REVIEW: Beatles Magical Mystery Tour, Liverpool in 2024

There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. As ever, all opinions are my own.

Considering doing the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour in Liverpool? You’ve come to the right place for information because I recently went on it for the first time, and let me tell you – I have some opinions!

I’d been out to see Beatles sites like Penny Lane and Paul McCartney’s House a few times independently before I finally coughed up and paid to join the Magical Mystery Tour, so I was curious. I wanted to know whether the tour was worth it! 

Chances are, you do too!

In this article, I’m going to share what it’s like to go on the Magical Mystery Liverpool bus tour, including where you visit on the tour, how long it lasts, how to get tickets, and, most importantly… is it worth it if you’re only in Liverpool for a day? 

(Psst… the short answer is yes – it’s worth it!)

Note: I was not paid by the tour company to write this review. I paid full price for my Magical Mystery Tour ticket with my own money, and the company had no idea that I was a blogger or planned to write about my experience after the tour.

🎸 Book your tickets here! 

The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour Bus

First things first, we need to talk about the Magical Mystery Tour bus used for the tours. It looks almost identical to the bus used by The Beatles in the Magical Mystery Tour movie!

The bus has air conditioning, tray tables, and a lot of seats. I went on the tour at 10am on a Tuesday morning, and to my absolute shock, the bus was pretty much full!

For this reason, you need to book your tickets as far in advance as possible, because the tour does sell out.

The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour Starting Point

Before your tour starts, you’ll see the Magical Mystery bus parked here, by the Albert Dock. You can’t just hop on board, though.

First, you’ll have to go to the ticket office just a few metres away (here) to check in, exchanging your digital ticket for a physical one.

You’ll need to do this at least 15 minutes before your tour is due to start, so bear that in mind! I forgot to read the small print and arrived at the last minute. I was the last person on the bus!

The reason you’ll need to get a physical ticket isn’t so much for the bus tour. You see, the real reason you’ll need a physical ticket is because this is what you’ll need to show at the doors of the Cavern Club to get free admission after the tour.

Yup, that’s right – the price you paid to go on the tour also gives you free entry to the Cavern Club, saving you £5. Score!

Liverpool Magical Mystery Tour Route

When I had done my independent sightseeing around the Liverpool Beatles attractions in the past, I’d always seen the Liverpool Magical Mystery Tour bus at different spots and thought it looked so cool. 

For this reason, I didn’t even do much research into the itinerary of the tour beforehand. I just booked it!

Most people aren’t like me, though. Chances are, you’re visiting Liverpool on a trip from a country that’s not the UK, so you don’t have time to try every Beatles-related tour in the city like I do.

I’ve got you covered – here’s exactly what you’ll do and see on the tour.

Oh – and it’s worth noting that, aside from the Cavern Club, the Magical Mystery Tour does not take you to any of the city-centre Beatles attractions. To see these, you’ll need to join a Beatles walking tour.

Okay, with that out of the way, here are the things you’ll see on the Liverpool Magical Mystery bus!

1. Ringo Starr’s Childhood Home

Hopping on the bus at the Albert Dock, you’ll drive for around 15 minutes before reaching the first stop – the childhood home of the oldest Beatle.

Even the drive is cool, though, because your local guide will introduce you to the tour, talk about their links to the Beatles, share a bunch of fascinating facts, and play Beatles tunes along the way.

The first place you’ll visit on the tour isn’t actually a “stop”, per se. You see, the bus doesn’t stop to let you get off for photos, which is disappointing. 

As you approach Ringo Starr’s childhood home and the nearby Ringo mural, the bus will simply slow down for you to take a look, rather than giving you a photo opp.

I admit, I was a bit gutted.

When there are only two hours to spare on the tour, though, I can understand.

If you want the opportunity to get out and take a photo of Ringo’s house and the mural, this Beatles taxi tour is your best bet.

2. George Harrison’s Birthplace

The next stop is George Harrison’s birthplace, a house where he lived for the first six years of his life. Fortunately, we were able to get out to take photos at this stop!

Here comes my top tip for this tour: sit near the front of the bus, if you can, because then you can snap photos of the attractions without other tourists in the frame because they’ll all still be getting off the bus.

You’re welcome 😉.

There’s nothing particularly “George” about the house. A regular family lives there now, and the street is a normal residential street, so that’s cool! Despite this, you don’t need to worry about being a nuisance.

Our tour guide reassured us that every family on this street has moved in post-Beatles fame, so every single one of them knew what they were signing up for.

It’s one of the most famous roads in the city!

Just be respectful (no peeping in windows!) and you’re good to go.

3. Penny Lane

Next up is the iconic Penny Lane!

The bus will stop on a street corner so that everybody can take photos with the iconic street sign.

Then, back on the bus, you’ll drive through Penny Lane, passing the shelter in the middle of the roundabout, the Penny Lane barber, and the bank where the “banker who never wears a mac” theoretically worked.

The guide also shared why Paul wrote Penny Lane. You see, apparently, John and Paul were tasked with writing songs about their homes and childhood.

Paul came up with Penny Lane, where he used to ride through on the bus every day on the way to school. John’s ode to Liverpool was Strawberry Fields Forever!

4. St Peter’s Hall, Woolton 

This stop is another drive-by stop, but an important one to keep your eyes peeled for. This is St Peter’s Hall in Woolton, a suburb of Liverpool.

It’s here, on a sunny July day, that John and Paul met for the first time! It’s one of the most important buildings in Liverpool for this reason.

The rest, they say, is history.

5. Strawberry Field

Next up is Strawberry Field, and of course you’ll get off the bus at this stop to take a photo with the legendary red gate. 

John’s house is just around the corner, and back in his childhood, Strawberry Field was a children’s home for orphans, and John used to sneak inside the large grounds to play. 

John was told by his Aunt Mimi not to play on the grounds of Strawberry Field, to which he responded “they can’t hang you for it.” This phrase is thought to be John’s inspiration behind his lyrics “nothing to get hung about” in Strawberry Fields Forever.

You can’t go in Strawberry Field on this tour (but they do have a paid Beatles exhibition if you come back), but you’re able to snap a photo at the gates.

6. John Lennon’s Childhood Home

Next up, it’s the home of the working-class hero, John Lennon! Except… when you pull up to his house, you may realise that “working class” is a massive stretch.

Compared to George and Ringo’s childhood homes, John’s 3-bedroom semi-detached home on one of Liverpool’s most desirable streets looks like a palace!

Here’s where my main gripe with the Magical Mystery Tour comes in. You don’t actually get to get off the bus and take photos at John Lennon’s house. The bus simply slows down a bit for you to look at it.

This was fine for me since I’d already been there a bunch, but for those who are on a once in a lifetime trip to Liverpool, I can imagine being so disappointed by this!

For this reason, I again suggest booking this Beatles black taxi tour, which will stop at John’s house for photos. If you want to go inside John’s house (because yes! You can do this!), you’ll need to join this upgraded version of the Beatles black taxi tour.

7. Paul McCartney’s Childhood Home

Paul McCartney’s house is the next stop, and fortunately, you’re allowed to get off the bus for photos here.

Paul lived here from the age of 13 until he moved out once the Beatles made it big! His family didn’t last there much longer after that. Fans were constantly hanging around outside the house, driving Paul’s family mad, so he bought them a new house and kept the location a secret. Smart!

Like John’s house, the Magical Mystery Tour doesn’t allow you to go inside Paul’s house. To do that, you’ll need to go on this super-duper tour instead.

8. Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts

After Paul’s house, it’s time to head back to the city centre. Towards the end of the journey, you’ll pass Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (“LIPA”). This used to be the Liverpool Institute, the school Paul went to.

The Paul connections don’t end there, though. Nowadays, the building is a performing arts college, and Paul is actually one of its co-founders!

You won’t get off the bus here, but a drive-by is all you need really.

9. The Cavern Club

It’s the end of the Magical Mystery Tour, and it’ll drop you off just around the corner from the Cavern Club. That’s because the Cavern actually owns and runs the Magical Mystery Tour. 

Remember your ticket? That gives you free access to the Cavern, so whether you want to head inside straight away or enter later in the evening, it’s up to you. 

No matter what time you enter, I bet you’ll find awesome live music here!

Is The Liverpool Magical Mystery Tour Worth It?

Here’s where I stand on the Magical Mystery Tour:

If you’re not massively into The Beatles, then this 2-hour whirlwind tour of the highlights will be the perfect option for you. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s also ideal – it’s one of the most affordable tours in Liverpool.

For the price, or for “beginner” Beatles fans, the Magical Mystery Tour is definitely worth it. If you fall in this category, don’t even worry about it. Book your spot now!

HOWEVER. 

If you’re super into the Beatles (which, let’s be real, if you’ve made it this far you are), then you might want something more in-depth. 

My main issue with the Magical Mystery Tour is that it felt a bit like a conveyor belt. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and only 2 hours, so it’s very much a case of getting off the bus, taking a photo, and then getting back on again. There’s no time to really ~feel~ it. You know?

That’s why my top pick for Beatlemaniacs will always be this taxi tour with The Beatles’ Homes. It’s a private tour, lasts a whopping 5 hours, and covers all of the top sites, including guided tours inside Paul and John’s houses.

You really can’t get any better than that!

International Beatleweek

Just a word of warning: during the annual international Beatleweek festival, which usually takes place during the last week of August, the Magical Mystery Tour will book out FAST. If you’re visiting Liverpool during this time, you’ll need to be organised! 

Book your tickets as far in advance as possible.

It’s also important to note that during International Beatleweek your ticket to the Magical Mystery Tour won’t get you free entry to the Cavern Club, since it’s just too busy.

FAQs About The Magical Mystery Tour Liverpool

Final Thoughts: Beatles Magical Mystery Tour Liverpool

As you can see, I really enjoyed my time on the Liverpool Magical Mystery Tour, and I’m sure that you will too! 

Although there are more in-depth tour options for true Beatlemaniacs, the Magical Mystery Tour is great value for money, and the perfect way to see all of the highlights in a short space of time.

Have fun in Liverpool!