Southampton to Newcastle bus with National Express

Buses from Southampton to Newcastle

If you are travelling from Southampton to Newcastle, buses are a convenient option. There are multiple departures every day of the week, including direct services, operated by both Megabus and National Express. The quickest bus journeys from Southampton to Newcastle take around 10h 35min. Before you book tickets from Southampton to Newcastle, compare prices and departure times on Omio to make sure you find the best deal for you.

Southampton to Newcastle Bus Time: Daily Departures

You will find a regular schedule of buses from Southampton to Newcastle departing daily. There are usually around seven departures per day, so you choose an exact departure time from morning to night that best suits you. Buses from Southampton to Newcastle depart from as early as around 5:45 a.m. until as late as around 11:50 p.m. Megabus offers a direct bus service from Southampton to Newcastle, which usually departs five days a week at around 8:55 a.m. National Express also runs a daily service of around six buses from Southampton to Newcastle. These buses are not direct, and travel via London or Birmingham.

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

If you are taking a direct bus from Southampton to Newcastle, you can expect a journey time of around 10h 40min. For connecting services, the duration of your total journey depends on how long your stop is. Buses from Southampton to London usually take around 2h 30min, while the fastest buses from London to Newcastle take around 7h. Buses from Southampton to Birmingham usually take around 3h 35min, with the quickest onward journeys from Birmingham to Newcastle taking around 6h 15min. The quickest connecting journeys from Southampton to Newcastle take around 10h 35min – bear in mind connecting journeys may not take too much longer than a direct route, and certain routes may actually be faster. It’s worth comparing direct and connecting buses from Southampton to Newcastle to give you more flexibility on your time of departure.

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

Departure bus station: Southampton Coach Station. The bus station is situated in Southampton city centre, a 5min walk from Southampton Central Station and the city’s cultural quarter. The station is open daily from 8:00 a.m. until midday. There are toilet facilities and automatic ticket machines available at the station during opening hours. You can also find charging points, ATM cashpoints and an onsite coffee shop to grab a refreshment before you travel.

Arrival bus station: Newcastle upon Tyne Coach Station. The bus station is located in the city centre on St James Boulevard, a short walk from Newcastle Train Station and Tyne quayside. The station is open daily between 7:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. Ticket machines and indoor seating can be used during opening hours. Toilet facilities are available to use for a fee. You can also find vending machines, a phone charging machine and baby changing facilities.

Newcastle City Centre Bridge. Source: Shutterstock

Which bus companies travel from Southampton to Newcastle?

Megabus and National Express run regular bus services from Southampton to Newcastle. National Express runs buses every day of the week, while Megabus operates one bus a day five days per week, with no service on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Megabus services travel directly to Newcastle city centre, while National Express buses go via London or Birmingham. Megabus services take around 10h 40min while the quickest National Express routes take around 10h 35min.

Megabus buses from Southampton to Newcastle

Megabus offers a convenient direct bus service from Southampton to Newcastle. Buses usually depart once a day, five days per week. The departure time is usually around 8:55 a.m, arriving at Newcastle around 7:35 p.m. Buses from Southampton to Newcastle with Megabus take around 10h 40min. They depart from Southampton East Park Terrace, opposite Solent University Library, and arrive at Newcastle John Dobson Street in the city centre.

National Express buses from Southampton to Newcastle

National Express buses from Southampton to Newcastle depart around six times daily, every day of the week. Buses depart as early as around 5:45 a.m. until as late as around 11:50 p.m. Buses leave from Southampton Coach Station on Harbour Parade and arrive at Newcastle upon Tyne Coach Station on St James Boulevard in the city centre. While National Express does not run direct buses from Southampton to Newcastle, the company does offer fast connecting options via London and Birmingham. The quickest journeys take around 10h 35min, and slower journeys can take up to around 15h 20min. Your journey time will depend on how long the stop at your connecting station is.

Newcastle Beach. Source: Shutterstock

Buses from Southampton to Newcastle: Services on Board

Megabus operate a luggage policy of up to 20 kg per passenger, either in one single case or divided into multiple bags. Check Megabus guidelines for advice when bringing oversize baggage like sports equipment. Full-size bicycles, for example, are not allowed onboard, but folding and children’s bikes may fit luggage restrictions and be allowed provided you can safely stow in a case or box. Other than trained assistance dogs, pets are not allowed onboard. National Express passengers can take one piece of hand luggage as well as one large or two medium pieces of hold luggage with a weight limit of 20 kg each. Non-folding bicycles cannot be taken on National Express coaches. Pets, other than assistance dogs, are also not allowed. All Megabus and National Express coaches are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair users should book a space for their wheelchair in advance of their coach journey.

How to find cheap bus tickets from Southampton to Newcastle?

The best way to ensure cheap bus tickets from Southampton to Newcastle is to compare departure times and book in advance. If you can be flexible on your departure time, consider taking a connecting bus service rather than direct, as there is a greater choice of daily departures, and the journey time is often not much longer. If you are eligible for concessionary rates, you may also be able to take advantage of certain discounts on bus tickets from Southampton to Newcastle.

Megabus offers a 10% discount for children aged between 4 and 14 when accompanied by an adult. Children aged 3 or under can travel for free provided they are not occupying a seat. National Express offer a Young Person's Coachcard for young people aged 16 – 26 or full-time students, as well as Senior Coachcards for over 60s. These discount cards entitle holders to 1/3 off journeys all-year round, so you may wish to purchase one before you book tickets from Southampton to Newcastle if you are a regular traveller. Have a look through our Window Seat magazine before your trip for more travel inspiration.

Going to Newcastle by bus — travel tips

A popular destination for weekend breaks, Newcastle is a lively, characterful city with plenty to see and do. Learn more about the city’s history and industrial heritage at museums such as the Great North Museum, or head to the Baltic Centre art gallery if you prefer contemporary art.

Wander along the River Tyne quayside to find hip microbreweries and see the city’s emblematic Gateshead Millennium Bridge lit up at night. The city is famous for its vibrant nightlife. Choose from a wide selection of international restaurants, and then continue your night with a visit to one of the city’s many bars or dance clubs. Fancy a more casual bite? Head to indoor Grainger Market, a bustling hub of artisan goods and street food stalls.