If you’re flying to the UK for The Open at Royal Birkdale, one of the first things you’ll probably be thinking about is how to get from the airport to Southport.
The good news is that it’s relatively easy, whether you’re flying into Manchester or Liverpool John Lennon Airport. We do, however, have one important piece of advice, particularly for anyone arriving at Manchester Airport on a Sunday, plan ahead.
We always encourage our guests to use public transport where possible. It’s better for the environment and, once you arrive in Southport, we’re only about a five minute walk from the railway station. But sometimes public transport doesn’t go quite to plan!
From Manchester Airport
Getting a train from Manchester Airport to Southport
For most visitors, the train is a good option. There isn’t a direct train from Manchester Airport to Southport, so you’ll need to change trains, normally at Bolton. The journey takes around 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the connection and they usually leave the train station at the airport every hour.
As a guide, a train ticket from Manchester Airport to Southport was around £13.70 one way ( July 2026). Train fares can change quite a lot depending on when you travel, so it’s always worth checking the current price on the Northern Rail website.
Sunday is a little different.
Northern’s Sunday service on the Southport and Manchester route is unreliable as the conductors arn’t contracted to work Sundays and trains will only run if they work overtime. If you’re arriving at Manchester Airport on a Sunday, we’d strongly recommend checking your journey before you travel and having a plan B. For more information see the BBC News website.
Getting a taxi from Manchester Airport to Southport
If you’re arriving on a Sunday, travelling with lots of luggage or golf clubs, or simply don’t fancy changing trains after a long flight, a taxi can be a much easier option.
We use Alpha Taxis, a local Southport taxi company, who offer a flat rate of £75.60 from Manchester Airport to Sunnyside, based on the July 2026 rate. If you’d like us to arrange a taxi to collect you from the airport, just let us know in advance. To make the booking, we’ll need your flight details, arrival time and a telephone number so the driver can contact you on the day. Once you’ve landed, Alpha Taxis usually ask you to give them a quick call on 01704 537777 so they know you’ve arrived and can arrange your collection. If you’re calling from an international mobile (cell) phone their number is +44 1704 537777.
What about Uber?
Uber also operates from Manchester Airport and can be a convenient option.
At the time of writing, Uber gives an average fare of around £74 from Manchester Airport to Southport, although the actual price can vary depending on demand, traffic and the type of vehicle you choose.
From Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Getting a train from Liverpool Airport to Southport
If you have a choice of airports, Liverpool John Lennon Airport is a great option for getting to Southport by public transport. From the airport, take the 500 bus to Liverpool South Parkway, which is the nearest railway station to the airport. From there, you can catch a train directly to Southport.
The train service from Liverpool South Parkway to Southport is frequent, with trains generally running every 15 minutes during the main daytime service. The train journey from South Parkway to Southport takes around 1 hour 10 minutes and costs around £6.40 (July 2026) for a day saver if travelling after 9:30am otherwwise a single ticket is usually £8.60 (July 2026).
Getting a taxi from Liverpool Airport to Southport
We use Alpha Taxis, a local Southport taxi company, who offer a flat rate of £44.50 (July 2026) from Liverpool Airport to Sunnyside. If you’d like us to arrange a taxi to collect you from the airport, just let us know in advance. To make the booking, we’ll need your flight details, arrival time and a telephone number so the driver can contact you on the day. Once you’ve landed, Alpha Taxis usually ask you to give them a quick call on 01704 537777 so they know you’ve arrived and can arrange your collection. If you’re calling from an international mobile (cell) phone their number is +44 1704 537777.
Once you get to Southport
Once you’ve arrived at Southport railway station, you’re almost here. Sunnyside Guest House is just a short walk from the station, right in the heart of Southport.