Translink is reminding anyone heading to Portrush during The 153rd Open Championship week (13-20 July) to plan their travel in advance and leave extra time for journeys.
Every available train, coach and bus will be in operation to accommodate thousands of additional passengers. Customers should expect services to be busy, particularly during the main championship days (17-20 July).
Around 278,000 visitors are expected to attend the Championship, and after the success of 2019, we’re looking forward to The Open’s return to Northern Ireland.
With huge numbers of fans heading to the Causeway Coast to watch the world’s greatest golfers, public transport will once again play a vital role in showcasing this area to a huge audience. Our extensive transport plan provides extra capacity for over 115,000 passengers travelling to and around Portrush for this world-class sporting event, offering spectators plenty of choice and convenience, reducing traffic congestion and ensuring visitors enjoy their trip to this stunning visitor destination.
There will be enhanced train capacity and frequency including additional services to Portrush and late evening return services. Special bus and coach services are also available in addition to normal Goldliner services and our popular Ulsterbus 140 service travelling between Coleraine and Portrush will also be enhanced.
We encourage anyone heading to The Open to visit our website – www.translink.co.uk - for travel options and make the most of their time on the Causeway Coast.
Tickets for special trains must be booked online to secure travel, and spectators can also use normal scheduled rail services to travel to and from Portrush.
In respect of coach and bus services, these are available for travel to Portrush subject to demand, with online booking essential. Spectators can also choose the Goldliner 218 coach service from Belfast Laganside or 234 service from Derry~Londonderry to Coleraine, with onward Portrush bus connections. Local Ulsterbus 140 services travelling between Coleraine and Portrush will be enhanced (5 min frequency) running 5:50am - 11pm (Mon – Sun) and stopping at major caravan/camping sites along the route.
Additional morning (6am and 7am) and evening services (8:15pm and 9:15pm) will be available on Ulsterbus 402 between Coleraine and Ballycastle operating on a 20 min frequency.
As well as all the special services to Portrush for the Championship, Translink will be maintaining the operation of around 13,000 services per day across the whole bus and rail network, supporting around 1m passenger journeys to destinations across Northern Ireland over the week.
Ahead of the exciting week of golf, Translink has issued the following important travel advice:
- Following high demand, there is still some availability left for special services to Portrush - check www.translink.co.uk/the-153rd-open for details and online bookings.
- Golf fans can also choose from a range of normal timetabled bus, coach, and rail services to Portrush – download the Translink Journey Planner App to plan your travel.
- Arrive at stations 30 minutes before departure time. A queuing system will be in place and seating will be available on a first come, first served basis with additional standing room available.
- If possible, anyone not attending the golf should travel by train to Portrush after 10am.
- Due to large numbers travelling on services, there will be limited space for bags, buggies, bicycles, or any other bulky items.
- Follow the latest Translink travel updates follow @Translink_NI #OpenTravel.
- Further details on The 153rd Open can be found online at www.TheOpen.com
We’re also pleased to announce a free, fun, and family-friendly fanzone at Belfast Grand Central Station.
'The T Zone' will be open throughout the tournament (Thursday 17th - Sunday 20th July, 9am-5pm), with an interactive golf-themed experience for all to enjoy - including mini golf, chipping challenges, giveaways and more!
For more information, to plan your journey and buy tickets please visit: www.translink.co.uk
Key Facts – Translink ~ The 153rd Open
- Around 70,000 additional bus seats over the week on local Causeway Coast services alone, on top of the regular Ulsterbus 140 and 402 services.
- 80 low and zero emission buses operating scheduled and enhanced timetabled services across the Causeway Coast area.
- 30+ scheduled timetabled Goldliner Coach services daily between Belfast and Coleraine with connections to Portrush Mon – Sat [24 services on Sundays.]
- Bus Drivers to deliver the event – 132
- Bus Supervisors – 20
- Teams of Shunters and Cleaners - 15
Train Provision
- 50 extra train journeys over the event week from Belfast and Derry~Londonderry to Portrush for the championship, providing additional capacity for around 19,500 passengers.
- In addition, there are over 400 scheduled train services operating to and from Portrush from Belfast and Derry~Londonderry during the course of the week.
- Around 500 rail staff to deliver the event plan across the week.
- Valeting for x50 train sets throughout the week.
Park & Ride service
- Fleet – 67 double deck buses.
- Approximate vehicle miles (on P&R) – 90,000 miles over the week, working 9,500 hours.
- Seats available (on P&R) – 25,350 over the week.
- Bus valets – 338 over the week.
Property
- Two months of night-time works to prepare platforms on the Belfast to Coleraine and Portrush lines.
- Major investment in upgrading the drainage and passenger toilets in Coleraine Bus and Rail Station in time for The 153rd Open.
- Multiple on-site and on-call tradesmen deployed for the duration of the competition days to ensure smooth running of Translink facilities.
- Extra cleaning staff deployed at North-West Transport Hub, Coleraine, Ballymoney, Portrush stations.



