The Tyne and Wear Metro is the easiest, fastest, and most efficient way to get around Newcastle, Gateshead, and the wider North East region. Whether you’re heading to the airport, the coast, or just hopping across the river, this guide explains exactly how to use it.
What is the Metro?
The Metro is a light rail system serving Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, and the City of Sunderland. It’s similar to the London Underground but much smaller and largely overground outside the city centre.
Key Stations for Visitors
If you’re visiting for a few days, you’ll likely only need a handful of central stations:
- Central Station: Connects directly with national rail services.
- Monument: The absolute heart of the city centre. Best for shopping (Eldon Square), dining, and the Newcastle Christmas Market.
- Haymarket: Close to Newcastle University, the Civic Centre, and Northumberland Street.
- Gateshead: The main transport hub on the south bank, a short walk from BALTIC and The Glasshouse.
- Jesmond: Access to the leafy suburb of Jesmond, full of great bars and restaurants.
- Tynemouth: For day trips to the coast, Tynemouth Priory, and the famous weekend market.
- Airport: Direct connection to Newcastle International Airport (approx. 25 minutes from the city centre).
Zones and Fares
The Metro network is divided into three zones: A, B, and C.
Newcastle city centre and Gateshead town centre are in Zone A. The coast is in Zone C. The airport is in Zone C.
Tickets
- Single Tickets: Good for one-way travel within the zones you select.
- Day Tickets: Unlimited travel for the whole day within your chosen zones. If you plan to make more than two journeys, a Day Ticket is almost always cheaper.
- Pop Pay As You Go: A smartcard system (also available as an app on Android) that offers slightly cheaper fares than paper tickets.
How to Buy
You can buy paper tickets at the bright orange ticket machines located at every station. They accept cash, card, and contactless payments.
Tip: You must buy your ticket before boarding the train. There are penalty fares if you’re caught without a valid ticket.
Accessibility
The Tyne and Wear Metro is one of the most accessible transport networks in the UK.
- Step-free access: Every single station on the network has step-free access (via lifts or ramps) from the street to the train doors.
- Level boarding: There is level access between the platform and the train.
Operating Hours
Trains run roughly from 5:30 AM to midnight, seven days a week. Services are slightly reduced on Sundays and public holidays.
During the day, trains arrive every 12 minutes on most lines, and every 6 minutes in the central section between Pelaw and South Gosforth where the lines overlap.
Exploring Beyond the City
The Metro makes it incredibly easy to take day trips from Newcastle.
To the Coast (Tynemouth and Whitley Bay)
Take the Yellow Line eastbound via Wallsend. It takes about 30 minutes from Monument to reach the beautiful beaches and historic ruins of Tynemouth.
To Sunderland
Take the Green Line southbound. Sunderland offers the National Glass Centre and the Winter Gardens.
To the Airport
The Green Line northbound terminates at Newcastle Airport. It’s one of the fastest and cheapest airport-to-city rail connections in the UK.
Using the Metro is simple, safe, and heavily integrated into daily life in the North East. Grab a day ticket, tap through the barriers, and explore!