Getting to Sunderland

Travelling to Sunderland has never been easier. We are a connected city which is easy to reach by air, rail, Metro, car, taxi or bus. 

Situated on the North East coast of England, getting here is hassle free. Whether you're travelling from elsewhere in the North East, from across the UK, or visiting internationally, you can reach Sunderland via our excellent transport links. 

Getting to Sunderland by Road

Sunderland is accessible via the A1(M), accessing from the main north-south road links from both London and Scotland. If you are driving to Sunderland, it is also accessible via the A184 from Newcastle, the A690 from Durham and the A19 from Middlesbrough, as well as south bound routes via the Tyne Tunnel. 

Getting to Sunderland by Rail

Travelling to Sunderland by rail is one of the easiest ways to reach the city. Sunderland's railway station is located in the city centre, and is connected to via the Metro line, as well as being easily accessible on foot or via local bus routes, with limited nearby parking also available.

Virgin Trains East Coast, Northern Rail and Grand Central Rail all operate routes through Sunderland,  with journeys from both to and from London and Edinburgh.

It takes roughly 3 hours from London King's Cross on direct train lines, with stops including Hartlepool, Eaglescluffe, Darlington, Northallerton, Thirsk, York and Peterborough.

Ticket prices and schedules can fluctuate depending on date, time and season, so be sure to book in advance for the best availability. You can do this directly through any of the official rail websites or via www.thetrainline.com.

Getting to Sunderland by Air

If you are travelling internationally, Sunderland is connected to major airlines via Newcastle International Airport and Teeside International Airport; both of which are less than an hour's drive away. It takes approximately 59 minutes using the local Metro service to reach Newcastle Airport, with plenty of hotels nearby.

Getting to Sunderland by Coach

If you are travelling from elsewhere in the UK, Sunderland is also on a number of coach routes for cheaper and efficient travel. Park Lane Interchange is the main bus station located in the city centre, with coaches picking up and dropping off around the clock.

National Express coach service runs a number of cross-country bus routes to and from Sunderland. Visit their official website for updated schedules as times and frequency can vary depending on the day, time and time of year.

Park Lane Interchange is also accessible via local bus routes and the Metro service so you can travel around Sunderland with ease. 

Getting to Sunderland by Sea
 

Thanks to Sunderland's idyllic location on the North East coast, you can also reach Sunderland via the North Sea.

DFDS Seaway operates daily ferry crossings from Ijmuiden, Holland, welcoming international passengers from Europe and beyond. The International Passenger Terminal at North Shields is located just 12 miles from Sunderland, and takes roughly 25 minutes to reach by car. The terminal can also be reached via public transport, with timescales of approximately 1 hour depending on time of day. 

You can find details of travel fares and schedules on DFDS Seaways official website, where you can check availability and book your transport. 

Arriving in Sunderland

Once you've arrived in Sunderland, you can make the most of our excellent transport links to help you get around the local area and wider region. Whether you're exploring the North East, visiting others, or here on business, you'll also find plenty of great local amenities including places to stay, as well as shopping, leisure facilities and things to do.

Why not discover more of what Sunderland has to offer with our , or check out things to do. 

Plan your visit to Sunderland today.