Sunderland travel guide

Sunderland Tourism | Sunderland Guide

You're Going to Love Sunderland

With a population of 177,965, Sunderland is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. We recommend you stay at least 3 days in order to fully appreciate everything Sunderland has to offer.

Where to Eat in Sunderland

If you’re looking for affordable options, San Marino at Hanover Place (San Marino at Hanover Place) and Stirks Steakhouse Bar & Grill (30A Wavendon Crescent) are great picks.

When to visit Sunderland

Sunderland in November
Estimated hotel price
$71
1 night at 3-star hotel
Sunderland in November
Estimated hotel price
$71
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Sunderland

Plane

Although Sunderland doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Newcastle Airport (UK) (NCL), which is located 15 miles from Sunderland. The shortest flight to Sunderland from the United States departs from Denver and takes around 14h 35m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Sunderland, followed by Cross Country. The train journey from Sunderland to Manchester takes 2h 33m and costs around $28 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $154 for a 2h 48m trip. Located 0.9 miles from the city center, Sunderland Stadium of Light is the busiest station in Sunderland. Another popular train station is Sunderland Seaburn, located 1.7 miles from the center.

Car

Another option to get to Sunderland is to pick up a car rental from Edinburgh, which is about 101 miles from Sunderland. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Europcar, among others, in Edinburgh.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Sunderland, including FlixBus, Megabus and National Express. From Leeds, the bus ride to Sunderland takes 145 miles and will cost you around $13. From Edinburgh, the ticket costs about $22 for a journey of 155 miles. Sunderland’s bus station is located 0.2 miles from the city center.

Plane

Although Sunderland doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Newcastle Airport (UK) (NCL), which is located 15 miles from Sunderland. The shortest flight to Sunderland from the United States departs from Denver and takes around 14h 35m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Sunderland, followed by Cross Country. The train journey from Sunderland to Manchester takes 2h 33m and costs around $28 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about $154 for a 2h 48m trip. Located 0.9 miles from the city center, Sunderland Stadium of Light is the busiest station in Sunderland. Another popular train station is Sunderland Seaburn, located 1.7 miles from the center.

Car

Another option to get to Sunderland is to pick up a car rental from Edinburgh, which is about 101 miles from Sunderland. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Europcar, among others, in Edinburgh.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Sunderland, including FlixBus, Megabus and National Express. From Leeds, the bus ride to Sunderland takes 145 miles and will cost you around $13. From Edinburgh, the ticket costs about $22 for a journey of 155 miles. Sunderland’s bus station is located 0.2 miles from the city center.

Airlines serving Sunderland

Lufthansa
Good (4,679 reviews)
KLM
Good (843 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,618 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,583 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,600 reviews)
Air France
Good (979 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,112 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,433 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (930 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (836 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (528 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (730 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (189 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (750 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (960 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (58 reviews)
Eurowings
Good (192 reviews)
China Southern
Excellent (32 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (958 reviews)
easyJet
Good (1,433 reviews)
Show more

Where to stay in popular areas of Sunderland

Most booked hotels in Sunderland

Highfield Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, 1305 reviews)
$86+
The Moorings
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 468 reviews)
$67+
Grand Hotel Sunderland
4 stars
Good (7.9, 5534 reviews)
$87+
Roker Hotel, BW Premier Collection
4 stars
Good (7.8, 2461 reviews)
$82+
Holiday Inn Washington
3 stars
Good (7.8, 2372 reviews)
$71+
Travelodge Sunderland Central
3 stars
Good (7.8, 42 reviews)
$53+

Renting a car in Sunderland

Expect to pay $7.19 per gallon in Sunderland (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $86.31 and $115.08. Mini (Smart Fortwo or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Sunderland, while also 38% cheaper than other types, on average.

Expect to pay $7.19 per gallon in Sunderland (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $86.31 and $115.08. Mini (Smart Fortwo or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Sunderland, while also 38% cheaper than other types, on average.