The Open Championship runs at Royal Birkdale from 12 to 19 July. Around 200,000 people will attend over the week. If you are planning to drive into Southport and park near the course on a championship day, you need to adjust that plan now.
The Official Shuttle Service
The R&A runs an official shuttle from Southport town centre to Royal Birkdale on all championship days. This is the right option for most visitors. You park in Southport, take the shuttle in, and avoid the road chaos around Birkdale entirely. The shuttle runs frequently during the morning arrival window and evening departure. Times and pick-up points are published on theopen.com closer to the event.
If you are staying in Southport town centre or near the railway station, the shuttle is straightforward. The town centre car parks are large, reasonably priced, and not subject to the same pressure as anything near the course.
The Train: Merseyrail to Birkdale
Merseyrail runs direct from Liverpool Central to Birkdale station on the Southport line. Birkdale station is a short walk from the Royal Birkdale entrance. From Southport station you can also take the train one stop south to Birkdale. The journey is about four minutes. Trains run regularly and this is a genuinely good option if you are arriving from Liverpool.
From Manchester, the direct route is Liverpool Central via Manchester Piccadilly and then Merseyrail to Birkdale. The full journey is around 75 to 90 minutes depending on connections. No need for a car at any point.
🚆Birkdale station is the right stop for the course entrance. One stop from Southport on the Merseyrail Southport line.
Taxis
Taxis are a practical option for Open week, particularly for early morning arrivals before the shuttle is running at full capacity, or for late evening returns after the day session ends. Pre-booking is essential during Open week. Walk-up availability from Birkdale at 7pm on a Thursday of The Open is not reliable. Book your return before you leave in the morning.
Several taxi companies operate across Southport and Merseyside with large driver networks. Pre-booked journeys to and from the course, hotels, and Liverpool Airport are available. Use a company with online booking rather than relying on street hails during Open week.
Driving: Where Parking Exists
If you genuinely need a car, the R&A operates official park and ride sites away from the course. These are published via theopen.com. Do not attempt to park on residential streets in Birkdale. Parking restrictions are strictly enforced during the championship and residents are not sympathetic to visitors blocking their roads.
Marine Drive car park on the seafront fills early even on normal summer days. During Open week it is not the right place to aim for if you are then travelling to the course.
Liverpool Airport Transfers
Liverpool John Lennon Airport is around 25 minutes by taxi from Southport. Pre-booked airport transfers are available and sensible for Open week. Train is possible but requires a change and is more complex. If you are flying in specifically for The Open, a taxi transfer to your Southport or Birkdale accommodation is the practical choice.
Everything you need for The Open 2026:
The Open 2026 Guide →Terry
Chief Editor, SouthportGuide.co.uk. Lives in Churchtown with his wife,
four kids, and Frank the bulldog.
