Travel tips · Liverpool · United Kingdom
Liverpool travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Peter Tarleton, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Liverpudlians, or Scousers, are known for their humour, warmth and directness, and for a strong, distinctive accent. The city is proud of its maritime and musical heritage and of its two football clubs, and its working-class and Irish roots run deep. Locals are generally quick to chat and give directions.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- GBP
- Plugs
- Type G three-pin sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe and good to drink.
- Emergency
- 999 or 112
Things to know
- Queue for buses and at busy bars; pushing in is frowned upon.
- Order and pay at the bar in pubs; table service is unusual.
- Football allegiance matters: be tactful about wearing one club's colours in the other club's pubs.
- Being called 'love', 'mate' or 'la' is friendly, not rude.
- Avoid jokes about the Hillsborough disaster; it remains a deeply painful subject in the city.
- Book Anfield stadium tour ahead: Book online in advance, especially around school holidays and match weekends.
- Book Royal Liver Building tower tour ahead: Tours run in small groups at set times; book online in advance.
- Book Beatles childhood homes (National Trust) ahead: Places on the small minibus tours are limited; book with the National Trust in advance.
- The Museum of Liverpool, the Walker Art Gallery, the World Museum and both cathedrals are free to enter.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in pubs. In restaurants, about 10–12.5% is normal for good service; check whether a discretionary service charge has already been added.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| La | Mate (Scouse slang) |
| Boss | Great, excellent |
| Sound | OK, fine, good |
| Ta-ra | Goodbye |
| Made up | Delighted |
What to wear
Casual everywhere; a waterproof jacket is useful all year, as wind off the Mersey can make the waterfront feel colder than the forecast.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type G three-pin sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe and good to drink.
- Emergency number
- 999 or 112
- Phone and internet
- 4G and 5G coverage is good across the city; non-UK visitors can buy a local SIM or use an eSIM, and EU roaming terms depend on your provider.
- Time zone
- Europe/London
Liverpool is generally safe for visitors, but pickpocketing and phone theft occur in busy shopping streets and crowded nightlife areas. On the beaches at Crosby and the Wirral, tides come in fast across wide sands and mud, so check tide times and never walk out to Hilbre Island without guidance.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United Kingdom's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Liverpool?
Tipping is not expected in pubs. In restaurants, about 10–12.5% is normal for good service; check whether a discretionary service charge has already been added.
+Can you drink the tap water in Liverpool?
Tap water is safe and good to drink.
+What plugs are used in Liverpool?
Type G three-pin sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Liverpool?
English.