Coach and Minibus Hire in the United Kingdom

Coach Hire for Port of Tyne Cruise Groups

Newcastle's cruise berth is at North Shields, 8 to 9 miles east of the centre, in a terminal that also serves the daily ferry to Amsterdam.

At the terminal

A coach can set the group down directly outside the main entrance. Groups are asked to come only during their assigned embarkation window, so set the pick-up from that window, not from the sailing time.

The Metro is not a real option with luggage. Percy Main station is a 20 to 30 minute walk from the terminal.

MAN 57-seat coach, exterior
MAN 57-seat coach, exterior

Hotel pick-ups and the Clean Air Zone

The port is outside the city, but many groups start in it. The Newcastle and Gateshead Clean Air Zone covers most of the centre and four river crossings: Tyne, Swing, High Level, Redheugh. Coaches need Euro VI to avoid the charge. Minibuses need Euro 6 if they run on diesel, Euro 4 on petrol. Otherwise it is payable per day. Ask for a compliant vehicle.

In the centre, coaches can load at two bays on Pilgrim Street for up to 15 minutes, and cannot return to the same bay within an hour. Have everyone in the lobby with bags before the coach pulls in. If the route uses the Tyne Tunnel, the toll is paid in advance or by midnight the following day.

Getting from the ship to the coach

  • The terminal is about 8-9 miles east of Newcastle city centre, reached by the A19 northbound.
  • Passengers can be dropped off directly outside the main terminal entrance.
  • The secure car park is a few minutes' walk from the terminal and opens only on embarkation and disembarkation days.
  • Percy Main is the nearest Metro station, a 20-30 minute walk or a short bus ride from the terminal.
  • Groups are asked to arrive only during their assigned embarkation window.

Nearest airports

Newcastle Airport

The airport is about 14 miles from the terminal, 30 to 40 minutes. There, a vehicle with 22 or more seats including the driver gets onto the terminal front road only with access booked a full day ahead, and those bookings are fixed. Send flight details early. While the flight lands, the coach can wait up to 90 minutes free at Callerton Parkway.

Questions

Midi coach or full-size?

Go by the luggage as much as the headcount. A full-size coach has underfloor lockers; a midi coach has less room. For a cruise with big cases, err towards the larger vehicle.

Can we add a day out before the cruise?

Yes. Durham is about 18 miles from Newcastle and Alnwick about 35. Holy Island depends on the tide: the county council publishes safe crossing times and advises an extra 30 minutes.

Is there parking at the terminal for anyone driving?

Yes: a secure car park a short walk from the building, which opens only on days when passengers are boarding or leaving a ship.

Cities

Vehicles