Port of Tyne Cruise Parking Guide (Newcastle)

Parking at the cruise terminal can sometimes cost almost as much as your drinks package.

If you’re sailing from Newcastle’s Port of Tyne, it’s worth knowing your options before you arrive. The official car park is convenient, but it’s not always the cheapest choice.

The good news? There are a few simple ways to save money and still park close to the terminal.

Before you book, here’s what you should know about parking at the Port of Tyne… and the option many cruisers miss.

Newcastle’s Cruise Ship Terminal

In Newcastle, cruise ships dock at the International Passenger Terminal in North Shields. This is located 9 miles from Newcastle City Centre, on the north bank of the River Tyne.

Here’s a map…

As well as handling cruise ships such as Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral and Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition, the International Passenger Terminal also handles ferry passengers heading from Newcastle to Amsterdam with DFDS.

Now, let’s take a look at the three Port of Tyne cruise parking options available if you’re sailing from Newcastle.

1. Parking at Newcastle Port

The most convenient place to park your car when you cruise from Newcastle is the Port of Tyne car park. This is located just a few minutes walk from the terminal.

Car parking at the Port of Tyne costs £18 per day.

You cannot reserve or pre-pay for parking at the Port of Tyne. You must pay by credit or debit card or in cash when you return. There are pay stations inside the terminal and at the car park entrance.

You’ll want to make sure that you keep your ticket safe during your cruise, as lost tickets are charged at £25 per day.

If you book Fred Olsen cruise parking in Newcastle, then it’s the Port of Tyne where you’ll be parking your car.

Indeed, cruise lines such as Fred. Olsen and Ambassador Cruise Line can sometimes arrange Port of Tyne parking at a discounted rate. It may be worth asking your cruise line (or travel agent if you used one) whether they can arrange parking for you.

2. Cheaper Car Parking Options

Car Parks Near the Port of Tyne

If you don’t want to shell out £252 to park your car for a 14-night cruise, then you’ll be pleased to know that there are some cheaper car parks near Newcastle Port.

Using websites such as JustPark.com and YourParkingSpace.co.uk to look up the nearest car parks to the port, I managed to find parking on a private driveway in a residential area less than a mile from the port for £59 for 14 nights – a saving of £193 compared with parking at the terminal.

Even on shorter cruises, there are some good savings to be made.

You can filter your search results to show only parking spaces that have features such as CCTV, electric vehicle charging and disabled access.

Some of the cheapest options are to park on private driveways for hire, although you’ll find lots of secure car parks on these websites too.

Remember that depending on where you park, you may need to factor in the cost of a taxi or Uber to get to the port.

As these two websites feature different car parks, I always like to check both to find the best deal.

Parking at Newcastle Airport

Many cruisers like to park at Newcastle International Airport because the car parking at the official airport car park is extremely secure with barriers, CCTV and 24-hour staff patrols. It’s also surprisingly cheap, especially when you book it through a site such as HolidayExtras.com.

Using this site, I found parking at Newcastle Airport for 14 nights for only £86. That’s a saving of £82 compared to parking at the cruise port.

The airport is 14 miles from the cruise port, so you’ll need to factor in the cost of a taxi, Uber, or Metro ride.

The nearest Metro station to Newcastle Cruise Terminal is Percy Main. This is 1.2 miles away, so it would take around 25 minutes to walk to the port.

Free Parking on Residential Streets

Locals have reported that there is a lot of free parking on the residential streets around the Meadow Well metro station. This is about a mile, or a 20-minute walk, from Newcastle cruise port.

While it’s not illegal to park your car on a residential street for long periods of time, you may want to think twice about doing this, especially if you’re concerned about your car being damaged while you’re away. It’s also worth checking that leaving your car there for an extended period is covered by your insurance.

Another thing to consider is that these spaces are intended for local residents. Leaving your car there for a week or two while you’re on a cruise might make it harder for people who actually live on the street to find somewhere to park.

3. Hotels With Parking Near Newcastle Port

If you plan on driving for more than a couple of hours to Newcastle, then it’s a good idea to stay in a hotel the night before your cruise. This will enable you to wake up fresh, ready to start your holiday, without worrying about tackling the rush-hour traffic around Newcastle.

A hotel and cruise parking deal can actually work out much cheaper than parking at the port, meaning that your hotel stay is essentially free!

The nearest and best hotel near the Port of Tyne is the Premier Inn North Shields.

Depending on your dates, you can get a double room for less than £50, with free parking.

Some hotels offer a shuttle service to take you to the cruise terminal, but even if you have to pay for a taxi, this can still be a good deal.

If you’re considering this option, I recommend that you check out my full guide to The Best Hotels Near Newcastle Cruise Port With Parking.

Final Word: Best Cruise Parking at the Port of Tyne

The best parking option for your cruise from Newcastle depends on your priorities.

If convenience matters most, the Port of Tyne car park is the easiest choice. It’s right next to the terminal and costs £18 per day, making embarkation quick and simple.

If you’d prefer to save money, websites like JustPark.com and YourParkingSpace.co.uk often list much cheaper spaces nearby, including secure car parks and private driveways.

Another popular option is staying at a nearby hotel, such as Premier Inn North Shields, the night before your cruise. This can make the start of your holiday far more relaxed, and in some cases, the combined hotel and parking deal can cost less than parking at the port alone.

Whichever option you choose, it’s worth planning your parking in advance so you can start your cruise from Newcastle stress-free.

How to Get to Newcastle Cruise Terminal

Here are the driving directions to reach Newcastle Cruise port…

FROM THE SOUTH

1. Head north along the A1(M) and onto the A194(M)
2. Continue under the A184 onto the A194.
3. At the junction with the A19, turn left towards the Tyne Tunnel
4. At the next roundabout take the first exit into the Tyne Tunnel. There is a charge of £2.20 per car which you pay on your phone – don’t forget or you’ll get a fine!
5. When you exit the tunnel, keep right and pass through either of the two toll booths furthest to your right. Keep right onto the roundabout for the A187
6. Take the first exit at the roundabout and the third exit at the next roundabout
7. Continue ahead at the next roundabout and take the second exit at the next roundabout onto Coble Dene
8. Continue ahead at the roundabout and take the third exit at the next roundabout
9. The International Passenger Terminal is situated at the end of this road

FROM THE NORTH

1. Exit the A1 southbound at junction 80. At the end of the slip road turn left onto the A19
2. Remain on the A19 over three roundabouts. Then, leave the A19 following signs for Royal Quays. At the end of the slip road take the first exit onto the A193
3. At the next roundabout take the third exit and continue on to the next roundabout, taking the first exit onto the A187
4. Continue ahead at the next roundabout and take the second exit at the next roundabout onto Coble Dene
5. Continue ahead at the roundabout and take the third exit at the next roundabout
6. The International Passenger Terminal is situated at the end of this road

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