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Your journey to hospital is important and we appreciate this can sometimes be stressful and difficult to make except by car. We care for patients travelling from across the country so for some travel by car is the only option.
We do however have limited space in our hospital car parks and they can become full very quickly.
If you are able to consider alternative travel arrangements this helps to ensure spaces are available for those most in need.
Planning your journey to hospital in advance is important. Please allow sufficient time for the journey and potential additional traffic near and within the hospitals to ensure you can arrive in the department at least 15 minutes prior to appointment time.
Travel expenses
Some patients may be eligible for help towards their travel costs to and from hospital including the cost of parking. You can find out more here.
Public transport
Each of our hospitals and the International Centre for Life are easy to access by public transport.
Tyne and Wear has an excellent public transport network and many travel tickets can also be purchased online. If you have an app on your mobile device you can also us this to track the public transport.
To help you plan your journey to hospital, we’d recommend using Google Maps which will provide all transport options including public transport, cycling and driving.
When reviewing public transport routes there is also a helpful link to the public transport operators website at the bottom of the plan. These websites will help with ticketing information, timetables and information on using their app.
The postcodes of our hospital sites are in the table below.
Please note if travelling to Freeman Hospital by public transport postcode NE7 7QH may produce better public transport options based on where you live.
| Site | Postcode | Nearest Metro station | Bus stop nearby | Public cycle parking | On-site parking |
| Freeman Hospital | NE7 7DN | Longbenton | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Royal Victoria Infirmary | NE1 4LP | Haymarket or St James’ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Centre for Life | NE1 4EP | Central Station | Yes | Yes | No |
| Campus for Ageing and Vitality | NE4 6BE | None | Yes | Yes | YEs |
Traveline
You can also plan your journey using a telephone service by calling 0871 200 22 33. Traveline charge 12 pence per minute from landlines and mobiles; this helps to cover the cost of providing the service. Phone companies may add their own access charge, but should inform you if they do.
The English and Welsh Traveline call centre opening hours are 7.00am to 8.00pm every day except for reduced times over Christmas and New Year.
Park and Ride
An excellent alternative to those travelling from further afield, if you want to avoid parking at our hospitals and the city centre traffic is to use Park and Ride.
There are some excellent park and ride facilities throughout Tyne and Wear which can make the journey to hospital less stressful, faster, cheaper and of course better for our environment.
Patient Transport Service (PTS) Ambulance transport
Ambulance transport is available for patients who have a medical condition which means they are unable to make their own way to hospital.
Please be aware that space on ambulances is limited. You can only be accompanied by a carer or relative if you have a specific medical need.
If you feel that you need to request ambulance transport, please speak to your family doctor at least seven days before your hospital appointment. Alternatively, please contact the relevant Patient Transport Service provider to make your own booking.
If you are eligible for patient transport, your booking will be made either by you, your GP, hospital staff or a dedicated call centre.
The number you need to call to book patient transport depends on where you live.
Patients in Northumberland, Newcastle, Sunderland/Wearside, Gateshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside should contact our PTS contact centre on 0191 215 1515. This line is open from Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm.
Patients in Teesside and Darlington need to book transport by telephoning Transport Information Service on 01642 263 122.
Patients in the Durham Dales and East Durham need to telephone Travel Response Centre on 03000 269 9999.
Patients in North Durham should either contact their GP or the Travel Response Centre, this is dependent on the GP surgery.
If you have been told you’re not eligible and are concerned about this decision, please contact the Transport Information Service line operated by the North East Commissioning Support Unit on 01642 263123.
Once booked, if you need to re-arrange this transport please contact the relevant Ambulance Service as soon as possible.
If you need to cancel your Ambulance Booking you can contact 0300 1110247.
Driving to Hospital
If you need to drive to hospital, please choose the hospital site you are visiting for further information:
