Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool is home to the Grand National — the world's most famous steeplechase. Whether you're heading to the three-day April festival or a summer race day, this guide covers the enclosures, the race calendar, getting there, parking, and fixed-price transfers so your day runs smoothly from door to finish line.
Three days of racing: Traditionally the second week of April.
Aintree also hosts smaller evening and weekend meetings through the year. These are calmer, cheaper, and easier for last-minute plans — ideal for a relaxed day at the races without the festival crowds.
| Enclosure | Atmosphere | Typical Price (festival) |
|---|---|---|
| Steeplechase (Festival Zone) | Lively, music, younger crowd | £40–65 |
| Tattersalls | Close to parade ring & bookies | £55–95 |
| Earl of Derby / County | Premium, grandstand views | £95–160 |
| Hospitality / Boxes | Dining, private balconies | £250+ |
Prices vary by day; Grand National Day is dearest. Book via thejockeyclub.co.uk/aintree.
Fares below use our standard per-mile pricing, rounded, with any applicable zone charge included. All include a professional driver, luggage/space for groups, and no surge pricing on race days.
| From | Saloon | Executive | MPV | V Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool City Centre | £29 | £40 | £40 | £52 |
| Liverpool John Lennon Airport | £30 | £40 | £40 | £52 |
| Preston | £76 | £97 | £100 | £113 |
| Manchester City Centre | £89 | £113 | £117 | £132 |
| Manchester Airport | £97 | £123 | £127 | £143 |
| From | Saloon | Executive | MPV | V Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool City Centre | £52 | £73 | £73 | £94 |
| Liverpool John Lennon Airport | £55 | £73 | £73 | £94 |
| Preston | £137 | £174 | £181 | £204 |
| Manchester City Centre | £160 | £203 | £211 | £238 |
| Manchester Airport | £174 | £221 | £229 | £258 |
Saloon seats 4, Executive 3 (premium ride), MPV 6, and V Class for larger groups. Return fares apply our return-trip rate, saving roughly 10% versus two one-way bookings. Fares are locked at booking — no race-day surge.
Cost: £3–4 each way
Door-to-door: No
Race-day crowds: Very heavy after racing
Best for: Solo/light travellers, tight budgets
Cost from Liverpool: ~£29 saloon
Door-to-door: Yes
Race-day crowds: Skip the queues
Best for: Groups, comfort, hospitality guests
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Dress code | Varies by enclosure. Premium areas smart; Ladies Day encourages full fashion. No fancy dress or sportswear in higher enclosures. |
| Weather | April can be cold and wet. Bring a coat; heels struggle on grass — many bring flats as backup. |
| Bag policy | Small bags only on festival days (size limits apply). Check the official site before travelling. |
| Cash/cards | Bookmakers take cash and increasingly cards; on-course betting apps also work. |
| Age | Under-18s admitted with an adult on most days; check individual fixture rules. |
On Grand National weekend, accommodation fills up months in advance and prices climb. Your main options:
Aintree pairs perfectly with a wider Liverpool trip. The city offers the Beatles heritage sites, the Albert Dock and its museums, the two cathedrals, and a lively waterfront dining scene. Many visitors build a two- or three-day weekend around the racing, using transfers to move between the course, their hotel and the city's attractions without the hassle of parking or post-race public transport.
A: About 6 miles — roughly 15–25 minutes by car depending on race-day traffic, or ~20 minutes on the Merseyrail Northern line.
A: The Grand National Festival runs over three days in April, with Grand National Day on the Saturday. Confirm exact dates on the official Jockey Club site.
A: For groups and hospitality guests, yes — door-to-door comfort and no post-race platform crush. Solo travellers on a budget often prefer the train.
A: Yes. Book a return with a pre-agreed pickup point away from the main gate crush. Roads clear gradually, so allow a little patience right after racing.
A: Yes — see the fare tables above. Longer journeys benefit from our long-distance mileage rate, so the per-mile cost drops on trips over 40 miles.
Tickets: thejockeyclub.co.uk/aintree
Transport: Book a fixed-price transfer for stress-free race-day arrival — no surge, no station queues, door to door.
Aintree on Grand National day is a bucket-list occasion. Book tickets and transfers early, dress for British spring weather, and enjoy one of sport's great spectacles.
Fixed price, door-to-door, no race-day surge — beat the post-race queues.
Book Now →Rushxo runs fixed-price transfers to events and venues, every major airport and cruise terminal, and towns and cities right across London and the South East. Every journey is a fixed price agreed before you book.
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