Newcastle has an excellent public transport system, with plenty of buses, trains and taxis available. It may be worth phoning ahead for a taxi at the weekend, as the city can get quite busy. Newcastle is also home to the Tyne and Wear Metro, a fast and efficient means of transport that operates within the city and connects Newcastle and Gateshead. There are plenty of car rental agencies in the city, though exploring Newcastle on foot is perhaps the best way to take in all the sights and sounds. There are also several cycling paths and bike rental options. Mobile app based taxi services like Uber are also available.
GMT (GMT +1 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
The electrical current in the UK is 240 volts, 50Hz. Flat, three-pin plugs are standard.
The currency is the British Pound (GBP), which is divided into 100 pence. ATMs are available in almost all towns and Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted; visitors with other cards should check with their credit card companies in advance. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels, however better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks.
The international country dialling code for the UK is +44. Mobile phone coverage is extensive and free wifi is widely available in pubs and coffee shops.
999/112 (General)
2020 | 2021 | |
New Years Day | 1 Jan | 1 Jan |
New Years Holiday (Scotland only) | 2 Jan | 2 Jan |
St Patricks Day (Northern Ireland only) | 17 Mar | 17 Mar |
Good Friday | 10 Apr | 2 Apr |
Easter Monday | 13 Apr | 5 Apr |
May Day | 8 May | 3 May |
Spring Bank Holiday | 25 May | 31 May |
Orangemens Day (Northern Ireland only) | 12 Jul | 12 Jul |
Summer Bank Holiday | 31 Aug | 30 Aug |
St Andrews Day (Scotland only) | 30 Nov | 30 Nov |
Christmas Day | 25 Dec | 25 Dec |
Boxing Day | 26 Dec | 26 Dec |
Newcastle's Oceanic climate is temperate, and although typical of the United Kingdom, it can be highly changeable. Due to the Gulf Stream, temperatures are usually warmer than in the rest of the UK and as Newcastle is in the rain shadow of the North Pennines, it is also one of the UK's driest cities. Summers (June to August) are usually sunny and warm, with average lows of 50°F (10°C) and highs of 68°F (20°C), while winters (December to February) are cold, with occasional snow and average temperatures between 36°F (2°C) and 44°F (7°C).
The Metro system connects the airport to Newcastle Central Station, and other parts of the city, leaving every few minutes. Buses also leave regularly for the Eldon Square Bus Concourse.
Car hire companies represented at the airport include Avis, Europcar, Hertz and Interrent.
Taxis are available outside the terminal.
Newcastle Airport has shops, bars and restaurants. Other facilities include a bank, bureaux de change, ATMs, left luggage, baby care rooms, and a children's play area. Disabled facilities are good; those with special needs are advised to inform their airline or travel agent in advance.
The short-stay and express parking lots are located directly opposite the terminal. The medium-stay lot, just beyond, offers 15 minutes free parking for picking up or dropping off passengers. The long-term lots are located furthest from the terminal and offer the cheapest daily and weekly rates. Discounted rates are available for bookings made via the airport website.
Free wifi is available in the terminal building.