Getting to The Open 2026: Transport, Parking, and What Not to Do

I live three miles from Royal Birkdale. I've been to previous Open weeks at Birkdale and I've watched the town work out how to handle 250,000 people across a week. The single most common mistake I see from visitors is treating it like a normal day out and trying to drive to the course. Don't.

The Honest Summary: Take the Train

Merseyrail from Liverpool Central to Birkdale station is the answer. The journey from Liverpool is around 40 minutes. From Southport station, Birkdale is one stop south on the Merseyrail — about four minutes. Birkdale station is a fifteen-minute walk from the course entrance, or a short bus shuttle.

Merseyrail will run enhanced services during Open week. Trains are frequent. You don't queue for parking. You don't spend the morning in traffic on the A565. You arrive when you want and leave when you want. The train is the answer and I don't know why every transport guide for every major event has to explain this from scratch every time.

Park and Ride

The R&A will operate park-and-ride services from multiple sites around Southport during Open week. These will be published on theopen.com closer to the event. The park-and-ride sites are typically outside the main traffic corridors so you can get in and out without the central congestion.

If you're travelling from somewhere where the train doesn't work well, park-and-ride is the second option. You need to pre-book — don't assume you can just turn up on a Saturday and find a space.

Parking Near the Course — The Honest Picture

On-site parking is reserved for officials, players, and hospitality. You cannot simply drive to Royal Birkdale and park during Open week. The roads immediately around the course are subject to access restrictions. Anyone who tells you there's a secret residential street to park in is wrong, or has never been during Open week.

Some residents in Birkdale village do rent driveway space — this comes up on JustPark each year. It's expensive (£30–£50 per day is typical) and you'll still be well outside the restriction zone, so it's essentially park-and-walk rather than park-at-the-gate. Fine if it works for your situation, but the train is still better.

If You're Staying Locally

If you've managed to secure accommodation in Birkdale village or within walking distance of the course — well done, you planned ahead. Walk in every morning and save yourself the entire transport question. Birkdale village to the course entrance is a pleasant fifteen-minute walk through quiet residential streets. Best way to do Open week by some distance.

If you're staying in Southport town centre, it's a short train hop to Birkdale, or a taxi that will cost you £8–£12 during normal times and rather more during Open week when demand is high. The train is still the call.

Championship Round Days vs Practice Days

Practice round days (Monday to Wednesday) are significantly calmer transport-wise. The crowds are smaller — typically 20,000–40,000 versus 50,000+ on championship days. You can be more flexible with timing, you'll get closer to players on the range and fairways, and the train is less packed. If you haven't been to The Open before and you want to understand what it's like before the full championship chaos, a practice day is genuinely excellent value.

What to Bring on the Day

• →Your ticket on the R&A app — do not rely on a screenshot with poor signal at the entrance.
• →Small bag only. Bag size restrictions apply. Check the R&A website for the current spec.
• →Waterproofs. Always. Open week weather is unpredictable even in July.
• →Comfortable shoes. You'll walk five to eight miles on links terrain.
• →A portable phone charger. You'll need it.
• →Cash and card — most food outlets take both, but some queues are card-only.