Looking for cheap car hire at Newcastle Airport? Whether you are flying into NCL for a city break in the Toon, a business trip or a road trip through the wild North East, getcarhire.com compares deals from the leading suppliers to find you the right hire car at the right price. Newcastle is one of Northern England’s most vibrant cities, and car hire Newcastle Airport makes it a brilliant base for some of the country’s finest history and scenery.
All the major car hire brands are on site at Newcastle Airport, a short walk from the terminal, with the A1 and A69 fanning out from the door. With Hadrian’s Wall, the Northumberland coast, Durham and even the Lake District within reach, car hire Newcastle Airport is the natural choice for exploring the region. This guide covers where to collect, what it costs, driving in the city and the superb destinations on the doorstep.
Quick answer: Car hire at Newcastle Airport (NCL) is the best way to explore the North East. The airport is around 7 miles North-West of the city, a 20 minute drive, with all major suppliers on site. Prices start from about £12 per day, and you can reach Hadrian’s Wall, the Northumberland coast or Durham within the hour.
Car Hire Newcastle Airport at a Glance
| Airport code | NCL (Newcastle Airport) |
| Distance to city centre | About 7 miles North-West, a 20 minute drive or Metro |
| Typical price | From around £12 per day, average £45 to £55 |
| Collection | Car hire village by the Long-Stay car park, a short walk from the terminal |
| Best for | Hadrian\’s Wall, the Northumberland coast, Durham and the Lake District |
| One-way hire | Popular to Edinburgh, Manchester and London |
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Collecting Your Hire Car at Newcastle Airport
Newcastle Airport (airport code NCL) makes collection straightforward. The major suppliers, including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt, have desks in the terminal opposite the domestic arrivals area, with the cars in a car hire village a short walk away by the Long-Stay car park. See the official Newcastle Airport site for terminal details. A few off-airport suppliers run a quick shuttle bus.
For the smoothest cheap car hire Newcastle Airport experience, bring your driving licence, a credit card in the main driver’s name and your booking confirmation, and book online in advance for the best rates. Once you collect your car hire Newcastle Airport, the A696 links you straight to the A1 North for Scotland or South for Durham and York, and the A69 West towards Hadrian’s Wall and Carlisle. Top up at a nearby station for an easy full-to-full return.
How Much Does Car Hire at Newcastle Airport Cost?
Car hire at Newcastle Airport is great value, with prices from as little as £12 per day for a small car and an average of around £45 to £55 per day across the year. As a busy international airport with all the major suppliers on site, competition between car hire Newcastle Airport providers keeps prices keen, particularly when you book ahead.
Season is the biggest factor in price. The quieter winter months are cheapest, while summer and school holidays see the highest demand. Booking a week or two in advance usually secures the best rate for cheap car hire Newcastle, and it is worth booking early if you need an automatic, as availability can be limited. The table below shows the seasonal pattern.
| Season | Demand | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (off-peak) | Lowest | Best value, from around £12 per day |
| June to August | Peak | Highest demand, book early |
| Rest of year | Moderate | Good value, book 1 to 2 weeks ahead |
Driving in Newcastle and the North East
Good news for car hire Newcastle Airport drivers: Newcastle is one of the easier major UK cities to get around, with lighter traffic than the likes of Birmingham or Manchester and good road links. The city does operate a Clean Air Zone, but it applies to buses, coaches, taxis and heavier vehicles rather than private cars, so most visitors hiring a car have nothing to pay.
Beyond the city, the North East is a joy to drive. Roads are generally quiet and scenic, especially once you reach Northumberland, one of England’s least crowded and most beautiful counties. That is where car hire Newcastle Airport truly shines, on the open roads to castles, coast and countryside that public transport simply cannot reach.
Choosing the Right Hire Car in Newcastle
For most visitors a small or medium car is the ideal choice for cheap car hire Newcastle, economical, easy to park in the city and simple to handle on the open roads of Northumberland. If you are heading for the Lake District or the Cheviot Hills, a medium car or compact SUV offers extra comfort on longer and hillier drives.
When comparing car hire Newcastle Airport deals through getcarhire.com, filter by transmission, mileage and fuel policy. Choose a full-to-full fuel policy to avoid inflated refuelling charges, book an automatic early if you need one, and look for unlimited mileage if you plan a longer tour of the North.
Exploring the North East from Newcastle
Newcastle’s position is one of its greatest assets, putting an extraordinary range of history and scenery within easy reach, and car hire Newcastle Airport is the key to all of it.
Hadrian’s Wall and Northumberland
A short drive West along the A69 brings you to Hadrian’s Wall, the UNESCO World Heritage Site marking the edge of the Roman Empire, with dramatic forts and milecastles strung across wild country. Head North and Northumberland National Park and its glorious coast await, with the mighty Bamburgh Castle near the beach around an hour away, and the Cheviot Hills and Scottish Borders beyond.
Durham, the Coast and the Lake District
The cathedral city of Durham, with its magnificent Norman cathedral and castle, is less than 30 minutes away. The Northumberland and Tyneside coast offers Tynemouth, Whitley Bay and miles of sandy beaches. For a bigger adventure, the Lake District is around 90 minutes West, making car hire Newcastle Airport a fine starting point for a classic English road trip.
Car Hire Newcastle Airport: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does car hire at Newcastle Airport cost?
Car hire at Newcastle Airport starts from around £12 per day for a small car, with an average of £45 to £55 per day. Quieter winter months are cheapest and summer is busiest, so booking 1 to 2 weeks ahead secures the best value, and earlier if you need an automatic.
How far is Newcastle Airport from the city centre?
Newcastle Airport is around 7 miles North-West of the city centre, about a 20 minute drive. The Tyne and Wear Metro also runs directly between the airport and the city in around 20 minutes, but a hire car is far better for exploring the wider region.
Where do you collect a hire car at Newcastle Airport?
The major suppliers have desks in the terminal opposite domestic arrivals, with the cars in a car hire village a short walk away by the Long-Stay car park. Bring your driving licence, a credit card in the main driver’s name and your booking confirmation.
Can you drive to Hadrian’s Wall from Newcastle Airport?
Yes. Hadrian’s Wall is a short drive West of Newcastle Airport along the A69. A hire car is the best way to explore the wall’s forts and milecastles, which are spread across open countryside and hard to reach by public transport.
How far is the Lake District from Newcastle?
The Lake District is around 90 minutes West of Newcastle by car, via the A69 and M6. It makes a superb add-on to a North East trip, and a hire car from Newcastle Airport is the easiest way to combine the two.
Is there a Clean Air Zone in Newcastle?
Newcastle has a Clean Air Zone, but it applies to buses, coaches, taxis, vans and lorries rather than private cars. Visitors hiring a standard car have nothing to pay, though it is always worth confirming with your supplier.
Find Your Cheap Car Hire Newcastle Airport Deal
From the buzz of the Toon to the Roman drama of Hadrian’s Wall and the empty roads of Northumberland, a hire car is the key to the North East. Compare cheap car hire Newcastle Airport deals with getcarhire.com, collect your car a short walk from arrivals, and set off to explore Newcastle and the beautiful country beyond. Enter your dates below to see the latest car hire Newcastle Airport deals.