The 153rd Open Travel & Transport Options

Everyone heading to The Open is encouraged to plan their travel in advance, leave extra time for journeys and use public transport, including additional bus, coach and train services, as well as Park & Ride and Park & Share options. Booking in advance is recommended, although public transport options will be available on the day also.

Below you'll find information relating to all parking, travel and public transport options for The 153rd Open Championship.

By Car / Park & Ride / Park & Share

Please note that there is no parking available at the Royal Portrush golf course. All spectator parking will be located at Park & Ride facilities. Charges for use of the Park & Ride will apply and tickets will be available soon via The Open website (opens in an external window).

Spectators choosing to travel to the event by car or motorbike will be directed to managed Park & Ride sites. To ensure the most efficient flow of traffic, the Police Service of Northern Ireland will direct motorists to use the designated traffic routes, which will be clearly signed by The AA. Spectators are advised to turn off their satellite navigation systems and follow the appropriate signage.

From the South East (Belfast)

Follow the M2 towards Antrim. Take the A26 to Ballymena and follow the M2/A26 towards Coleraine/Portrush. On approach to Coleraine, follow signs for The Open Park & Ride.

From the North West (Derry~Londonderry)

Follow the A2 towards Limavady. Take the A37 then continue on the A29 towards Coleraine/Portrush. On approach to Coleraine, follow signs for The Open Park & Ride.

From the South (Armagh/Mid Ulster)

Follow the A29 towards Coleraine/Portrush. On approach to Coleraine, follow signs for The Open Park & Ride.

From the North East (Ballycastle)

Follow the A2 from Ballycastle to Bushmills. Continue on the A2 and on approach to Portrush follow signs for The Open Park & Ride.

Park & Ride facilities are not restricted to only spectators travelling to The Open. Anyone wishing to take advantage of these facilities for their journey to and from Portrush during the week of the Championship are welcome to do so for a small charge. Portrush town, including all services and businesses, remains fully open to all during the week of The Open. Visitors and local residents are encouraged to visit the local Council’s website (opens in a new window) to find out more about transport, parking and things to do locally during The Open.

If you are an international visitor please note the rules for driving in Northern Ireland. 

Accessible Parking

Those requiring accessible parking spaces will be able to enquire and book these by getting in touch with the R&A. Full details are available on their Getting There page (opens in a new window).

By Train

Full details of services, tickets and online booking options for travel to The 153^rd Open are now available on the Translink website.

Portrush is accessible via train from Belfast direction, including stops at Whitebbey, Mossley West, Antrim, Ballymena, Cullybackey, Ballymoney and Coleraine. It is also accessible via trains from the Derry-Londonderry direction calling at Bellarena and Castlerock. 

There will be enhanced train capacity & frequency including additional early morning services to Portrush & late evening return services. Special day return coaches will also be available to book online in addition to normal Goldliner bus services and the Ulsterbus 140 service travelling between Coleraine & Portrush will also be enhanced.

Please note, if all pre-bookable services reach capacity, there will still be plenty of options for visitors to travel using public transport, with tickets available to purchase on the day of travel.

For the latest travel updates, we recommend downloading the Translink Journey Planner App and follow @Translink_NI #OpenTravel

From Belfast

There will be additional early morning trains from Belfast with ticket pre-booking available online on selected services, along with additional evening services from Portrush and Coleraine.

There will also be enhanced capacity on normal timetabled services to Portrush.

Passengers boarding trains in Belfast will be able to travel direct to Portrush without changing.

From Derry~Londonderry

An hourly service will operate to/from Derry~Londonderry and Coleraine, terminating at Coleraine, where a bus service will be available to transport passengers to Portrush.

By Bus

Full details of services, tickets and online booking options for travel to The 153^rd Open are now available on the Translink website (opens in a new window).

Goldline Service

Spectators can use the regular 218 Goldliner coach service from Belfast or 234 Goldline from Derry~Londonderry to Coleraine, with transfers to the local 140 connection bus service to Portrush.

Special Belfast – Portrush Coach Service

Additional special coaches will operate between Belfast Grand Central Station in Belfast to Portrush with pre-booking available online.

Local Service 140

During the Championship week, the local Ulsterbus service between Coleraine and Portrush (140 service) will operate at a 5-minute frequency to facilitate passenger flows to/from The Open. This service will stop at major caravan sites along the route to/from Portrush and will also connect with onward journeys to Belfast and Derry-Londonderry.

Local Service 402

The coastal bus service from Ballycastle to Portrush (402 service) will operate at a 20-minute frequency during the week of the Championship and the service will be extended to operate earlier in the morning and later in the evening to accommodate spectators travelling to/from The Open.

Bus/coach timetables, ticket options and online pre-booking for selected services will be available on the Translink website (opens in a new window).

Airport Connections

All local airports in Northern Ireland manage scheduled flights, as well as the arrival and departure of private jets.

Belfast International Airport is located approximately 46 miles (74 km) from Royal Portrush Golf Club.  Please contact Belfast International Airport directly on +44 (0)28 9448 4848 for further information.

Belfast City Airport is located approximately 61 miles (98 km) from Royal Portrush Golf Club. Please contact Belfast City Airport directly on +44 (0)28 90 939093 for further information.

City of Derry Airport is located approximately 29 miles (47 km) from Royal Portrush Golf Club. Please contact City of Derry Airport directly on +44 (0)28 7181 0784 for further information.

Dublin Airport is located approximately 156 miles (250 km) from Royal Portrush Golf Club. Please contact Dublin Airport directly on + 353 (1) 944 0440 for further information.

There are direct shuttle buses from all airports to the closest city from where transport links to Portrush can be accessed. Car hire is available at all airports. If arranging car hire at Dublin airport, please state you will be travelling across the border to Northern Ireland, and ensure your insurance covers travel in both EU and UK countries.

Sea / Ferry Travel

There is an existing shuttle service in Belfast from the cruise terminal into the city, from where you can arrange onward plans. Cruise passengers should make arrangements with your cruise line.

Enquiries to use Portrush Harbour as an entry point to The Open must be directed to the Harbour Office. Persons arriving at the harbour will need to make their own way to the event. The most efficient means of travel may be on foot. 

If arriving by Ferry into Belfast from Cairnryan or Birkenhead by car, please refer to previous car travel advice. Taxis are also available.

If arriving by Ferry into Larne from Cairnryan by car, please refer to previous car travel advice. "Larne Harbour" is a rail halt, with trains travelling towards Belfast. Bus services also operate.

If arriving as a foot passenger into either Belfast or Larne, please visit translink.co.uk for onward travel information.

By Foot

If you are staying in Portrush, walking is the easiest way to access the event. The main public entrance will likely be located on Dunluce Road, close to the main entrance to Royal Portrush Golf Club, and there will be signage and volunteers on hand to assist.

By Bike

If cycling to the event there will be provision to lock your bike close to the main entrance.

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For further travel and transport information, please visit Getting Here information on the official R&A website (opens in a new window).