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. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. 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 The Engine Room (High St W) are great picks.

When to visit Sunderland

Sunderland in November
Estimated hotel price
C$ 98
1 night at 3-star hotel
Sunderland in November
Estimated hotel price
C$ 98
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 Canada departs from Toronto and takes around 9h 25m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Sunderland, followed by Cross Country. The train journey from Sunderland to London takes 2h 47m and costs around C$ 200 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about C$ 101 for a 4h 51m trip. Located 0.9 miles from the city centre, Sunderland Stadium of Light is the busiest station in Sunderland. Another popular train station is Sunderland Seaburn, located 1.7 miles from the centre.

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 Enterprise Rent-A-Car, among others, in Edinburgh.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Sunderland, including Megabus, National Express and FlixBus. From Darlington, the bus ride to Sunderland takes 70 miles and will cost you around C$ 29. From Edinburgh, the ticket costs about C$ 31 for a journey of 155 miles. Sunderland’s bus station is located 0.2 miles from the downtown.

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 Canada departs from Toronto and takes around 9h 25m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Sunderland, followed by Cross Country. The train journey from Sunderland to London takes 2h 47m and costs around C$ 200 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Bristol, expect to pay about C$ 101 for a 4h 51m trip. Located 0.9 miles from the city centre, Sunderland Stadium of Light is the busiest station in Sunderland. Another popular train station is Sunderland Seaburn, located 1.7 miles from the centre.

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 Enterprise Rent-A-Car, among others, in Edinburgh.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Sunderland, including Megabus, National Express and FlixBus. From Darlington, the bus ride to Sunderland takes 70 miles and will cost you around C$ 29. From Edinburgh, the ticket costs about C$ 31 for a journey of 155 miles. Sunderland’s bus station is located 0.2 miles from the downtown.

Airlines serving Sunderland

Lufthansa
Good (4,658 reviews)
KLM
Good (854 reviews)
British Airways
Good (4,482 reviews)
Delta
Good (4,597 reviews)
Air France
Good (979 reviews)
Iberia
Good (1,556 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (2,126 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (2,482 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (915 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (832 reviews)
ITA Airways
Good (712 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (495 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (781 reviews)
Malaysia Airlines
Good (182 reviews)
easyJet
Good (1,449 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (965 reviews)
Eurowings
Good (194 reviews)
China Eastern
Good (54 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (987 reviews)
Qantas Airways
Good (544 reviews)
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Where to stay in popular areas of Sunderland

Most booked hotels in Sunderland

Highfield Hotel
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
C$ 109+
Grand Hotel Sunderland
4 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
C$ 108+
Roker Hotel, BW Premier Collection
4 stars
Good (7.8, Good reviews)
C$ 101+

Renting a car in Sunderland

Expect to pay C$ 2.55 per litre in Sunderland (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between C$ 30.55 and C$ 40.73. Mini (Kia Picanto or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Sunderland, while also 46% cheaper than other types, on average.

Expect to pay C$ 2.55 per litre in Sunderland (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between C$ 30.55 and C$ 40.73. Mini (Kia Picanto or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Sunderland, while also 46% cheaper than other types, on average.