Eurovision fans are being urged to 'plan ahead' when it comes to travelling to and from the city centre, amid road congestion and train strikes. As EuroFestival launches across the city, these are the cheapest, and most available, public transport routes to consider.
Live performances at Pier Head's EuroVillage, Ukrainian art displays and hundreds of themed watch parties are just a few of the events taking place on top of the huge Grand Final event on Saturday, May 13, as thousands of fans are expected to flock to the city to soak up the atmosphere.
As the celebratory events kick off fans can find affordable tickets on routes into Liverpool with NationalExpress and FlixBus as ongoing rail strikes prove to make some train travel unreliable. Those making long journeys from across the country can find tickets for as little as £10.
READ MORE: Eurovision 2023: Dates of every show and final in Liverpool as tickets go on sale
Despite the rising demand cheap bus tickets are still available to book to travel on the day of the semi-final (Friday, May 12) and even early on the Grand Final night, Saturday, May 13 from across the country.
To help all Eurovision fans find the most reliable and affordable transport tickets we've rounded up the cheapest options getting in and out of Liverpool City Centre during the whole of the 2023 contest.
National Express from £7.90
National Express is proving to be an affordable transport route for fans travelling from other parts of the UK, whether it's just over an hour away from Manchester or four hours up from London.
During the time of ticket sales National Express bus route tickets between Manchester and Liverpool were going for as little as £2.50 each way. This route has now risen to around £11 but is still more than £5 cheaper than the average £17.20 train ticket from Manchester Piccadilly (service is also disrupted by strikes).
Routes up from London are in higher demand, as a few routes towards the Grand Final weekend are now sold out. Fans looking for a cheap ticket up in time for the final could get the 18:45 bus from London's Victoria Coach Station (for £17.90) before the price goes up on Saturday, May 13.
There are tickets available from London to Liverpool on the day of the Grand Final but the prices start at £51 for routes that would get you into Liverpool One in time for the final Eurovision event.
Throughout Thursday, May 11 and Saturday, May 13 routes to Liverpool can be found from Birmingham start at £7.90, Chester
FlixBus from £9
Another option for fans looking to travel cross country without access to trains, is FlixBus.
FlixBus prices from London Victoria Bus Station to Liverpool One start at £9 across the Grand Final weekend. The cheapest price we've found is on the 17:30 service on Thursday, May 11 at £9.98. Prices on the day of the Semi Final range between £21 and £26, for a single ticket.
Routes also include the one-hour journey from Manchester's Shudehill Interchange, which can be bought from £3.99 throughout the week.
For those looking at travel down from Edinburgh, the last available ticket can be found for £34 on Wednesday, May 10, all other routes in time for the final are now sold out.
Merseyrail pass
Merseyrail has confirmed it will not be affected by the upcoming train strike, which means fans can get reliable transport to and from the outskirts of Liverpool into the city centre.
Those staying outside of the city centre to avoid inflated hotel prices may need to make one of the many Merseyrail routes to the city centre, whether it's from nearby Aintree, Southport or from on the Wirral.
Weekly passes for those travelling to major events in the final week (May 8 to May 13) will save fans money, including the unlimited family pass for £13 (for a family of five), and the £4.45-day saver.
The day-saver ticket gives travellers unlimited travel on all Merseyrail train routes as long as it is outside of 06:31 and 09:39. Full details of Merseyrail's Eurovision schedule can be seen here.
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