• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

London to Widnes - best route option

Status
Not open for further replies.

Ritchie333

Member
Joined
26 Jun 2025
Messages
9
Location
Ashford, Kent
I'm looking at popping up from London to Widnes in a few weeks. The main uncertainty is how to get there once in Cheshire. As far as I can tell, I've got three options:

1. Avanti West Coast Euston - Glasgow, alight at Warrington Bank Quay, walk to Warrington Central, Northern stopping Manchester - Liverpool train to Widnes.
2. As above but bus direct from Warrington Bank Quay
3. Avanti West Coast Euston - Liverpool Lime Street, alight at Liverpool South Parkway, Northern train as above in the reverse direction

I can't see much difference between these routes, they all seem to take about 2h30 - 2h45. Does anyone local have any better ideas?
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

yorkie

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Administrator
Joined
6 Jun 2005
Messages
78,424
Location
Yorkshire
I'm looking at popping up from London to Widnes in a few weeks. The main uncertainty is how to get there once in Cheshire. As far as I can tell, I've got three options:

1. Avanti West Coast Euston - Glasgow, alight at Warrington Bank Quay, walk to Warrington Central, Northern stopping Manchester - Liverpool train to Widnes.
2. As above but bus direct from Warrington Bank Quay
3. Avanti West Coast Euston - Liverpool Lime Street, alight at Liverpool South Parkway, Northern train as above in the reverse direction

I can't see much difference between these routes, they all seem to take about 2h30 - 2h45. Does anyone local have any better ideas?
The cheapest option is to use West Midlands Trains & Northern:

1767551239632.png

Without knowing what your requirements are, it's not really possible to give any meaningful advice, but the forum site allows you to specify any preferences (including extra interchange time, where to change, etc if required).

Also, if you are actually travelling from Ashford, I would advise searching for the overall entire journey in one transaction wherever possible.
 

Gloster

Veteran Member
Joined
4 Sep 2020
Messages
13,024
Location
Up the creek
Or train to Runcorn and then bus, or taxi if you prefer. Runcorn is about two hours from Euston.
 

AndrewE

Established Member
Joined
9 Nov 2015
Messages
7,350
try traveline https://www.traveline.info/ and input your destination postcode to see what the route/mode options are. I have often been impressed how it pulls up a train and bus option that hadn't even been on my radar.

It doesn't take account of ticket prices though...
 

Tetchytyke

Veteran Member
Joined
12 Sep 2013
Messages
17,611
Location
Isle of Man
Widnes station isn’t really in Widnes. You’d be as best off travelling to Runcorn then bus or taxi from there.
 

Mcr Warrior

Veteran Member
Joined
8 Jan 2009
Messages
17,279
Widnes station isn’t really in Widnes. You’d be as best off travelling to Runcorn then bus or taxi from there.
Rather depends on where in the locality the OP is actually heading for. Runcorn station is maybe some 3 miles from Widnes station and on the other side of the Mersey estuary, across a toll bridge. Liverpool South Parkway is likely to be the easiest interchange.
 

Djgr

Established Member
Joined
30 Jul 2018
Messages
3,391
Rather depends on where in the locality the OP is actually heading for. Runcorn station is maybe some 3 miles from Widnes station and on the other side of the Mersey estuary, across a toll bridge. Liverpool South Parkway is likely to be the easiest interchange.
Widnes town centre is only 10 minutes from Runcorn railway station by road.

Not sure what relevance the toll description of bridge is, as bus passengers don't pay it nor do Halton residents (including taxi drivers?)
 

Sir Felix Pole

Established Member
Joined
21 Oct 2012
Messages
2,190
Location
Wilmslow
79C bus (20 min frequency) from stop on Cavendish Street very near to Runcorn Station is the best option for Widnes.
 

Bevan Price

Established Member
Joined
22 Apr 2010
Messages
8,340
Rather depends on where in the locality the OP is actually heading for. Runcorn station is maybe some 3 miles from Widnes station and on the other side of the Mersey estuary, across a toll bridge. Liverpool South Parkway is likely to be the easiest interchange.
Yes, it depends on which part of Widnes is required. For West Bank, it is probably easiest to walk across the road bridge from Runcorn station. . For Widnes town centre or Hough Green area, bus 79C as suggested above. For other parts, change buses at Widnes* Market bus station. If you just miss a 79C, there are more buses to Widnes from Runcorn Bus Station (about 7-10 minutes walk from station). Taxis are alternative to buses, but there may not always be taxis waiting for hire near the station.
*Edit - corrected to read Widnes Market not Runcorn Market,
 
Last edited:

AndrewE

Established Member
Joined
9 Nov 2015
Messages
7,350
Yes, it depends on which part of Widnes is required. For West Bank, it is probably easiest to walk across the road bridge from Runcorn station. . For Widnes town centre or Hough Green area, bus 79C as suggested above. For other parts, change buses at Runcorn Market bus station. If you just miss a 79C, there are more buses to Widnes from Runcorn Bus Station (about 7-10 minutes walk from station). Taxis are alternative to buses, but there may not always be taxis waiting for hire near the station.
... which is why I recommended Traveline! You might be surprised at some of the options that it suggests, I have been...
 

Statto

Established Member
Joined
8 Feb 2011
Messages
4,098
Location
At home or at the pub
Yes, it depends on which part of Widnes is required. For West Bank, it is probably easiest to walk across the road bridge from Runcorn station. . For Widnes town centre or Hough Green area, bus 79C as suggested above. For other parts, change buses at Runcorn Market bus station. If you just miss a 79C, there are more buses to Widnes from Runcorn Bus Station (about 7-10 minutes walk from station). Taxis are alternative to buses, but there may not always be taxis waiting for hire near the station.
To Widnes Town Center the OP can catch 61/79C/82A/110 from Runcorn Bus Station which is about 5 - 10 minute walk from Runcorn Station, can also catch the X4 however this only stops at Runcorn Bus Station & Widnes Green Oaks.

Euston to Runcorn would be better option, can catch either AWC or if the OP wants to save a bit of money can use LNWR which takes longer & have to change at Stafford or Crewe?

Can you use LNWR only Euston - Runcorn ticket & change at Birmingham New Street, i know that'll be much longer than going via the Trent Valley, but could be another option?
 

LNW-GW Joint

Veteran Member
Joined
22 Feb 2011
Messages
21,928
Location
Mold, Clwyd
The Arriva 82A runs from Runcorn rail station (bus stop in Cavendish Road/Waterloo Bridge) to Liverpool via Widnes (eg Town Hall).
You can add a Halton (ie Runcorn + Widnes) PlusBus at £3.30 when you buy your rail ticket (railcard £2.15).
The service is every 30 minutes (xx26/56) but there are other buses plying the same route to/through Widnes.
https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/search/...uncorn Station/toName/Widnes WIDNES TOWN HALL
 

AndrewE

Established Member
Joined
9 Nov 2015
Messages
7,350
We still haven't heard back from the OP about where he/they actually need to get to...
I can understand not revealing personal stuff like addresses, but it would be interesing to see a district or suburb so that we can judge which approach might be most practicable.

For my part, I recently read a write-up about Hale village with a good pub and fancied a trip out there. It turns out that the best approach for me is a bus from Runcorn station so I shall have a (free) ride over the old bridge as well...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top