Liverpool: River Cruise & Sightseeing Bus Tour
Description
See the best of Liverpool's unique views and explore its fascinating history with this combo-sightseeing ticket. Join us for a River Explorer Cruise aboard the world-famous Mersey Ferry. Sit back, relax and soak in the riverside scenery and landmarks. The cruise gives you the opportunity to see the stunning Liverpool waterfront from the river. Your ferry ticket is valid at any time during the day that you have booked. The cruises depart every hour on the hour from Liverpool Pier Head Gerry Marsden Terminal (just arrive at least 20mins prior to departure to redeem your voucher) Digital commentary is available please bring your headphones. Following the cruise take the City Explorer Open Top Bus Tour and discover the best sights of this fascinating city. The hop-on hop-off bus provides views of all of the main sights and attractions. Your City Explorer Bus Tour can be used on the same day as your cruise and the following day giving you maximum sightseeing opportunity.
Tour Options
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- A coffee shop & restrooms can be found onboard the ferry
- The ferry is accessible on the main deck for wheelchairs
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Arrive at least 25 minutes prior to redeem your voucher at Liverpool Pier Head Gerry Marsden terminal.
- Your ticket is valid for any cruise on the day of your ticket. The River Cruise departs every hour on the hour from Liverpool. Please check Mersey Ferries website for up to date departures and notices.
- The hop on hop off bus tour part of the ticket is valid for 48 hours from redemption.
- The last bus tour is at 3pm - however, you can use it the following day!
- Digital commentary on the River Cruise - From 26 February 2026, MERSEY FERRIES be offering a free digital audio guide as part of a one-month trial. Simply scan the QR code located at each ferry terminal or onboard the Mersey Ferry to access it. For the best experience, please bring your own headphones, ensure your phone is fully charged, and have mobile data enabled. During this trial period, the commentary will not play through the external speaker system. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can request a printed cruise route fact sheet from our team at the ferry terminal which is available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Ukraine and Arabic.
Reviews(520)
Great trip being on the Ferry Crossing the Mersey as it's something my Wife and I have always wanted to do. It was much better than expected and a great way to see the amazing city of Liverpool. The bus tour was great and very informative of the history at all the different locations on the tour. I would recommend this to anyone visiting Liverpool and would say it's great value for money.
Thank you for the great 5 star review - glad you enjoyed both the boat and the bus and found them value for money. Thanks for visiting us.
All very easy and covers alot of history. It's the yellow bus with a real person talking and answering questions. Will look for them again. We are seniors with walking issues and this very easy from cruise port
Many thanks for your 5 star review it's much appreciated
We booked the ferry trip and bus together No contact to say bus stop was closed and a 15 min walk from ferry terminal The ferry was disappointing as you needed headphones for the dialogue A 5 second splurge of the song ferry across the Mersey was played we expected more we had no idea what we could see so a pointless trip The bus stop as much better a great manned trip with handy information and tips with lots of history given we enjoyed this
Sorry for the inconvenience about the closed bus stop. Unfortunately, there was an external event happening in the area where one of the bus pick ups was - with this being a hop on hop off there are several other bus stops within walking distance. With regards to Mersey Ferries we do have an information sheet for guests who are unable to use the digital commentary QR code - this should of been offered to you on check in. We shall escalate this back to the front of house staff - Hope this didn't effect your overall experience and hope to welcome you back soon.
In all honesty I wouldn’t recommend the cruise however the bus tour was really good and made more memorable by the great commentary by Dave with assistance from driver Wayne’
Thank you for your feedback and the 5 stars Paul. We are pleased to hear how much you enjoyed the bus tour. Thanks for visiting us.
The Sightseeing bus was really great - helped by the sunny weather on the open top bus. Commentary was interesting and just enough. We stayed on for the whole 'lap' then got off a few extra stops by the Docks. The river cruise was just a ferry trip to the other side, in a big loop. Disappointing there was no commentary at all. It was still good and enjoyable and with the bus tour, was excellent value for money.
Thank you for your review, we are really pleased to hear how much you enjoyed the bus. The River Cruise has two forms of commentary. There are QR codes around the terminal and ferry itself for you to listen to the commentary on your phone, or you can request a free printed commentary on arrival at the terminal.
The hop on hop off bus tour was good, informative and reliable. Enjoyed it. The river cruise was a glorified ferry boat between the two sides of the river. Wouldn’t do that part again.
Thank you for your comments, I'm sorry you were disappointed with the River Cruise.
I have been a regular passenger on the Mersey Ferry when I have visited the City of Liverpool, over the last 20 years, and have always thoroughly enjoyed the experience. However, my most recent trip last Wednesday was quite disappointing. I took a open top bus tour of the city. Very enjoyable with a narrator on the bus explaining where sights and buildings were and giving us details about them. I have no problem with that whatsoever. However, I was looking forward to the usual on board commentary about the River Mersey and the city of Liverpool, along with hearing the iconic song Ferry Cross the Mersey. My Aunt and her partner have never been on it before. What did I hear? Complete silence throughout the crossing. I could have been going anywhere for all I knew. While I personally have a smartphone, my mother (who is nearly 80), my aunt, and her partner (who are both also pensioners) do not. The only way to access the commentary was via a QR code, which was not clearly signposted and only noticed once we were seated. I heard it, but the older members of our group missed out on the experience entirely. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Liverpool itself, as I always do. However, I will not be using the Mersey Ferry until the traditional narration is reinstated. I will also be advising friends and family to avoid using it in its current form. I hope you will consider restoring the broadcast commentary, as it is an important part of what makes the ferry crossing special — particularly for older visitors.
Sorry to hear about your disappointment with regards to the new digital commentary. We did extensive trialling of the new commentary , surveying all passengers for their thoughts as it was a big change - the majority of which favoured the new system (this included all ages). It is more inclusive for those with sensory issues and hearing difficulties as it can also be viewed on the phone. If you don't have a phone or can't scan QR codes then we have printed versions available at the ticket desk. Hope to welcome you back again and please speak to one of our friendly staff who will be able to issue you with our FREE printed version of the commentary.
Guide was excellent. Good sense of humour and knowledgeable. Excellent trip. Xx
Thank you for your kind words Jenny , and for giving us a 5 star review. Glad you enjoyed it!
The cruise was very scenic. The bus tour had knowledgeable and friendly tour guides with microphones, and that did have me thinking that the cruise could have done with tour guides too. The bus tour takes you to great sightseeing locations around the city, including The Cavern Club, the cathedrals, and Liverpool Chinatown. It was well worth the price, and the bus tour tickets is valid for 24 hours so you can go round as many times as you want. Although, bare in mind that this will not be for you if you want to visit the childhood homes of The Beatles members.
Thank you for the great feedback Jeremy, we are pleased to hear how much you enjoyed the experience with us. We do have live guides on the ferry for special occasions/cruises. Thank you for visiting.
Both trips were enjoyable. The guide on the bus was not to my liking, a bit over the top for me. However, other passengers seemed to enjoy his banter and singing. Both trips were on time
