Newcastle is the hub of activity in the North East, it is easy to get around and travel to the University. With most of the city lying within one square mile, it's easy to get around once you are here.

The best way to get around campus and Newcastle City Centre is by walking – Newcastle is a compact city with almost anything you need within easy walking distance of campus and with many desirable area’s to live surrounding the city that are a comfortable walk or cycle distance away.

For a quicker trip or longer journeys, cycling is very popular and the University offers support for those who ride. Cycling is also better for you than driving or getting public transport. It can help you lose weight, reduce stress and improve fitness. Cycling into University is an easy way to include exercise in your daily life.

There are more than 2000 cycle parking stands located across campus where you can secure your bike during the working day. The University’s Security Team can provide a free high security D-lock to offer the best deterrent for thieves while your bike is parked.  

The University also has a vibrant Bicycle User Group (BUG), for updates and discussion with fellow cyclists and active commuters.

As the University organises events and support for cycling, being a member of ‘BUG’ is the best way to be kept informed. These include initiatives such as ‘Dr Bike’ sessions on campus, free maintenance checks and on-the-spot repairs.

• Health benefits - An 80kg person will burn more than 650 calories riding a bike for an hour
• Tips - Wearing a helmet is important, remember to obey traffic lights and road signals, don’t ride on the pavement unless a sign says you can, use lights and reflectors so you are clearly visible and don’t use headphones or a mobile while cycling

Cycle to work scheme

Introduced by the Government as part of the Green Transport Plan Initiative, the scheme offers a more affordable way to acquire a bike.

Newcastle University has appointed Cycle-Scheme as its cycle to work scheme provider, to enable our colleagues to travel in a less environmentally-impactful way and, have a healthy and cost-effective commute, with savings of up to 25%-39% on standard cycle prices through salary sacrifice.  They can choose a bike and safety equipment of their choice from one of the designated local bike shops (known as "partner shops").

CycleScheme customers are not limited to any particular bike or accessory brand and therefore can choose the best for quality and value-for-money.  This results in the best package of bike and accessories (safety equipment). However the purchase must be made from a “partner shop” ie the cycle shops in the area who are partnering with CycleScheme and Newcastle University.  A full list of partner shops can be accessed directly by visiting the CycleScheme website.  Some of the local ‘Partner Shops’ around the NE1 area includes the following:

Start Fitness, Market Street NE1 6JE
Backyard Bike Shop, Ouseburn NE1 2BA
Cycle Centre, Byker NE6 1DX
Edinburgh Bicycle Co-Operative, Byker NE6 1EH
CJ Performance Cycles, Byker NE6 2YN
Evans Cycle Store, Metrocentre NE11 9YS and Newcastle City Centre NE1 8ER
Decathlon, Team Valley NE11 0BD

The employer purchases the equipment on behalf of the colleague and hence retains the legal ownership.  The employer then hires the equipment to the employee under a 12 month Hire Agreement.  The colleague, through the Hire Agreement, agrees to sacrifice part of their salary in exchange for the equipment.  As the payments are taken from gross salary the employee makes savings of between 30.4% or 52% of the purchase amount, depending on individual circumstances.

All regular colleagues, whether full/part time, are entitled to join the scheme and can benefit from obtaining a bike/safety equipment.

Equipment Entitlement

NU Cycle Scheme customers are entitled to both traditional and electric bikes, putting the control in your hands to ensure you get the best deals for you!  Through an agreement between Newcastle University and a variety of ‘partner shops’ across the UK, you as a University colleague are entitled to redeem up to £2000 worth of bikes, safety equipment & accessories from partnered retailers, offering you a practical and affordable way to get up and running in no time!

In addition:

• you need to be a UK taxpayer via the PAYE system
• you must hold a regular contract of employment with the University of Newcastle for the duration of the Hire Agreement (normally 12 months)
• you must receive regular monthly salary instalments.  (Colleagues who do not meet this requirement should contact their local People Services Manager to request an annualised contract of employment before proceeding)
• you must not have another Cycle to Work Hire Agreement in force with Newcastle University

If you live a little further out of the city, Newcastle is well-connected with great public transport links, however, the largest transportation challenge facing our city is controlling the increasing road traffic and congestion arising from continuing growth in car ownership.  If you’re new to public transport, plan your route at jplanner.travelinenortheast.info.

The University is committed to bringing together land use and transport planning through its Master Plan and future developments to:

• reduce the need to use private cars
• make the best of existing infrastructure
• manage travel demand
• promote the use of more sustainable modes of transport

CO2 emissions per train/bus passenger are on average six-eight times lower than car travel.  It’s better for the environment than driving alone in a car and travel time can be used for leisure (reading/sleeping/social media and so on).

Newcastle is home to Britain’s first urban light rail transit system–the Tyne and Wear Metro which connects the city to the coast as well as cities, towns and villages North and South of the River Tyne.

There are three major bus operator's (Go North East, Arriva or Stagecoach) that link the city to the wider area of the Tyne and Wear region, and numerous local and national rail operator’s (Transpennine Express, Northern, LNER, CrossCountry) for connections to the rest of the North East of England and beyond.

On local train services, you may need to purchase a ticket before you board and seat reservations may be required - check with your operator for more details or organise your travel via train in advance via Traveline.

Many residential areas are within easy walking distance of the University, as well as many cycle routes, metro and bus routes or train connections.

The table below shows the average times from various locations for the journeys into the University Campus:

Origin	Walking	Cycling	Public Transport
Jesmond	10 Mins	9 Mins	20 Mins
Heaton	42 Mins	15 Mins	30 Mins
Gateshead	35 Mins	17 Mins	18 Mins
Gosforth	58 Mins	14 Mins	30 Mins
Wallsend	1 Hour 21 Mins	28 Mins	30 Mins
Ryton	2 Hours 32 Mins	49 Mins	43 Mins
Plan your route here	Walkit	Cyclestreets	Travel Line

The University is also committed to its environmental impact and supports Newcastle City Council in the policy of reducing the number of car journeys into the city, lowering congestion and improving air quality for us all.

We encourage alternatives to single occupancy car journeys such as public transport, walking, cycling and car sharing, and offer benefits and discounts to allow you to use public transport for all of your journey, or part of your journey by utilising Newcastle‘s effective park and ride facilities, or travel by cycle.

Colleague Discounted Travel Schemes

We offer a discounted public transport scheme with most public transport networks across the region, allowing cheaper and easier journeys, (our scheme Network One, for example gives unlimited use of Metro, bus, ferry and some local rail services).

The Metro makes commuting quick and efficient; and Haymarket Metro station is just over the road from the main University campus.  St James’ Metro station is also just across the road from our Newcastle Helix.

Two of the main city bus stations, Haymarket and Eldon Square, are also within five minutes walk of the main University campus.

For local and national rail services, Newcastle Central Station is within a 20 minute walk of the main University campus and less than 15 minutes to Newcastle Helix.

Have yourself a look at what would work best for you at the following links:

• Arriva
• Go North East
• Metrosaver
• Networksaver
• Northern Rail
• Stagecoach

On-Campus Parking

There is limited car parking on campus - priced in line with local, public parking provision and requires a permit application.  

Standard Permit (Pay & Display)

The University operates a 'pay and display' system for standard permit holders.  Any colleague is entitled to apply for a car parking permit at a cost of £10.  This authorises access onto the site to seek a space and pay the relevant fee at the nearest 'pay and display' machine.  Please note that there are only approximately 255 standard parking bays in total across the campus.

Parking tariffs are as follows:
•£4.40 (maximum payment) /full day 8 hours), or 55p an hour

Newcastle City Council operates eight city centre multi-storey car parks and a network of surface car parks across the city of which all details can be found here.

They also operate The Alive after Five initiative which supports the evening economy for businesses in the city centre by providing free parking in all council operated multi-storey car parks after 5pm from Monday to Saturday (with the exception of Stadium car park).  There are bays within the car parks, such as Citypark permit bays; electric vehicle charging bays; car club bays and disabled bays where the ‘Alive after Five’ promotion does not apply as these bays are reserved for certain motorists only.  ‘Alive after Five’ is not in operation in any of the Council operated surface car parks and the tariff boards will confirm the relevant charging periods.

For those who require additional support in their access to work.  The University also offers a route to apply for accessible and dedicated parking on campus.

By Plane

Newcastle Airport is located about seven miles north west of University campus and hosts regular flights to domestic and international airports.  Domestic flights are quick and affordable.  The University is connected to the airport by Metro line, and it’s just a cheap, quick, and fuss-free 25 minute journey from the airport to campus.

Buses from the airport entrance run to Newcastle city centre regularly, and you can plan this in advance through the Traveline website.

Arriving By Sea Without A Car

If you're a foot passenger arriving at the North Shields ferry terminal, there are buses to Newcastle city centre.  The bus journey takes approximately 30 minutes.

The nearest Metro station is Percy Main, about a 20-minute walk from the terminal building.  The Metro journey into the city centre takes approximately 20 minutes.

• Map of car parks and other local travel facilities in the city centre
• CityPark Permit Applications
• Multi Storey Car Parks and their charges
• Park and Pay by Phone
• Park and Ride
• On-street Parking
• Parking for Motorcycles
• AA Route Planner
• RAC Route Planner
• Metro – Tyne and Wear local rail service