Plan Your Sustainable Journey to Southport

As someone who loves both travel and sustainability, I always look for ways to explore new places while minimising my carbon footprint. If you’re planning a visit to Sunnyside in Southport, you’ll be pleased to know that getting here using public transport is easy, affordable, and environmentally friendly. Whether you’re travelling from Liverpool, Manchester, or Preston, there are plenty of options to suit your journey.

Exclusive Benefits for Public Transport Travelers

When you travel to Sunnyside by bus, train, or other public transport, you’ll receive (subject to avaialbility):

Priority for Early Check-in & Late Check-out – If availability allows, you’ll get to settle in sooner or enjoy extra time before departure.
Free Luggage Storage – Drop off your bags and explore without worry, whether you arrive early or have time to spare before leaving.
Complimentary Room Upgrade – If there’s availability, we’ll enhance your stay with a free upgrade for extra comfort.

By choosing public transport, you’re helping reduce your carbon footprint—and we think that deserves recognition! Simply show proof of your travel upon arrival, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Travelling to Southport by Train

I always prefer taking the train when travelling—it’s a stress-free way to get around, and it’s much better for the planet. Southport has excellent rail connections, making it easy to reach from several major cities.

From Liverpool

The Merseyrail Northern Line runs regular services from Liverpool Central to Southport.
Trains run every 15 minutes during peak times.
The journey takes approximately 45 minutes.
A Merseyrail Day Saver ticket costs £4.80 for one area and £6.40 for all areas, allowing unlimited travel for the day.

From Manchester

Trains to Southport run from Manchester Piccadilly, Victoria, and Oxford Road stations.
The journey takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes.
There are 33 trains per day, so you have plenty of choices.
The first train leaves Manchester at 05:07, and the last train departs at 22:07.
If booked in advance, tickets can cost as little as £5.49.

Travelling to Southport by Bus

Buses are another great way to travel sustainably to Southport, and there are several routes available:

From Preston – X2 Bus

The Stagecoach X2 service runs from Preston Bus Station to Southport.
The journey takes around 50 minutes.
Buses run every 30 minutes.
A ticket currently costs £2 in the Liverpool City Region up until September 2025

Other Local Bus Routes

Route 2 runs between Preston and Southport via Penwortham, Tarleton, and Banks, offering a scenic ride through Lancashire.
Local buses within Southport connect key areas, making it easy to explore once you arrive.

To make bus travel even more affordable, I always check for Day Rider tickets or weekly passes that offer unlimited travel for a fixed price.

Exploring Southport Sustainably

We’ve created a guide for each attraction that outlines various travel options from Sunnyside, along with their corresponding carbon footprints. These guides can be found on the Events and Attractions pages of our website. Take a look at the example below, which details the journey from Sunnyside to the Antony Gormley exhibition at Crosby Beach.

Sustainable Travel Guide to Sunnyside, Southport

Travel Choices and Their Impact on Your Carbon Footprint

Here’s the table comparing the carbon footprints, grades, and travel times for a return journey from Sunnyside Guest House (PR9 0DP) to Crosby Beach (L23 6SX):



Mode of Transport	Carbon Footprint per Person (Round Trip)	Green Grade *	Travel Time (One Way)
Bicycle	0 kg CO₂	A+	1 hour 10 minutes
Train	1.83 kg CO₂	A	38 minutes (including walking)
Electric Car (2 people)	1.23 kg CO₂	B	32 minutes
Petrol Car (2 people)	3.76 kg CO₂	D	32 minutes
Bus	2.27 kg CO₂	C	1 hour 10 minutes
Petrol Car (4 people)	1.88 kg CO₂	C	32 minutes

*Please note the grading system reflects not only the carbon footprint but also the overall efficiency, sustainability, and impact of each mode of transport. As an example the electric car (2 people traveling) has a lower sustainability grade compared to the train despite having a lower carbon footprint per person because the electric car has a limited capacity, variability in electricity sources, and less overall operational efficiency compared to trains.

Transport Links / Additional Information

Cycle Paths: There are cycle paths along some sections of the route, particularly near Crosby Beach. The route is mostly on-road with some designated cycling lanes and quieter roads. Some variable surfaces may be encountered.

Train: Merseyrail Northern Line from Southport to Blundellsands & Crosby station. The walk to the Anthony Gormley statues is 10 minutes. The service is direct and runs every 15 minutes from Southport train station on a normal service. Merseyrail Timetable avaiable here.

Roads: Via A565, a major road connecting Southport to Crosby. The route is straightforward with clear signage.

Bus: Arriva Bus Service 47 from Southport, Eastbank Street to Crosby, Oxford Road. From the bus stop, it’s a short walk to Crosby Beach. Arriva Timetables Click on the links for bus timetables.

CO₂ Emissions Comparison (Return Journey, Per Passenger)

Route	Bus (kg CO₂)	Train (kg CO₂)	Car (kg CO₂)	Savings (Car vs. Train)
Preston → Southport (Bus Only)	2.2 kg	❌ No Train ❌	8.0 kg	5.8 kg saved
Manchester → Southport	4.4 kg	3.0 kg	16.0 kg	13.0 kg saved
Liverpool → Southport	2.6 kg	1.8 kg	10.0 kg	8.2 kg saved
London → Southport	30 kg	20 kg	100 kg	80 kg saved
Glasgow → Southport	36 kg	24 kg	120 kg	96 kg saved

Car emissions are based on an average petrol or diesel vehicle with a single occupant. Train and bus emissions are calculated per passenger based on UK transport data.

What Do These CO₂ Savings Mean?

To put these figures into perspective, a return train journey from London to Southport instead of driving saves 80 kg of CO₂, which is equivalent to:

Powering a 10W LED lightbulb for eight months continuously
The CO₂ absorbed by four mature trees in a month
Avoiding the emissions produced by burning 30 litres of petrol

If 1,000 people switched from driving to taking the train for a return trip from Manchester to Southport, they would save 13 tonnes of CO₂—equivalent to the yearly carbon absorption of 650 trees.

Why This Matters for Southport

As a coastal town, Southport is particularly vulnerable to climate change, with rising sea levels and extreme weather posing real threats to the local environment. Reducing carbon emissions from travel helps to:

Improve air quality
Reduce congestion on roads
Protect the coastline from the effects of climate change
Support investment in more sustainable transport options

For those planning a trip to Southport, choosing public transport is a simple yet effective way to lower emissions and help protect the town’s natural beauty for future generations.