Get Here
Sunderland has great national and regional transport connections, making it an easy place to travel to. In this section, we'll guide you through the various ways you can get to us, as well as how you can navigate in and around the city on your arrival.
Getting to Sunderland
Your first step is travelling to Sunderland. Sunderland has great regional and national transport links making travel accessible and reliable. Newcastle International Airport is well connected with domestic and international flights, and is less than 40 minutes away from Sunderland by car. Park Lane bus station is on the national coach network and is an affordable method of travelling in the UK, whilst being very close to our City Campus. The city's recently refurbished train station is also on the national rail network, with easy access to London and Edinburgh direct from Sunderland.
However you arrive in Sunderland, we'll provide guidance on how to make your way to campus.
I've arrived at the airport, what should I do?
Sunderland's closest airport is Newcastle International Airport. Newcastle is well connected internationally, so you may find a direct flight. However, there are multiple flights per day from Heathrow (London) if you need to connect with an internal flight once you arrive in the UK.
Once you've arrived, you must collect your luggage and come through customs. If you have flown to Newcastle from outside of the UK, you will access the airport terminal via the international arrival gate.
You may be tired after a long flight - so lets go through some essentials.
- When you leave the plane make sure you have your hand luggage and possessions.
- Get through UK Border Control. Find out more on what you should expect here.
You will now be in the terminal. This might be your last stop before travelling to your accommodation. While here:
- Grab a quick bite. The terminal has a range of options, including local favourite Greggs!
- Use the facilities to freshen up or use the toilet.
If you have taken a connecting flight from another UK airport, you will arrive via the domestic arrivals gate. This is the gate closest to the Metro station.
You will have several choices to travel to your next destination.
- Arrow Cars are a taxi company based in the airport. You will see their helpdesk in the middle of the terminal and can speak to the team to arrange a taxi to your accommodation. They will need your address, so keep it handy! A taxi journey from the airport can cost between £45 and £60, depending on time and availability. You can confirm the price before you book your travel.
- Uber is another option for travel by car from the airport to your accommodation. Uber vehicles may not be permitted to park on the taxi rank outside of the terminal, so you may need to walk to the drop-off point in the car park.
- Metro is the region's light rail transport network. It is frequent, reliable and affordable. Many students use the Metro to travel from the airport into Sunderland.
Travelling by Metro
The Metro system is split into two lines. The green line covers the airport, Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland.
You will need to use a ticket machine to purchase a ticket for your journey. If you are travelling from the Airport to Sunderland, you need to buy a ticket which covers zones A+B+C. You can change the language on the ticket machines if this makes things easier.
The two options you will see on the ticket machine are:
| Ticket | Description |
|---|---|
| Single | A single ticket is for a one way journey and cannot be used again. This is useful for travelling from the airport to your accommodation. |
| Daysaver | This ticket enables unlimited travel within the selected zones for the entire day. This is cheaper than buying multiple single tickets. |
Metro ticket machines accept both card and cash payments. The cards not accepted are American Express, Solo and Electron.
- Select a ticket which covers your required zones (A+B+C)
- Select the ticket type (single)
- Choose the number of tickets you wish to purchase
- Make payment
- Collect your tickets!
You can now use your tickets to scan through the gates, although you may find that the gates are already open. If so, head straight through.
There should be displays and announcements in the station notifying you of when a train is due. Only one line services the airport, so don't worry about getting on the wrong line! The journey from the airport to Sunderland will take around one hour. On your journey, points of interest will include:
| Metro stop | Description |
|---|---|
| Newcastle Central Station | Newcastle's biggest train station. Useful for national rail network. |
| Seaburn | Sunderland has fantastic beaches. Enjoy the sun with friends! |
| Stadium of Light | Sunderland is proud of it's historic football club. This station is the closest to the Stadium of Light. If you visit, wear red and white. |
| St Peter's | St Peters is our fantastic riverside campus, conveniently only a ten minute walk from this stop. |
| Sunderland | Sunderland Central is the city's train station. You can travel within the region and across the UK from here. |
| Park Lane | Park Lane is Sunderland's main bus station. It also has a metro stop providing direct access to the city centre. |
| University | We have our own stop here at the University, just two minutes from our City Campus. |
Sunderland Central and Park Lane stops will have taxis stationed outside. This will be a useful option if would like to complete the last stretch of your journey quickly.
I've arrived at Park Lane bus station, what should I do?
You’ve now arrived at Park Lane, welcome to Sunderland! Park Lane is the main bus hub in the city, and the station also has a Metro stop with the same name.
Park Lane is located centrally, so walking may be an option depending on your final destination. City Campus is a short walk away, and the main shopping area in the city will take less than 5 minutes from Park Lane. If you have just arrived and have a lot of luggage, walking may not be the best option.
There is a taxi rank just outside of Park Lane station. A taxi will be able to take you to a specific address, so keep a note of where your accommodation is. This is the quickest way to travel, but can be more expensive. Check before you start your journey whether the driver takes card payment, or if they will only accept cash.
Park Lane has a Metro stop. You can use the Metro to travel around the region. The Metro is frequent, reliable and affordable, so a great option for students!
You may be able to travel by bus. Park Lane is the central hub in Sunderland for bus transport and is very well connected across the city and the region. Bus travel is affordable, frequent, and a popular way for students to travel.
Sunderland Coach Station is located at the Park Lane Interchange. Check your luggage allowance and pay for any additional luggage when you book your ticket. If you are flying into the UK, book your coach ticket for approximately 3 hours after you are due to land. To find out which coaches operate to Sunderland click here
I've arrived at Sunderland Central train station, what should I do?
You’ve now arrived at Sunderland station, welcome to Sunderland!
This is one of multiple Metro stations in the city centre, and where all train services alight. You’ll get familiar with this station if you travel by train or live in the city centre.
Sunderland train station is centrally located and in walking distance of City Campus (around 10-15 minutes). The walk to St Peters Campus is slightly longer (20-30 minutes), but you will enjoy the scenery when crossing Wearmouth Bridge. You can also get a Metro from Sunderland Central to St Peters, and walk along the riverside to the campus. This will take around 15 minutes.
Sunderland Central has a taxi rank outside the main station entrance. This taxi rank is well serviced and it should be easy to find an available car. Taxi can be the quickest way to travel, but is more expensive than other methods. Check before you start your journey whether the driver takes card payment, or if they will only accept cash.
Sunderland Central also has a Metro stop. You can use the Metro network to travel onward to your final destination. The Metro is frequent, reliable and affordable, so a great option for students!
This is one of multiple Metro stations in the city centre, and where all train services alight. You’ll get familiar with this station if you travel by train or live in the city centre.