10 reasons to travel with Merseyrail this autumn

There’s tons of stuff happening across Merseyside right now – and you can rely on Merseyrail to get you there.

Whether it’s family fun for half term, or all the brilliant events we’re all looking forward to this autumn, it’s just so easy to jump on board the train and get off right in the middle of the action.

From Halloween fun to getting to Liverpool’s dazzling light show and more, here’s 10 reasons to travel with Merseyrail.

River of Light 

River of Light is back in the city with a brand new theme, The Science of Light, and 10 spectacular illuminated artworks creating a free 3km trail around the waterfront. It’s something we look forward to every year and it’s on between Friday, October 24 and Sunday, November 2, and lit up from 5pm until 9pm. It’s going to be busy, so don’t worry about traffic and parking up, just bob on the train and get off at one of three central stations: James St, Central or Moorfields.

 It’s so affordable for the family

Rail travel is a great way to get you and your clan out without it costing the earth. There’s a range of affordable rail tickets including a Family Ticket for just £14 covering up to two adults and three children – and kids under five go FREE!

Aintree’s Halloween Family Day 

There’s lots for the kids, and plenty for you at Aintree Racecourse’s Halloween Family Fun Day. It’s under starter’s orders from 11.10am with Shetland ponies, creepy crafts, face painting, inflatables and more for the kids, and a full race card to look forward to with the first race at 12.35pm. Getting there? It couldn’t be easier. Aintree Station is just across the road.

Tap & Go has launched to make your journey even easier

No queues, no fuss – you just go! Tap & Go is Merseyrail’s new way to pay and it couldn’t be quicker or easier because you simply get a MetroCard, register it for Tap & Go, and then tap in and out to travel.  The smart ticketing system automatically works out the best value fare for you each day and charges the bank card linked to your account.

Southport – with Day of the Dead and more 

It’s not just the beach that attracts people to the seaside – but loads of events and activities, like the Day of the Dead Festival at Adventure Coast Southport, a spectacle of live music, stage shows, and a dazzling firework finale on Saturday November 1 and Saturday November 8. But that’s not all – there are Halloween events at Southport Market, Oktoberfest at Victoria Park, Egyptian fun at The Atkinson, and loads of amazing places to eat and drink, and shop. Southport Station is just a short walk from where it’s all happening.

Liverpool ONE’s Halloween Party

Liverpool ONE’s planning a frightfully fab Halloween Party on Sunday, October 26, and as well as all the usual shopping and foodie fun, there’s fancy dress competitions, spooky entertainment, Zombie dancers, drumming workshops – and even a visit from a squad of elite cosplay troopers. The force is with them and it’ll be with you if you take the train, and James Street Station is the closest and just a five minute walk away.

USB charging and free WiFi on board

Talk about at your service.  Not only do Merseyrail get you there quickly and cheaply, and save you traffic hassle, they can help charge your phone or your laptop with USB charging while you’re on the move – and there’s free WiFi too … perfect for uploading and sharing all your Instagram snaps.

Spooky Welly Walk 

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation’s back in Sefton Park for its Halloween-themed two-mile fundraising walk, when they’ll also be keeping little monsters entertained with games, creepy crafts, a freaky funfair, menacing mask making, the Bugfest Beaty Parlour, and more. The Spooky Welly Walk event is on from 10.45am until 4.30pm, and if you’re going by train St Michael’s Station is the one for you.

Grab your snacks at the MToGo stores

No trip out (or journey home!) is complete without a few snacks and nibbles and you can get them all conveniently at Merseyrail’s MToGo stores. You’ll find them at several Merseyrail stations – Liverpool Central, Hamilton Square, Liverpool South Parkway, Southport, and Lime Street Low Level – and they stock all your crisps, choc and other treats, along with all sorts of Merseyrail merchandise.

Avoid those city centre parking charges

Why queue in the traffic jams and face parking charges to see your favourite event when you can escape both by taking the train? It doesn’t matter how long you’re there, the price of your rail ticket is the same – and you can save yourself from the harrowing battle of finding that final space too!

Enjoy the best outdoor spaces

With all the wonderful colours of the season to enjoy, there’s some fabulous scenery in and around Merseyside that makes sure you can get your daily dose of fresh air as well as all those great views. Whether it’s a windswept beach and the iron men sculptures, the local wildlife or warm drinks and cakes in the cafes that are in your sights, you can get to them all by train. And let’s face it, Merseyrail is just miles better.

Check it out – Merseyrail has been named as most family-friendly rail operator in the UK.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.