Anfield: Guide for Visiting Fans

The bus is king here. The 917 express runs from Commutation Row (near Lime Street station) to Anfield in 15 minutes. It runs direct from Liverpool City Centre up to every 10 minutes on a matchday. It's the easiest option from the city centre — just join the queue at Commutation Row and you'll be at the ground in no time. If the 917 queue looks daunting, the 26 from Liverpool ONE bus station is sometimes slightly quieter.

If you're on the Merseyrail network, the Soccerbus runs from Sandhills Station on the Merseyrail Northern Line to Anfield for all Premier League and cup matches, departing two hours before each match with the last bus around 15 minutes before kickoff. Merseyrail passengers can add a return Soccerbus ticket onto their rail travel for just £1.60 for adults.

If you're flying into Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL), take a shuttle bus to Liverpool South Parkway station and use the Northern Line for a direct train to Sandhills, where you can get the matchday buses or walk half an hour. The airport is about 10 miles away; by taxi, expect 25–30 minutes to the stadium.

Driving is genuinely not recommended. Anfield is a residential area with a resident-only parking scheme in operation. Do not attempt to park on side streets — you will be fined. If you're in a rideshare, have your driver drop you at the edge of the cordon on Utting Avenue or Walton Breck Road, then walk in — the stadium is well-signposted and the walk-in crowd is half the experience.

Bluntly: don't plan on parking near Anfield on matchday. Trying to get to Anfield by car is the hardest approach, and there is no general parking scheme available — only pre-allocated parking for disabled supporters. Your best bet is the official Stanley Park Car Park (must be pre-booked) or secure city-centre lots like Q-Park, then taking a bus or taxi in.

Everton's old Goodison Park is a popular parking choice for those driving in, though early arrival is essential if using this option — and since Everton have vacated it for their new Bramley-Moore Dock ground, the car park situation around there is worth checking nearer your visit date. There is also free parking available at the East Lancashire Road (A580) major route into the city, where fans can leave their cars and connect to bus services. Matchday parking in satellite lots typically runs £5–£10 for the day. Whatever you do, build in extra time — road closures around the stadium begin roughly two hours before kickoff.

Don't stay right next to the stadium unless you want a 10pm Sunday night in a residential area with nowhere to eat. Stay in the city centre instead — you're only a £8–10 cab ride or a 917 bus away, and you'll actually have options for the evening.

Liverpool city centre is the recommended base, with excellent hotels, restaurants, and attractions — and The Shankly Hotel is a particular favourite for football fans. It's Liverpool FC-themed without being garish, central, and well-priced in the mid-range. The Titanic Hotel at Stanley Dock is the closest option to the stadium that maintains quality — it's a genuinely impressive conversion of a Victorian dock warehouse, about a mile from the ground, and worth the premium if you want something special.

Budget travellers will find plenty of Travelodge and Premier Inn options around Lime Street station. The Baltic Triangle neighbourhood, south of the city centre, has interesting boutique options and a buzzing restaurant scene — you're 15 minutes by cab to the ground from there. For families, anything around the Albert Dock keeps you close to the waterfront attractions and well connected by bus on matchday.

The Arkles (77 Anfield Road) is the away fan's natural home. It's the first pub on the list that genuinely welcomes away fans — its closeness to Anfield means it gets busy, but it offers the chance for home and away fans to mix and enjoy some banter. The Arkles is situated on the Anfield Road End of the stadium, right where the away fans are housed. It's a Greene King pub — nothing fancy — but it's lively, the staff are used to away visitors, and the location is ideal.

The Sandon (180 Oakfield Road) is the historically significant choice. It claims to be the birthplace of Liverpool Football Club due to being once owned by John Houlding, one of the club's founders, and despite getting extremely busy on matchdays, it offers one of the best pre-match atmospheres going. It boasts a large outdoor area and even runs a BBQ on matchdays. It's primarily a home fan pub, but respectful away fans are fine in here.

The Flat Iron (Walton Breck Road) is the low-key local gem. One of the oldest pubs in the area, based on Walton Breck Road, it's a favourite among locals and shows plenty of live sport. It's full of Liverpool football memorabilia with good quality beer and cheap prices. It won't be the rowdiest pre-match spot, but it's less overwhelming than the Arkles if you want to actually get served.

Homebaked Bakery (197 Oakfield Road) deserves a special mention — it's a community-owned bakery immediately opposite the Kop that does proper Scouse pies and steak bakes at honest prices. It's not a bar, but getting a pie there before the match is one of those Anfield things you should just do.

Anfield operates an almost no-bag approach on matchdays, designed to keep queues moving and ensure smoother entry for everyone. Only bags that are A5-sized or smaller are permitted, or clear bags from purchases made at the LFC Store. In practical terms: leave your backpack at the hotel. If you arrive with a bag that doesn't meet the limit, there is an official bag drop facility around five minutes from the Kop Stand at the Museum & Tours building entrance on Paisley Square.

Gates open two hours before kickoff. Away fans enter through Turnstiles Q and R in the Anfield Road Stand. Approach from Arkles Lane rather than trying to come in from Walton Breck Road — that's the Kop side and the crowd flow is going the wrong direction for you. Give yourself at least 30 minutes from the Arkles pub to make it through security comfortably.

Anfield is fully cashless , so sort out your contactless situation before you go in. All major contactless debit and credit cards are accepted, with chip-and-pin for purchases over £30; Apple Pay and Google Pay are also supported.

Wheelchair spaces are located in the Lower Anfield Road, all tiers of the Main Stand, and the Kop. In both the Lower Anfield Road and the Kop, up to two personal assistants can accompany each wheelchair user. Disabled supporters can enter via Gate DA6 on Anfield Road, approaching from 97 Avenue rather than Arkles Lane. Lowered counter catering kiosks accessible for wheelchair users are available within the away end, and accessible toilets are also on hand.

Visually impaired supporters can order a complimentary headset with full commentary once their ticket has been purchased. For supporters on the autistic spectrum, there is a dedicated sensory room located in the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand. Two Changing Places facilities are available — one in the Kop and one in the Main Stand (Level 2). For any specific accessibility queries, contact disability@liverpoolfc.com in advance.

The away end is located in the Anfield Road End. Usually around 3,000 away fans attend, seated in the lower level just behind the goal, in blocks AL6, AL7, AL8, and AL9. The newly expanded Anfield Road Stand is modern and comfortable — this isn't some crumbling away terrace bolted onto a Victorian stand. The 2024 expansion provides modern facilities and excellent views, with the lower tier offering great proximity to the pitch and the upper tier delivering panoramic perspectives.

If you somehow end up with a neutral ticket — which does happen on resale markets — the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand (opposite the Main Stand) offers excellent elevated sightlines across the full pitch. It faces the Main Stand and offers good elevated views, with central sections providing excellent sightlines. Avoid the very corners of any stand — Anfield's traditional four-stand layout means the corners are open, and the peripheral sightlines to the near goal can be frustrating.

While many away fans tend to enjoy Liverpool's city centre for their pre-game drinking, there are plenty of pubs open to both home and away fans nearer the ground that offer vastly superior atmospheres. Inside the ground, the experience is intense but rarely hostile in a dangerous way — Liverpool fans are proud rather than menacing, and the energy is directed at inspiring their own team rather than intimidating yours. What will genuinely catch you off guard is the moment before kickoff: 61,000 people raising scarves and singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" in unison is not something you can be fully prepared for, no matter how many times you've seen it on TV. It's one of football's great pre-match rituals, and even if you're sitting in the away end willing it to stop, you'll still feel it. The Anfield Road Stand does get loud when the match is on — away supporters are expected to make noise, and the acoustics in the new stand are decent enough to hold your own.

By bus: The Soccerbus return to Sandhills operates for 90 minutes after the final whistle, with the last departure from Walton Lane approximately 75 minutes after full-time. The post-match 917 service departs from Walton Lane rather than the pre-match drop-off point — don't walk back to Commutation Row expecting to catch it there. The honest truth: getting on a bus immediately after the match can be nigh impossible, and if you do board one, you can wait a long time as crowds gradually disperse.

On foot: If going back to town, you could walk 20 minutes to West Derby Road, then catch the 12, 13, 15, or 18 the rest of the way — this is often faster than queuing for the 917 right outside the ground. Walking downhill toward Sandhills is also a solid option and takes about 30–35 minutes at a reasonable pace.

By rideshare/taxi: Expect surge pricing. Rideshare apps will show elevated prices for the first 20–30 minutes post-match. Walk at least 10 minutes away from the immediate stadium cordon — toward Walton Road or lower Everton — before opening your app, and you'll get a meaningfully lower price and a driver who can actually reach you. Taxis from the city centre to Anfield usually run £8–10 , but expect that to be £15–18 on a busy post-match night.

The opinionated tip: Wait 25 minutes in The Arkles, have a post-match pint, and let the first wave of crowds clear. The immediate post-whistle scrum on Anfield Road is chaotic; by the time you've finished a drink, the buses are moving freely and rideshare prices have halved.

What's the best way to get to Anfield from Liverpool city centre?

The 917 express from Commutation Row (near Lime Street) gets you there in 15 minutes. It runs every 10 minutes on matchdays. Alternatively, take a taxi for about £8–10.

What is the bag policy at Anfield?

Anfield has a strict bag policy: only A5-sized bags or smaller are permitted, or clear bags from LFC Store purchases. All bags are searched prior to entry. Leave your backpack at the hotel.

Is there parking at Anfield?

There is no general parking scheme available, and only pre-allocated parking exists for disabled supporters. Use city-centre car parks and bus in, or pre-book Stanley Park Car Park. Expect to pay £5–10 for satellite lots.

Is Anfield cashless?

Yes — Anfield is fully cashless. Contactless cards, chip-and-pin, Apple Pay, and Google Pay all work. Carry no cash for inside the ground.

Where do away fans sit at Anfield?

The away end is in the Anfield Road End, with seats in the lower level just behind the goal — blocks AL6, AL7, AL8, and AL9. Capacity is typically around 3,000.

When do gates open?

Gates open two hours before kickoff. For away fans, enter via Turnstiles Q and R on Anfield Road. Arrive early — security queues build up significantly in the final hour.

What airport serves Liverpool, and how far is it from Anfield?

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LPL) is about 10 miles from the stadium. From the airport, take a shuttle bus to Liverpool South Parkway station and use the Merseyrail Northern Line for a direct train to Sandhills. Allow at least an hour door-to-door.

Is the stadium open-air or covered? All four stands have roofs — the stands are fully covered with cantilevered canopies — but the corners between stands are open, so dress for a Liverpool winter regardless.