Mon-Fri: 8.30-17.30
1
Familiarize yourself with the public transport options
The Nexus Metro system is one of the most convenient, hassle free ways to get about, as is the Go North East bus network, which has free WiFi on most of its fleet.
Student passes are available at a discounted rate for both, and if your accommodation or flat isn’t within walking distance of the university or city centre, a pass is well worth investing in. Make your journey even easier by downloading the companies’ apps for access to route planning, service status updates and announcements.
Local taxi companies are always worth having in your contact list.
Blueline is the most popular but it’s worth looking into local firms specific to your neighbourhood too. Black cabs run from numerous points in the city, including Central Station, the Bigg Market and the Gate, but be aware these are always more expensive, and only get in them from official taxi ranks.
2
Who to follow on social media and which apps to get
The people, businesses, and local institutions of Newcastle are very active on social media, so following their accounts is a great way to find out what’s on, things to do, offers and upcoming events.
Start with your university, but also take a look at intuEldon Square, the indoor city centre shopping and dining area, tourist board NewcastleGateshead and NE1 Get Into Newcastle. These are some great sites to get started and encompass a lot of the goings on in the city.
For word of mouth recommendations and some more individual perspectives of the city, look for some of the local bloggers. Many use #nebloggers and love to shout about the city and the new places they discover as well as some old favourites. There’s a hugely diverse range of local bloggers, covering topics such as Newcastle, fitness, food, fashion, travel, beauty and lifestyle.
In addition to the public transport and taxi apps, it’s worth downloading and setting up Uber if you don’t already have it, and Deliveroo – the company that brings food directly from restaurants to your door.