We will be flying Wideroe into Aberdeen late May on Tuesday a.m. from Norway. It's the 7:50 flight, arriving 8:20. As much as we'd love to spend time in Aberdeen and area, we've opted to head immediately to Dundee and get our rental car. Is rail the best way? There are 3 of us and there will be 3 carryon and 2 check bags in total. Also, what is my timeline in getting through Aberdeen Airport? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Posted by
Lake District, England
5748 posts
Aberdeen airport is a small place. You'll be out of there fast.
Why not pick up the car at Aberdeen airport- the rental lots are a very short walk from the terminal building?
Dyce station is the other side of the airfield from the terminal and is no longer linked by bus, and is also quite a long taxi ride.
Instead get the #727 air link bus from outside the front door of the airport to Union Square Bus Station, Aberdeen every 15 minutes. The rail station is part of the Union Square shopping mall. Train from there to Dundee. Yes I know they spent ages planning the number of the bus!!
Or there is a non stop coach-bus at least every 30 minutes from Union Square run by Citylink and an extra hourly one run by Flixbus.
The ones at 20 past each hour leave from the same stand as the airport bus, the ones at 50 past from an adjacent stand.
Posted by
Freedonia
15007 posts
Which way to go to Dundee depends on where you are picking up your rental car. The Dundee bus station and train station are not that close to each other.
I've traveled numerous times between Aberdeen Airport and Dundee. Always 727 bus to Aberdeen Coach Station then train to Dundee.
But, why not get your rental car in Aberdeen. It's a three minute walk to most of the car rental agencies with most via a covered walkway.
Posted by
OP
Meridian MS
248 posts
Thanks for the responses. After a few days in Dundee area we'll be traveling on south into Edinburgh to finish out our trip, so train to Dundee works best. Arnold Clark rental is going to meet us at the station. Appreciate the information.
Posted by
Freedonia
15007 posts
Arnold Clark rental is going to meet us at the station.
While the Dundee station is small, there are a few exits so make sure you know which one to meet.
If you need any help with Dundee, let me know. I spend quite a bit of time there.
Posted by
Lake District, England
5748 posts
In terms of a timeline, then if the flight is on time, I would be disappointed if I wasn't on the 0855 bus from the airport, arriving at Union Square at 0937. I might even hope to be on the 0840 bus,
Then on the 0952 train (which happens to be a LNER train to London). That arrives at Dundee at 1107. You even have a chance of being on the 0944 Scotrail train arriving at 1051.
If you miss those you are on the 1039 train which arrives at 1154.
Buy an anytime day single for £24.60 ahead of time then you aren't wasting time at the station buying a ticket and just leap on the first train. I quote that fare to you because the LNER train has a cheaper off peak day single of £17.30 valid on any LNER train only. That is not the fare you want.
You will have to specify a train at advance purchase but that is meaningless- get on any train, and choose a seat on the left hand side of the train for the coastal views.
Checking this morning, the flight was on time and bags available on the carousels within 10 minutes of landing- from the ABZ website.
Posted by
OP
Meridian MS
248 posts
Thank you @isn31c and @Frank II - this is exactly the information I needed! RS Forum is the BEST!