81 Sunderland to Gateshead via Washington, Birtley
Operated by Go North East. First bus 18:36, last bus 23:36. 16 journeys on weekdays. Today, a Sunday: first 09:16, last 23:29. Fares: adult single £2.20 to £2.50 — more.
Wanted a different 81? 37 other bus routes are numbered 81 elsewhere in the UK — see every 81 bus timetable by area.
Ends at Gateshead Interchange unless marked “to …” · Sunday · 23 journeys
| Stop | 08:16 to Wrekenton High Street (S-bound) | 09:16 | 09:58 | 10:58 | 11:58 | 13:03 | 14:08 | 15:08 | 16:08 | 16:47 to Washington Galleries | 17:36 | 17:47 to Washington Galleries | 18:36 | 18:47 to Washington Galleries | 19:36 | 19:42 to Washington Galleries | 20:36 | 20:42 to Washington Galleries | 21:36 | 21:42 to Washington Galleries | 22:36 | 22:42 to Washington Galleries | 23:36 to Birtley Station Lane |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interchange (Stand K) | · | · | 09:58 | 10:58 | 11:58 | 13:03 | 14:08 | 15:08 | 16:08 | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| Colima Avenue (NE-Bound) | · | · | 10:08 | 11:08 | 12:08 | 13:13 | 14:18 | 15:18 | 16:18 | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| Ethel Terrace (W-Bound) | · | · | 10:10 | 11:10 | 12:10 | 13:15 | 14:20 | 15:20 | 16:20 | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| Waterview Park Stand 3 (W-Bound) | · | 09:16 | 10:16 | 11:16 | 12:16 | 13:21 | 14:26 | 15:26 | 16:26 | 16:47 | · | 17:47 | · | 18:47 | · | 19:42 | · | 20:42 | · | 21:42 | · | 22:42 | · |
| Teal Farm (S-Bound) | · | 09:18 | 10:18 | 11:18 | 12:18 | 13:23 | 14:28 | 15:28 | 16:28 | 16:49 | · | 17:49 | · | 18:49 | · | 19:44 | · | 20:44 | · | 21:44 | · | 22:44 | · |
| Barmston Court (N-Bound) | · | 09:21 | 10:21 | 11:21 | 12:21 | 13:26 | 14:31 | 15:31 | 16:31 | 16:52 | · | 17:52 | · | 18:52 | · | 19:47 | · | 20:47 | · | 21:47 | · | 22:47 | · |
| Village Lane - The Avenue (W-Bound) | · | 09:25 | 10:25 | 11:25 | 12:25 | 13:30 | 14:35 | 15:35 | 16:35 | 16:56 | · | 17:56 | · | 18:56 | · | 19:51 | · | 20:51 | · | 21:51 | · | 22:51 | · |
| Galleries Bus Station (Stand B) | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | 17:01 | · | 18:01 | · | 19:01 | · | 19:56 | · | 20:56 | · | 21:56 | · | 22:56 | · |
| Galleries Bus Station (Stand C) | 08:16 | 09:33 | 10:33 | 11:33 | 12:33 | 13:38 | 14:43 | 15:43 | 16:43 | · | 17:36 | · | 18:36 | · | 19:36 | · | 20:36 | · | 21:36 | · | 22:36 | · | 23:36 |
| Hambleton Road (SW-Bound) | 08:19 | 09:36 | 10:36 | 11:36 | 12:36 | 13:41 | 14:46 | 15:46 | 16:46 | · | 17:39 | · | 18:39 | · | 19:39 | · | 20:39 | · | 21:39 | · | 22:39 | · | 23:39 |
| Dunnock Drive-Chevies (S-Bound) | 08:21 | 09:38 | 10:38 | 11:38 | 12:38 | 13:43 | 14:48 | 15:48 | 16:48 | · | 17:41 | · | 18:41 | · | 19:41 | · | 20:41 | · | 21:41 | · | 22:41 | · | 23:41 |
| The Drive-Lothian Close (NW-Bound) | 08:26 | 09:43 | 10:43 | 11:43 | 12:43 | 13:48 | 14:53 | 15:53 | 16:53 | · | 17:46 | · | 18:46 | · | 19:46 | · | 20:46 | · | 21:46 | · | 22:46 | · | 23:46 |
| Birtley Lane-Fell Close (SW-Bound) | 08:30 | 09:47 | 10:47 | 11:47 | 12:47 | 13:52 | 14:57 | 15:57 | 16:57 | · | 17:50 | · | 18:50 | · | 19:50 | · | 20:50 | · | 21:50 | · | 22:50 | · | 23:50 |
| Durham Road - Beaconsfield Terrace (N-Bound) | 08:35 | 09:52 | 10:52 | 11:52 | 12:52 | 13:57 | 15:02 | 16:02 | 17:02 | · | 17:55 | · | 18:55 | · | 19:55 | · | 20:55 | · | 21:55 | · | 22:55 | · | 23:55 |
| Rockcliffe Way (NW-Bound) | 08:43 | 10:00 | 11:00 | 12:00 | 13:00 | 14:05 | 15:10 | 16:10 | 17:10 | · | 18:03 | · | 19:03 | · | 20:03 | · | 21:03 | · | 22:03 | · | 23:03 | · | · |
| High Street - Springwell Road | 08:46 | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · |
| High Street - Springwell Road (B) | · | 10:02 | 11:02 | 12:02 | 13:02 | 14:07 | 15:12 | 16:12 | 17:12 | · | 18:05 | · | 19:05 | · | 20:05 | · | 21:05 | · | 22:05 | · | 23:05 | · | · |
| Waverley Road-Ripley Court (N-Bound) | · | 10:07 | 11:07 | 12:07 | 13:07 | 14:12 | 15:17 | 16:17 | 17:17 | · | 18:10 | · | 19:10 | · | 20:10 | · | 21:10 | · | 22:10 | · | 23:10 | · | · |
| Hertford-Chowdene (N-Bound) | · | 10:10 | 11:10 | 12:10 | 13:10 | 14:15 | 15:20 | 16:20 | 17:20 | · | 18:13 | · | 19:13 | · | 20:13 | · | 21:13 | · | 22:13 | · | 23:13 | · | · |
| Durham Road - Elder Grove (N-Bound) | · | 10:15 | 11:15 | 12:15 | 13:15 | 14:20 | 15:25 | 16:25 | 17:25 | · | 18:18 | · | 19:18 | · | 20:18 | · | 21:18 | · | 22:18 | · | 23:18 | · | · |
| Interchange (Stand N) | · | 10:23 | 11:23 | 12:23 | 13:23 | 14:28 | 15:33 | 16:33 | 17:33 | · | 18:26 | · | 19:26 | · | 20:26 | · | 21:26 | · | 22:26 | · | 23:26 | · | · |
Each column is one journey, headed by the time it sets off; one that finishes short of the usual end says where ("to …") — not every journey on this route runs the whole way. 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.
This route is listed as NOT included in the £3 national fare cap (per GOV.UK) —
Go North East sets its own fares here, though local discounts may apply.
How the cap works →
Fares on the 81
Adult single £2.20 to £2.50
Go-Ahead's published fares on the Bus Open Data Service, in force from 1 April 2026. A fare stage is a group of neighbouring stops that are priced the same. Fares change — check with Go North East before you travel.
Tickets on the 81
Go North East publishes singles on this route for adults and children.
Adult Single
…and 2 more tickets on this route.
Ticket types come from Go North East's own fares data on the Bus Open Data Service, last updated 25 September 2026. Prices for singles and returns are under Fares above; for the others, check with Go North East.
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 towards Gateshead: 24 journeys, first 08:16 towards Sunderland: 17 journeys, first 07:52
- Monday, 28 December 2026 towards Gateshead: 23 journeys, first 08:16 towards Sunderland: 17 journeys, first 07:52
- New Year's Eve — Thursday, 31 December 2026 towards Gateshead: 24 journeys, first 08:16 towards Sunderland: 17 journeys, first 07:52
Route map
All stops on route 81
81 towards Gateshead
All 94 stops
- Interchange (Stand K) Sunderland
- Sunderland Green Terrace (39) Sunderland
- Hind Street (36) Sunderland
- Trimdon Street-Retail Park (N-Bound) Millfield
- Trimdon Street-B&q (N-Bound) Millfield
- Pallion New Road-Carol St (W-Bound) Millfield
- Pallion New Road-Bridge (W-Bound) Millfield
- Alexandra Avenue-West Quay Road (NW-Bound) Enterprise Park
- Alexandra Avenue-Business Centre (W-Bound) Enterprise Park
- Hylton Park Road (W-Bound) Enterprise Park
- Timber Beach Road (SW-Bound) Enterprise Park
- Colima Avenue (NE-Bound) Enterprise Park
- Chaffinch Road (N-Bound) Castletown
- East View (S-Bound) Castletown
- Chaffinch Road (W-Bound) Castletown
- Ethel Terrace (W-Bound) Castletown
- Brown Road (SW-Bound) Castletown
- Grange Road-St Margarets Avenue (SW-Bound) Castletown
- Ringway-Tollerton Drive (W-Bound) Castletown
- Ringway-Welwyn Close (W-Bound) Castletown
- Ferryboat Lane-Business Park (SE-Bound) Castletown
- Pattinson Road-Mandarin Way (S-Bound) Barmston
- Waterview Park Stand 3 (W-Bound) Barmston
- Teal Farm (S-Bound) Barmston
- Teal Farm (SW-Bound) Barnes Park
- Barmston Court (N-Bound) Columbia
- Horsley Road (W-Bound) Columbia
- Glebe Crescent-Number 29 (N-Bound) Columbia
- Glebe Crescent-John F Kennedy (N-Bound) Columbia
- Village Lane - The Avenue (W-Bound) Washington Village
- Abbey Road (S-Bound) Washington Village
- Parkway-Cleeve Court (SE-Bound) Washington Village
- Washington Retail Park (SW-Bound) Washington
- Galleries Bus Station (Stand B) Washington
- Galleries Bus Station (Stand C) Washington
- Malvern Road (S-Bound) Lambton
- Hambleton Road (SW-Bound) Lambton
- Ayton Road - Monkside Close (W-Bound) Ayton
- Dunlin Drive (W-Bound) Ayton
- Dunnock Drive-Chevies (S-Bound) Ayton
- Birtley Road-Goldstar (S-Bound) Wear Industrial Estate
- Birtley Road-Picktree Lane (W-Bound) Wear Industrial Estate
- Vigo Lane-Eskdale (W-Bound) Barley Mow
- Bedford Avenue-Cumberland Place (E-Bound) Barley Mow
- The Drive-Portree Close (NW-Bound) Barley Mow
- The Drive-Lothian Close (NW-Bound) Barley Mow
- Kinross Close (N-Bound) Barley Mow
- Windermere (E-Bound) Barley Mow
- Portobello Road-Dunvegan (N-Bound) Birtley
- Birtley Lane-Fell Close (SW-Bound) Birtley
- Portmeads Road-Fellside (N-Bound) Birtley
- Portmeads (N-Bound) Birtley
- Portmeads Road-Portmead Rise (NW-Bound) Birtley
- Fell Bank-Birtley Lane (W-Bound) Birtley
- Birtley Lane-Harras Bank (S-Bound) Birtley
- Durham Road-Harras Terrace (N-Bound) Birtley
- Durham Road - Beaconsfield Terrace (N-Bound) Birtley
- Mount Pleasant Road-Grove View (E-Bound) Birtley
- Mount Pleasant Road-Portsmead Road (NE-Bound) Birtley
- Mount Pleasant (E-Bound) Birtley
- Portobello Road-Lazy Bar Ranch (N-Bound) Birtley
- Foxpond Roundabout (NW-Bound) Springwell
- Eighton Road-Nursery (N-Bound) Eighton Banks
- Rockcliffe Way-Prospect Terrace (NW-Bound) Eighton Banks
- Rockcliffe Way (NW-Bound) Eighton Banks
- Rockcliffe Way-Springfield Avenue (NW-Bound) Eighton Banks
- Rockcliffe Way-Ravensworth Avenue (N-Bound) Wrekenton
- Wrekenton (N-Bound) Wrekenton
- High Street - Springwell Road Wrekenton
- High Street - Springwell Road (B) Wrekenton
- Easedale Gardens-Sunniside Gardens (W-Bound) Wrekenton
- Harlow Green (S-Bound) Wrekenton
- Waverley Road-Hambleton Green (S-Bound) Wrekenton
- Harlow Green-Willerby Court (W-Bound) Allerdene
- Waverley Road-Ripley Court (N-Bound) Allerdene
- Waverley Road-Woodstock Road (N-Bound) Allerdene
- Hertford-Durham Road (W-Bound) Allerdene
- Hertford - Dartmouth Ave (W-Bound) Allerdene
- Hertford-Woodford (NW-Bound) Allerdene
- Hertford-Chowdene (N-Bound) Chowdene
- Chowdene Bank-The Lodges Road (N-Bound) Chowdene
- Chowdene Bank-Club (N-Bound) Low Fell
- Durham Road-Hutton Terrace (N-Bound) Low Fell
- Durham Road-Albert Drive (N-Bound) Low Fell
- Durham Road - Elder Grove (N-Bound) Low Fell
- Durham Road-Musgrave School (N-Bound) Low Fell
- Durham Road-Valley View (N-Bound) Low Fell
- Durham Road Saltwell Park (N-Bound) Saltwell
- Durham Road-Dryden Road (N-Bound) Shipcote
- Durham Road-Shipcote Lane (N-Bound) Shipcote
- Durham Road-Hartington Street (N-Bound) Gateshead
- High West Street-Bewick Road (N-Bound) Gateshead
- High West Street-Civic Centre (N-Bound) Gateshead
- Interchange (Stand N) Gateshead
81 towards Sunderland
All 91 stops
- Interchange (Stand L) Gateshead
- High West Street-Civic Centre (SE-Bound) Gateshead
- Durham Road-Garage (S-Bound) Gateshead
- Durham Road-Northbourne Street (S-Bound) Shipcote
- Durham Road Saltwell Park (S-Bound) Saltwell
- Durham Road-Valley View (S-Bound) Low Fell
- Durham Road-Musgrave School (S-Bound) Low Fell
- Durham Road - Beaconsfield Road (S-Bound) Low Fell
- Durham Road-Engine Lane (S-Bound) Low Fell
- Chowdene Bank (S-Bound) Low Fell
- Chowdene Bank-The Lodges Road (S-Bound) Chowdene
- Hertford-Chowdene (S-Bound) Chowdene
- Hertford-Woodford (SE-Bound) Allerdene
- Hertford - Dartmouth Ave (E-Bound) Allerdene
- Harlow Green Lane (NE-Bound) Allerdene
- Waverley Road-Rokeby View (SE-Bound) Allerdene
- Harlow Green-Ripley Court (S-Bound) Allerdene
- Waverley Road-Malton Green (E-Bound) Wrekenton
- Waverley Road-Skipton Green (N-Bound) Wrekenton
- Harlow Green (N-Bound) Wrekenton
- Easedale Gardens-Sunniside Gardens (E-Bound) Wrekenton
- High Street - Springwell Road Wrekenton
- Wrekenton (S-Bound) Wrekenton
- Rockcliffe Way-Ravensworth Avenue (S-Bound) Wrekenton
- Sandy Lane (SE-Bound) Eighton Banks
- Rockcliffe Way-Lambton Arms (SE-Bound) Eighton Banks
- Eighton Road-Nursery (S-Bound) Eighton Banks
- Foxpond Roundabout (SE-Bound) Springwell
- Mount Pleasant (W-Bound) Birtley
- Mount Pleasant Road (W-Bound) Birtley
- Mount Pleasant Road (W-Bound) Birtley
- Durham Road - Orchard Street (S-Bound) Birtley
- Durham Road-Co-Op (S-Bound) Birtley
- Harras Bank (NE-Bound) Birtley
- Birtley Lane-School (N-Bound) Birtley
- Fell Bank-Birtley Lane (E-Bound) Birtley
- Portmeads Road-Portmead Rise (SE-Bound) Birtley
- Portmeads (S-Bound) Birtley
- Portmeads Road-Fellside (S-Bound) Birtley
- Portobello Road-Board Inn (S-Bound) Birtley
- Portobello Road-Portobello Terrace (S-Bound) Birtley
- Dunvegan (W-Bound) Birtley
- Glenluce (S-Bound) Barley Mow
- Nairn Close (S-Bound) Barley Mow
- The Drive-Moray Close (SE-Bound) Barley Mow
- Bedford Avenue-Suffolk Place (W-Bound) Barley Mow
- Bedford Avenue-Cumberland Place (W-Bound) Barley Mow
- Vigo Lane-Cumberland Place (NE-Bound) Barley Mow
- Vigo Lane-The Drive (E-Bound) Barley Mow
- Vigo Lane-Lonsdale (NE-Bound) Barley Mow
- Birtley Road-Goldstar (E-Bound) Wear Industrial Estate
- Birtley Road-Flyover (N-Bound) Wear Industrial Estate
- Dunnock Drive-Chevies (N-Bound) Ayton
- Dunnock Drive-Sandpiper Close (N-Bound) Ayton
- Atyon Road - Monkside Close (E-Bound) Ayton
- Hambleton Road (NE-Bound) Lambton
- Malvern Road (NE-Bound) Lambton
- Galleries Bus Station (Stand F) Washington
- Washington Retail Park (NE-Bound) Washington
- Parkway-Cleeve Court (SE-Bound) Washington Village
- Abbey Road (N-Bound) Washington Village
- Glebe Crescent (E-Bound) Washington Village
- Glebe Crescent-Avebury Drive (S-Bound) Columbia
- Glebe Crescent-Number 17 (SW-Bound) Columbia
- Horsley Road (E-Bound) Columbia
- Barmston Court (N-Bound) Columbia
- Teal Farm (NE-Bound) Barmston
- Pattinson Road-Sewage Works (NE-Bound) Barmston
- Waterview Park Stand 3 (W-Bound) Barmston
- Waterview Park Stand 1 (W-Bound) Barmston
- Pattinson Road-Alston Road (N-Bound) Barmston
- Washington District 15 Exit (E-Bound) Barmston
- Ferryboat Lane-Business Park (NW-Bound) Castletown
- Ringway (E-Bound) Castletown
- Ringway-Tollerton Drive (E-Bound) Castletown
- Grange Road-St Margarets Avenue (NE-Bound) Castletown
- Grange Road-Thompson Crescent (NE-Bound) Castletown
- Ethel Terrace (E-Bound) Castletown
- Chaffinch Road (E-Bound) Castletown
- Castle View (E-Bound) Castletown
- Timber Beach Road (NE-Bound) Enterprise Park
- Hylton Park Road (NE-Bound) Enterprise Park
- Alexandra Avenue-Nursery (E-Bound) Enterprise Park
- Alexandra Avenue-North Quay Road (SE-Bound) Enterprise Park
- Queen Alexandra Bridge North End (W-Bound) Southwick
- Pallion New Road-Bridge (E-Bound) Millfield
- Pallion New Road-Carol St (E-Bound) Millfield
- Trimdon Street-B&q (S-Bound) Millfield
- Trimdon Street-Retail Park (S-Bound) Millfield
- St Michaels Way (35) Sunderland
- Interchange (Stand K) Sunderland
Towns & areas on this route
GatesheadSunderlandWashingtonBirtleyLow FellSpringwellBarmstonBarley MowCastletownMillfieldAllerdeneSaltwell
Frequently asked questions
What time is the first 81 bus?
The first 81 departure on weekdays leaves at 18:36 (check the full timetable below for your stop, as times vary along the route — weekend times can differ).
What time is the last 81 bus?
The last 81 on weekdays leaves its first stop at 23:36. Always check the timetable for your specific stop — later stops are reached after this time.
How much does the 81 bus cost?
Go North East's published fares on the 81: adult single £2.20 to £2.50. GOV.UK lists this route as not included in the £3 national fare cap, so Go North East sets its own single fares — check their website for prices. Local discounted fares may still apply.
Who runs the 81 bus?
The 81 is operated by Go North East.
Timetable data from Go North East via the DfT Bus Open Data Service (North East England feed). Check before you travel — services can change at short notice.