We are taking a train from Kings Cross to Newcastle and we would like to get a taxi when we arrive at Newcastle station. We are 3 adults and suitcases.
Is there a taxi stand that we can just go to and get a taxi? Will there be taxis readily available at the station and where is the taxi stand? It will be a Sunday and a football game day
Or do I need to order a taxi and If so, which companies are best?
Thank you!!
Newcastle central station is one of the biggest in that part of the country. There's a taxi stand just outside the portico. According to the website, it's open 24/7.
As you come out of the station concourse and in the glass portico turn right in the portico and use that exit door (left would take you to the bus stops, the car rental counters and the Roman Catholic Cathedral).
There is a big taxi rank straight outside the door. The fact that it is a football game day has little bearing on the matter. Most people use public transport (bus or Tyne and Wear Metro)/their legs to get to the stadium.
If you are arriving in the 2 or 3 hours before or after the match the station itself will be very busy, and the LNER train will get busy if it's a stopper north of York, also there will be probably be a heavy transport police presence on the station.
If the away team is from London or the south of England the LNER train will be busy all the way. That's a day I would opt for a weekend first supplement on the train- £35 each payable only on the train subject to capacity.
We reserved seats on the LNER train. What is a supplement?
In airline terms a supplement would be termed an upgrade. It's often cheaper than buying a first class ticket to start with. As well as giving you a quieter and more spacious environment it also gives you the complimentary food and beverage offering.
Much as with an airline it is if available on the day, if there are spare seats.
When I was commuting from Cumbria to London I did it all the time when going back south on busy Sunday afternoon trains. The second class basic fare was on expenses, and the upgrade out of my own pocket.
You can actually bid ahead of time for an upgrade/supplement on the Seatfrog app.- https://www.lner.co.uk/first-class-travel/#ontrain
(you might pay more or less via Seatfrog).
FWIW you can also do the upgrade LNER trick on a weekday as well on trains between 0930 and 1500, I believe.
What time are you arriving and what time is the match? That is crucial to knowing if your train journey might be impacted by travelling fans.
It’s easy to get taxis in Newcastle and the match won’t have any bearing on that. There will be taxis waiting at the station.
Newcastle is a massive football city with very passionate support for the local team so you might see a bit of that in action. Are you staying in the city for a few days?
Train arrives in Newcastle at 11:35, Stadium of Light match is at 2pm.
We are staying near the beach in Sunderland, not near a metro station. We are doing a taxi to our hotel and have a ride to the game.
I was concerned about no taxis being available at Newcastle station and I thought I might need to order a taxi through Bluebird.
I don't think there is a Bluebird Taxis, it's Blue Line I believe. They don't seem to be a taxi company as such, but rather a consolidator so if you book with them they will find the first available taxi.
A sort of Uber, but with licensed taxis. I'm not sure if it's a fixed rate through them as opposed to on the meter.
If it makes you feel happier to do it that way you might as well, but it isn't necessary.
If the game is at Sunderland that won't affect taxi availability in Newcastle, ten miles away. The fans just use the Metro (which runs from Newcastle Central Station) to the Stadium of Light Metro Station (or Northern Rail to Sunderland)- so both of those will be packed out.
I would not anticipate there being any problem getting a taxi outside the station. Newcastle is a big city with plenty of taxis available.
Put Newcastle Central Station into street view, spin round and you will see the large taxi waiting area.
I can't see any Sunderland men's home games at 2pm on a Sunday scheduled or any International games. There is a women's game at home to Charlton Athletic at 2pm on Sunday 5/10. Their two home games so far this season have attracted crowds of 753 and 903. And the latter was against local rivals Durham. I can't see there being any issue whatsoever with a busy train from King's Cross or issues with taxis at Central station. You can also take the metro from Central station straight to one of the stations around Sunderland including the Stadium of Light.
could it be a Magpies fixture?
Nigel - 4 posts up the Op says that the game is at the Stadium of Light at 2pm. The only game currently scheduled to be played at that time on a Sunday is the Sunderland v Charlton Athletic women's game. Either it's that game or the day or time is wrong.
ah.
hmmm...
Or it's 5 October Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest at St James' Park, and the OP has the incorrect stadium.
The first train out of Kings Cross on a Sunday- the 0848 is scheduled to arrive at Newcastle at 1137 on Platform 2- in which case all h has to do is walk straight through the ticket gates. No having to go over a bridge or anything like that to reach the exit.
Well that might be the case. The OP has said that they plan to take a taxi to their accommodation near Sunderland beach and then go to the game. They do specifically mention the Stadium of Light though so somewhat confusing. And it's not clear why they would stay in Sunderland if they're going to a Newcastle game although that could be for cost reasons.
ds, could you help us out here? Otherwise we're throwing darts over our shoulders, blindfolded.
Hello everyone
The taxi stand at Newcastle had about 10 taxis waiting. Worked wonderfully. I didn’t pre-arrange from Blueline abd it was just fine.
I was worried about timing with the train schedule (train was a bit late) and game start time. For a stadium with 46,000 people you need to show up early, we had bags to drop and still meet our ride to the stadium.
We are staying near the beach due to relatives nearby.
The game was yesterday against Aston Villa. A 1-1 draw after a red card by Sunderland in the first half.
Thank you everyone!!!
That explains a lot ds. The comment I made about there being no game at the Stadium of Light was made 34 minutes after the game you were going to had started!
Thanks for that clarification. I did actually look at yesterday's train and saw it was 8 minutes late, due to a minor problem at Huntingdon, but left Carlisle (a set down only passenger stop) 10 minutes early after it's diversion via Hexham, and was actually 17 early at Haymarket before being held there to be right time at Edinburgh.
Pleased all went well.
whew !!
glad it worked out - even if only a point
