With around 250,000 spectators expected in Southport over the next week, getting to Royal Birkdale without losing your mind requires a bit of planning.
The good news first: Royal Birkdale is one of the best-served major sports venues in the UK for public transport, and Hillside railway station is a genuine four-minute walk from the nearest spectator entrance.
The less good news: if you are planning to park on a residential street in Birkdale or Hillside village, do not bother.
A temporary traffic regulation order is in force across the surrounding streets for the duration of the championship, enforced by Sefton Council and Merseyside Police.
Here is how to actually get there.
By train — the simplest option by far
Merseyrail is the answer.
Hillside station sits just 300 metres from the nearest spectator entrance to The Open, with services running every 10 minutes at peak times.
You can tap in and out with a contactless bank card using Merseyrail's Tap & Go system — no need to buy a ticket in advance.
From Lancashire and the North: Take a Northern service to Southport or connect at Manchester Victoria or Wigan Wallgate, then pick up Merseyrail to Hillside.
From Liverpool: Merseyrail services run direct from Liverpool Central to Hillside, with Liverpool Central within easy walking distance of Liverpool Lime Street station.
Visitors can also use nearby Birkdale station, which is a little further from the course but still within comfortable walking distance of the championship grounds.
From overseas via Liverpool John Lennon Airport: Bus to Liverpool South Parkway, then Merseyrail to Liverpool Central, then onward to Hillside.
By car — you cannot park at the course
There is no public parking at Royal Birkdale itself.
Full stop.
If you are driving, you have two main options.
Option 1: The official Park & Ride
The R&A runs managed Park & Ride sites across the Sefton area, with dedicated shuttle buses running to and from the course.
Buying in advance saves you money: pre-booked tickets cost £13 per vehicle on Sunday 12 and Monday July 13, rising to £18 per vehicle Tuesday through Sunday.
On the day, those prices jump to £20 and £25 respectively.
The R&A does not publish the precise locations of Park & Ride sites in advance.
Visitors are advised to follow the black-and-yellow AA event signs rather than relying solely on satellite navigation when approaching the area.
Buses are free of charge once you have parked.
Option 2: Park further out and walk or take the train
If you would rather have a guaranteed, fixed-price space, your best bets are:
Public car parks in Ainsdale, then a 15–25 minute walk or short train journey to the course.
Southport town centre — roughly a 35–45 minute walk, depending on where you park, or a quick hop on Merseyrail.
Formby — one stop south on Merseyrail, with cheaper parking and an easy onward train to Hillside.
Liverpool city centre — park near Liverpool Central and take the Northern Line direct to Hillside.
Gate opening and Park & Ride times
Sun July 12
Gates open 9am - First shuttle to course 8am - Last shuttle from course 8pm
Mon-Tue–Wed July 13-14-15
Gates open 7am - First shuttle to course 6.45am - Last shuttle from course 8pm
Thu–Fri July 16–17
Gates open 6am - First shuttle to course 5.45am - Last shuttle from course 10pm
Sat July 18
Gates open 7am - First shuttle to course 6.45am - Last shuttle from course 9pm
Sun 19 July
Gates open 7am - First shuttle to course 6.45am - Last shuttle from course 9pm
Other ways to get there
By bike
Free bicycle parking is available near the main spectator entrance, with signed routes from Southport, Formby, and Crosby.
By taxi
Designated taxi and private hire pick-up and drop-off facilities will operate close to the course throughout the week.
Book ahead — demand will be very high.
Read more
By coach or minibus
Coach parking is available on arrival at £80 per day for large vehicles and £50 for minibuses, located around 700 metres from the nearest spectator entrance.
By air
Liverpool John Lennon Airport is 28 miles away, Manchester Airport 43 miles, while Blackpool Airport — around 38 miles from Royal Birkdale — also accepts charter flights.
One final tip
The R&A recommends using The Open Travel Assistant at theopen.com to generate a personalised travel plan before you set off, and registering for live updates on the day.
With a quarter of a million people heading to the historic Lancashire coast this week, a little preparation goes a very long way.
