With its historic castle, vibrant quayside, bustling markets and busy nightlife, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne has plenty to offer visitors, and renting a car will give you the freedom to explore this dynamic northern city as well as the region beyond.

Newcastle International Airport is the second busiest airport in the north of England after Manchester Airport with a busy schedule of flights to and from destinations around the world as well as within the UK making it a great way to access this part of the country.

After you touch down at Newcastle International Airport, pick up your hire car and start your journey through England’s northeast. Brimming with culture, history, shopping and thriving food scene, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne offers a wealth of sightseeing opportunities you can easily explore from the comfort of your rental car.

Whether your plan is to soak up the atmosphere with a stay in Newcastle upon Tyne or take a road trip across the north of England and Scotland, Avis will ensure you have the flexibility to get the most out of your trip.

If you are flying into Newcastle International Airport through domestic arrivals, you will see the Avis desk directly in front of you. For passengers arriving on international flights into Newcastle Airport, as you come out of the arrivals area turn left and walk straight through the terminal. You will see our car hire desk on your right.

The centre of Newcastle upon Tyne is just a 15min drive from Newcastle Airport. Once you collect your Avis hire car, exit the airport on the A696 and follow signs for the A167 which will take you towards the city centre.

A visit to Newcastle offers the chance to explore its historic centre filled with grand Georgian and Neoclassical sandstone buildings, a beautiful riverside and cityscape, art galleries, museums and wealth of shopping from chain stores to independent shops, cafes and restaurants.

The city is also popular with sports fans with its famous football side, Newcastle United, athletics at Gateshead stadium, horseracing, cricket and the annual Great North Run. It also comes with a warm and friendly welcome from the residents – Geordies – who are justifiably proud of their city, the UK’s northernmost metropolitan borough.

While you are here, check out Newcastle’s famous River Tyne bridges - there are 7 of them – step inside Newcastle Castle the Norman fortress from which the city gets its name and explore the underground Victoria tunnel originally built to transport coal to the River Tyne. With 9 multi-storey car parks, 52 off street car parks and around 2,200 street parking bays you’ll have no trouble parking your Avis car rental while you enjoy the sights and sounds of this exciting metropolis.  

Newcastle International Airport primarily serves the UK’s northeast and is well connected to the national road network wherever you plan to drive. If you are travelling towards Scotland, you can follow signs for the A1 heading north, while the A696 also links Newcastle Airport to the A1 running south. If you plan to go west, the A696 joins the A1 and then the A69 in the direction of Carlisle, so no matter where you are heading, your journey from this hub in the north will be straightforward.

If you are planning a day trip, the city of Newcastle is surrounded by beautiful countryside, dramatic coastlines and fast connections to popular destinations like Durham, Sunderland and Middlesbrough. Further south, the A1 connects with Leeds, Sheffield and York, while a drive east will take you to the wild and remote landscapes including the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors along with pretty seaside towns like Whitby, Scarborough and Filey. You can discover historic attractions such as Hadrian’s Wall, just a short drive west along the A69 from Newcastle Airport, or journey north for an hour to experience the rural beauty of Northumberland and the Scottish borders beyond.

While there is a great public transport system in Newcastle upon Tyne with the city centre just a 25min train ride away from Newcastle Airport via the Newcastle Metro service or 30min by bus, if you want to explore the wider region, you will need a hire car to travel further.

The Avis team at Newcastle International Airport are experts on Newcastle and the North East and ready to advise you on the best places to go and help make your trip a smooth one from the moment you touch down.

Hiring a car is an easy way to explore the north of England. It’s worth checking the road rules in the UK before you travel and remember that as you leave the airport you’ll be driving on the left-hand side of the road.

Other UK road rules include:

• Mobile phones may only be used with a headset or hands-free device
• Use the outside lane to overtake on motorways and dual carriageways
• Zebra crossings (black and white stripes on the road) give pedestrians right of way to cross the road
• It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
• Children aged under 12 or less than 135cm tall must be seated in an appropriate child restraint for their size