Old Scottish cities like Aberdeen are fairly compact, so walking is a good way to get to many of the sights in the city centre. Longer journeys will require transport however, and many visitors choose to take advantage of the city bus system, run by First Aberdeen, when travelling to the suburbs. Tickets are sold by the driver, and both single-trip tickets and day passes are available (note that drivers do not give change). Taxis are also widely available from ranks dotted around the city or by phone, and though expensive this is the best mode of transportation in the evenings when the buses are less frequent.
GMT (GMT +1 between last Sunday in March and Saturday before last Sunday in October).
The electrical current in the UK is 230 volts, 50Hz. Flat, three-pin plugs are standard.
The currency is the British Pound (GBP), which is divided into 100 pence. ATMs are available in almost all towns and Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are widely accepted; visitors with other cards should check with their credit card companies in advance. Foreign currency can be exchanged at bureaux de change and large hotels, however better exchange rates are likely to be found at banks.
The international country dialling code for the UK is +44. Mobile phone coverage is extensive. Internet cafes are available in all major towns and cities, train stations, and airports. Wifi is also widely available.
999/112 (General)
2018 | 2019 | |
New Years Day | 1 Jan | 1 Jan |
New Years Holiday (Scotland only) | 2 Jan | 2 Jan |
St Patricks Day (Northern Ireland only) | 17 Mar | 17 Mar |
Good Friday | 30 Mar | 19 Apr |
Easter Monday | 2 Apr | 22 Apr |
May Day | 7 May | 6 May |
Spring Bank Holiday | 28 May | 27 May |
Orangemens Day (Northern Ireland only) | 12 Jul | 12 Jul |
Summer Bank Holiday | 27 Aug | 26 Aug |
St Andrews Day (Scotland only) | 30 Nov | 30 Nov |
Christmas Day | 25 Dec | |
Boxing Day | 26 Dec | 26 Dec |
Aberdeen is one of the coldest cities in the UK, though it is mild in comparison to much of northern Europe. Winters feature average temperatures around 23°F (-5°C), while the days are very short, with December seeing the sun for only six hours per day. Summers are much more hospitable, with long days (up to 18 hours of daylight) and mild temperatures ranging between 50°F (10°C) and 64°F (18°C). Precipitation stays fairly steady throughout the year, although October and November receive a little more rain than other months. The best time to visit Aberdeen is during the summer months (June to mid-September), although visitors should be prepared for sudden showers.
Aberdeen and Inverness train services run from the local station at Dyce, which is just a short taxi ride from the airport. The main station is in Aberdeen city centre and services all parts of Scotland and England. Regular bus services operate from the airport to Aberdeen city centre, and the journey takes roughly 30 minutes. Services are less frequent at weekends than on weekdays.
Car hire companies represented at the airport include Avis, Europcar, Hertz and National.
Comcab taxis are available outside the terminal, where a taxi marshal will assist you in finding a cab. Taxis can be pre-booked via the Comcab website and arranged at the Comcab booking office to the right upon entry to the terminal. The journey to the city centre takes approximately 25 minutes in light traffic, and costs roughly £15.
Facilities include left luggage, a bureau de change, bars, a duty-free shop, business facilities, a children's play area, and several restaurants. The Northern Lights Executive Lounge is located on the first floor past security and can be prebooked online. Other airport lounges include the British Airways Terraces Lounge and the Eastern Airways Lounge, which is located near Gate 10. There are several restaurants and cafes around the airport.
There is short-term parking at Aberdeen International Airport within walking distance of the terminal. Long-term parking at Aberdeen International Airport can be accessed by a free shuttle from the terminal.
Free wifi is available throughout the airport.