when cruise ships are in port, passengers are mostly American or continental European, who won’t be used to hundreds of bikes going past on the “wrong” side of the road. The larger ships can carry over 3,000 passengers and we can have 40+ coaches heading to the terminal from shore excursions, plus hundreds of passengers walking back into the terminal especially in the late afternoon when our busy time is between 4pm and 6pm.
The cruise terminal is next to the Isle of Man terminal, and the ships berth on the same floating stage. Take care when cruise ships are in port, passengers are mostly American or continental European, who won’t be used to hundreds of bikes going past on the “wrong” side of the road. The larger ships can carry over 3,000 passengers and we can have 40+ coaches heading to the terminal from shore excursions, plus hundreds of passengers walking back into the terminal especially in the late afternoon when our busy time is between 4pm and 6pm.
During CTT/MGP 2019, the following ships are scheduled:
Date, Ship, Arrive-Depart
17th Aug, Aida Bella, 09:00-22:00
18th Aug, Magellan, 09:00-20:00
19th Aug, Queen Victoria, 08:00-23:00
20th Aug, Celebrity Reflection, 06:00-17:00
21st Aug, Black Watch, 06:30-17:00
24th Aug, Astor, 08:00-19:00
25th Aug, Viking Sun, 07:00-18:00
26th Aug, Black Watch, 06:30-17:00
29th Aug, Magellan, 12:00-20:00
30th Aug, Costa Mediterranea, 08:00-18:00
3rd Sept, Black Watch, 06:30-17:00
17th Aug, Aida Bella, 09:00-22:00
18th Aug, Magellan, 09:00-20:00
19th Aug, Queen Victoria, 08:00-23:00
20th Aug, Celebrity Reflection, 06:00-17:00
21st Aug, Black Watch, 06:30-17:00
24th Aug, Astor, 08:00-19:00
25th Aug, Viking Sun, 07:00-18:00
26th Aug, Black Watch, 06:30-17:00
29th Aug, Magellan, 12:00-20:00
30th Aug, Costa Mediterranea, 08:00-18:00
3rd Sept, Black Watch, 06:30-17:00
Note, during cruise ship operations the section of Princes Parade adjacent to the cruise terminal is closed to traffic and pedestrians, but there is a road around the back of the terminal.
Events
There are no events happening around the city in the next few weeks which impact on travel to or from the ferry terminal.
Home football matches cause delays especially on the A59, East Lancs Road and M62:
Sat 17th Aug Everton v Watford 15:00 kick off
Sat 24th Aug Liverpool v Arsenal 17:30 kick off
Sun 1st Sept Everton v Wolves 14:00 kick off
There are no events happening around the city in the next few weeks which impact on travel to or from the ferry terminal.
Home football matches cause delays especially on the A59, East Lancs Road and M62:
Sat 17th Aug Everton v Watford 15:00 kick off
Sat 24th Aug Liverpool v Arsenal 17:30 kick off
Sun 1st Sept Everton v Wolves 14:00 kick off
Going Home
When disembarking from Manannan on the way home, you’ll leave the stage via the shorter of the bridges, this can be VERY steep at low tide (1 in 4), so take care. When you get to the top and into St Nicolas Place lots of bikes will pull over to group together, so it can get very congested here, especially with taxis and cruise ship traffic, if you are going to wait to group up, try riding around the back of the cruise terminal where there is much more space on Princes Parade.
When disembarking from Manannan on the way home, you’ll leave the stage via the shorter of the bridges, this can be VERY steep at low tide (1 in 4), so take care. When you get to the top and into St Nicolas Place lots of bikes will pull over to group together, so it can get very congested here, especially with taxis and cruise ship traffic, if you are going to wait to group up, try riding around the back of the cruise terminal where there is much more space on Princes Parade.
From St Nicholas Place you’ll come to the first set of traffic lights. If you are heading for the M62 or Wallasey Tunnel and M53. Turn left then get into the middle or right lane to head up Leeds Street then follow the signs to the motorway or tunnel.
If you are heading for the Birkenhead tunnel (A41) go straight ahead (between the white hotel and church) this road (Tithebarn Street) leads to the tunnel entrance. DO NOT go this way of you're heading for the M62, the flyover at the end of the road is now closed and you cannot continue straight on.
If you're heading for the M57 or M58, turn left and head north for 4 miles until you get to Seaforth and then follow the signs for the motorways.
I hope the information above has been useful. If you spot anything that needs correcting, amending or adding to, please leave a comment or tweet me @seanlxiv and I’ll try to keep this updated.
Ride safely. Look after yourself, your bike and belongings and have a great CTT and Manx Grand Prix
