How to get to Portrush by Public Transport?
There are several bus, coach and train services along with great value travel tickets are available for spectators. Follow @Translink_NI or the hashtag #OpenTravel for the most up to date travel information.
Translink is advising everyone looking to travel with them to plan their travel in advance, leave extra time for journeys and remember there will be limited space onboard services for any bulky items.
Translink has been working hard to ensure that a regular service across its bus and rail networks is in place, in addition to delivering extra services for those travelling to The 148th Open, however, you may find delays are more than likely around this time.
Travelling by Rail to Portrush
From Belfast
Translink operates a regular timetable, usually every hour or less between Belfast and Coleraine. You can find the schedule here, or use their app/website here. The journey from Belfast Central takes around an hour and 20 minutes through the Antrim countryside.
From Coleraine, you may have to change (see timetables) for trains to Portrush. Trains run every hour, and the journey takes around 10 minutes. There are two stations in Portrush. Dhu Varren, which is on the western entrance overlooking West Strand and Portrush Station in the centre of town.
From July 14 – 21, there will be extra trains as well as extra carriages (allowing more people on) on the regular timetabled train services. The majority of the extra trains will be early morning trains from Belfast. For these services along with additional evening services from Portrush and Coleraine, there will be ticket pre-booking available online at Translinks website
On the final Sunday of the Open (21 July), there will be a weekday timetable will operating to and from Belfast – Portrush to offer more options for those travelling to see the final…and hopefully one of our local players lifting the claret jug.
Throughout the week, all trains from Belfast will travel directly to Portrush, so no need to change.
From Derry-Londonderry
The Derry-Londonderry rail line if one of the most scenic train trips in the world. The route weaves along cliffs, through tunnels under temples, past over two runways and along the banks of Loch Foyle.
Many famous train enthusiasts, such as Micheal Palin and Micheal Portillo, have written fantastically about the Derry-Londonderry line.
You can see our trip earlier this year from Coleraine to Derry.
<<Insert Clip here>>
The trip takes around 35 minutes and is one we recommend.
During The Open, there will be an hourly service with more carriages on the trains stopping at Coleraine, where a bus shuttle will be available to take you to Portrush.
Translink will be running a shuttle bus service will run from Portrush to Coleraine Rail Station, where you will be able to catch a train back to Derry-Londonderry. The bus will connect with the arrival of trains from Derry~Londonderry from Mon 15 – Sun 21 July.
Getting to Portrush by Bus
Translink runs several bus options for getting to Portrush the Causeway Rambler, Ulster Bus and Goldline depending where you are coming from.
From Belfast and Derry-Londonderry
When coming from Belfast, you can use the regular 218 Goldline (Timetable here) coach service from Belfast or 234 Goldline from Derry~Londonderry (timetable here).
Both of these services arrive at Coleraine Rail and Bus station, where you can easily jump on theUlsterbus 140bus service to Portrush.
For the Open, Translink will be operating the Goldline service on a weekday timetable on the Sat & Sun.
We have heard that there will be an additional special day return coaches operating between the Europa Buscentre, in Belfast, to Portrush with pre-booking available online. Please check on the TransLink website for more details.
Local Ulsterbus Services
During the Open week, the local Ulsterbus service between Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart (140 service) will run every 10 minutes to facilitate passenger flows to/from The Open. This service will also be the service to get the train to Belfast and Derry-Londonderry.
Ulsterbus Service 402
The 402 service will run along the Causeway Coastal route between Ballycastle and Portrush every 30 minutes during the week of the Open Championship, and it will also run earlier in the morning and later in the evening.
Ulsterbus Service 134
The 134 bus runs between Coleraine and Limavady, and it will operate an additional morning and evening service during the Championship.
By Road
Please note that there is no public parking available at the course. All spectator parking will be located at Park & Ride facilities.
If you are travelling to Portrush during Open week by car or motorbike, you will be directed to managed Park & Ride sites by electronic signs, message boards and event specific signs provided by The AA. If you are driving in then we advised to turn off your sat nav and follow the appropriate signage on approach to Coleraine/Portrush.
Getting to Portrush from Belfast
Follow the M2 towards Antrim. Take the A26 to Ballymena and follow the M2/A26 towards Coleraine/Portrush. On approach to Coleraine, follow the yellow (AA) and electronic signs for Public Parking.
Getting to Portrush from 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 Public Parking.
Getting to Portrush from the South (Armagh/Mid Ulster)
Follow the A29 towards Coleraine/Portrush. On approach to Coleraine, follow signs for Public Parking.
Getting to Portrush via the Causeway Coastal Route
This is possibly the best route to take to get to Portrush, clinging to the Atlantic coast from Belfast to Portrush (and onto Derry-Londonderry) the Causeway Coastal Route is adorned with stretches of sandy beaches, picturesque fishing villages, rolling gorse-covered valleys and fuchsia-edged clifftop paths. Taking in the fantastic scenery from the car is incredible, but the other senses could be missing out! The sounds of the crashing waves, the birds soaring up above, the salty taste from the sea on your lips and the wind whistling past your ears – these are all part of this legendary land’s beauty.
The journey takes around 2 and half hours if you do it in one go, but we recommend you make at least half a day and stop off at the many amazing spots along the way, places such as The Gobbins, Carrick-a-rede Rope bridge, The Giants Causeway and much much more. Check out our road trip here.
If you are a game of Thrones fan, you could check out our guide to all of the filming locations in Northern Ireland here, as it follows the Causeway Coastal Route for the most part.
As you enter, Portrush follow signs for Public Parking.
Getting to Portrush from Dublin & The South
For those coming from Dublin or the South of Ireland, we recommend travelling via Belfast or Derry, and you can find out how to get to Portrush from these above.
Park and Ride Facilities for Portrush
If you are coming to the Open by car (or motorbike), you will be directed to the many Park & Ride sites by the electronic signs and event specific signs.
PLEASE IGNORE YOUR SAT NAV… it’ll only get you lost due to the road closures etc.
There will be no car parking available at Royal Portrush Golf Club or in Portrush over the Championship week; however, there will be pick up and drop off locations close to Portrush.
Charges for the use of the Park and Ride will apply. Park and Ride tickets can be pre-booked on The Open website.
Use of the Park & Ride car parks is not only for those coming to The Open, and anyone who wants to take advantage of these facilities to speed up their journey to and from Portrush during the week of the Championship is encouraged to do so.
These locations will be signposted by black and yellow AA signs on the approach to Coleraine and Portrush from all directions. Further details on Park & Ride operating times and prices are available at www.TheOpen.com/getting-there
Car park tickets may be purchased online in advance or on arrival.
Local Road Access Restrictions around Portrush
To assist with traffic management and reduce congestion near Royal Portrush and the surrounding area, temporary traffic regulations and parking restrictions will be introduced. These will be enforced by traffic attendants and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to minimise disruption to residents and businesses, assist traffic flow and increase safety and security for all road users. It is advisable to allow extra time for journeys during The Open and business owners may wish to consider making their customers aware of the changes.
Under the Road Traffic Regulation (Northern Ireland) Order 1997, access to the following roads will be restricted between the hours of 6.00am and 10.00pm from Sunday 14 July to Monday 22 July 2019 (inclusive):
Bushmills Road/Dunluce Road – between Crocknamack Road and Whiterocks Road
Ballybogey Road – between Ballymacrea Road/Ballymagarry Road and Dunluce Road
Portstewart Road – between Glenvale Crescent and Road
No through traffic will be permitted along Bushmills Road and Dunluce Road to or from Portrush town.
Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council will issue access passes to residents and businesses affected by road access restrictions in June. Access for customers will be maintained. Golflinks Holiday Homes and The Skerries Holiday Park will distribute passes directly to their residents.
Parking Restrictions
Also, parking restrictions (no waiting/no stopping) will be in place on several roads in Portrush. Alternative parking will be provided for residents affected by the parking restrictions who do not have access to off-street parking. A map outlining the temporary restrictions can be found online.
General Car Parking in and around Portrush
The following car parks are available for public use during the dates specified:
Dunluce Avenue Car Park
Dunluce Centre Car Park
Sandhill Drive Car and Motorhome Park
West Strand Car Park
White Rocks Car Park
East Strand Car Park
Lansdowne Road Car Park.
On-street parking locations in Portrush Town Centre will be available as usual during the summer
A dedicated car park for business owners and staff will be provided at the Lansdowne Recreation Grounds. Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council will circulate details of how to apply to permits.
Beach Access
Beach access for pedestrians will not be inhibited or obstructed during the event at any of the beaches.
However, car access and parking will not be available at East Strand and West Bay during the following dates:
West Strand Car Park 14th – 22 July (inclusive)
The southern part of East Strand Car Park (30% of the site) 10 June – 4 August
All East Strand Car Park 1 July – 31 July (inclusive)
Whiterocks Area 14 July – 22 July (inclusive)
The above carparks will be subject to vehicular access restrictions to facilitate the operational requirements of The Open. Consequently, vehicle access and parking at these sites will not be available to the general public. Pedestrian access to the beaches will remain available at all times and arrangements will be in place to facilitate those who live and work in the area.
The Causeway Coast and Glens is home to a wealth of beautiful beaches including Benone, Portstewart Strand, Whitepark Bay and Ballycastle, along with hidden gems like Portballintrae and Cushendun and we would encourage people to explore these areas and enjoy our expansive coastline which stretches across the Borough.
