Newcastle International Airport is a single terminal off the A696, about fifteen minutes from the city centre, with its own Metro station. It is one of the simpler airports to fly from, with two things worth knowing in advance. The free drop-off is now at a waiting zone a short shuttle ride away, not at the terminal. And the airport's own Long Stay is the cheapest parking we sell here, so there is no need to look further out. This guide covers what is worth knowing before you fly from Newcastle.
Getting there by car
The postcode for the sat-nav is NE13 8BZ. The airport is reached from the A696, which joins the A1:
- From the south, stay on the A1 northbound, which bypasses the city centre, then take the A696 to the airport.
- From the north, take the A1 and join the A696 dual carriageway, which runs straight to the airport. From Edinburgh, the A68 and A696 give a direct route.
- From the west, take the A69 to the A1, then the A696.
The airport puts the drive at about 15 minutes from Newcastle and 45 minutes from Durham and Sunderland. If you are parking off the airport, use the postcode in your parking confirmation instead.
Drop-off: the charges, and the free waiting zone
- Express car park, immediately outside the terminal: £6 for up to 10 minutes, £12 for up to 30 minutes and £20 for up to an hour. Vehicles up to seven seats and 2 metres high.
- Short Stay 2 is the cheaper paid option for a quick drop: £4 for up to 15 minutes. Short Stay 1 costs £12 for the same time.
- The free option is the Airport Waiting Zone at Callerton Parkway (NE13 8DN), next to the Metro station. You can stay up to 90 minutes free, and a free shuttle runs to the terminal around the clock: it leaves the waiting zone at quarter past and quarter to the hour, and the terminal on the hour and half hour.
- Paying: cameras record your time in and out, and you pay as you leave, by card at the exit, or with cash at the designated payment machines.
The waiting zone works best for collecting someone, because you can wait for free until they have their bags, then meet the shuttle. For a quick drop with cases, Short Stay 2 at £4 is the simplest. If you are parking rather than being dropped off, none of this applies. Our drop-off charges guide compares Newcastle with every other UK airport.
Security: the 100ml rule still applies
Newcastle has next-generation security scanners, so liquids can stay in your hand luggage, but each container must still be 100ml or less. Anything larger goes in the hold. Other airports differ: Edinburgh, for example, allows containers up to 2 litres, so check the rules at the airport you fly home from.
How early to arrive
Newcastle's advice is to check in at least three hours before a charter flight and two hours before a scheduled flight, and there is no need to arrive more than three hours before departure. Check-in times vary by airline, so confirm yours on your booking. If you have checked in online, have your boarding pass and no hold bag, you can go straight to security.
Then add the time from your car park:
- Long Stay: a short walk or the free shuttle, a couple of minutes either way.
- Short Stay 1 and 2: a minute or two's walk.
- Meet & Greet: be at the handover point 10 to 15 minutes before your booked time.
Which parking suits which trip
Before You Fly lists every Newcastle car park we sell in one table, cheapest first. At Newcastle, everything we sell is the airport's own parking or its Meet & Greet, and the car parks are all close to the terminal. When we compared prices for an eight-day trip booked about three months ahead:
- Long Stay was the cheapest, at around £95, a short walk or shuttle ride from the terminal.
- Premium Long Stay was around £110.
- Short Stay 2 and Short Stay 1, the nearest to the terminal, were around £115 and £130.
- Meet & Greet was around £150, for handing the car over at the terminal. Photograph the car at handover.
With the Long Stay this close, it is hard to beat for a week away. The Short Stay car parks and Meet & Greet are worth it for a short trip, an early start or heavy luggage. Prices move with the dates, so compare them for your trip. Whichever you pick, book the flexible rate if your dates might move. It can be cancelled up to 72 hours before arrival for a full refund; see the cancellation FAQs.
Lounges and hotels
Newcastle has three lounges, all run by Aspire: the Aspire Lounge, and the adults-only Luxe by Aspire and Suite by Aspire. They are airside, past the duty-free shops. Pre-booking is recommended, because the Aspire Lounge can restrict entry at peak times. Compare them on our Newcastle lounges page.
For a very early flight, there are several hotels close to the airport, including the Novotel Newcastle Airport, the DoubleTree by Hilton and the Premier Inn. Search Newcastle hotels.
Getting there by Metro
The Tyne and Wear Metro runs from the airport station straight into Newcastle city centre in about 20 to 25 minutes, with trains roughly every 12 minutes during the day. It is useful if you are being collected, or leaving the car at home.
Frequently asked questions
Is there free drop-off at Newcastle Airport?
Yes, at the Airport Waiting Zone at Callerton Parkway (NE13 8DN), which is free for up to 90 minutes. A free shuttle runs to the terminal around the clock, every half hour. At the terminal itself, the cheapest quick drop is Short Stay 2, at £4 for up to 15 minutes.
How much is the Express drop-off at Newcastle?
£6 for up to 10 minutes in the Express car park outside the terminal, £12 for up to 30 minutes and £20 for an hour. You pay as you leave, by card at the exit.
How early should I get to Newcastle Airport?
Newcastle advises checking in at least two hours before a scheduled flight and three hours before a charter flight, and no earlier than three hours. With hand luggage only and a boarding pass, you can go straight to security.
Can I take liquids over 100ml through security at Newcastle?
No. Liquids can stay in your bag, but each container must be 100ml or less. Some other UK airports allow up to 2 litres, so check the rules for each airport you fly from.
What is the cheapest parking at Newcastle Airport?
In our comparison for an eight-day trip, the airport's own Long Stay was the cheapest, at around £95, and only a short walk or shuttle ride from the terminal. Compare Newcastle parking for your dates.
Sorted before you fly.
