Operated by Go North East. Registered as running via Gateshead, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Wrekenton, Springwell, Concord, Hylton Castle, Southwick. First bus 04:11, last bus 02:11. 154 journeys on weekdays. Fares: adult single £2.00 to £2.50 — more.

Night bus — overnight departures 22:00–07:00. Every night. Nights are the night you set out on, so a 01:30 bus on Saturday morning counts as Friday. All night buses.

Wanted a different 56? 29 other bus routes are numbered 56 elsewhere in the UK — see every 56 bus timetable by area.

Each column is one journey, headed by the time it sets off. A · means that journey does not stop there. Times are shown at the route's main timing stops — buses serve all stops in between. Switch a table to All stops for every stop it calls at, or open a stop's own page for live departures there.

Christmas & bank holidays

These dates are not the usual timetable for the day they fall on. They come from the operator’s published data, which for Christmas and New Year is often late or incomplete, so check with Go North East before you travel. Everything above is an ordinary week.

Not published yet: Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Operators often publish festive timetables only a few weeks ahead, so check again nearer the date.

• Christmas Eve — Thursday, 24 December 2026
  The operator’s data lists more buses on this date than on an ordinary Thursday (399 journeys in both directions together, against 154), which usually means two timetables have been added together by mistake. Check with Go North East before you travel.
• Monday, 28 December 2026
  towards Newcastle upon Tyne: 48 journeys, first 00:02 towards Sunderland: 49 journeys, first 00:07
• New Year's Eve — Thursday, 31 December 2026
  The operator’s data lists more buses on this date than on an ordinary Thursday (399 journeys in both directions together, against 154), which usually means two timetables have been added together by mistake. Check with Go North East before you travel.

Route map

Show other buses nearby

All stops on route 56

Service registration & registered changes

• Service change effective 19 July 2026
  To amend Timetable.
• Service change effective 25 January 2026
  To amend Route.
• Service change effective 26 October 2025
  To amend Route and Timetable.
• Service change effective 12 November 2023
  To amend Route and Timetable.
• Service change effective 5 November 2023
  To amend Timetable.

From official Traffic Commissioner registrations. Registration PB0003954/779 · Changes in Nexus (Tyne & Wear) · All service changes →

Towns & areas on this route

Frequently asked questions

What time is the first 56 bus?

The first 56 departure on weekdays leaves at 04:11 (check the full timetable below for your stop, as times vary along the route — weekend times can differ).

What time is the last 56 bus?

The last 56 on weekdays leaves its first stop at 02:11. Always check the timetable for your specific stop — later stops are reached after this time.

How much does the 56 bus cost?

Go North East's published fares on the 56: adult single £2.00 to £2.50, adult return £4.00 to £5.00. The 56 is confirmed by GOV.UK as part of the national fare cap, so a single costs at most £3 until 31 December 2026, then £2 from 1 January 2027. Go North East day and weekly tickets can work out cheaper if you travel more than twice a day.

Who runs the 56 bus?

The 56 is operated by Go North East.

Timetable data from Go North East via the DfT Bus Open Data Service (North East England feed). Registered with the Traffic Commissioner as PB0003954/779. Check before you travel — services can change at short notice.