Expert: Alun Hill MCIJ - 6/24/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi Alun,

I would like to plan a trip from the US to Liverpool for the summer of 2009.  I understand that I cannot fly directly into Liverpool, and will most likely fly first to Heathrow or Gatwick.  Are there direct trains or flights from those airports to Liverpool?  

Alternatively, do you think it's easier, or cheaper, to fly into a different airport and then connect to Liverpool?  After trying to piece all this together online, I'm starting to get the feeling that "you can't there from here"!

Thank you for your help,
Melissa

ANSWER: Hi - thanks very much for your question.

Are you only visiting Liverpool, please?

The UK is a very small island with excellent train services, so travelling around is very straightforward.

We do have many internal flights, but with the current price of oil (we're paying the equivalent of approx $12 per gallon at the moment), routes are being cancelled, so I couldn't say what flights will be running 12 months hence.

If you do want to fly, consider flying to Ireland, which has many flights to Liverpool.

You do not say where in the US you are travelling from, but if you let me have this information, or come back nearer your travel date, I'll be more than happy to help.

Do let me know where I can help further, please!

Alun Hill MCIJ
Editor: http://www.IsLondonExpensive.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Alun,

Yes, Liverpool only.

Dublin was recommended to me as a connection, so that will be a strong possibility.

We're flying from Ohio (CVG airport).  At least I hope we will!  We're having the same route cancellation issues in the US.  I expect fares will go up as well.  The airline situation is pretty volatile right now, but I'm hoping we can pull this off.

Melissa

Answer
Thanks for coming back -  1 thing is sure - the transatlantic routes are still very full and will continue to be so, plus a few airlines are looking still at making this route ever cheaper - the new "open skies" agreement between our 2 countries last month has helped this.

Liverpool is a truly fabulous city and too few visitors go there, sadly.

The people are the funniest and friendliest in the UK, and will really make you, as an American, welcome.

It does have a lot of crime by UK standards, but just be sensible and you'll be fine - and do take the "ferry cross the Mersey" - it's a great, short, trip.

Feel free to let me know what other details I can help with, now or nearer your journey, won't you?

Alun