How to get to Centre for Life in Newcastle for your vaccination

2021 may have started with yet another national lockdown but this time is different - we are all excited about the arrival of three covid-19 vaccines which have been rolled out across the UK. It is with excitement, hope and trepidation that members of the elderly and vulnerable community as well as certain front line workers are invited to be the first to receive their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

If you or someone you are supporting has an appointment confirmed by the NHS to receive a vaccination in NewcastleGateshead, find out how you can travel safely to the city centre, where to park and where to go for the appointment. 

Where is Newcastle's coronavirus vaccination centre?

Centre for Life in Newcastle city centre is one of the UK's large vaccination centres. The science village is home to popular family-friendly attraction, Life Science Centre (which is currently closed) and can be found in Times Square, not far from Newcastle's Central Station. 

While Centre for Life is the largest venue for Newcastle's vaccinations, the NHS will provide the necessary information about confirming your vaccination appointments. Find all the information about the Covid-19 vaccination roll out from NHS Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals website.

There are other sites providing the vaccination so check with your appointment booking before travelling. 

Getting to Centre for Life in Newcastle by Bus

A new, dedicated bus stop is in place directly outside Centre for Life in Newcastle, and is served by many of Go North East’s frequent services from across the region. Read all the information from Go North East in full here.

There are plenty of Go North East bus services that travel to Centre for Life in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and will drop you right off ready to get your vaccination. Go North East have provided the following information, these services serve Clayton Street West when heading into Newcastle and the new dedicated bus stop when leaving Newcastle.

• Services 6 & 6A – which serve Stanley, Annfield Plain, Dipton, Burnopfield, Flint Hill, Sunniside, Whickham, Metrocentre and Newcastle City Centre.
• Tyne Valley Ten 10, 10A & 10B – which serve Hexham, Corbridge, Prudhoe, Blackhall Mill, Crawcrook, Ryton, Blaydon, Metrocentre and Newcastle City Centre.
• Services 12 & 12A – which serve Winlaton, Blaydon and Newcastle City Centre.
• X-lines X30 – which serves Consett, Greencroft, Catchgate, Annfield Plain, Stanley, Sunniside, Whickham, Dunston and Newcastle City Centre.
• X-lines X45 & X47 – which serve Consett, Blackhill, Shotley Bridge, Ebchester, Blackhall Mill, Chopwell, High Spen, Rowlands Gill, Swalwell, Metocentre and Newcastle City Centre.
• Voltra 53 & 54 – which serve areas across Gateshead including Coatsworth Road, Saltwell Park and Saltwell Road, as well as Newcastle City Centre.
• Green Arrow 97 – which serves Gateshead, Lobley Hill, Whickham, Swalwell Estate, Metrocentre and Newcastle City Centre.

Go North East’s Quaylink Q1 and Q2 services also stop at Central Station, which is just a short walk away. If you are still unsure you can use Go North East’s handy journey planner.

Travelling by metro to get your vaccination in Newcastle

The nearest metro station to Newcastle's Centre for Life is Central Station. The metro station is a short walk (approximately 5 minutes) from Centre for Life where you will get your vaccination. Find more information on the website: nexus.org.uk/metro.

Parking near Centre for Life

There is a large car park approximately 5-minutes walk from Centre for Life at Newcastle Central Station. The long-stay car park at Newcastle Central Station can be found at: Neville Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 5DL. 

Do I need to pay for parking if I'm travelling to get vaccinated?

LNER who manage Newcastle's train station are offering free car parking in their long-stay car park to people who have a confirmed coronavirus vaccination appointment at nearby Centre for Life. Read more here.

There is barrier-controlled entry to the car park and visitors will be given a ticket on entering. This ticket can be exchanged when checking-in at the Centre for Life for a ticket that will allow you to exit the car park free of charge after your appointment.

Free concessionary travel to vaccination site on metro and bus

If you're going to receive your coronavirus vaccination and eligible for concessionary travel, you can travel for free on public transport before 9.30am. This means that older passengers and people with a disability can use the local buses in Tyne and Wear – and Metro if they have a Metro Gold Card – to travel for free. The passenger needs to show proof of an early morning appointment, such as a letter, email or text. Find out more information.

Stay safe when you travel to your appointment

Please make sure to arrive only a few minutes before your allotted appointment time to help minimise queuing outside the vaccination centre.  

It is compulsory to wear a mask when you are travelling as well as respecting the 2-metre distance between you and other passengers. Don't forget to wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitiser when you're on the go.

Go North East have published their advise here on how to stay safe when you make essential journeys on the bus during the coronavirus pandemic.