Originally Posted by
mad_rich
Durham is about 20 miles south of Newcastle. I've never taken a taxi there, but it would probably set you back in the region of £50 (I'm guessing here) as it would have to return empty. Lansdowne (I spelled it wrong the first time
) might give you a quote.
There are fast and frequent trains between Newcastle Central Station and Durham (around 4 trains per hour, 15 minutes journey, £5 each way). A cab from Gosforth to Central Station would again be around £8-£10.
Train times at
National Express East Coast.
If you're at the Metro Centre ("Metrocentre Gateshead" on the above website), there is a train station attached to the shopping centre, but you'll still have to change trains in Newcastle. There's also a direct bus to Durham - the
number 44 - but bear in mind that this is a local bus, and it takes 90 minutes to cover 20 miles
.
On well. I was told 40 GBP, but when I saw what it cost to get to the Marriott in the same town I knew the fare would be higher. I was hoping for something like a "van" type service we have in the states that charges less for these trips than taxis. While in AMS this June, I paid too much to get the hotel and almost half the fare for the return because it was an express type service that used a van or whatever they needed for a given load. I happened to be alone and the price and tip was fixed in advance and everything worked out well for me.
Unfortunately of all the modes of travel that have taken me to 50 countries, buses make me ill. And then trains are a challenge with all that international luggage. I almost fell over in trips this past year to ZUR and FRA that involved trains to my final destination because of trying to handle my luggage when getting on and off the trains and racing up the stairs for the next connection.
I am not young and have been ill which is another reason for using a full service hotel like Marriott. The Novotel in AMS was a big help to me when I was too ill to stand up straight and leave the room for a clinic.