Liverpool River Cruise & Bus Tour: Mersey Ferry & City Explorer

See Liverpool from the water, then hop on and off the bus as you choose

A combo ticket for Liverpool that pairs a River Explorer Cruise aboard the Mersey Ferry with a 48-hour hop-on hop-off City Explorer Bus Tour covering 11 stops across the city. The cruise departs hourly from Pier Head Gerry Marsden Terminal and includes digital audio commentary. The bus is valid on the day of your cruise and the following day, letting you split the sightseeing however you want. Children from age 5 are welcome, and both the ferry and bus are wheelchair accessible.

The experience

Start at Liverpool Pier Head Gerry Marsden Terminal, where you board the Mersey Ferry for a River Explorer Cruise. The ferry runs every hour on the hour between 10am and 4pm, and you can catch any departure that suits your day. Just arrive 25 minutes early to redeem your voucher. From the water, you see the Liverpool waterfront and its landmarks unfold. Digital commentary is available if you bring your own headphones and scan the QR code onboard, or you can pick up a printed route fact sheet in multiple languages at the terminal.

After the cruise, board the City Explorer Open Top Bus Tour, which covers 11 stops including the Cavern Club, the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Royal Albert Dock, and the Baltic Market with its independent bars and coffee shops. The bus is hop-on hop-off, so you get off where you want, spend as long as you like, and catch the next bus when you're ready. Your bus ticket is valid for 48 hours from when you redeem it, which means you can use it on the same day as your cruise and again the next day: no need to cram everything into one afternoon.

Both the ferry and the bus operate in all weather, so dress for the conditions. The ferry has a coffee shop and restrooms onboard, and the main deck is wheelchair accessible. The last bus tour of the day departs at 3pm, but since your ticket carries over to the following day, you can pick it up again in the morning.

What’s included

• River Explorer Cruise aboard the Mersey Ferry with digital audio commentary available (bring your own headphones).
• City Explorer Open Top Bus Tour with hop-on hop-off access to 11 stops across Liverpool.
• bus ticket valid for 48 hours from redemption, covering the day of your cruise and the following day.
• coffee shop and restrooms onboard the ferry.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Mersey Ferries

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want flexibility to explore Liverpool's waterfront and neighborhoods at your own pace: the ferry runs hourly so you can hop on whenever suits you, and the bus lets you stop at attractions that interest you rather than following a set route.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What time do the Mersey Ferry cruises leave from Pier Head?

The River Explorer Cruise departs every hour on the hour between 10am and 4pm from Liverpool Pier Head Gerry Marsden Terminal. Arrive at least 25 minutes before your chosen departure time to redeem your voucher.

Can I use the bus tour on a different day from the cruise?

Yes. The City Explorer Bus Tour is valid for 48 hours from the moment you redeem it, so you can use it on the same day as your cruise and again the following day. The last bus departs at 3pm each day.

What is included in the digital commentary on the ferry?

Digital audio commentary is available on the River Explorer Cruise via a QR code you scan onboard with your smartphone. Bring your own headphones, ensure your phone is charged, and have mobile data enabled. If you don't have a smartphone, the ferry terminal provides printed route fact sheets in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Ukrainian and Arabic.

Is the ferry accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes, the Mersey Ferry is wheelchair accessible on the main deck. The City Explorer Bus Tour is also wheelchair accessible. Both the ferry and bus operate in all weather conditions.

What attractions does the bus tour pass?

The City Explorer Bus Tour covers 11 stops including the home of the famous Cavern Club, museums and galleries, the Chinese arch, Royal Albert Dock, the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Baltic Market with independent bars, coffee shops and stalls. You hop on and off as you choose.