Newcastle upon Tyne

CityNorth East, England

Newcastle upon Tyne is a CITY in North East, England.

Newcastle upon Tyne, often simply called Newcastle, is a vibrant city in northeast England known for its rich industrial heritage, iconic bridges, and lively nightlife. The city is famed for its cultural landmarks such as the Tyne Bridge, St. James' Park (home to Newcastle United FC), and the historic Quayside. Newcastle boasts a thriving arts scene, with institutions like the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and the Sage Gateshead. The city's friendly locals, known as 'Geordies,' add to its charm with their distinctive dialect. Newcastle is also a gateway to the stunning Northumberland countryside and coastline, making it a perfect blend of urban excitement and natural beauty.

Best time to visit Newcastle upon Tyne

The best time to visit Newcastle is from May to September when the weather is mild, and outdoor events like the Newcastle Gateshead Quayside Festival are in full swing. December is also magical with Christmas markets and festive lights.

October

Now

Right now

Condition
Overcast
Temperature
6°
Feels like
2°
Humidity
83%
Wind
21 km/h
Precipitation
0 mm

Typical for October

Weather
Cool 7-13°C

Travel notes

Crowds
Low
Prices
Low

Autumn colours, quieter.

Weather from Open-Meteo

Know before you go

Getting there

NCL

Newcastle International Airport

International

10 km away

LBA

Leeds Bradford Airport

International

140 km away

EDI

Edinburgh Airport

International

170 km away

Getting around

"Newcastle has an efficient public transport system, including the Metro light rail, buses, and taxis. The Metro connects the city center with suburbs, Newcastle Airport, and nearby towns like Gateshead and Sunderland. Walking is a great way to explore the compact city center, and bike rentals are available."

Stay connected

WiFi speed

30 Mbps

Mobile data

Excellent

WiFi

Widely available in city centre

Local SIM

Local SIM available at airport from $5

Calling code

44

Stay safe

Overall

8/10

Generally safe; common sense advised at night.

Night safety

7/10

Generally safe; common sense advised at night.

Transport

9/10

Scam risk

6/10

"Newcastle is generally safe, but standard precautions apply, especially at night in busy areas like the Quayside and Bigg Market. Avoid walking alone late at night and keep valuables secure. Public transport is reliable and safe."

Entry and health

Health information

"Newcastle has excellent healthcare facilities, including the Royal Victoria Infirmary. Travelers from the EU can use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Non-EU travelers should have travel insurance. Tap water is safe to drink."

Culture

Local customs

"Geordies are known for their friendliness and hospitality. Tipping 10-15% in restaurants is customary if service isn't included. The local dialect, 'Geordie,' is unique and can be hard to understand—don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. Pubs are central to social life, and striking up conversations with locals is common."
EnglishGeordie (local dialect)

Costs and practicals

Cost level

Mid-range

Meals

$12-20 | a meal at a mid-range restaurant costs $12-20

Hotels

$60-120 | budget hotels $60-120/night

Local transport

$2.50 | single Metro ticket ~$2.50

Cost notes

Newcastle is more affordable than London, with good value for money.

Timezone

Europe/London +00:00 (GMT)

More facts

Population

0.3 million

Area

113 km²

Government

Metropolitan Borough

ISO code

NCL

Type

City

Frequently Asked Questions

Also known as: An Caisteal Nuadh, An Caisleán Nua, Newcastle, 泰恩河畔新堡, Newcastle upon Tyne, Novum Castellum super Tinam, Ньюкасл-апан-Тайн, Nyukasl apon Tayn, نیوکاسل آپون تاین, Ньюкасл-апон-Тайн, 紐卡素, Нюкасъл ъпон Тайн, Novum Castellum, Niukaslas prie Taino, ניוקאסל, டைன் ஆற்றங்கரை நியூ காசில், نیوکاسل, Ņūkāsla pie Tainas, GB-NET, নিউক্যাসল আপন ট্যাইন, न्यूकॅसल अपॉन टाईन, Њукасл, Њукасл на Тајну, Ньюкасл, Νιούκασλ, نيوكاسل أبون تاين, Newcastle trên sông Tyne, ന്യൂകാസിൽ അപ്പോൺ ടൈൻ, ניוקאסטל, ニューカッスル・アポン・タイン, Њукасл на Тајн, ნიუკასლ-აპონ-ტაინი, 泰恩河畔纽卡斯尔, ನ್ಯೀಕಾಸ್ಲ್, นิวคาสเซิลอะพอนไทน์, 뉴캐슬어폰타인

HistoricNightlifeFamily-FriendlyHikingCultural