Cheshire and Wirral rail

County Advice Overview

A number of train companies operate across Cheshire including Avanti West Coast, London Northwestern (both to London), Merseyrail (services to Wirral and Liverpool stations), Northern (travel along Pennine routes) and Transport for Wales (services into Wales).

The only rail operators on the Wirral are Merseyrail and Transport for Wales (to Bidston from North Wales).

Not all stations are fully accessible or have accessible facilities. If a traveller requires accessible facilities, it is advisable to plan a route carefully. 

For official departure information and ticket prices, visit the National Rail website or call 03457 48 49 50 (lines open 24 hours, except Christmas Day).

Key Tips

Book well in advance – fares will be lower. Fares booked online are also likely to be cheaper.

If you have additional mobility needs, contact your train company or use Passenger Assist to arrange travel assistance in advance of your train journey. 

The train operator must provide assistance to the best of their ability even if you did not provide advance notice of your journey. Just ensure the station will be staffed at the time you are travelling.

If you are older or disabled, you may be able to buy a Railcard and save money on your fares (if you intend to travel regularly).

Operators

Avanti West Coast

https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/

London Northwestern

https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/

Merseyrail

https://www.merseyrail.org/

Northern 

https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/

Transport for Wales

https://tfw.wales/

Help with cost

Senior Railcard

A Senior Railcard is available to people over 60 and costs £30 for a year or £70 for three years. It gives a discount of 1/3 off rail journeys.

Disabled Person’s Railcard

The Disabled Person’s Railcard costs £20 for a year or £54 for three years. It will entitle you to a saving of 1/3 off rail journeys.

Special Assistance

If you are planning on travelling on National Rail services, you can request an assistance booking in advance – now up to 2 hours before your journey is due to start, any time of the day. 

Passenger Assist is a national system used by all train companies, which allows them to make the necessary arrangements for your journey.

You can request assistance either via the train company you are travelling with or through National Rail.

Telephone: 0800 030 9224 (Freephone, including from mobiles)
Lines are open 24 hours a day (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day)

You can also download the Passenger Assist App on your smartphone.

As station accessibility varies widely, it is always best to check carefully before you travel.

Merseyrail have a map showing station accessibility.

Transport for Wales have a downloadable document listing all their stations and accessibility arrangements at each.

Travelling with Mobility Equipment or Assistance Dogs

Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters

All train operators can carry manual or powered wheelchairs up to a maximum size of 700mm wide by 1200mm long and not exceeding a weight of 300kg including the passenger.

However, there are a limited number of spaces available to wheelchair users on each train, so it is important that you book your space in advance.

As rules and guidelines for travelling with wheelchairs and scooters vary, you should check the relevant information provided by individual train operators: 

• Avanti West Coast
• London Northwestern
• Merseyrail
• Additional scooter advice from Merseyrail
• Northern
• Transport for Wales

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs can travel free-of-charge across the network.

Routes and timetables

Various commercial websites allow booking of train tickets, irrespective of the operator.

For official departure information and ticket prices, visit the National Rail website or call 03457 48 49 50 (lines open 24 hours, except Christmas Day).