The Newcastle Metro forms the main transport backbone and is operated by Nexus. The network is called the 'Tyne and Wear Metro' because the lines run far beyond the city boundaries.

There are two lines in the city - the Green and the Yellow. These also run to neighbouring towns such as Sunderland, Whitley Bay and Tynemouth and also to Newcastle NCL airport.

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For an overview of the official website, visit nexus.org.uk/metro.

Newcastle Metro map and lines

The Tyne and Wear Metro network has a total of 78km of track and 2 lines. However, the Yellow line meanders and creates a circular route so that it covers a huge part of the city and is de facto two different routes.

In the central part of the city, both the yellow and green lines run together on the same route.

The metro is reliable, frequent and fast.

The official metro map can be found at: nexus.org.uk/metro-map.

Metro lines are divided by colour.

• Yellow - the longest line, forming a de facto loop, but from which it continues further south.
  • Whitley Bay, Long Sands Beach, Tynemouth Castle, St. Mary's Lighthouse, Segedunum Fort, Arbeia Fort, Ocean Beach Pleasure Park
• Green - the route runs north to south and is the quickest link to Sunderland Airport or the city of Sunderland

Metro tickets

We also detail the fare system for buses or trains in the Transport chapter.

How much does it cost to travel on the Underground?

The metro system has 3 zones, which determine the price of individual metro tickets.

If you buy day tickets for wider areas, the number of zones does not matter.

Metro-only tickets

These tickets can only be used on the metro and are not valid on buses or trains.

Single tickets

• 2,80 gbp - 1 zone fare
• 3,80 gbp - 2 zone fares
• 4,50 gbp - 3 zone tickets

You can buy slightly cheaper fares via the POP mobile app, but this is only available for UK phones.

Day tickets

• 4,40 gbp - 1 zone fares
• 5,60 gbp - 2-zone fares
• 5,90 gbp - 3 zone fares

Day tickets are only valid on a given calendar day.

Where to buy tickets?

International visitors are currently unable to use the mobile app and direct payment by contactless card is not working.

However, there are paper ticket machines at each metro station where you can pay with your card and cash.

How to use tickets?

All metro stations are accessed via turnstiles.

You insert your paper ticket into the turnstile and the ticket is returned to you from another slot.

You do not need to use the ticket when you leave the station. The turnstile opens automatically when it detects movement.

Is Newcastle Underground open 24/7

None of the tube lines run 24 hours a day.

Each day, Tube service starts at around 5:00am (departures from terminus stations) and finishes around 11:30pm. On Sundays, tube service does not start until approximately 6:25am.

Intervals between trains are 12 minutes during the day on weekdays. Early morning, late evening and weekends the interval can be up to 20 minutes.

Detailed timetables and connection searches can be found on the website: nexus.org.uk/metro.

What do the stations and trains look like?

Tube stations mostly date from the 1970s and, apart from the centre, are elevated. Each station has a ticket machine and a staffed office.

There are normally no toilets in metro stations and there are no shops directly in the metro lobbies.

The metro trains are for the most part very old, but the fleet is gradually being renewed with modern and very spacious trains.