Visit Newcastle by Train
Find out about trains to Newcastle, how to get great discounts on your travel, and top offers on things to do when you get there
Welcome to Newcastle
It might be most famous for football and a colourful nightlife, but there’s far more to this northern city. It boasts world-class concert halls and fantastic art galleries in the regenerated Gateshead Quayside, an impressive 7 bridges, access to a stunning coastline and is also a thriving foodie destination, with restaurants ranging from upmarket to affordable.
Find out more about travelling to Newcastle by train below, along with everything you need to know about the town. Discover all the best things to do and places to visit in Newcastle – and don’t forget you can save money on your train travel with a Railcard.
By taking the train you are also helping to lower carbon emissions. And, if you require additional support when travelling, the Passenger Assist service can help you.
If you fancy travelling a bit further afield, you can also visit our Day Trips From Newcastle by Train page.
How to get to Newcastle by train
Newcastle has 1 main station:
Newcastle: This is Newcastle’s main station. There are regular direct trains to and from many destinations, including Durham, York, Sheffield, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester and Liverpool. If you’re coming or going from London King’s Cross, there are direct services each day
You can plan your Newcastle train journey, find the cheapest fares and book tickets online with our Journey Planner.
Fastest journey times to Newcastle by train
From | To | Journey time from* |
|---|---|---|
London | Newcastle | 2 hr 50 min |
Edinburgh | Newcastle | 1 hr 22 min |
Sheffield | Newcastle | 1 hr 44 min |
Manchester | Newcastle | 2 hr 47 min |
Liverpool | Newcastle | 3 hr 15 min |
Birmingham | Newcastle | 2 hr 48 min |
* Please note, some journeys will take longer and you may have to change trains
Get great offers on top Newcastle attractions
Visit National Rail’s Days Out Guide(external link, opens in a new tab) for more great offers when you travel by train.
2FOR1: Newcastle Castle
Steeped in history, this imposing Norman fortress consists of 2 buildings – the Black Gate and the Castle Keep – and also offers spectacular views
2FOR1: Best of Newcastle Walking Tour
Discover the story of Newcastle and explore one of the greatest cultural cities in the country – home to fantastic museums, art galleries, public spaces, and world-class architecture
2FOR1: Newcastle True Crime Tour
Take a walk on the dark side and revisit scenes of murder, intrigue and suspense that rattled this Tyneside city over the centuries
More attractions in Newcastle
Discover what Earth looks like from space, watch live science shows or find out about dinosaurs at the Life Science Centre(external link, opens in a new tab)
Visit the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art(external link, opens in a new tab), renovated from a flour mill and offering 4 floors of ever-changing art. Don’t miss out on the glass lifts that travel the height of the building and offer views of the River Tyne
Take a step back in time at Beamish Museum(external link, opens in a new tab), and learn what it was like to live in the north east from the Georgian era to the 1950s
Free things to do in Newcastle
Enjoy a trip to the Great North Museum(external link, opens in a new tab), which is packed full of fossils, various objects from around the world and a gallery dedicated to the animal kingdom
Be sure to spend a moment marvelling at the 134-feet-tall Grey’s Monument(external link, opens in a new tab), a homage to Charles Grey, Earl of Northumberland, the prime minister who reformed the electoral system in 1832 and abolished slavery throughout the British Empire in 1833
Embrace nature in Town Moor(external link, opens in a new tab), an impressive 1,000 acres of open space just to the north of the city. Adjacent to Town Moor is Exhibition Park(external link, opens in a new tab), which includes a small boating lake, playgrounds, a skatepark and a café
Accessible Newcastle
If you require assistance for any part of your rail journey, please visit our Passenger Assist page to find out more
To search or browse accessible attractions, restaurants, hotels and more, visit the AccessAble website(external link, opens in a new tab)
Theatre and shows in Newcastle
Marvel at the grand facade of the Theatre Royal(external link, opens in a new tab) and then watch a play, musical or kids’ show
Take a chance on Live Theatre(external link, opens in a new tab), which is dedicated developing talent and putting on exciting new work
Visit Northern Stage(external link, opens in a new tab), a theatre and performance venue that puts on old classics, often works with smaller artists and that offers kids’ shows too
Music in Newcastle
Find out all about the history of Newcastle’s Musical Routes with Jo Whiley’s audio guide
Listen to rock, pop, folk or opera at the Glasshouse International Centre for Music(external link, opens in a new tab), home to the Royal Northern Sinfonia. It’s worth checking out the iconic silver building, designed by Norman Foster, even if you don’t catch a show
For a more intimate atmosphere, The Cluny(external link, opens in a new tab) is a popular pub with a small space for gigs and hosted Mumford & Sons and Arctic Monkeys early in their careers
Clubbers will love World Headquarters(external link, opens in a new tab), a club that has embraced unity and diversity for the past 5 decades
LGBTQIA+ Newcastle
Every year, Newcastle has its annual Pride Festival(external link, opens in a new tab)
The Gay Village(external link, opens in a new tab), or Pink Triangle as it’s sometimes known, has bars and clubs within walking distance of each other
Boulevard(external link, opens in a new tab) hosts a wide variety of cabaret shows
Newcastle in film and TV
Newcastle is a popular shooting location for many film and TV shows, including:
Detective drama Vera, starring Brenda Blethyn. Get 2FOR1 on the Vera Half Day Tour of Newcastle Filming Locations(external link, opens in a new tab) with National Rail’s Days Out Guide when you go by train
The 1971 Michael Caine film Get Carter
The Ken Loach film, I, Daniel Blake
The 1996 BBC series, Our Friends in the North
Find out more about Newcastle
Go to the Visit Newcastle website(external link, opens in a new tab)
Get 1/3 off train fares with a Railcard
Save up to 1/3 off your trips when you travel by train with a Railcard
From children to seniors, over 20 million people in Great Britain can save with a Railcard. See which one is right for you
Buy yours today for just £35 and you’ll make the cost back in 1 or 2 trips!
Journey times and offers are correct at time of publication but subject to change.
Image credits © NewcastleGateshead Initiative
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