AboutEmoor Expertise I have been traveling almost annually in England or Scotland as a tourist for the last 25 years, so I know quite a bit about train travel, car rental, B&Bs, tourist discounts, standard tourist sites, good places to eat, pubs, prices, and things to do off
Question Hi,
I'm a student from the United States, and I will be studying in Oxford this summer while The Open is going on in Carnoustie, Scotland. I'm trying to get up there to see a round or two, and have booked a stay for that Friday night of the championship, July 20th, at a nearby B&B. However, my problem is going to be figuring out how to get from Oxford to Carnoustie. I would like to be able to travel overnight on that Thursday so that I can arrive in Carnoustie early Friday morning to take in a full day of golf. Subsequently, I'd like to find find something leaving Carnoustie that Saturday evening so that I might have an opportunity to catch the golf on Saturday as well. While I'd like to be able to see two rounds of golf, it may be that I can only go to the course for one day - based on travel availability, and the constraints of a student's budget. Any suggestions?...
Answer I apologize for not answering your question sooner, but I was traveling in England myself and just returned. In fact, I was in Oxford about the time you wrote in with the question.
Getting from Oxford to Carnoustie on the train (fares will be a minimum of 70 pounds round trip unless you have a rail pass) will take several changes of train and take 7-8 hours total each way. You can probably find frequent trains to take but both Oxford and Carnoustie are somewhat off the beaten track.
A bus will be cheaper but take longer. When you arrive in Oxford, visit the train station and the bus station and inquire about fares and schedules -- they will be very helpful.
The most convenient would be driving because you would be on your own schedule. However, car rentals are expensive unless you could find several people to share the cost, or better yet find somebody who is driving his own car and needs a passenger -- this is not at all impossible since there undoubtedly will be other golf fans at Oxford this summer. Advertise on a bulletin board and ask in pubs.
