Getting Around Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne sits on the north bank of the River Tyne, opposite Gateshead, and is the most populous settlement in North East England. For a visitor, the city centre is compact and largely walkable, and it is backed up by a good public transport network: the Tyne and Wear Metro, mainline rail, local buses, taxis and ride-hailing. This guide explains how these modes fit together and how to reach the city from its airport.
Walking
Walking is always the first choice for the city centre, the university main campuses, the Quayside and the opposite river bank of Gateshead. Distances between the main central attractions are short, and the riverside in particular is best explored on foot.
Tyne and Wear Metro
The Tyne and Wear Metro is the backbone of local public transport. Central Station is served by both Metro lines, with frequent trains to the airport, the suburbs, Gateshead and outlying towns. The network also reaches places such as Heworth, near Gateshead, where you can connect for onward travel.
- Central Station is on both Metro lines, making it a convenient interchange with mainline rail.
- Metro trains run frequently during the day, with a slightly reduced frequency in the evenings and on Sundays.
- Only fold-away bicycles are permitted on Metro trains.
- A few Metro stations have secure storage for bicycles.
Rail
Newcastle Central Station is a busy stop on the East Coast Main Line and a confident piece of Italianate Victoriana, opened in 1850 to link the English and Scottish rail networks. It has staffed ticket offices, cafe-bars, a pub, toilets, heated waiting rooms, convenience stores and ATMs. There is step-free access, though the ramps to the platform bridges are steep. Access is only via the north side, on Neville Street; exit the station right for the taxi rank and left for the car hire office and the drop-off/pick-up area.
Services connect Newcastle with London King's Cross, York, Durham, Darlington, Edinburgh, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Morpeth, Carlisle, Hexham, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and many other destinations. Cross-country services link the city with Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds and the West Country, and there are also connections via Manchester and Liverpool. For timetables, fares, disruptions and real-time service information, see National Rail.
You can supplement your rail ticket with a Plusbus ticket for local buses, though it is seldom worth it. Manors is a small platform halt a short distance east of Central, served by local trains from Morpeth, Cramlington and Ashington.
Buses and coaches
Newcastle is served by a network of bus services operated by Arriva, Go North East and Stagecoach. Popular attractions accessible by bus include the Angel of the North, Beamish Museum, the Quayside and Saltwell Park.
The city has two bus stations, Eldon Square and Haymarket. Cross-city services operated by Stagecoach generally operate from streets within the city rather than from one of these bus stations, so it is worth checking exactly where your service picks up.
For longer journeys, National Express coaches run from London Victoria and from other major cities including Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Sheffield and Glasgow. Megabus also runs services from London Victoria and other cities; Megabus does not use Newcastle bus station, stopping instead on John Dobson Street, a couple of blocks east of Eldon Square and close to the universities. Newcastle Coach Station itself is simply a five-bay bus stop with no waiting room or ticket office, though it is near city amenities and sits on Churchill Street, a short walk west of the mainline and Metro stations.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Taxis are readily available, with a taxi rank at Newcastle Central Station and another at the airport. At the airport, the average fare into the city is around £15.00–£20.00. Ride-hailing apps are also widely used in the city, offering a convenient alternative to traditional taxis, particularly for short trips or late evenings.
Cycling
Newcastle is a reasonably cycle-friendly city, with cycle lanes and lock-up points. You do not need a bike in town, but you might use one to explore the Hadrian's Wall path or to venture out to the coast. Newcastle does not have a bike-share scheme, and the shops sell bikes and kit but do not hire them. There is, however, one rental facility: the Cycle Hub in Ouseburn, a full-service place with a cafe, a shop, a workshop and bike hire with a good selection. The service is pricey but knowledgeable and friendly.
Getting from Newcastle International Airport into the city
Newcastle International Airport is a compact single terminal with the usual facilities. Currency exchange is provided by Travelex, though rates are poor, so it is better to change money downtown if possible. Car rental desks are operated by Avis, Enterprise, Europcar and Sixt, with others available to pick up or drop off by booking.
There are several ways to reach the city centre from the airport:
- Metro: A journey on the Tyne and Wear Metro takes around 20–25 minutes, with up to five trains per hour during the day and up to four per hour in the evening and on Sundays. A single three-zone ticket costs £3.90 and an all-day three-zone ticket costs £5.70.
- Bus: Stagecoach operates the half-hourly X78 service, which runs express to Eldon Square via Ponteland Road, with an average journey time of around 20–25 minutes.
- Taxi: There is a taxi rank at the airport, with an average fare of around £15.00–£20.00.
- Car: The airport is situated off the A696, which can be reached easily from a number of principal routes, including the A1, A68 and A69. The estimated journey time to the city centre is 15–20 minutes, with increased travel time during peak hours.
Practical tips for visitors
- Use the Metro for the airport, the suburbs, Gateshead and outlying towns, and mainline rail for longer journeys.
- Buy a three-zone Metro ticket if you are travelling between the airport and the city centre.
- Check whether your bus departs from Eldon Square, Haymarket or a city street, as Stagecoach cross-city services do not always use the bus stations.
- Walk wherever possible in the city centre, the Quayside and Gateshead; it is usually the quickest and most enjoyable option.
- If you need a bike, head to the Cycle Hub in Ouseburn, as there is no bike-share scheme and shops do not hire.