Getting There

RAIL
There are direct train services from most cities in Britain to Newcastle Central Station (T:+44 (0)191 221 3156). It is served by Great North Eastern Railways (GNER), Virgin Cross Country and Regional Railways. It takes 2 hours 45 minutes from London, and 1 hour 20 minutes from Edinburgh.
To book train seats between Edinburgh and Newcastle, call either Virgin T:+44 (0)8457 222333 or GNER T:+44 (0)8457 225225, or phone the national rail enquiry service on T:+44 (0)8457 484950 with any other queries.

ROAD
Newcastle is easily accessible. The A1(M) goes through the middle of it. If you are coming by car, there is limited parking at Newcastle station, and the charge is £7 a day. There's also the 635-space Tyne Square Car Park nearby, which does special rates for five or seven day parking of around £5.50 a day. T:+44 (0)191 243 8294
The Tourist Information Centre in Newcastle is T:+44 (0)191 277 8000, and in Edinburgh it is T:+44 (0)131 332 2433 W: www.visitscotland.com

AIR
Newcastle Airport is only 20 minutes from the city centre and there are regular and frequent links to many European cities, including Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris, along with international connections to the rest of the world. There are also direct flights to Aberdeen, Birmingham, Gatwick, Heathrow, Wick, Dublin and Belfast. T:+44 (0)8701 221488 W: www.newcastleairport.com

SEA
The International Ferry Terminal at Royal Quays is the North of England's main sea link with Scandinavia and Continental Europe and operates regular passenger services from Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands. DFDS Seaways T:+44 (0)191 293 6262

On Finishing The Route...

If you do not feel like cycling back to Newcastle after the 200-mile journey, then jump on a train. They are fast, regular and bike-friendly (there's no extra charge for the bike). To book train seats, see details below.