- Play Hard
- 17th Sep 2025
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14 student discount deals in the North East – travel for just £1
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Calling all Sunderland, Durham, Northumbria and Newcastle University students, with Freshers Week in full swing, it’s the perfect time to explore the North East.
Whether you’re new to the region or a local looking for adventure, this area is packed with attractions, hidden gems and Insta-worthy spots – and the best part? You can get around for almost nothing.
Thanks to Mayor’s Fares (super student-friendly bus fares), if you’re 21 or under, a single bus ticket costs just £1. Feeling extra adventurous? Grab a £3 unlimited day ticket and explore all the North East without worrying about travel costs.
Convenient, eco-friendly and budget-friendly – taking the bus is the easiest way to see the North East.
Whether you’re a history buff, a beach lover, or just chasing Instagrammable locations, here’s a handy guide to top student discounts and attractions – all easily accessible by bus.
HLN TOP TIP: Save up to 25% on entry to top North East attractions when you travel by bus. More info here.
STUDENT DEALS IN NORTHUMBERLAND
Ad Gefrin, Wooler
Getting there: X16 from Newcastle Haymarket
Discover Ad Gefrin Northumberland Visitor Attraction & English Distillery, an award-winning Anglo-Saxon museum with a whisky distillery. Use your £3 unlimited day ticket to hop on the bus back and enjoy the stunning Northumberland scenery.
Alnwick Castle, Alnwick
Getting there: X15 from Newcastle Haymarket
Explore Alnwick Castle. Enjoy 20% student discount on entry with tickets valid for 12 months. Your £3 unlimited day ticket means you can return to the castle or nearby attractions on the same day without paying extra for travel.
Here’s how to spend a day at Alnwick Castle A day at Alnwick Castle:
SUNDERLAND STUDENT STEALS
The Hole in Wand, Dalton Park
Getting there: X-lines X10 from Newcastle Eldon Square
The Hole in Wand is a fun wizard-themed mini-golf experience. Students get 20% off tickets. Jump on your £3 unlimited day ticket bus and explore Seaburn or other Sunderland hotspots afterwards. We’re talking STACK Seaburn, Seaham Hall and Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens
Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum, Jarrow
Getting there: 28B from Eldon Square & Crusader 27 from High Level Bridge
Travel back in time and walk through historic reconstructions at Jarrow Hall, Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum. Enjoy 40% off entry and get unlimited access for the whole year. Take the £3 unlimited ticket to explore other local sites nearby.
Sunderland Empire, Sunderland
Getting there: X24 from Monument Pilgrim Street
Catch live shows and award-winning West End musicals at Sunderland Empire with discounted student tickets (a code will be applied upon checkout). Bus travel saves money on taxis, the stress of parking and gives you a stress-free ride home.
COUNTY DURHAM AND DURHAM DEALS
Beamish Museum, County Durham
Getting there: 28 from Eldon Square
Step back in time with interactive exhibits at Beamish Museum, the first regional open-air museum in England. Good news, students get 25% off entry and pay once and visit for a whole year FREE of charge. Your £3 unlimited bus day ticket makes it easy to combine this with other Durham attractions without spending on petrol.
Raby Castle, Darlington
Getting there: X21 from Eldon Square & 85 from Durham
Explore 200 acres of deer park, gardens and medieval architecture at Raby Castle. Students get 5% off entry. Unlimited day bus travel lets you soak up the countryside and return relaxed, without needing a car.
Durham Castle
Getting there: X21 from Eldon Square
Uncover 1000 years of history of Durham with a 20% student discount (if you’re a Durham University student, you get free entry). And a £1 single or £3 day ticket makes it simple to reach from anywhere in the city.
GENEROUS GATESHEAD GEMS
Gibside, Gateshead
Getting there: X45 from Eldon Square
Gibside is a beautiful National Trust estate with Victorian gardens and woodlands. Get 25% off entry when you show your bus ticket. Bus travel makes it easy to combine with nearby attractions.
Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
Getting there: Angel 21 from Eldon Square or Voltra 53/54 from Newcastle Central Station
If you love art and letting your imagination run wild, the Baltic offers free entry to contemporary exhibitions. Hop on the bus afterwards using your £3 day ticket to explore other nearby cultural spots without extra transport costs. An annual day trip to Gibside, possibly?
TEMPTING TYNEMOUTH DISCOUNTS
Tynemouth Aquarium, Tynemouth
Getting there: 306 from Newcastle Haymarket
See marine life at Tynemouth Aquarium, including adorable seal shows and otters. Students get 10% off, and if you’re travelling by bus, you can enjoy an extra £2 off per person. After, why not use your £3 unlimited day ticket to explore beaches and cafes along the coast?
Tynemouth Priory, Tynemouth
Getting there: 306 from Newcastle Haymarket
Explore Tynemouth Priory and Castle with 20% off entry by showing your bus ticket. Explore nearby faves like Riley’s Fish Shack, King Edward’s Bay and The Cove. Finding a space to park can be hard in Tynemouth, skip parking headaches and get the bus.
NEWCASTLE FUN FOR STUDENTS
Newcastle Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Bus stop: various buses to Blackett Street/Market Street
If you’re aged 18-30, you can enjoy theatre tickets from just £10. Immerse yourself in breathtaking artistry, captivating storytelling and award-winning performances at Newcastle Theatre Royal. Hop on the bus and right outside on Blackett Street and Market Street with just £1 single.
Junkyard Golf, Newcastle upon Tyne
Getting there: various buses to Newcastle Haymarket/Newgate Street
Get 50% off 9-hole and unlimited golf tickets daily at Junkyard Golf. Play through wild courses: basement horror raves, polluted paradise, dystopian FEARgrounds and auto-junk discos. Getting there is easy – just hop on the bus for a cheap, hassle-free ride.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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