What better way to get to know Liverpool than on board an iconic Mersey River ferry boat? Hop aboard a historic vessel for 50 minutes on the river that helped The Beatles earn their fame.

With a healthy concentration of city highlights found near the riverside, you’ll see Liverpool at its most photogenic. Start your visit to northwestern England with a boat tour in Liverpool to introduce you to all that this celebrated city has to offer.

Here's all you need to know about boat tours, one of the most invigorating outdoor activities in Liverpool.

What are the most popular boat tours in Liverpool?

Albert Docks cruise

Although Albert Docks cruises stay within the port for their 30-minute duration, this small but influential corner of town packs a punch. Starting as a gritty shipping hub, the docks’ revival as an entertainment zone has breathed new life into this waterside complex.

Enjoy the comfort of tables with booth seating in the boats’ interior. Sip a hot drink from the ship’s bar as you listen to the cruise’s audio guide. The covered space keeps you warm and dry while making hearing the commentary easy as you’re regaled with a century and a half of history.

Mersey River Explorer Cruise

Get to know Liverpool from the famous Mersey River on an Explorer Cruise. These jaunts of less than 1 hour are an offbeat start to your stay in the city.

Learn how Liverpool became a powerful shipping and military outpost. Discover Liverpool’s shady legacy of smuggling, and hear about the role the ferries played in The Beatles’ rise to fame. Marvel at the changes that have converted the river’s edge from industrial eyesores to cultural and social hotspots.

Ferry cruise plus hop-on hop-off bus tours

Combine your sightseeing with ferry cruise tickets that come with hop-on hop-off bus tours. Learn the layout of the town as well as facts about its past and present with live commentary on the bus and recorded audio on the boat.

The bus route reaches 14 of the city’s most popular areas. Great for you and your family’s first day in Liverpool, kick off your tour with a ferry cruise. Then, make the bus’s full loop to get a feel for the attractions you’d like to see before hopping off at your first destination.

You must use your ferry tickets the day you purchase your passes, but the hop-on hop-off bus passes are valid for a full 24 hours. Family packages make the experience more affordable than individual tickets.

How much do boat tours in Liverpool cost?

Albert Docks cruises cost around £10 per person for a 30-minute tour. Mersey River Explorer Cruises cost around £15 per adult. Children ages 5 to 15 enjoy reduced prices of £10 per person, and children under 5 ride for free. Boats feature cafes and bars as well as wheelchair-accessible restrooms.

Combo river cruise and hop-on hop-off bus tours cost around £25 per adult. Tickets for children ages 5 to 15 are £15 per person. Senior citizens and students ride for £20 per person, and children ages 4 and under ride for free.

Which places are seen?

The 3 Graces

Kick your Liverpool river cruise off as you float by the monumental 3 Graces. The Royal Liver, the Cunard and the Port of Liverpool Buildings, dubbed the 3 Graces, have overlooked the Mersey for over 100 years. Snap photos of the stately structures at the beginning or the end of your tour.

Cathedrals

Liverpool’s two cathedrals could hardly be more different from each other, and both are highlights of the view from the river. The Liverpool Cathedral boasts a more traditional gothic style. Contrast it to the mid-century modern Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ with its conical style capped with a “crown” that points toward the heavens.

Museums

Spy many of central Liverpool’s museums from the water. The Tate Liverpool, the Mersey Maritime Museum and the Museum of Liverpool are all steps from the river, several of them right at the Royal Albert Docks.

Royal Albert Docks

The Royal Albert Docks have held their place at the Mersey’s edge for over 150 years. Its had a facelift in recent years, and its purposes have changed from utilitarian to fun.

The docks now house restaurants, shops, museums and more. Learn about the dock’s rich past while deciding which amusements you’d like to try here after your cruise.

Snowdrop ferry

The city’s most famous ferry, the “Snowdrop”, was designed by Sir Peter Blake, the creator of The Beatles’ album cover for “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” With a bit of luck, you may even get a chance to tour the river in the “Snowdrop” itself.

The Beatles are by and large Liverpool’s most celebrated native sons. The ferries were a quirky venue for a concert series in the early 60s. Hear about how their “Riverboat Shuffle” cruises on the “Royal Iris” rose to popularity.

How long does a boat trip last?

Albert Dock boat tours last 30 minutes, and Mersey River Explorer Cruises boat trips take 50 minutes to make the entire loop. You have the ability to board the boat at any time during the day of your ticket purchase.

Where do boat tours leave from?

Ferry tours leave from the Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal at Pier Head. Since your ferry ticket gives you the ability to hop off at sites you’d like to visit in depth, additional boarding points are at Seacombe/Wallasey and Woodside Birkenhead.

Is it wheelchair friendly?

Explorer Cruise tours in Liverpool are wheelchair friendly, but Albert Docks cruise boats are not.

When is the best time for a boat trip in Liverpool?

The best time for a boat tour in Liverpool is between May and September, when the weather is clearer and more optimal for outdoor activities. However, you may want to go in the shoulder months outside July and August, as this is the peak summer tourist season.

Travel tips

Liverpool's weather can be unpredictable. Check the forecast on the day of your tour and dress accordingly. Even in summer, it can get chilly out on the water, so it's a good idea to bring layers.
Arriving a bit early ensures you have plenty of time to board and can choose the best seating to optimize your viewing experience.
You'll see fantastic views of Liverpool's waterfront. Bring a camera and be ready to capture these scenes.
Even if it's a cloudy day, you can still get sunburned on the water. Bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunblock to protect yourself.
If you're prone to motion sickness, take necessary precautions like motion sickness tablets before the trip.
Fans of The Beatles can learn more about the famous band on a Beatles tour in Liverpool.

Boat Tours in Liverpool