Exploring Newcastle, Gateshead and beyond is even more rewarding when you choose sustainable travel. With Good Journey, visitor attractions across the region offer exclusive discounts and perks to visitors arriving by public transport, bike, or on foot. From historic sites like Gibside and Belsay Hall to family favourites such as Life Science Centre and Newcastle United’s stadium tour, there are plenty of great places to visit while leaving the car behind.
Plan a greener adventure, take advantage of free kids' travel during the school holidays, and enjoy these fantastic offers while reducing your carbon footprint. Browse the list of offers below and discover how easy it is to arrive car-free.
What is the offer? Receive 20% off by bus with a Go North East Family Day Ticket. This is valid on Go North East buses.
How can I get there car free? Getting to the Newcastle United Stadium Tour at St James’ Park without a car is a breeze! It’s just a 10–15 minute walk from Newcastle Central Station for trains and Metro services, or hop off at St James Metro station (Yellow Line), which is right on the doorstep.
There are direct trains to Newcastle from Durham (15 mins), Darlington (30 mins), York (50 mins), Berwick-upon-Tweed, and Edinburgh (85 mins), making it easy to visit from nearby cities. If you’re traveling by train, grab a Newcastle PlusBus ticket for unlimited bus travel around the city and explore even more.
What is the offer? Enjoy 10% off food & drinks in the café, when you show a valid bus or train ticket/pass or cycle helmet.
How can I get there car free? It’s easy to reach Gibside car-free. There are frequent buses from Newcastle (30 mins) or Gateshead (15 mins), direct from the city centre to the country. It’s then a 15-minute stroll to Gibside.
There are direct trains to Newcastle from Durham (15 mins), Sunderland (20 mins), Darlington (30 mins), and York (50 mins).
What is the offer? Kids go free with an adult Metro ticket or Go North East Family Day Ticket. This is valid on Go North East buses, including services from around Newcastle, Blythe, Consett, Durham, Hexham, Middlesbrough Prudhoe, Stanley and Sunderland.
How can I get there car free? It’s easy to reach Life Science Centre car-free, as it’s located in Times Square, a couple of minutes from Newcastle Central train and Metro station.
There are direct trains to Newcastle from: Durham (about 15 mins), Darlington (30 mins), Berwick-upon-Tweed, York (about 50 mins), Edinburgh (85 mins) and many other cities. When you travel by train, a Newcastle PlusBus ticket offers unlimited travel around the city by bus.
What is the offer? Enjoy 20% off entry to Chesters Roman Fort, Housesteads Roman Fort and Birdoswald Roman Fort, and 10% off Roman Vindolanda, Roman Army Museum at Walltown and when you show your AD122 bus ticket.
How can I get there car free? The AD122 is operated by local bus company Go North East and runs daily – you’ll find all the details on the dedicated AD122 webpage.
There are direct trains to Hexham from Newcastle, Sunderland, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough. The AD122 leaves from right outside the station. There are also direct buses from Newcastle and Carlisle.
What is the offer? Enjoy 20% off standard admission with a bike or valid bus ticket.
How can I get there car free? Getting to Wallington car-free is easy and offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure. National Route 10, the Reivers Cycle Route, passes just 1km from Wallington, making it a great destination for cyclists. You can plan your cycle journey here.
For walkers, St Oswald’s Way runs nearby, offering a scenic route through the Northumberland countryside. Once you arrive, explore the walking trails around the Wallington estate, perfect for discovering the beautiful gardens, woodlands, and wildlife at your own pace
What is the offer? Enjoy 20% off entry when you travel by bus.
How can I get there car free? A free seasonal shuttle bus (X75) often runs from Newcastle Haymarket bus station to Belsay Hall on Saturdays. Check the English Heritage website for the latest details on the X75 schedule.
The X74 bus also runs several times a day between Eldon Square bus station (H) and Jedburgh bus station, offering another convenient way to reach Belsay Hall.
What is the offer? You’ll get a free spin on the ‘Seaton spinner’ (wheel of fortune), for a surprise reward, when you arrive car-free.
How can I get there car free? Trains run to Seaton Delaval from: Newcastle (15-20 mins) and Ashington (15 mins). It’s then about a 45-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride.
There are frequent direct buses from Seaton Delaval train station (10 mins), Newcastle upon Tyne (45 mins) and Blyth (15 mins) which stop right outside. There are also buses from Whitley Bay (10 mins) and Monkseaton (15 mins), which stop 20 minutes’ walk away.
Whitley Bay is on the Tyne & Wear Metro from Newcastle, about 30 minutes ride from St James or 5 minutes from North Shields stations.
There are direct trains to Newcastle from Durham (15 mins), Sunderland (20 mins), Darlington (30 mins) and other cities.
What is the offer? Enjoy 20% off entry with a valid bus ticket.
How can I get there car free? Bus X20 runs regularly (except Sunday) from Alnmouth Station on Curly Lane. The journey takes about 10 minutes. Hop off at the Playhouse. It’s then a 5-10 minute stroll to The Alnwick Garden. Bus X18 also runs from Alnmouth roundabout daily, including Sundays.
There are also buses to Alnwick from: Newcastle, Morpeth, Berwick-upon-Tweed and other towns.
There are direct trains to Alnmouth from: Newcastle (30 mins), Durham (40 mins), Edinburgh (60 mins), Darlington (60 mins), Doncaster (70 mins), York (90 mins), Glasgow (2 hrs 10 mins) and from London and the South West via Birmingham, Sheffield and Leeds. When you travel by train, an Alnmouth PlusBus ticket gives you unlimited travel around the area.
What is the offer? Enjoy 10% off entry when you arrive car-free (20% off entry with a valid bus ticket). National Trust members get a free guide book.
How can I get there car free? You can start your pilgrimage from Newcastle or Edinburgh (both 45 mins) by train with great sea views.
On an island only reachable at low-tide, it’s a real adventure to visit Lindisfarne Castle car-free. Luckily, the adventure isn’t too arduous, as it is just 35 minutes by bus from Berwick-upon-Tweed. You can start your pilgrimage from Newcastle or Edinburgh (both 45 mins) by train with great sea views.
Before visiting the island, please check the tide timetable to see safe crossing times for the Holy Island causeway.
Travelling with kids has never been easier or more affordable. During school holidays, up to three children aged 11 and under can travel for free on buses, the Metro, and the Shields Ferry when accompanied by a fare-paying adult or concessionary pass holder (ENCTS). This offer is valid across the North East Combined Authority region, covering County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, and Sunderland.
Accepted adult tickets include all standard adult fares, with exclusions for U22 products, student tickets, and Go North East’s 5-25 products. Please note that some services are not included in the offer, such as Toon Tour, match day services and Scholars services. Proof of age may be required for children to verify eligibility.
Key dates for the remainder of the academic year include:
Even better, Metro and Shields Ferry services allow up to three children aged 11 and under to travel free with a paying adult all year round. Take advantage of this fantastic offer and explore everything the North East has to offer.
Discover the fantastic attractions and businesses proudly holding the Good Journey mark, a badge of recognition for their commitment to welcoming car-free visitors. Browse the full list here and plan your sustainable adventure today.
Loading entries...