Car Rental in Newcastle

Why rent a car in Newcastle?

Newcastle is a great place to visit. Located in the far north of England, the city is home to ancient history, interesting traditions, and a blend of classic and modern architecture. Located on the north bank of the River Tyne and near the coast of the North Sea, Newcastle is surrounded by many national parks which you can explore, and with a rental car, even Scotland is within your reach. 

Top ways to enter Newcastle

• Newcastle Airport: The largest in northeast England, Newcastle Airport handled 5.3 million travelers in 2018. The airport is a large hub for low-cost companies Jet2.com and TUI Airways and is also served by around ten other airlines. Located 10 km (6 miles) northwest of the city center, Newcastle Airport can be reached in about 15 minutes by car.
• Leeds Bradford Airport: Serving two large cities in Yorkshire, Leeds Bradford Airport handled about four million travelers in 2018. The busiest routes to and from Leeds-Bradford are those of Alicante and Malaga in Spain, Dublin in the Republic of Ireland, and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Located 149 km (93 miles) southwest of Newcastle, the airport can be reached in just under two hours.
• Edinburgh Airport: The busiest in Scotland and the sixth-busiest in all of the United Kingdom, Edinburgh Airport handled almost 15 million travelers in 2018. A hub for a number of low-cost carriers, it is served by around 30 different airlines. Edinburgh Airport is 209 km (130 miles) north of Newcastle and can be reached in about 2 hours and 50 minutes, with one of the possible routes crossing the beautiful Kielder Forest Park. 
• Glasgow Airport: The other large Scottish airport, it is expected to serve ten million travelers in 2019 for the first time in its history. The airport is served by around 20 airlines, although some are only active seasonally. Glasgow Airport shouldn’t be confused with Glasgow-Prestwick Airport, the other, much smaller international airport serving Prestwick. Glasgow Airport is 252 km (157 miles) northwest of Newcastle and takes some three hours to reach.
• Manchester Airport: The busiest British airport outside of London, Manchester Airport handled more than 28 million travelers in 2018. The airport is a hub for a number of airlines, including easyJet and Virgin Atlantic, and offers flights to many destinations not only in Europe, but also in the Middle East, Africa, South and East Asia, and the Americas. Located 252 km (157 miles) southwest of Newcastle, the airport can be reached in about three hours.
• By rail: If arriving in Newcastle by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at the Newcastle Central Train Station.

City facts

• Newcastle has a temperate climate with mild summers and cool winters. The average high temperature is 20°C  (68°F) in July, the warmest month, and 7°C  (44°F) in January, the coldest. Despite being located very near the coast of the North Sea, Newcastle is one of the driest large cities in England due to the influence of the nearby North Pennine mountain range. Practically all of Newcastle is surrounded by the Tyne & Wear Green Belt, a planning region aimed at reducing pollution and urban sprawl.
• The inhabitants of Newcastle are known as Geordies. Geordie is also the name for the city’s dialect which is recognized as one of the most distinctive and unique in England. Heavily influenced by the now-extinct Brythonic and also Irish Gaelic, Geordie was for decades seen primarily as a dialect of the working class, but it has now reclaimed its place as a form of speech used in music and other performance arts. 

Top sights and activities

• The Quayside. The historical location of the city docks and its main center of commerce, the Quayside has become the city’s most active and fun area. Located along the River Tyne with Newcastle on one bank and the neighboring city of Gateshead on the other, the Quayside is the location of many cafes, art spaces, and performance venues. Newcastle and Gateshead are connected by the futuristic Gateshead Millennium Bridge, and although it cannot be accessed by car, walking over it is still a great experience.
• The Castle. The impressive complex was built in the 12th century replacing an even older fortress that had given Newcastle its name. Over centuries, the castle was inhabited by many kings and suffered during a number of English-Scottish conflicts, but it has always remained one of the symbols of the city. The castle consists of the Castle Keep, a large stone tower, and the Black Gate, its fortified outpost.
• Central Arcade. There aren’t many shopping areas of great historical and cultural value, but Newcastle’s Central Arcade is definitely an exception to this rule. Built during Victorian times, the arcade consists of mosaiced floor tiles, beautiful columns, and elegant wooden facades of its shops. Some of the shops have been open for centuries, and nowadays the area is also home to art galleries and theaters. 
• Chinatown. Newcastle has always been multicultural – it had a large Arabic-speaking population as early as AD 200, during the Roman rule of the area – so it only feels appropriate that the city’s Chinatown is one of the largest of its kind in the United Kingdom. Located near the historical center of the city, it is recognizable by landmarks such as the two Chinese guardian lions found at the north end of the area.

Traffic and parking

• In the United Kingdom, driving takes place on the left-hand side of the road.
• On-street parking is usually heavily restricted. Never park on a white, double yellow or double red line (stopping on motorways and next to red lines is illegal).
• You are not allowed to use your mobile phone while driving unless you use a hands-free system.
• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 112km/h (70mph) on motorways, 112km/h (70mph) on dual carriageways, 96km/h (60mph) on single carriageways and 48km/h (30mph) in residential areas and areas with street lighting.
• In England and Wales, the legal alcohol limit is 0.08% for both experienced and novice drivers. Do keep in mind, however, that in nearby Scotland the legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for both experienced and novice drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines, a suspended license, or even imprisonment.
• Proof of insurance and the registration of the car need to be in it whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The emergency numbers are 999 and 112.

Toll roads

Currently, there is only a single toll road in the United Kingdom, the M6 toll. You also have to pay a toll for using a number of bridges and tunnels, as well as for entering the central areas of London and Durham (a city in North East England some 30 km (18 miles) south of Newcastle).

As an alternative to the M6 around Birmingham, the M6toll is a 43km-long  (27 miles) portion of the road, also known as the Birmingham North Relief Road (BNRR), that relieves congestion on the M6 itself. There are toll gates where you can pay by either cash or credit card. As of March 2019, the price is £6.40 for using the toll road from Monday to Friday (from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.), £5.30 for using the toll road on Saturday or Sunday (from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.), and £4.10 for using the toll road at night time on any day (from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.). Find out more on the M6 Toll official website. 

Find out more about toll roads in the United Kingdom on the European toll road website.

Ideas for day trips

• Durham. A city of great historical importance, Durham is home to Durham Castle and Durham Cathedral, two great buildings that together make up a single UNESCO World Heritage Site. While both are undeniably beautiful and worth a visit, there’s even more to Durham, including the city’s indoor market which is open six days a week, the unique Oriental Museum, and Diggerland, a fun theme park based on the city’s mining history. Durham is just 31 km (19 miles) south of Newcastle and can be reached in about 35 to 40 minutes by car.
• Hadrian’s Wall. The impressive 118 km-long  (73 miles) fortification near the English-Scottish border was built by the Roman emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century A.D. Although much of the wall hasn’t survived to this day, there are still interesting sites that a traveler can visit, such as Homesteads Roman Fort; Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths & Museum; and a Mithraeum, a temple for the ancient Roman-Persian religion of Mithraic Mysteries. Carlisle, an interesting town near one end of the wall, is 93 km (58 miles) west of Newcastle and can be reached in about 90 minutes while many other points of interest are even closer.
• Sunderland. A neighbor (and often perceived as a rival) of Newcastle, Sunderland is a historic shipbuilding and mining city which is not often thought of as a tourist destination. Nonetheless, those who dig beneath the surface will find plenty to enjoy here, like the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, National Glass Center, Monkwearmouth Station Railway Museum, and the beautiful Roker and Seaburn Beaches. Located just 26 km (16 miles) southeast of Newcastle and able to be reached in 35 minutes, Sunderland definitely deserves a shot as a day-trip destination.

Further destinations

• Northumberland National Park. Located in neighboring Northumberland County, it is the northernmost national park in England. Made up of typical British moors, long valleys, woodlands, and hiking trails, the area is home to many protected species of flora and fauna. It is also the largest dark sky park in Europe; with almost no permanent human population and therefore devoid of light pollution, it is an amazing place for stargazing. The nearest corner of the park is just some 35 km (22 miles) northwest of Newcastle and can be reached in about 35 minutes.
• Edinburgh. The capital city of Scotland is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Made up of the medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town, the city has an absolute wealth of stunning architecture, quality museums, large green areas, and accessible beaches. Located 193 km (120 miles) north of Newcastle, Edinburgh takes 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach. It’s easy to spend days or even weeks exploring Edinburgh, but if you’ve got a rental car, you can also pay a visit to nearby Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland which might lack something of Edinburgh’s historic appeal, but makes up for it with exuberant energy and lots to do. 
• Scottish Highlands. There’s plenty of beautiful nature in the UK, but none can match that of the Highlands. Made up of majestic mountain peaks, long and narrow lochs or lakes, vast national parks, and a rugged coastline, the area is amazing to explore, especially if you have your own ride. The Highlands is the part of Scotland where the original Celtic culture and Gaelic language also continue to thrive. Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands, is 450 km (280 miles) north of Newcastle and takes some five hours to reach, but the destination justifies the long trip. 

Car rental prices in Newcastle

• Small cars - from $26 per day
• Medium cars - from $30 per day
• SUVs - from $30 per day
• Large cars - from $28 per day
• Vans - from $57 per day
• Premium cars - from $45 per day
• Station wagons - from $62 per day

Money-saving and other tips

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Newcastle is the cheapest in September when renting a car is about 64% cheaper than the yearly average and a whole 78% cheaper than renting a car in January.