The Open is returning to St Andrews in 2027, and demand for accommodation in St Andrews will be at an all-time high. We are the largest local provider of vacation rental accommodation in St Andrews, offering visitors the perfect place to stay during golf’s most prestigious event. If you’re planning a golf trip before The Open, head here.
Let’s delve into everything you need to know about booking accommodation for The Open 2027: key dates, why early planning is crucial, the best, and tips for making the most of your visit during the tournament. If you would like to secure your accommodation, you will need to contact us directly at your earliest convenience. We will only release properties on our online travel agent partners Booking.com, Airbnb and VRBO within 6 months of the event.
The R&A Travel Team at The Open Experiences offer inclusive, experience-led access to golf’s oldest major at the home of golf. You can find out more at The Open Experiences.
The 155th Open at St Andrews is scheduled for July 2027, with tournament week running from 11–18 July 2027 here’s more information theopen.com.
These dates include the practice rounds and qualifiers earlier in the week, leading up to the four championship rounds likely played from Thursday July 15th to Sunday July 18th, 2027. Mark those dates in your calendar now!
This Open will be a historic one: it’s the first time the championship returns to St Andrews since the epic 150th Open in 2022, which saw a record-breaking 290,000 fans in attendance. It will also commemorate 100 years since Bobby Jones won the 1927 Open at St Andrews, adding to the sense of occasion. The atmosphere in town during Open week is electric. You’ll witness the world’s best golfers competing on the Old Course’s legendary fairways and greens, with grandstands erected around famous holes like the Road Hole (17th) and the 18th finishing hole by the R&A Clubhouse.
Keep in mind that while the tournament rounds are the 15th–18th, many spectators arrive earlier in the week. Practice days (typically Monday to Wednesday) are great for watching players up close in a more relaxed setting, and the R&A often holds special events or merchandise launches during those days. So, you might be planning to stay for the whole week (arriving by Sunday July 11 or Monday July 12, departing after Sunday’s final round).
Some fans even make a full vacation of it, arriving the week before to play golf themselves on nearby courses before the spectating begins.
The Open 2027 dates to remember: July 11–18, 2027 in St Andrews. If you want to be there, you should start aligning your travel plans with these dates. Crucially, you should secure accommodation corresponding to that period, possibly with a little cushion on either side if you want to enjoy St Andrews before or after the crowds. Next, let’s talk about where to stay.
If there’s one piece of advice to underscore, it’s this: book your Open 2027 accommodation as early as you possibly can. The Open at St Andrews is not just a sporting event, it’s practically a pilgrimage, tens of thousands of people descend on our small town each day of tournament week. Here’s why you need to act fast and early
Attending The Open at St Andrews is an unforgettable experience, but a bit of preparation will help you navigate the unique challenges of a major sporting event in a small town. Here are some insider tips to make your Open 2027 trip as smooth and enjoyable as possible:
During Open week, cars are more hindrance than help in St Andrews. Many central roads are closed or restricted to residents and official vehicles. If your accommodation comes with a parking spot, use it and plan to walk or use event transport.
The Open typically operates a Park & Ride system on the outskirts of town, if you’re driving in daily from elsewhere, follow the signs to those lots and take the shuttle buses (they’re frequent and free for ticket holders). If you’re staying in town, you won’t need a car at all.
Everything is walkable, from one end of town to the other is maybe 20 minutes on foot. Bring comfortable walking shoes; you might be walking from your lodging to the course, then around the course all day (the Old Course is a relatively flat walk, but 18 holes still add up).
For those staying a bit further out (say in Dundee or villages such as Anstruther, Elie, Kingsbarns, Crail), consider public transport. ScotRail may run special trains to Leuchars (the nearest station), and from Leuchars there will be buses straight to the course entrance.
Buses from Edinburgh or Dundee are also options (the X59 or X60 from Edinburgh to St Andrews, for example). They may be crowded on peak times, so give yourself plenty of time. If you have tickets for, say, the first tee time in the morning, start your journey very early that day.
If you must use a car in town, be aware that parking permits may be required in certain zones. The local council often designates special parking for residents to prevent visitor cars clogging the streets. Illegally parked cars will be towed. They’re quite strict during the event. So, follow guidance from your accommodation on where to park and what permit (if any) is provided to you. It’s often easier to park slightly out of the centre and walk in.
The Open Championship in St Andrews is scheduled for 11–18 July 2027. The practice rounds and qualifying events will take place earlier that week (typically Monday through Wednesday). The official championship rounds will be Thursday July 15th through Sunday July 18th, 2027 (assuming the traditional format). Sunday the 18th is when the Champion Golfer of the Year will be crowned on the 18th green of the Old Course. Mark these dates on your calendar and plan to be in town throughout that week to fully experience The Open.
The best place to stay is in St Andrews itself, as close to the Old Course and town center as possible. This allows you to walk to the course and all the festivities, avoiding traffic and transport hassles.
As far in advance as possible. For The Open 2027, many savvy travelers will book their accommodation 1-2 years in advance.
Walking is the best way to get around within St Andrews during Open week. The town is small and many central roads will be pedestrian-only for the event. If you’re staying in town, you can likely walk from your accommodation to the course gates in 5-20 minutes.
If you’re staying with Short Stay St Andrews yes, absolutely. Many Short Stay St Andrews properties are within a short walk of the Old Course. Some are just 2-3 minutes away, others maybe 10-15 minutes depending on the exact location. St Andrews is very walkable.
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