How to take a rail journey from Manchester to Newcastle

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Manchester to Newcastle by train

Routes you can take to go from Manchester to Newcastle

When travelling between most cities by train there is only one logical option, though on other journeys there is a choice between different trains or alternative routes. If different options are available you can use the info to decide which is best for you.

Choose one of the following options:

Looking for connections?

Journey guides for travel to Manchester

Route Information

Station Guides

From the main entrance, ticket counters to the left, trains straight ahead, trams to the right

Manchester Victoria Rail Station Guide

Newcastle Rail Station Guide

Travel Time (approx)

2hr 22min

Frequency

Daily

Travel Info

1 x train per hour

Is this journey from Manchester to Newcastle direct?
Yes.

Is the journey scenic?
Yes, the train will travel across a dramatic landscape across the Pennines between Stalybridge and Huddersfield.

When is the usual approximate earliest arrival at Newcastle?

Before 09:25 on Monday to Saturday
Before 12:15 on Sunday
Source: National Rail

How easy is it to travel on from the station in Newcastle?
Newcastle station is conveniently located in the heart of the city - See the Station Guide above for more info, plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in the area around the station.

When is the usual approximate latest departure from Manchester Victoria?
Around 21:45 daily

How easy is it to travel to the station in Manchester?
Manchester Victoria is located on the northern edge of the heart of the city - See the Station Guide above for more info, including the connections by tram; Plus easy access to multiple options for booking somewhere to stay in the area.

Are tickets cheaper if booked in advance for this journey option?
Yes

How soon ahead of travel are tickets typically placed on sale for this journey option?
12 weeks; See the Ticket Information for more details

What are the child ticket terms for the journey from Manchester to Newcastle?
Aged 5 to 15 = 50%; 4 and under = free

Does the ticket for the for this journey option include assigned seats?
Varies according to the type of ticket being booked, but Yes when booking Advance Tickets; See the Ticket Information for more details

Do rail pass users need to book reservations for the journey from Manchester to Newcastle?
No

Is catering typically available on the train?
Yes; there is a catering trolley in Standard Class and complimentary at seat catering is available in 1st class, which typically includes a full meal service.

What else is good to know?
See the general guide to travelling in Britain by train.

Travel Information

Final Destination: Newcastle

These trains also call at:Darlington (connect for Bishop Auckland) and Durham

The Transpennine route upgrade

The project to transform and electrify the railway between Manchester and York will impact on these services on multiple dates throughout 2025, particularly at weekends.
Though the trains on this route tend to be diverted on to alternative routes which extend journey times, rather than being replaced by bus services.

Details of specific alterations can be looked up on the TransPennine Express website.

This is a direct journey

You will be travelling on one of these trains...

TPE Nova 1 (UK) Train Guide

Journey Features

Scenic - Yes

Good to Know

The trains tend to arrive in Manchester, from Liverpool, more than 10mins before they are due to depart, so keep the departure time front of mind - if the train is already in the station when you arrive, you may not have to rush to board it.

Looking towards The Pennines from the right-hand side

Passing through Slaithwaite shortly before Huddersfield

Passing by Croxdale Hall to the south of Durham

The city of Durham with its castle and cathedral in the distance

The railway which takes the fastest route between Manchester and Leeds crosses The Pennines, so if the weather is playing along, there are inevitably some very nice views to be enjoyed from the train, particularly between Stalybridge and Huddersfield.
The fastest part of the journey comes between York and Darlington when the train will race at 200 km/h across the flat landscape.
Then on either side of Durham there are distant views over rolling countryside, but the highlight of the journey is the view on the right, over the city of Durham, just before arriving at its station.

Trains operated by multiple companies await departure from King's Cross station

The general guide to rail travel in Britain Discover what's good to know about riding the trains, taking popular journeys, using the major stations, booking tickets and travelling with rail passes.

Tickets

Book Early and Save: Yes

Online Bookings Usually Open: from up to 24 weeks ahead of the travel date (usually); TransPennnine Express (TPE) places its ticket on sale sooner than other UK train operating companies.

Saving money:

If you want to travel at the cheapest possible price, look for the 'Advance tickets', though the four key things worth knowing about booking and using 'Advance' tickets for travel by TPE services are:
(1) The ticket(s) will be valid for the specific departure you select when making a booking.
(2) The ticket(s) cannot either be refunded, if you subsequently change your plans or miss the train due to any circumstances not attributable to the train operator.
(3) They can be exchanged to another departure on this route prior to the departure you have booked - but the price difference with the new ticket will need to be paid (the price will likely have risen since your original booking will need to be paid.
(4) TPE doesn't take Advance tickets off sale until 15 mins prior to departure.

Reservations:

All types of ticket booked at least 15 minutes ahead of travel for TPE trains have complimentary seat reservation.

If you book and Advance ticket(s) you have to travel on the train shown on the reservation, which will be the specific departure you selected when making a booking.
Though on boarding, you won't have to occupy the seat(s) you have been assigned for your ticket to be valid.

If you book Anytime or Off-Peak tickets you will be provided with a reservation(s) on the departure you selected when making a booking, but are able to transfer the reservation to any other valid departure on your travel date.
You can do this by contacting the TPE social media team, or at a station ticket desk.

What is unusual about travelling with TPE is that these reservations can be arranged up to around 15 minutes prior to departure - which is a much shorter time limit than the norm.

Travelling on Saturday-Sunday

Tickets are usually available 12 weeks ahead of the travel date, but maintenance work on the route is periodically undertaken at weekends and if it is scheduled on your travel date, it can affect when tickets will be released for sale.

If you're looking up a journey less than 12 weeks ahead and Advance tickets aren't available, it can be a good indication that works will be impacting on your travel date.
It can be worth checking this on the National Rail website - enter TransPennine Express as the operator.

Booking at the station

As TPE doesn't take Advance tickets off sale until 15 mins prior to departure, if you will be booking walk-up tickets at the station try to avoid booking at the last minute.

Offers and deals:

TPE offers a group deal for when groups of 3 - 9 adults are travelling together and Advance tickets are booked online - make sure you see the 'G' symbol which indicates that the discount has been applied.
You can save 33% of the total costs of the tickets and no Railcard is required.

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