Overview
The Tyne and Wear Metro is a light rail rapid transit system serving Newcastle upon Tyne and the wider Tyne and Wear region. As a visitor, you can use it to reach the city centre from Newcastle Airport in around 20–25 minutes, explore coastal towns, or connect to the national rail network at Newcastle Central Station. The system consists of two lines operating across 60 stations over 77.5 km of track. Trains run frequently during the day (up to 5 per hour) and less frequently in the evening and on Sundays (up to 4 per hour).
The network
The Tyne and Wear Metro comprises two lines, both of which pass through Newcastle city centre via underground tunnels before branching out across the region on converted former railways and new purpose-built sections.
- Green Line: Runs from Newcastle Airport through the city centre to Sunderland and South Hylton, serving northern Newcastle, Gateshead, and the Wearside towns.
- Yellow Line: Runs from St James in western Newcastle to South Shields via the city centre, serving eastern Newcastle, North Tyneside, and coastal stops including Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and Cullercoats.
Both lines converge in Newcastle's underground central section before splitting outward. The network incorporates much historic railway infrastructure dating back to the 1830s, including the Newcastle and North Shields Railway (opened 1839) and the former Tyneside Electrics suburban network. A new underground section was built under Newcastle and Gateshead to better serve the city centres, while elevated sections include the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge across the River Tyne and the Byker Viaduct across the Ouseburn Valley.
The Metro is integrated with bus and ferry services across Tyne and Wear, though you can also purchase separate tickets. The system features step-free access at all stations, making it fully accessible for passengers with disabilities.
Tickets & fares
The Metro uses a fare system based on zones. As of the information available, a single three-zone ticket (covering most journeys within Newcastle and to the airport) costs approximately £3.90, and an all-day three-zone ticket costs approximately £5.70. Fares have been updated more recently: from April 2026, the minimum Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) fare for a single journey in one zone is £2.20.
You can buy tickets at staffed ticket offices at major stations, from ticket machines, or by using a contactless payment card or mobile phone for PAYG travel. Children aged 11 and under travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult (up to three children per adult). The Mayor's Fares scheme makes travel by Metro, bus and ferry more affordable across the North East.
Transfare tickets are also available if you wish to combine a Metro journey with travel on local buses in a single trip. These integrated tickets simplify travel across different transport modes.
From the airport
Newcastle International Airport is served by frequent Metro connections via the Green Line. A journey to Newcastle city centre takes approximately 20–25 minutes, with up to 5 trains per hour during the day and up to 4 trains per hour in the evening and on Sundays. A single three-zone ticket costs around £3.90.
Alternative options to the city include:
- Express bus: Stagecoach operates the half-hourly X78 service, which runs express to Eldon Square via Ponteland Road, with a journey time of around 20–25 minutes.
- Taxi: A taxi rank is available at the airport terminal, with average fares of £15–£20 to the city centre.
- Car hire and driving: The airport is situated off the A696, with an estimated journey time to the city centre of 15–20 minutes under normal traffic conditions (longer during peak hours).
Etiquette & customs
While specific local Metro etiquette is not detailed in available sources, standard British public-transport courtesy applies. Queue in an orderly fashion when boarding, and be aware that escalators in UK transport systems typically follow the convention of standing on the right and walking on the left, though this may vary. Quiet and priority seating is usually observed on UK transport, with seats near doors and designated priority areas reserved for elderly passengers, those with disabilities, and pregnant women. Eating and drinking rules vary; check signage at individual stations. During rush hours, the Metro can become crowded, particularly on the central section, so allow extra time and be prepared for busier conditions during commute times (typically 7–9 AM and 5–7 PM on weekdays).
Official links
Get a metro map before travelling so you can confidently identify which line to take and where to change if needed.