Coventry vs Liverpool: getting from Liverpool to the CBS Arena

Coventry City host Liverpool at the Coventry Building Society Arena (CV6 6AQ), just north of the city centre off Jimmy Hill Way. Coventry Arena railway station is beside the ground, giving rail travellers a short final walk to the stadium.

How to get from Liverpool to Coventry by train

This is an 8pm midweek kick-off, so the return leg matters more than the outward one. Rail-wise you have a choice: the London Northwestern service from Lime Street that runs through to Coventry, or a fast Avanti West Coast train to Birmingham New Street and a short hop across. Check the last train north before you commit to the train.

• Straight through: London Northwestern services from Lime Street towards London Euston call at Coventry, taking a little over two hours.
• Via Birmingham: Avanti West Coast to Birmingham New Street, then any Coventry-bound train for the final 20 minutes.
• Late kick-off warning: For a Wednesday night game the last connection back to Merseyside can go before the final whistle. Check it first, and consider staying over.

You arrive at Coventry city-centre station. From there, check the live local rail timetable for Coventry Arena station or use the extended Number 20 bus service towards the Arena area. A taxi from the city centre is another option. Check your return journey before you travel, especially for an evening kick-off.

How to get from Liverpool to Coventry by car

By car it is around 115 miles and about two hours: the M62 east out of the city, then the M6 south all the way to junction 3 and the A444 into Coventry past the arena. For an evening kick-off you will hit the Birmingham stretch of the M6 around rush hour, so leave earlier than the sat nav suggests. Put CV6 6AQ into your sat nav to bring you straight to the arena.

The one thing worth sorting before you set off is parking. Matchday restrictions operate around the Arena and nearby streets, so use an authorised pre-booked car park rather than arriving without a plan.

How to get from Liverpool to Coventry by coach

National Express runs coaches from Liverpool to Coventry, usually via Birmingham. It is the cheapest way down, though for a midweek evening game the timings rarely work for a same-night return.

Getting to the ground once you arrive

Coventry Arena railway station is within walking distance of the stadium. If you come by car, use your pre-booked space and follow event signage and steward instructions. From Coventry city centre, rail, the extended Number 20 bus and taxis are all practical final-leg options.

Where to stay in Coventry

If you are staying overnight, choose between the arena area for the shortest matchday journey and Coventry city centre for more food, bars and transport options. For an evening game, a city-centre hotel can also make the trip home easier if you do not want to rush for a late train.

See every hotel near the CBS Arena and in Coventry on a map, with Google ratings and how long each one takes to reach the ground.

Making a day of it in Coventry

With the travel sorted, the rest is the fun part. Get there early, find a spot for a pre-match drink and time your walk to the turnstiles so you are not rushing:

• Pubs and bars near the CBS Arena, with walking distance from the ground.
• Where to park and how far it is from the arena on foot.
• The matchday timetable, built around the next home kick-off.
• Plan your day: your trip from home to the turnstiles, with a pub or a car park on the way.

First time at the ground? Our Coventry City matchday guide for away fans covers everything else around your visit.

Frequently asked questions