Getting Around Sunderland
Sunderland is served by several public transport options that make it easy for visitors to navigate the city and reach nearby attractions. The main transport hub is Sunderland Interchange, the central bus station, while the Metro provides quick connections across the wider region.
The Tyne and Wear Metro
The Tyne and Wear Metro is a light rail network that connects Sunderland with Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and Newcastle Airport. It is one of only two urban rail networks in the United Kingdom outside London. The Metro opened in stages from 1980 and now serves the region with two lines.
Sunderland sits on the southern part of the Green Line, which runs from South Hylton and Sunderland Metro station northward through Newcastle City Centre to Regent Centre and Newcastle Airport. During the day on weekdays and Saturdays, the Metro runs every 12 minutes, with 15-minute intervals in the evenings and on Sundays.
Within Sunderland's local fare zone (Zone C), a single ticket costs £2.30 and a day ticket costs £3.60. The Metro covers destinations from Seaburn to Stadium of Light, as well as St Peters, the University City Campus, Millfield, Pallion, and South Hylton. To travel further afield—such as to Newcastle City Centre or the airport—you will need an all-zone ticket, which costs £3.90 for a single and £5.70 for a day ticket.
National Rail Services
Sunderland Central is a major train station with a staffed ticket office, toilets, and a café. The Metro station is located just 100 yards to the north. Northern trains run hourly from Sunderland via Heworth, Newcastle, MetroCentre, Blaydon, and Corbridge to Hexham, and also continue south to Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, and Middlesbrough.
For longer-distance travel, Grand Central operates direct trains from London King's Cross to Sunderland roughly every three hours, taking approximately three hours and 40 minutes. Alternatively, you can take frequent LNER trains from London King's Cross to Newcastle and then change onto the Metro for Sunderland, which takes no longer overall.
Buses
Sunderland Interchange serves as the main bus station. Several bus routes connect the city and surrounding areas:
- Buses 700 and 702 loop every 15 minutes from the Interchange south to the University City Campus and Royal Hospital, then north to the National Glass Centre, St Peters, and Stadium of Light.
- Go North East Bus 2 crosses the city every 30 minutes from Silksworth via the Interchange to High Barnes and Washington.
- Bus 8 runs west every 30 minutes to Barmston, Washington, Chester-le-Street, Beamish, and Stanley.
- Bus 9 runs north every 30 minutes via Boldon to Jarrow.
- Bus 20 runs every 30 minutes from Durham to Houghton-Le-Spring, the Interchange, and South Shields.
- Bus 56 runs north every 15 minutes to Gateshead and Newcastle.
- Bus 60 runs south every 15 minutes to Seaham.
National Express operates coach services from London Victoria, running every two hours or so and taking seven to eight hours via Milton Keynes, Sheffield, Leeds, and Middlesbrough. Megabus also serves London Victoria with three or four services daily, taking almost ten hours but at a lower fare.
Taxis
Taxis in Sunderland are white and can be found at ranks at the Interchange and railway stations.
Arriving from Newcastle Airport
Newcastle Airport is the main airport serving Sunderland and the wider region, with flights from many European cities, Dubai, and domestic routes. The airport is the terminus of the Metro Green Line, which runs directly to Sunderland. The journey takes approximately 55 minutes from the airport to Sunderland via Newcastle City Centre. You will need an all-zone Metro ticket for this journey. Teesside Airport is an alternative but has poor public transport connections and is further to drive.
Walkability
The city centre and key attractions are accessible by the Metro and bus network. Many local destinations within Sunderland's fare zone can be reached by Metro or bus for short journeys, making exploration of the city straightforward for visitors.