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 | How it is priced | Journey time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stagecoach Jet 727 bus | Published fare — the airport quotes singles from £5 | 30-40 min | Budget travelers |
| Uber / ride-hailing | Dynamic; the in-app quote is the price | 20-30 min | Solo travelers with phone data |
| Taxi from rank | Metered on Aberdeen City Council's fare scale | 20-30 min | Convenience, no app needed |
| Pre-booked transfer (sedan) | Fixed by the operator when you book | 20-30 min | Certainty, meet-and-greet |
| Pre-booked transfer (minivan) | Fixed at booking; more than a sedan | 20-30 min | Groups, families, extra luggage |
Fixed-price private transfer
ABZ Aberdeen City Center
From€68for 2 passengers
The bus fare and the taxi scale are both revised periodically, so check Stagecoach and the council's current tariff before you travel rather than budgeting from a figure you read anywhere — including here.
What affects the price
Time of day matters. Aberdeen City Council's fare scale sets a higher tariff late at night and at weekends and public holidays, so the same journey costs more then. The exact uplift is whatever the current scale says — check the council's published tariff. 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. The west end, Old Aberdeen near the university, and Bridge of Don to the north are further out, so the meter runs longer.
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
The bus is priced per passenger, so its advantage shrinks with every extra person, while a pre-booked sedan is one fixed price for the car. Run that comparison with the current bus fare and your transfer quote before you book. For families or groups of four, the transfer is often the better value against a taxi as well, 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 may carry an airport pickup surcharge on top of the meter. Uber applies surge pricing during busy periods, which can push the fare above a taxi. The bus has no hidden costs. Pre-booked transfers include all fees in the quoted price — confirm this when booking to avoid surprises.