Anfield is one of the world’s great stadiums, a cathedral of the game, with Liverpool fans making pilgrimages there from all over the world.
With Liverpool at the top of their game, tickets are more popular than perhaps ever before, and demand is very high despite the recent expansion that added thousands of extra seats.
Those who are lucky enough to get a Liverpool FC ticket for a big game at Anfield will be looking for information about the best way to get to and from the stadium on a match day.
How you opt to travel to Anfield depends on how you plan to arrive in Liverpool. For first time visitors it can be a confusing experience, so this guide will tell you everything you need to know about travelling to Anfield.
Using public transportation:
- Closest Metrolink station:
- Etihad Campus
- Holt Town (closed for one hour after final whistle)
- Velopark Metrolink (closed for one hour after final whistle)
- Closest national rail stations:
- Liverpool Lime Street
- Sandhills (Merseyrail)
- Kirkdale (Merseyrail)
- Bus routes
- 17, 26, 68, 168, 501, 917, Soccerbus
Getting to Anfield by train
A lot of fans will head to Anfield by train from various parts of the country such as London. Liverpool’s main railway station is Lime Street, which is about two miles away from the stadium.
It is about a 40-minute walk to Anfield from Lime Street and we recommend stopping at May Duncans for a drink on the way. It is cheap and cheerful with a brilliant welcome and is usually busy with football fans on a match day, so is a great place to soak up the atmosphere.
Lime Street has various facilities including a big “Wetherspoons pub – The North Western” located on 7 Lime Street, Liverpool Station, Liverpool – which serves affordable food and craft beers. It is a decent place to have a few drinks and something to eat before heading to the game, though the city centre is packed with alternative options.
From Lime Street station to Anfield, it is about a 10-minute ride in a taxi though they may not be able to get very close to the stadium depending on how close to kick-off you are arriving.
Buses are plentiful and you can pay using a contactless card. The 917 will pick you up at St Johns Garden, just a couple of minutes away from Lime Street, and goes right to Anfield. An alternative is the 17, which you catch at Queen Square Bus Station. Both run regularly and take around 15-20 minutes to get to the stadium, depending on how heavy the traffic is on the day.
The 501 service is a special football service running on match days that picks fans up at Walton Breck Road and runs to Lime Street after the game is over.
Getting to Anfield by Train from London
If travelling to Anfield from London, there will be various options, but a direct route run by Avanti West Coast goes direct from Euston to Lime Street and takes two hours and 12 minutes.
For a typical 15.00 kick-off time in the Premier League, the train leaving London at 11.07 will get into Liverpool at 13.19, leaving plenty of time to make the rest of the trip to Anfield.
There are plenty of trains back to London after an afternoon kick-off, but the situation can be a little bit more difficult for late midweek games, with Champions League ties kicking off at 20.00.
As the last train to London leaves before the end of the game, you might want to consider staying in Liverpool and travelling back south the following day.
Driving to Anfield by Car
Like a lot of football stadiums, Anfield is best reached by public transport due to a lack of parking around the ground. Roads near Anfield tend to get very congested on match days and drivers are likely to find themselves getting stuck in traffic before and after the game. Our advice is to avoid getting to Anfield by car.
Car Parking Near Anfield
Those who do want to drive to Anfield, though, could park at Gwladys Street Primary And Nursery School, which is close to Goodison Park and a 10-minute walk from Anfield, but it can take a while to get out after the game. Official car parks are found at Stanley Car Park and Utting Avenue Car Park, but spaces must be booked in advance. Note: Some Liverpool Hospitality packages include Free parking at the stadium.
The car should be a last resort where possible as public transport is plentiful and cheap to access when travelling to and from Anfield.
Cycling to Anfield by Bike – Liverpool’s Cycle Hub Service
You could even cycle to Anfield. It takes about 20 minutes from the city centre and the LFC Cycle Hub on Anfield Road offers a safe and secure place to leave a bike during the game.
Getting to Anfield by Plane
If you are flying into the city, you may land at “John Lennon Airport”, which is around 10 miles to the south of the stadium.
A taxi should therefore not be too expensive if you plan to go straight to the game, or there are many buses into the city centre and you can make your way from there.
Be aware if getting to Anfield by plane that large bags or luggage cannot be taken inside the stadium. Small personal bags are OK, but they will be searched on entry. Bags are no larger than A5 (paper size) and only one bag per person is permitted. Further down this page you can see a list of permitted and not permitted items.
Getting to Anfield by plane via Manchester
For those landing in Manchester, the journey to Anfield is a little longer and a touch more complicated. You can get the 061 National Express from the airport into Liverpool city centre, from where it is a short trip on a bus, or you can go by train.
By rail, you will have to get a train from the airport into Manchester Victoria station – the journey takes around 30 minutes – and change on a train to Liverpool from there.
Most people will find it is quicker to go by coach from the airport to the stadium, though it depends on the time of your flight and what time the game is kicking off. Trains are more regular between Manchester and Liverpool but the coach from the airport is likely to be cheaper.
Places to Stay Near Anfield
Visitors may wish to consider booking accommodation for the day of their game, especially for a late kick-off, for instance for a Champions League match. The Anfield area is home to a few different Airbnbs that offer an affordable place to stay for the big game.
Nearby hotels include The “King Harry”, “Hotel Anfield”, “The Glenbuck Hotel” and “Masters Guest House”, but it is easy to get back into the city centre after a game and there is a huge range of accommodation to suit all price points in the heart of Liverpool.
The “Staycity Aparthotels Liverpool Waterfront” are a good choice for those on a budget while anyone seeking more luxury accommodation should consider top-rated options such as Liverpool at the Reach or “The Captains House”.
For something a bit out of the ordinary, you could even spend the night on a houseboat! There are a couple of decent options based at the marina within easy reach of the city centre.
What Time Should I Arrive at Anfield?
First-time visitors to Anfield will likely want to arrive early to get a feel for the place.
A couple of hours will suffice for most people, but the two fan zones at the stadium are open four hours before kick-off. One can be found at Anfield Road, which is the Family Park, while the other is Fan Zone Paisley Square and is located off Walton Breck Road.
There are lots of stalls selling food and drink, as well as merchandise, while there is a big screen showing exclusive Liverpool content. Kids have a chance to meet the club’s official mascot Mighty Red and pose for a photo with the famous Liver Bird – memories to last a lifetime.
The fan zones are a must-visit for those heading to Anfield for the first time, offering a chance to meet up with other fans and get excited about the game to come. Walking around the stadium offers a chance to take in the scale and the history of this famous old place.
Nearby pubs include “The Arkles Pub” and “The Sandon”, both of which are close to Anfield. They get very busy as kick off approaches, however, as both home and away fans are welcome.
For a bite to eat, we can recommend “Homebaked”, a community bakery, which is right next to the stadium (197 Oakfield Rd, Liverpool) and has a superb range of treats including vegetarian pies. They serve outstanding coffee as well. Sing Fong is a local takeaway next to Anfield that is very popular with home fans as well.
If you want to kill some time before heading to Anfield from Lime Street, you could go to the “World Museum”, which is open from 10am on Saturdays and features five floors of exhibits. The museum is behind “St George’s Hall”, which is one of the most stunning buildings in England.
The LFC Matchday Stadium Tour is also a brilliant way to learn more about the club too, offering fans to see the six European Cup trophies up close and personal. It takes 45 minutes and you get to touch the This Is Anfield sign as well as walk down the players’ tunnel.
Entering Anfield and Finding Your Seat
We advise fans to arrive at the ground 30 minutes prior to kick-off to allow time to get through security and enter the turnstiles and find your seat. That also gives you a chance to watch the players warm-up and take part in Anfield’s famous pre-game atmosphere.
The entrance you should use depends on which part of the stadium you will be sat in. For the Main Stand Upper level, use ground-level Turnstiles S or W. Main Stand Lower level entrances are at Turnstile T or V. State-of-the-art facilities are inside the concourses, so on a wet day if you do not want to be outside in the rain you can head into the ground early for food and drink too.
Turnstile T is next to the “Hillsborough Memorial”, which is important to visit for any fan. Turnstiles B, C, D, E and F are for the Kop while G-K are for the Centenary Stand. L-Q will get you into the Anfield Road Stand.
Once inside the concourse, follow the signs to find your seat and you can get comfortable and ready to enjoy the game.
Can I bring a backpack into Anfield?
Small personal bags are OK, but they will be searched on entry. Bags are no larger than A5 (paper size) and only one bag per person is permitted.
Items you will not be allowed to take inside the stadium include laptops, tools, alcohol, flares, air horns, video recording equipment and drink containers larger than 500ml.
Are There “Left Luggage” Facilities in Anfield?
No there are no left luggage facilities in Anfield. If you don’t have other options such as leaving your bug at the hotel etc., you may use paid “Luggage storage” services such as Bagbnb etc who operate several places across town – please make sure to check opening hours, rates and also reviews.
Is there a Cash Machine in Anfield?
No, there are no cash machines inside the stadium and the stadium itself is mostly cashless (use debit/credit cards in most places). You can withdraw cash from ATM machines located not far from the stadium (Walton Breck Road).
Leaving Anfield After the Game
With tens of thousands of people leaving the stadium, it can naturally take time for Anfield to clear and those in a rush might have to be patient and wait a while to exit.
However, people who have trains or planes to catch, particularly after evening games, may wish to consider leaving slightly before full-time in order to beat the crowds. Taxis can be found on Walton Breck Road and are usually the fastest route away from Anfield.
Plenty of buses head back into the city centre though traffic is likely to lead to delays. It can take an hour to get back to the city centre from Anfield after the game due to how busy the roads are.
Places to Hang Out in Liverpool After the Game
Liverpool is famous around the world for its nightlife so a trip to Anfield is a chance to check out some amazing pubs, bars and restaurants during your time in the city.
Restaurants in Liverpool
“The Art School Restaurant” and “Heritage Restaurant and Bar” are two of the best places to eat in the city, while the “Cavern Club” on 10 Mathew Street, is a must-visit late-night location for any fans of the Beatles.
Cocktail Bars in Liverpool
Other places to check out for a drink include “Berry and Rye”, “Jenever Gin Bar” and “Alma De Cuba” and those who want to dance the night away have a few good options too.
Clubs in Liverpool
“Heebie Jeebies”, “Kingdom Liverpool” and “XOXO” are some of the best clubs Liverpool has to offer, while Stanley Street is the hub of the LGBT community in the city.