Getting to Royal Birkdale for The Open 2026: Full Transport Guide

I'll say this once, clearly, and then we'll move on: do not drive to Royal Birkdale during Open week. I live five minutes from the course. I know these roads. During The Open, they are not for normal driving. The road closures alone make it complicated; add 40,000 spectators and accreditation-only parking to the mix, and the only people who drive are the ones who don't know better or have no other choice.

Train — the best option

Merseyrail runs from Liverpool Central and Southport town centre, and Birkdale station is 10–15 minutes on foot from the Royal Birkdale main entrance. This is the cleanest option: no traffic, no parking, no stress. If you're coming from outside the area, get a train to Southport first, then a local Merseyrail hop to Birkdale.

• →Liverpool Central → Birkdale: approx. 45 minutes, direct on the Southport line
• →Southport station → Birkdale station: 2 stops, about 5 minutes
• →From Birkdale station, follow the clearly marked spectator route — about 15 minutes on foot
• →Trains run frequently during Open week — check the Merseyrail website for timetables

Park and Ride — the crowd's choice

The R&A operates official park and ride services from multiple sites across Southport during championship days. These are efficient, well-marshalled, and drop you close to the entrance. Buy your shuttle passes in advance — they sell out. The park and ride sites are typically on the outskirts of town, away from the congestion around the course.

Taxi and ride-share

Getting a taxi TO the course is manageable in the mornings. Getting one AWAY from the course at the end of the day is a different matter — there will be thousands of people trying to do the same thing. If you're relying on a taxi, book it in advance with a local firm and agree a pickup point away from the main exit. The queues at the course entrance are grim after the final round.

• →Book return journey in advance with a local Southport taxi firm
• →Agree a pickup point that isn't directly outside the main entrance
• →Uber availability during Open week in Southport is limited — don't rely on it

Walking from Southport town centre

If you're staying in Southport town centre, Royal Birkdale is approximately 2 miles. In decent weather with comfortable shoes, that's a 35–45 minute walk. The route is straightforward — follow the coast road south toward Birkdale. On practice days, walking is genuinely the nicest way to arrive. On championship days, you'll be walking in a river of spectators, which has its own atmosphere.

Cycling

Cycling to Royal Birkdale is a genuinely good option if you're based in Southport or Birkdale village. The cycle routes are flat — Southport is very flat — and bike parking is available near the course. Just be aware of the crowds on exit. This is more practical on practice days than championship days when the volume of people makes the whole area more chaotic.

What to avoid

Don't park in residential streets near the course hoping to get away with it. Local residents will have residents-only parking enforced during Open week and the stewards are thorough. Don't try to drop someone off on Waterloo Road — it will be closed. Don't arrive by car on Sunday expecting to find somewhere sensible — you won't.