I would like to surprise my husband with travel arrangements to the tournament. But, it has to be on a BUDGET from Atlanta, GA. Can anyone give me advise on where to fly into (London) and then get a train, etc. I understand you can get tickets to the tournament easily when you get to Scotland. Hope this is true.

You can buy tickets on-line on the R&A's website.

But are you asking about this year's Open at St Andrews? If so, you have left it VERY late to start planning, and especially so if you are on a limited budget.

Getting to Scotland isn't the problem - He can fly into London and then fly up to Edinburgh, or fly into Glasgow or Edinburgh and take the train to near St Andrews. But last minute flights usually cost a lot.

Finding budget (or any) accomodations in/near St Andrews will be very difficult. Edinburgh is not a cheap place to stay, and towns/village closer to St Andrews will be pretty well booked up. What exactly did you have in mind? Staying near St Andrews for the run of the championship, or just a day trip to it one day? If just a day trip -- from where? It isn't a day trip from London.

You really needed to start planning this trip 8 or 9 months ago to get any bargains.

If you can splurge - there are tour companies that can get him accomodations for this year - but it will cost you big time.

Sorry to rain on you idea - but if budget is an issue why not start planning now for next year's Open in Liverpool.

I guess I meant budget for the last minute. Someone has told him he might be able to get a dirt cheap flight to London or somewhere and that's what I was looking for, but haven't found yet. As far as a place to stay, as long as it is clean and has a shower, he's okay with that. Any ideas would be welcomed.

"Someone has told him he might be able to get a dirt cheap flight to London or somewhere . . ."

A dirt cheap fare less than 30 days out. I highly doubt it. Last minute tickets are usually very high. Maybe that "Someone" should tell him where to get a discount ticket for high season. You MIGHT have luck using priceline.

For accomodations check this site. If anything is available they will be able to point you in the right direction. http://www.standrews.co.uk/Open2005.htm

I tried to do the same thing about two months ago and gave up. R/T from California was nearly $1500 and places to stay within an hour were hard to find. Do what Janis suggested and start planning for next year. That is what I am going to do.

At this late date the only places that might still have occupancies and reasonable prices are the Bed and Breakfasts. There are numerous sites for those in the Edinburgh/St. Andrews and between area.
I made my hotel reservations in Edinburgh at 58 GBP a night (Holiday Inn) last September and received my tickets to the Open from R&A immediately after they became available. Will be flying into London via Delta from Atlanta/Sacramento. A three days in London area and then the Caledonian Sleeper (already have reservations) to Edinburgh and the bus to St. Andrews. Knowing that the Open was going on and my son wanting to eat at the Witchery, I made reservations there in January for July. I figured the area to be packed and the reputable places to be filled up. After, we continue to tour Europe returning to Atlanta/Sacramento from Rome via Delta. They charged me $1074 for the round trip. All of this was planned well in advance with an eye to both cost and the sites we wanted to see. Hotels/lodgings were picked with location in mind first and price second.
Good luck on your attempts...Rich