Aberdeen Airport is about 11 km from the city center, and the cost of getting there depends on which transport you choose and when you arrive.
Pricing comparison
| Option | Price | Journey time | Best for | |---|---|---|---| | Stagecoach Jet 727 bus | £4.80 (€5.60) single | 35-40 min | Budget travelers | | Uber / ride-hailing | £14-20 (€16-23) | 20-30 min | Solo travelers with phone data | | Taxi from rank | £18-25 (€21-29) | 20-30 min | Convenience, no app needed | | Pre-booked transfer (sedan) | £30-45 (€35-52) | 20-30 min | Certainty, meet-and-greet | | Pre-booked transfer (minivan) | £45-70 (€52-82) | 20-30 min | Groups, families, extra luggage |
What affects the price
Time of day matters. Metered taxis in Aberdeen charge more between 11 PM and 6 AM, and on Sundays and public holidays. Expect roughly 10-15% more during these hours. The Jet 727 bus fare stays the same regardless of time.
Traffic adds up on the meter. The route from Dyce into the city goes through the A96 and Anderson Drive, which can be slow during morning rush (7:30-9:00 AM) and evening rush (4:30-6:00 PM). A taxi stuck in traffic costs more because the meter keeps running. Pre-booked transfers and buses have fixed prices, so traffic does not change what you pay.
Destination within the city. Union Square, the train station area, and the city center are all roughly the same distance. But if you are heading to the west end, Old Aberdeen near the university, or Bridge of Don to the north, add £3-8 to taxi estimates.
The bus — worth considering
The Jet 727 is genuinely a good option if you are traveling light. It runs from right outside the terminal to Union Square bus station, which is next to the train station and walking distance from most city center hotels. You can pay with contactless, so no need to find coins. The main downsides are that it takes longer than a taxi, luggage space is limited on busy services, and it stops running after midnight.
When a pre-booked transfer makes financial sense
If there are two or more of you, a pre-booked sedan at £30-45 works out at about the same per person as two bus tickets, but with door-to-door service and no waiting. For families or groups of four, it is almost always the better value compared to a taxi, since the price is fixed and includes meet-and-greet, luggage handling, and sometimes a child seat if you request one.
Hidden costs to watch for
Taxis from the rank sometimes carry a small airport pickup surcharge of £1-2. Uber applies surge pricing during busy periods, which can push the fare above taxi prices. The bus has no hidden costs. Pre-booked transfers include all fees in the quoted price — confirm this when booking to avoid surprises.