Aberdeen, Scotland — Travel Tips
Getting There By Air
Aberdeen Airport (ABZ)
Tel: 0844 481 6666.
Website: www.aberdeenairport.com
Aberdeen Airport is located 11km (7 miles) northwest of Aberdeen city center.
Facilities include currency exchange office, ATMs, bars, restaurants, shops, Wi-Fi access, baby care facilities and business lounge. Major car hire companies include Avis, Europcar and Hertz. Regular bus services operate between the airport and the city center. Metered taxis, operated by ComCab (tel: (01224) 353 535; www.comcab-aberdeen.co.uk), are available from outside the passenger terminal, journeys to the city center cost approximately £20. Dyce railway station, which is on the Aberdeen-Inverness line, is a short taxi ride from the airport.
Getting There By Road
Aberdeen is well connected by a good network of roads. Traffic drives on the left, seat belts are compulsory and the minimum driving age is 17. Driving licenses issued in the EC and the EEA can be used in the UK, regulations for drivers from other countries vary. The two major motoring organizations, the Automobile Association (AA) (tel: (0161) 495 8945; www.TheAA.com) and the RAC (tel: (01922) 727 313; www.rac.co.uk) are good sources of information.
Emergency breakdown services
s: AA (tel: 0800 887 766), RAC (tel: 0800 828 282).
Routes to the city
The A90/M90 connects Aberdeen to Dundee and Edinburgh. The A96 links it to Elgin and Inverness.
Coach services
The city's main bus station is close to the railway station on Guild Street. Scottish City Link (tel: 0870 550 5050; www.citylink.co.uk) operates bus services to other destinations within Scotland. National Express (tel: 0871 781 8181; www.nationalexpress.com) operates buses to destinations throughout the UK including London.
Getting There By Rail
Aberdeen's main railway station is on Guild Street directly south of the city center. Services are operated by First ScotRail (tel: 0845 601 5929; www.firstgroup.com/scotrail).
Rail Services
The city's rail line connects Aberdeen with other major Scottish towns and cities including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth, Dundee and Inverness. National Express East Coast services connect Aberdeen with London, England (tel: 0845 722 5111; www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com).
Getting Around in Aberdeen, Scotland
Public Transport
The two main bus companies operating services in and around the city are First Aberdeen (tel: (01224) 650 000; www.firstgroup.com) and Stagecoach Bluebird (tel: (01224) 597 590; www.stagecoachbus.com/bluebird). First Aberdeen operates a comprehensive network of routes throughout the city. Bus 27 runs from the bus station on Guild Street through the city and out to Aberdeen Airport. Fares are calculated in stages, and day, week, month and three-month passes are also available. Children under five travel free and passengers under 16 qualify for a child fare. Stagecoach Bluebird operates various services. The MegaRider ticket offers seven days' unlimited travel on the city's buses.
For all public travel information in Aberdeen and throughout Scotland contact Traveline Scotland (tel: 0871 200 2233; www.travelinescotland.com).
Taxis
Taxis can be hailed on the street or at ranks at the railway and bus stations. To pre-book a taxi try Central Taxis (tel: (01224) 898 989; www.centraltaxisaberdeen.co.uk), ComCab (tel: (01224) 353 535, www.comcab-aberdeen.co.uk) or City Taxis (tel: (01224) 878 787). Tips are appreciated.
Driving in the City
Driving in Aberdeen is reasonably straightforward, roads are well maintained and signposts clear. Expect to pay for parking in public car parks and on street parking bays.
Car Hire
Car hire firms operating in Aberdeen include Alamo (tel: 0871 384 1086; www.alamo.co.uk), Avis tel: (0844 544 6010; www.avis.co.uk), Europcar (tel: (01224) 770 770; www.europcar.co.uk) and National (tel: (01224) 770 955; www.nationalcar.co.uk). All have offices either at the airport, in the city or both. For specialty vehicles, try Aberdeen 4x4 Self Drive (tel: (01224) 790 858; www.aberdeen4x4.co.uk) or Platinum Limo Company (tel: 0141 891 4999; www.platinumlimo.co.uk). Drivers must be at least 21 years of age.
Bicycle Hire
Aberdeen is cyclist friendly, with bike parking facilities located throughout the city. The Aberdeen Cycle Map shows the location of cycle lanes, recommended quiet routes and shops where cycling gear can be bought. Alpine Bikes, 70 Holburn Street (tel: (01224) 211 455; www.alpinebikes.co.uk) has a good range of bikes for hire and is within walking distance of the bus and railway stations.
