With road closures as well as limited parking, public transport is the best way to get to or from the Great North Run for both runners and spectators on Sunday 8 September 2024.
There will be extra bus services, Metro trains and Shields Ferry trips throughout the day to help you get around as quickly and easily as possible.
Travel information
The race start is about a 15 minute walk from Haymarket in Newcastle city centre. A race start map is attached below.
- There’s a Metro station, and bus station at Haymarket, as well as buses going to nearby Eldon Square bus station and many on-street bus stops.
- Shuttle bus services will also be running to Haymarket (St Mary's Place and Percy Street) and Barras Bridge from the finish area in South Shields.
- Parking is free all day on Sundays at the Metro stations marked with a ‘P’ on the Metro map (except at Heworth, which is £3.00 all day). Find out more at nexus.org.uk/park.
Metro trains, buses and traffic will be extremely busy, so please leave plenty of time to get to the race start.
Click here for information about opening arrangements and temporary closures at Haymarket, Jesmond, Manors and Chichester Metro stations. Closing times may vary depending on the operational requirements on the day.
If you want to see friends or relatives take part in the run, we recommend that you just choose one place to see them - at the race start in Newcastle, or somewhere on the route, or at the race finish in South Shields. It is almost impossible to see a runner in more than one location, as public transport will be very busy, and because it takes time to reach the race route itself from Metro stations and bus stops.
If you're heading to the race finish:
- Take the Metro from Haymarket or Monument to South Shields - there will be a train every 7½ minutes once the race has started.
- Shuttle bus services will also be running from Haymarket (St Mary's Place and Percy Street) and Barras Bridge to the finish area.
- The Shields Ferry will operate extra crossings between North Shields and South Shields and will start at 7.45am.
Metro, the Shields Ferry and buses will be very busy due to the number of people travelling, so please expect a significant wait on the way home. A race finish map is attached below.
Avoid the queues by having a meal or drink in South Shields before you head home.
- South Shields Metro station is about a 15 minute walk from the finish line - there will be a train every 7½ minutes after the race.
- Shuttle bus services will run to Newcastle and South Shields
- The Shields Ferry between South Shields and North Shields will operate extra crossings and will run until 6.00pm.
Click here for information about opening arrangements and temporary closures at Chichester Metro station. Closing times may vary depending on the operational requirements on the day.
Great North Run Rover Day Tickets
These can be used on:
- Metro
- Any bus service in Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Northumberland.
- The Shields Ferry
- Northern trains between Newcastle and Sunderland
| Buy in advance | Great North Run Rover Day Ticket wristband | £6.00 | Wristbands are no longer on sale |
| Buy in advance | Great North Run Rover Day Ticket | £6.00 | Buy from Metro station ticket machines |
| Buy on the day | Great North Run Rover Day Ticket | £6.00 | Buy from Metro station ticket machines or on buses |
And in addition, all operators will be accepting each other's single, return and day tickets for journeys from South Shields, making it simpler for you to hop on the first bus, Metro (or Shields Ferry) that comes.
Children
Take the kids for free: up to three kids aged 11 and under can travel for free on Metro and the Shields Ferry, all day, every day when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Find out more about take the kids for free here
Children with an Under 16 Pop card should buy a Child All-day Ticket (CAT) for £1.10. For other child tickets, see the ticket finder.
Here's how to keep up to date with bus services on Great North Run day
Arriva bus services - arrivabus.co.uk
Go North East bus services - service changes attached below and go to gonortheast.co.uk
Stagecoach bus services - service changes attached below and go to stagecoachbus.com
Please note that on Sunday 8 September, no local bus services will operate from South Shields Interchange from start of service until 7.00pm. Until this time, customers are advised to please use bus stop at BT Call Centre on Ferry Street instead.
There’s lots to see and do in Tyne and Wear if you’re staying for the weekend.
Get around using our great bus and Metro network and the Shields Ferry.
Find inspiration in our Pop blog here .
And find the best ticket to buy for convenience and to save money on fares here.