5 best travel agencies in Newcastle when you want all the fun, and none of the maps
I still remember the time I DIY’d a trip and ended up spending half my holiday finding plug adapters and the other half arguing with my poorly-folded itinerary.
There’s something to be said for letting the professionals wrestle with the details, leaving you to sip your airport coffee in peace.
Luckily for us, Newcastle is home to some brilliant travel agencies staffed by folks who’ve already learned the hard way that sunscreen should be packed before you reach the beach.
In this guide, I’m sharing the best travel agencies Newcastle locals turn to when they want their adventures to go off without a hitch. This means more memories, fewer meltdowns, and absolutely no origami maps required.
How much do travel agencies charge in Newcastle?
Travel agencies in Newcastle may charge booking fees, often around £20–£40 per flight booking. Meanwhile, some agents earn commission from suppliers instead of charging clients directly. Fees, when applied, vary depending on the service.
1. Trailfinders Newcastle
Address: 7 Ridley Place, 8JQ
Contact Details: +44 191 261 2345
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday – 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
I used Trailfinders to plan my last holiday and was impressed by how personal the experience felt.
Instead of pushing ready-made deals, their consultant listened to what I wanted—my travel style, must-see places, budget, and preferred downtime. It truly felt like my trip was tailor-made for me.
They took care of everything—flights, hotels, even car hire—all in one go. I didn’t have to juggle lots of different bookings, and everything just fit together perfectly.
Their team’s expertise really stood out. With staff who’ve visited over 96% of the world’s countries, they offer credible, first-hand advice for both popular and unusual destinations.
What really won me over, though, was their after-sales support. While waiting at the airport, I chatted with another traveller who shared how Trailfinders had stepped in when an earthquake disrupted her plans.
They extended her stay, handled all the changes, and even sent a refund for the difference.
The only downside is that, because Trailfinders focuses on tailor-made holidays and top-notch service, their prices can be a bit higher than some budget or online deals.
Exceptional package creation
“I visited to find info concerning a proposed trip to Thailand. Ultimately it didn’t work out due to issues I had. I must praise Jenny though who pulled out all the stops to come up with a package for me. I felt so guilty when she followed up our meeting but took my decision with good grace. Very professional throughout. Just sorry that I couldn’t go.”
– Gordon Smith, Google Review
Outstanding customer service
“We used trailfinders to book our three week trip to Thailand and can’t express enough how amazing the customer service is and how incredible our trip is! A massive thank you to Chloe who is an absolute asset to the branch we will definitely be using them again!!”
– Natalie Hay, Google Review
2. Newcastle Travel and Tours Ltd
Address: 74 Sceptre St, 6PR
Contact Details: +44 191 273 0775
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday – Closed
Newcastle Travel and Tours tailors its services to the international needs of the local community.
Many customers I spoke with highlighted that the agency is their go-to for booking specialist international flights, particularly to South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. But their focus on these regions means fewer options for other destinations.
They also assist with complex visa application processes and travel documentation, making things much easier for customers who need paperwork for family visits, tourism, or business travel.
For religious journeys—especially Hajj and Umrah—their dedicated support and group packages are a real talking point among local travellers.
Several people mentioned how much they appreciated the comprehensive guidance with accommodation, transport, and the booking process. One person even described their Umrah experience as “totally stress-free.”
I was impressed that they can accommodate larger parties, family reunions, and group travel, offering logistics help and special airfares.
And if you need to send money abroad, the agency can point you in the right direction or even help handle remittance safely—a helpful bonus for anyone with family overseas.
Seamless Umrah experience with dedicated guidance
“I recently booked my first Umrah trip through Newcastle travel & tour and it was an unforgettable experience. From the very beginning, the team was professional, organized, and extremely helpful in guiding me through the process. They provided clear instructions on all the necessary documentation, and their communication was always prompt and informative. The entire trip was perfectly arranged—our flights, accommodations, and transportation were all seamless. The hotel was very close to the Haram, which made our journey even more spiritual and convenient. What stood out the most was the attention to detail and the care they took in ensuring that we were comfortable every step of the way. Their knowledgeable guides were with us throughout the journey, providing us with insights and guidance on the rituals, which made the experience even more meaningful. I felt very well taken care of and was able to focus entirely on my worship. I highly recommend Newcastle Travel & tour for anyone looking to perform Umrah in the most peaceful and organized manner.”
– Nahid Miah, Google Review
Comprehensive travel support
“Would highly recommend. First time going with family. Made the whole process easy from flight, visa, travel from all places even within saudi was all arranged. Had a full team there for assistance, had qualified scholars. Did not need to worry about anything. The zirayah to all the historic places was a once in a lifetime experience. Met lots of new friends with the group we travelled with. 10 out of 10 for the full team”
– Mujib Rahman, Google Review
3. TUI Holiday Store
Address: 127-129 Northumberland St, 7AG
Contact Details: +44 191 247 2050
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday, and Saturday – 9:00 AM–5:30 PM
- Thursday – 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Friday – 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Sunday – 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
TUI Holiday Store Newcastle offers a wide range of holidays to suit different preferences.
During my visit, I chatted with one of their travel advisors who walked me through everything from family escapes to luxury spa breaks, adults-only retreats, and even nightlife-focused trips.
The advisor was knowledgeable and took the time to understand what I was looking for.
For those seeking activity and adventure, TUI offers dedicated packages. These include Lakes & Mountains holidays and adventure-focused TUI Tours, which feature flights, handpicked hotels, and expert local guides.
I was particularly drawn to their adventure options, and the advisor even pulled up some sample multi-city itineraries—perfect for someone who likes to see more than one destination in a single trip.
Another big plus is their on-site currency exchange service. They offer more than 50 currencies with no commission, and any unused currency can be returned after your trip.
One thing to keep in mind is that for some services and offers, you need to visit the store in person. This could be inconvenient if you have a busy schedule or live far from the city centre.
Warm atmosphere and personalised service
“Absolutely phenomenal customer service as always from Dawn in the Newcastle store. She is extremely patient and knowledgeable. I feel so comfortable whilst in store with the friendly staff. It’s a lovely atmosphere! Dawn has outstanding customer service skills and communication and always goes the extra mile to make sure your holiday is best suited to you!”
– Ella Bage, Google Review
Hassle-free rebooking with attentive staff
“We called after returning from a great holiday in ischia with TUI wanting to rebook. Scarlet looked after us and made sure we got everything sorted, she even put in a request for the same room we’d had before, booked our preferred seats on the plane and offered us some fantastic tours while we are there. We had looked online and we’d been given a discount code, scarlet applied this too which great. We will call back in for our euros as she explained if you book with TUI you get a special rate for the exchange. All the staff are friendly and going in to the branch always feels more special and a great way to start the countdown… cheers to the whole team!”
– Eric Waters, Google Review
4. Dawson & Sanderson
Address: 124, 130 Northumberland St, 7DG
Contact Details: +44 191 261 4888
Operating Hours:
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Tuesday – 9:20 AM to 5:30 PM
- Wednesday – 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday – 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Dawson & Sanderson is completely independent. They aren’t tied to any particular tour operator, so the advice and recommendations you receive are genuinely impartial and tailored to suit you.
They have four separate specialists, each one focusing on something different.
When I visited, I overheard the cruise team helping a couple plan their very first cruise. They clearly explained the differences between cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, P&O, and Marella, and even had some exclusive deals that sounded amazing.
For city breaks, the agency’s specialists go the extra mile by pre-booking local excursions and sharing insider tips on the best places to eat, drink, and shop.
Another thing I loved is their “We’ll Beat Any Price” promise. I showed them a hotel deal I’d found online and, true to their word, they said they could match it or sometimes even beat it.
On the other hand, it’s worth noting that their staff are mainly trained to offer their own packages. Sometimes, their recommendations can feel more generic and less tailored to your individual needs.
Above-and-beyond planning
“We would like to say a huge thank you to Joanne at the Newcastle branch. Joanne wiped away my tears when Micky and myself decided to get married in Cyprus on July 30 2024 and had been told by another company (opposite the Northumberland street store) that it would be impossible to do in a short period of time. Joanne took it in her stride picked the most beautiful setting for our wedding vows and restaurant for the wedding venue. Joanne sorted absolutely everything and went way above and beyond for us. If it hadn’t been for all her help it may have just been the civic centre as we both joked about. Thank you so much again Joanne from the bottom of mine and mickys heart. Dawson and Sanderson has an amazing member of staff with Joanne and the rest of the team are brilliant too. Definitely a 6 star service.”
– Jackie Hannon, Google Review
Meticulous coordination for memorable group travel
“My daughter was married in Ibiza recently and there were a large numbers of people travelling all for different durations but all the same it was a large gathering. Joanne, who coordinated this on our behalf and I must say has never ever let us down in respect of anything she has booked for us, went the extra mile to ensure this was a fantastic holiday for all coupled with the wedding. We had great rooms with fantastic views out to sea. We even seen dolphins swimming around on most days. Everyone who attended said it was brilliant and the best holiday ever. If it wasn’t for the attention to detail by Joanne, taking the time to speak to the hotel and ensure everything was arranged for us. I’m sure we would not have enjoyed the holiday as much. The wedding was at a different venue so all the arrangements had to tie in and Joanne made sure nothing was left to chance. Thank you very very much Joanne and to Dawson and Sandersons for the effort you put into this for us. Very much appreciated. A brilliant holiday and wedding thanks to your great work.”
– Paul Liversidge, Google Review
5. Travel Bureau Gosforth
Address: 69 High St, Gosforth
Contact Details: +44 191 285 9321
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
- Saturday – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Sunday – Closed
With over 60 years’ experience, Travel Bureau Gosforth brings real depth of knowledge to every booking. Their staff travel extensively themselves.
They specialise in a wide range of holiday types. This includes luxurious beach escapes, tailor-made adventure trips, and honeymoons, with dedicated honeymoon gift list services.
Clients appreciate the agency’s expertise and personal recommendations. I spoke with someone who was booking an escorted tour to Milan’s Christmas Markets and the Swiss Alps.
Personalisation is taken seriously here. You can request a personal appointment at a time that suits you. This ensures one-to-one expert attention, even for complex holiday requests. One client told me how easy it was to plan a multi-stop itinerary this way.
Their “Inspiration” section is curated by passionate travel experts. They regularly share travel news and highlight emerging destination trends.
While they focus on handpicked and unique experiences, those seeking standardised package holidays or a wide array of “DIY” options may find the choices more curated than exhaustive.
Consistently excellent advice and service
“I have used the Travel Bureau for many years. It doesn’t matter if the trip is long or short, expensive or not so expensive, the level of service is wonderful. Iain Bell has looked after us for a long time and is a constant source of advice for all sorts of trips from sorting out a month travelling through New Zealand to booking us on local trains in France. I would recommend The Travel Bureau without any reservation.”
– Pauline Warren, Google Review
Expert itinerary planning for unforgettable holidays
“I have booked holidays to South Africa, Vietnam and India with the Travel Bureau and cannot recommend them enough. The staff are very knowledgeable and know how to put together an itinerary to provide a smooth and memorable trip. I will definitely use them again when planning my next holiday.”
– Helen Fenwick, Google Review