Car Rental in Aberdeen

Why rent a car in Aberdeen?

Aberdeen is an urban destination that’s often overshadowed by Glasgow and Edinburgh, yet it’s extremely underrated. The city boasts many green areas, a blend of different architectural styles, and a long, impressive beach. There are plenty of historic landmarks, high-quality museums, and excellent dining opportunities. Different from Glasgow and Edinburgh in the south and not quite part of the Scottish Highlands in the north (yet offering easy access to both), Aberdeen is a unique breed of its own just waiting to be explored. Get off the main tourist path and visit the vibrant city of Aberdeen.

Top ways to enter Aberdeen

• Aberdeen Airport: The third-busiest in Scotland, Aberdeen Airport handled 2.9 million travelers in 2019. The airport is served by 13 different airlines that offer a lot of domestic flights, as well as flights to and from destinations in countries like Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and the Republic of Ireland. Located in the suburb of Dyce, the airport is about 10km (7 miles) northwest of the city center and can be reached in 15 to 20 minutes.

• Inverness Airport: Known as Port-adhair Inbhir Nis in the local Scottish Gaelic language, Inverness Airport is served by 4 different airlines and hosts direct flights to Dublin, Belfast, Amsterdam, London and several other destinations in the United Kingdom. The airport is located 155km (96 miles) northwest of Aberdeen, a distance that can be traveled in about 2 hours and 10 minutes.

• Dundee Airport: A very small airport that’s mostly used by private planes, as of 2019 Dundee Airport hosts only one public flight, connecting the city to Stansted Airport in London. Aberdeen is 114km (71 miles) north of Dundee and can be reached in about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

• Edinburgh Airport: The busiest in Scotland and sixth-busiest in the United Kingdom, Edinburgh Airport hosts plenty of domestic flights as well as flights to and from destinations in Europe, North America, and East Asia. Located 201km (125 miles) south of Aberdeen, Edinburgh Airport can be reached in about 2 hours and 15 minutes.

• By rail: If you arrive in Aberdeen by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at Aberdeen Railway Station.

• By sea: If you arrive in Aberdeen by ferry, you can pick up a rental car at the Aberdeen Northlink Ferry Terminal. The terminal currently has ferry depatures to the Orkney Islands and the Shetland Islands, two archipelagos north of mainland Scotland. You can check the timetables and other information on the terminal’s official website.

City facts

Located on the North Sea coast, Aberdeen has an oceanic climate with cool winters and mild summers. The average temperature is 14°C  (57°F) in July and August, the warmest months, and 4°C  (38°F) from December to February. October and November are by far the rainiest months. 

Located on the 57th parallel north, Aberdeen sees very little sunlight in winter, with only 6 hours and 40 minutes between sunrise and sunset around winter solstice; however, the city more than makes up for it in summer when the day is more than 18 hours long around summer solstice.

Top sights and activities

• Union Terrace Gardens. The most popular green area of Aberdeen, Union Terrace Gardens is a public park located right in the city center. Famous for its floral ornaments and offering a view of many of Aberdeen’s most famous buildings, the park gets crowded during the summer months when locals come here for a picnic and fresh air; however, it can be even more picturesque in winter time when the area is covered under a blanket of snow.
• Granite architecture. Nicknamed the Silver City, Aberdeen’s architecture is unique among the cities of Britain. Granite sparkles in the sunlight and weathers very slowly, giving the city a nearly brand-new look despite many of the buildings being more than 100 years old. Some impressive examples include the Marischal College building on Broad Street, the Central Library, and the Salvation Army Citadel. Union Street, a lane in the city center more than a mile long, has buildings of varied architectural styles, but they are all made of granite, giving it a truly fascinating look.
• Aberdeen Maritime Museum. Located right on the North Sea coast, Aberdeen has for centuries been a city of sailors and merchants, explorers and oilers. Located on famous Shiprow Street, this museum honors the city’s heritage offering a wealth of artifacts, explanations on ship and oil rig technologies, and impossible stories from the sea.
• Footdee. Referred to as “Fittie,” this is a small village in Aberdeen that used to be a fishing village. There are many cute rows of houses and fishing sheds within this tiny community that are painted and decorated. Go for a walk here and admire the cozy cottages where the owners take great pride in their upkeep.
• Aberdeen Art Gallery. Appropriately located in a historical granite building, Aberdeen’s main art museum is another popular place to visit. Known for its beautiful interior, the gallery has a strong focus on Scottish and British art, exhibiting works by such renowned masters as Alfred Sisley, Francis Bacon, and Paul Nash. Visit the official website to learn more about the collection and opening hours.
• Aberdeen Science Centre. Largely interactive and therefore very popular with families and young audiences, Aberdeen Science Center is a fun place to visit. Located in a former tram depot, it was renovated in 2020. In addition to the main collection, the center frequently hosts various science-themed workshops and events. Visit its website to learn more.

Traffic and parking

• The United Kingdom drives on the left-hand side of the road
• On-street parking is usually heavily restricted. Never park on a white, double yellow or double red line (stopping on motorways and along red lines is illegal).
• You are not allowed to use your mobile phone while driving unless you use a hands-free system.
• Unless specifically indicated otherwise, the speed limits are 112km/h (70 mph) on motorways, 112km/h (70 mph) on dual carriageways, 96km/h (60 mph) on single carriageways and 48km/h (30 mph) in residential areas and areas with street lightning.
• In Scotland, the legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for both experienced and novice drivers. In the rest of the UK, the legal alcohol limit is 0.08% for both experienced and novice drivers. Exceeding the limit can lead to large fines, a suspended license, or even imprisonment.
• The population density of the Highlands is quite low, so the roads are not crowded and the driving is very enjoyable. However, many Scottish farmers keep sheep who occasionally wander on the roads and are one of the main reasons for road accidents in the region, so watch out for them. 
• It’s not a bad idea to get familiar with the Highway Code, an official guide book of driving rules and tips in England, Scotland, and Wales, issued by the UK Government. The guide book can be downloaded online for free on its official website.
• Proof of insurance and the documentation of the car needs to be in it whenever you’re driving.
• When driving, you need to have your passport or ID card with you at all times.
• The emergency numbers are 999 and 112.

Toll roads

Currently there is only a single toll road in the United Kingdom, the M6 toll. You also have to pay a toll for using a number of bridges and tunnels, as well as for entering the central areas of London and Durham (a city in North East England).

As an alternative to the M6 around Birmingham, the M6 Toll is a 43km (27 mile) long portion of the road, also known as the Birmingham North Relief Road (BNRR), that relieves congestion on the M6 itself. There are toll gates where you can pay by either cash or credit card. As of March 2023, the price is £8.20 for using the toll road from 5am to 11pm, £7.00 for using the toll road at night from 11pm to 5am. Find out more on the M6 Toll official website.

Find out more about toll roads in the United Kingdom on the European toll road website.

Ideas for day trips

• Aberdeen Beach. Surfing is not the first thing that comes to most people’s minds when they think of Northern Scotland, and yet it is exactly what the beaches around Aberdeen offer. Even though the water is cold year-round, plenty of Britons and foreigners come here to hit the spectacular North Sea waves. Even if you’d like to stay dry, Aberdeen Beach is still a beautiful place to visit for a day outdoors - and with your own ride, you can also travel up or down the coast to find even more private spots just for yourself.
• Cairngorms National Park. Made up of the same granite that provided the building blocks for Aberdeen’s splendid architecture, Cairngorms National Park is a place of desolate, but splendid mountain scenery. The area’s harsh weather creates a tundra-like environment and provides home to unique plant and animal species such as wildcats, golden eagles, and mountain hares. Dotted with little streams, lochs, and woodlands, the national park is a spectacular place to visit. Dinnet, a small town that’s called the gateway to the Cairngorms, is just 55km (34 miles) west of Aberdeen and can be reached in about 50 minutes by car.
• Inverness. The capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness is a charming little city with attractions like Inverness Castle, the Old High Church, and the Inverness Botanic Gardens. But the number one quality of Inverness is that it can serve as a base for exploring the rest of the Highlands, from mysterious Loch Ness to the region’s stunning mountains and rugged coastline. Located 166km (103 miles) northwest of Aberdeen, Inverness can be reached in about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
• Ballater. An inland village that’s home to fewer than 1,500 people, Ballater is best known as the home of Balmoral, the British Royal Family’s holiday home. Actually situated some 9 km (14 miles) from the village itself, part of the castle is open to visitors from April to July, and it’s a good idea to book your visit in advance. The Balmoral area is also home to the Royal Lochnagar Distillery and Prince Albert’s pyramid – both accessible year-round — while back in Ballater, you can see several other historical castles or follow one of the hiking trails into the wilderness.

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Aberdeen is the Ford Focus, but many travelers also go for the Vauxhall Corsa and the Ford Mondeo. The most popular rental car types are compact, economy, and standard.

Further destinations

• Edinburgh. Made up of medieval palaces and gothic churches and surrounded by extinct volcanoes, Edinburgh is one of the most picturesque cities in Europe. There’s plenty of modernity, too, like the impressive buildings of the Houses of Scottish Parliament and the National Museum of Scotland, the latter of which is as interesting from inside as it is from the outside. Add to this the city beaches, the many festivals, and some of the best restaurants in the UK, and you get a travel destination you can’t resist. Located 206km (128 miles) south of Aberdeen, Edinburgh can be reached in about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Glasgow. Larger than Edinburgh, but not the capital, Glasgow is often thought of as the less scenic, but more fun sister of the two grand Scottish cities. Celtic heritage is especially strong here and lives in the city’s music, traditions, cultural centers, and pubs. There’s plenty of famous landmarks, too, like the Glasgow Cathedral and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery. Located 235km (146 miles) south of Aberdeen, Glasgow can be reached in about three hours by car.
• North England. The largest of the home countries, England is so much more than just London. Made up of bustling and diverse urban centers like Liverpool and Manchester, long rugged beaches, quaint villages, and the rolling hills of Yorkshire, there’s plenty to discover in its northern areas. Newcastle, the first large city when coming from Scotland, is located 407km (253 miles) south of Aberdeen and can be reached in just a little more than four hours. You’ll make your own trip from there.

Car rental prices in Aberdeen

• Station wagons - from $65 per day
• Small cars - from $20 per day
• Medium cars - from $25 per day
• SUVs - from $25 per day
• Large cars - from $18 per day
• Premium cars - from $54 per day
• Vans - from $46 per day

Money-saving and other tips

Follow these tips to land a great rental car in Aberdeen:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Aberdeen is the cheapest in March when renting a car is almost 70% cheaper than the yearly average.