This post has been created in collaboration with Stagecoach but all opinions are my own.
We all know that the cost of living is rising. That’s a fact that’s hard to avoid now. Every time I turn on the TV there’s a report about fuel costs and I wince every time I fill up my car with diesel.
It costs over £100 to fill up your car with petrol these days, and I admit I’m often having second thoughts about planning family road trips and outings.
So today, we’re going to show you some great travel hacks to help you have fun this summer without breaking the bank.
The answer is “Stagecoach!
Have you checked out the Stagecoach website or app lately to see how cheap bus travel is? I haven’t taken a long distance bus trip in the UK for years, but when I looked at the prices I couldn’t believe it. It was so cheap!
I use the Stagecoach Journey Planner to research all the places I can travel to from home. The cost of moving it is always a fraction of the cost of driving.
So when Stagecoach invited me to take part in their Bus Trip Challenge to see if I could plan a day out for two for just £40, I knew I had to give it a try!
Planning a cheap day out in Liverpool
For my bus travel challenge, I decided to plan a day out to Liverpool.
I often travel from my home in the suburbs of Chester to Liverpool and the total cost of traveling by car is £38.
it is:
- Fuel one way £7.00 = £14
- Mersey Tunnel one way £2.00 = £4
- parking at q Park Hanover Street costs £20 a day
But traveling with Stagecoach costs just £4.60!
How to get to Liverpool
The cheapest way to get from Chester to Liverpool is on the Stagecoach bus.
For just £4.60 you can pick up a Merseyside Plus Dayrider ticket and travel from Chester to Liverpool and back. What a bargain!
Given the rising cost of fuel, the cost of parking for the day in the city centre, and the fact that you have to pay to cross Runcorn Bridge or go through the Mersey Tunnel to get to Liverpool, this Stagecoach Bus tickets are best. Great price.
Where to eat and drink for cheap in Liverpool
One of my favorite places to eat in Liverpool is Baltic Market. This is Liverpool’s first street food market and is perfect for those on a budget as you can order small dishes rather than large meals all at once.
Eat lemongrass and chilli tofu with Vietnamese stir-fried noodles for £8 and share a wood-fired pizza from Little Furnace for £8.
Other options include the Spice Thai, which is an amazing Thai dish, and the best Drunken Noodles I’ve ever had. If you’re looking for delicious fried food, head to Patterson’s for fries, fried chicken, turkey twizzlers, nachos, and chicken wings. Christakis serves authentic Greek cuisine, while Beef on the Block offers the best steaks, chips and sauces. We also have lots of Middle Eastern food, sweet treats, and burgers!
For something special + enjoy views across the city
For a special experience on a budget, we recommend heading to the Goodness Gracious rooftop bar for a drink. This gorgeous bar offers some of the best views in Liverpool without paying any entrance fees!
Goodness Gracious offers views of Liverpool’s Three Graces (Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building), three of the city’s iconic symbols along Liverpool’s quayside. The Royal River Building in particular is special as it is an iconic landmark of Liverpool and is adorned with his two riverbirds, symbols of the city.
Goodness Gracious is located on the 8th floor of West Africa House.
Like most bars in the city center with great views, drinks here are not cheap. If you want to stick to a budget, order a soft drink or coffee!
Free things to do in Liverpool
It can be difficult to spend a day visiting a city without spending a lot of money. There’s something to tempt you on every corner, and there are plenty of activities and attractions. But thankfully, there’s plenty to see and do for free in Liverpool, and just a casual stroll around the city can keep you busy for hours. Here are some things to keep in mind while exploring!
I recommend plotting these on Google Maps or using my map below so you don’t miss any.
- Visit Albert Dock
- Visit Liverpool Museum
- Take a selfie next to the Beatles statue
- visit a bombed church
- Enjoying Liverpool Central Library (both inside and outside)
- Admire the Royal Liver Building
- Visit Tate Liverpool
- Stroll through Sefton Park
- Visit Walker Art Gallery
- Visit Merseyside Maritime Museum
Before you go home…
Go window shopping on Lark Lane
Lark Lane is a little gem in Liverpool. It’s just outside the city (on the way to Sefton Park) and has independent cafes, bars, restaurants, boutiques and vintage shops.
It’s a great place for a little window shopping and a walk. If you have £40 left in your budget then this is the place for you.
Total cost – £40
- bus – £4.60 x 2
- Vietnamese noodles – £8
- Little Furnace Pizza – £8
- Drinks at Goodness Gracious Rooftop Bar – £10
- £4.80 to spend at Lark Lane
We’re sure you’ll agree that you can still have a great day on a shoestring budget. This guy’s day at Liverpool costs definitely less than £40 for two people and includes so much. In Liverpool, you get great food, great views, and lots of tourist attractions for free!
Traveling with Stagecoach is definitely the best way to ensure you manage all this within your budget.