Newcastle is a docked port, but the terminal is in North Shields, well outside the city. Ships often run a shuttle. The Metro is cheap: no single ride costs over £2.50 and a day ticket is £7.50.
Where Newcastle lies
NewcastleDoverSouthamptonBelfastCherbourgCobhDublinEdinburghFalmouthGreenockGuernseyHolyheadHonfleurInvergordonKirkwallLe HavreLerwickLiverpoolPortlandPortreeStornowayWaterfordWhere your ship docks
Ships dock at the Port of Tyne International Passenger Terminal in North Shields, near the mouth of the River Tyne. The port's site blocked our check.
Shuttle. Usually offered by cruise lines (unverified).
Getting to the sights
| The way | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise shuttle to Newcastle city center | About 25-35 minutes (unverified) | Set by cruise line |
| Tyne and Wear Metro to Newcastle city center | Unverified | Max £2.50 single; £7.50 day ticket covering bus, Metro and Shields Ferry |
| Ship tour or train to Durham, Hadrian's Wall, Alnwick | Half to full day | Varies |
Cruise shuttle to Newcastle city center
- Board the shuttle at the terminal.
Tyne and Wear Metro to Newcastle city center
- Walk or taxi to the nearest Metro station (Percy Main or Meadow Well, unverified).
- Ride to Monument or Central.
The lowest fares need a free Pop Pay As You Go card; contactless options unverified.
Ship tour or train to Durham, Hadrian's Wall, Alnwick
- Book ahead.
These are long days; keep margin.
What to see
Newcastle Quayside
Famous bridges, including the tilting Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
- How
- Shuttle or Metro.
- Time
- 1.5 hours
- Tickets
- Free
Durham Cathedral
Great Norman cathedral, UNESCO site.
- How
- Tour or train.
- Time
- Half day
- Tickets
- Donation/paid areas
Hadrian's Wall
Roman frontier wall.
- How
- Tour.
- Time
- Full day
- Tickets
- Site fees vary
Tynemouth
Priory, castle and beaches near the terminal.
- How
- Metro or taxi.
- Time
- 2 hours
- Tickets
- Priory paid
Your day, hour by hour
Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.
- 9:00 Off the ship; shuttle or Metro to the city.
- 10:00 Walk Grey Street and the Monument area.
- 11:00 Quayside and the bridges.
- 12:30 Lunch.
- 13:30 Castle Keep or Laing Art Gallery.
- 15:00 Shuttle or Metro back.
- 16:00 On board, 1 hour early.
What goes wrong, and how to avoid it
Beware
- The terminal is far from the city; allow at least 45 minutes to return.
- Durham and Hadrian's Wall trips are long.
Do this
- Tynemouth is a nice short option close to the ship.
Fees, money and access
Rules & fees
- No UK cruise passenger tax known.
Accessibility
Docked. Metro stations have lifts. Newcastle's Quayside is steep from the center.
Money
British pound (GBP). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, including buses.
More of the The British Isles
Sources & what we could not confirm · 2 sources · checked 2026-11
- Terminal location details, distance and shuttle (port website blocked access).
- Nearest Metro station and ride time.
- Whether contactless gets the lower fares.
- An independent check in November 2026 could not confirm this: No UK cruise passenger tax known.