Belfast to Newcastle bus with National Express

Buses from Belfast to Newcastle

You can find a regular schedule of buses from Belfast to Newcastle. The journey involves at least two changes and includes a ferry to travel from Northern Ireland to mainland Great Britain. You can travel from Belfast to Newcastle by bus in around 11h 50min. If you are more flexible on time, bus tickets from Belfast to Newcastle can be cheaper than flights and may be a good option for you. Compare prices and departure times to make sure you find the best deals from Belfast to Newcastle.

Belfast to Newcastle bus time: Daily Departures

While buses from Belfast to Newcastle depart daily, the frequency of departures depends on how many ferries are running, which varies seasonally. To travel from Belfast to Newcastle by bus, passengers will need to take a local bus service to Belfast harbour in order to take a ferry to Cairnryan. The ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan usually departs every four hours and takes around 2h 22min. The earliest ferries from Belfast to Cairnryan depart at around 3:30 a.m., and the latest ferries depart at around 11:30 p.m. The quickest way to continue your journey to Newcastle is via Glasgow.

Buses from Cairnryan to Glasgow take around 2h 5min and usually depart around three times a day. You can also book a direct bus service from Belfast city centre to Glasgow, departing twice a day at around 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. From Glasgow, buses to Newcastle take around 3h 45min and depart around three times a day. The earliest buses from Glasgow to Newcastle depart at around 10:00 a.m., and the latest buses depart at around 9:30 p.m. If you are planning to make your journey in one go, there will usually be one total journey from Belfast to Newcastle each day taking into account these connections.

How long is the journey by bus from Belfast to Newcastle?

If you plan to travel by bus from Belfast to Newcastle you can expect a total journey time of around 11h 50min. Bear in mind that your journey will involve connections by ferry and bus. Buses from Belfast city centre to the harbour take just over 10min. The ferry to Cairnryan takes around 2h 22min. From here, buses to Glasgow take around 2h 5min. You can also take a direct bus from Belfast city centre to Glasgow, which takes around 5h 30min. The final leg of the journey is by bus from Glasgow to Newcastle, which takes around 3h 45min.

What are the departure and arrival stations for buses from Belfast to Newcastle?

Departure bus station: Belfast Albert Clock Queens Square. The number 94 Translink bus service departs from Queen’s Square every hour and will take you directly to Heron Road at the harbour. Queen’s Square is situated right in the heart of Belfast, a short distance from the River Lagan waterfront. The bus journey takes around 11min. Those taking the direct Hannon Coach bus service from Belfast to Glasgow will depart from the bus stop at Donegall Square West beside the City Hall.

Arrival bus station: St James’ Boulevard. Buses from Glasgow will go directly to Newcastle city centre. National Express buses stop at St James’ Boulevard, near the main train station. Megabus services arrive at John Dobson Street near Princess Square. Both services take around 3h 45min. The arrival bus stops are both situated within walking distance to major sights and amenities in the city centre, as well as local and regional transport connections.

Bus Skyline Newcastle. Source: Shutterstock

Which bus companies travel from Belfast to Newcastle?

There is no direct bus from Belfast to Newcastle, so passengers can expect to make at least one connection in Glasgow. Hannon Coach operates a direct bus service from Belfast to Glasgow, connecting via Stena Line ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan. From Glasgow, you have the option of National Express and Megabus buses to take you to Newcastle. Both companies offer direct buses to Newcastle city centre with a journey time of around 3h 45min on the fastest services. The last Megabus departure tends to be later than National Express, so may suit passengers who are taking an afternoon ferry.

Hannon Coach buses from Belfast to Newcastle

Hannon Coach offer a direct bus journey from Belfast city centre to Glasgow in partnership with Stena Line ferries. Buses from Belfast to Glasgow arrive at Buchanan Bus Station. There are usually one or two departures per day, from as early as around 6:30 a.m. until around 2:30 p.m. The total journey time from Belfast direct to Glasgow is around 5h 30min. Once in Glasgow, passengers can take a bus to Newcastle directly from the bus station. Both National Express and Megabus offer bus routes from Glasgow to Newcastle.

Megabus services from Glasgow to Newcastle

There are usually two Megabus services from Glasgow to Newcastle each day, at 10:00 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. The total journey time is around 3h 45min. Buses travel directly from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station to John Dobson Street in Newcastle city centre.

National Express buses from Glasgow to Newcastle

National Express run around three buses from Glasgow to Newcastle per day. Buses depart from around 7:20 a.m. until around 8:00 p.m. The fastest bus journeys take around 3h 45min. Buses travel direct from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station to Newcastle St James’ Boulevard in the city centre.

Newcastle street. Source: Shutterstock

Buses from Belfast to Newcastle: Services on Board

Be aware that luggage allowances vary between service providers. Hannon Coach allows passengers to take up to two items of luggage up to 23 kg each. Megabus operate a luggage policy of maximum 20 kg per passenger, with extra charges incurred for excess baggage. National Express allow passengers to take one item of hand luggage as well as two medium or one large case of 20 kg each. Extra luggage can be booked in advance for an additional fee. Bicycles are only allowed onboard if they can be folded and stowed in a box or case. Buses from Belfast to Newcastle are wheelchair accessible. Passengers with limited mobility or special assistance requirements should call the dedicated assistance teams for each service in advance to ensure access needs are met on their journey.

How to find cheap bus tickets from Belfast to Newcastle?

The best way to guarantee cheap bus tickets from Belfast to Newcastle is to compare prices across different bus providers and book your journey in advance. Bus prices can also differ depending on the time of day, so consider how flexible you can be on departure and arrival time in order to find the best deal for you.

Travelling to Newcastle by bus — travel tips

The city of Newcastle in northern England is a popular destination for weekend city breaks. From quaint cobbled streets to vibrant nightlife, there’s plenty to explore. Find out more about the city’s history at sights like Newcastle Castle and the Great North Museum, or discover modern art at the Baltic Centre, housed in a former flour factory. Amble along the River Tyne quayside and admire one of the city’s famous symbols, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

The city is also famous for its wide selection of restaurants, bars and clubs, making it a popular destination for hen and stag dos. Fancy a more casual bite? Head to indoor Grainger Market, a bustling hub of artisan goods and street food stalls.

Taking the Bus from Belfast

Buses from Belfast to Newcastle depart from Belfast Europa Bus Centre. This coach station is situated directly in Belfast city centre, adjacent to Belfast Great Victoria Street station. Local buses provided by Translink and Citybus Metro also serve the station. In addition, the coach station boasts a convenient taxi rank.

Getting into Newcastle by Bus

Newcastle, situated in North East England, is known for its lively nightlife, and rich cultural heritage, including art and folk music. Top attractions include the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, the 19th century Grey's Monument, and the fascinating collections of Great North Museum.

Buses from Belfast to Newcastle will arrive at Newcastle coach station, which is owned by National Express. It is situated within a 5-minute walking distance of the Tyne and Wear Metro, and Newcastle Central train station. Buses, operated by Go North East, and Stagecoach, are also available outside the train station. The city centre is a 15-minute walk away, however, taxis are also available at pick up points outside the coach station.