Getting to the Rainbow Quarter by train, tram and car

The short version

The Rainbow Quarter is one of the easiest gay villages in Britain to reach without a car. Blackpool North station is on its doorstep, and you can walk from the platform to the first bars in a couple of minutes. Once you are here, everything in the quarter is walkable, the Promenade is a few minutes away, and the trams cover the whole seafront. Most visitors never need a taxi until the end of the night.

By train

Which station. Blackpool North is the station you want. It is on Talbot Road, at the edge of the quarter. Blackpool also has a smaller station at Blackpool South and a Pleasure Beach halt, but these are on a separate branch line and are a long way from the quarter.

Direct trains. Blackpool North has direct trains from Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria and Manchester Airport, from Liverpool Lime Street, from York via Leeds and Preston, and from Preston itself. There are also some direct trains from London Euston and Birmingham. From Scotland, change at Preston.

From London. Some trains run straight through to Blackpool North. Otherwise, change at Preston, where connecting trains run frequently and take around half an hour.

Station facilities. The station is step-free to all platforms, with level access from the entrance. It has a Changing Places toilet, accessible toilets, baby changing, refreshments, cycle storage and staff on duty from the first train to the last. Passenger assistance can be booked in advance.

Tickets. If you're going to use buses and trams, you can add a discounted bus-and-tram ticket to your rail ticket when you buy it. This is often cheaper than buying separately.

Late trains. The last trains out of Blackpool on Friday and Saturday nights leave well before the bars close. If you're visiting from Manchester or Liverpool for the evening, check the last departure before your first drink.

By tram

The North Station tram link. Since June 2024, trams have run from a platform next to Blackpool North station, under the Holiday Inn, down Talbot Road to North Pier. From there they continue along the Promenade, either south to the Tower, Central Pier, Pleasure Beach and Starr Gate, or north to Bispham, Cleveleys and Fleetwood. To find the platform, turn right out of the station and follow the signs through the underpass.

How often. Trams run roughly every ten to fifteen minutes through the day. Services start early in the morning and the last trams run until about midnight. Not every tram calls at North Station. If one isn't due, walk the ten minutes down Talbot Road to North Pier, where all Promenade trams stop.

The Illuminations evenings. During the first Illuminations season after the link opened, trams stopped serving North Station after 7pm for a while to keep traffic moving. Check the timetable and stop notices during the autumn.

Accessibility. The modern trams are low-floor and wheelchair accessible, with a dedicated wheelchair space. Conductors travel on every tram. The heritage trams have steps, though conductors will help.

Paying. Buy from the conductor on board (cash or card), through the operator's app, or online. Note that "tap on, tap off" contactless capping currently works on the buses but not the trams, so buy a ticket from the conductor.

By bus

Blackpool Transport runs most local buses. Several routes pass close to the quarter and the Tower. The 1 runs along the Promenade, and several others serve the town centre near Talbot Road and Abingdon Street. Buses are low-floor and accept contactless payment, which is capped at the day or week fare.

Two regional routes link Blackpool and Preston: the 61, and the 68 via Lytham St Annes.

Sunday fares. Single bus fares bought on Sundays and bank holidays have been charged at £1 under a county scheme. It does not cover trams.

Fares at a glance

Blackpool Transport's adult tickets cover both buses and trams:

• 1 Hour Hopper: unlimited bus and tram travel within an hour, about £3.50.
• Day Saver: about £6.60.
• Duo Day Saver for two adults: about £10. This is a good deal for couples and pairs of friends.
• 3 Day Saver: about £18.50. 7 Day Saver: about £25.
• Young person's tickets for ages 16 to 21 are cheaper, and children under five travel free.

You can buy most tickets from the driver or conductor, in the app, or online.

By coach

Long-distance coaches arrive at the town's central coach station, south of the Tower. It is a walk of about twenty to twenty-five minutes, or a short tram or taxi ride, to the quarter. If you have heavy bags, take the tram from Central Pier to North Pier and walk up Queen Street.

By car

The M55 runs from junction 32 of the M6 almost to the seafront. Parking in the quarter itself is limited. See our parking guide for the car parks nearest the bars and the guesthouse discount passes.

Taxis

• Hackney cabs are the licensed taxis you can hail in the street or pick up at a rank. They use a meter with fares set by the council. There is a rank on Dickson Road outside Funny Girls, and taxis also wait at the station.
• Private hire cars must be booked by phone or app. Never get into a private hire car that pulls up and offers you a ride without a booking: it won't be insured to carry you and it isn't safe.
• Late-night queues. Expect queues when the bars empty at weekends and after big events. Book ahead if you're staying outside the quarter.
• Cost. Taxis are relatively expensive for short hops, which is why many visitors choose to stay within walking distance of the bars.

Walking

Inside the quarter, walking is the answer. Approximate times on foot:

• Blackpool North station to Garlands, Lord Street or the bottom of Dickson Road: 2 to 5 minutes
• Station to the Flying Handbag on Queen Street: about 5 minutes
• Queen Street to North Pier: about 5 minutes
• The quarter to the Tower and the Pride arena: 10 to 15 minutes
• The quarter to the Winter Gardens and Grand Theatre: about 10 minutes

Cycling

There is cycle storage at Blackpool North station, and the Promenade has a long, flat, traffic-free path for most of its length.

Report hate on public transport

Blackpool Transport is a third-party hate crime reporting centre. If something happens to you on a tram or bus, you can report it to them as well as to the police. See our guide to staying safe and reporting hate crime.