Aberdeen Travel Guide

Aberdeen Travel Guide

Situated on the east side of northern Scotland, Aberdeen, also known as the Granite or the Silver City, is the third most populated city (after Glasgow and Edinburgh) in Scotland. 

Both nicknames stem from the granite stone used for many buildings that sparkle when the mica in the stone catches the sun. The port city is also where rivers Dee and Don meet the North Sea. Offshore is a petroleum industry that gives rise to a multi-national population within the city.

The city itself is well known for its long history, lovely period architecture, including the Victorian 19th century Marischal college, and also for its diverse cultural scene that embraces the Scottish culture and student-friendly vibrancy.

There is a cross-section of activities for everyone including art galleries, museums, scenic parks, golf courses and even castles and distilleries within easy reach of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

The name of Aberdeen is also the inspiration for many places around the world with the same name after this city and is just 126 miles (203 km) from Edinburgh making it a wonderful location for visitors looking for something more than Edinburgh or Glasgow as a destination

Aberdeen Travel Guide – Plan your visit to Aberdeen: FAQs

When is the best time of year to visit Aberdeen?

• Weather

Being a North Sea port, Aberdeen is well known for the harsh wind and driving rain it can experience, mostly harshly felt in winter months, so suitable inclement weather clothing is definitely recommended.  That said, the Scots are a hardy people and all year-round events can be found within the city and the surrounding areas.

The mildest temperature months are between May and September, also the days with the most daylight hours during the British Summer time, when the weather is generally warmer and drier.

• What is the weather like in Aberdeen?

Aberdeen has a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cooler summers but maximum and minimal averages fluctuate yearly.  The current average daytime temperature in summer is around 21°C (70 F), while in winter it can drop to around 0°C (32 F) and rise to about 16°C .

• Festivals and events

Aberdeen hosts a wide variety of popular events and festivals throughout the year including

• Aberdeen Jazz Festival (March)
• Aberdeen Highland Games (Hazlehead Park)(June)
• Nuart Aberdeen (award-winning street art festival)(June)
• Aberdeen International Youth Festival (July)
• Aberdeen Restaurant Week (August)
• Aberdeenshire 5 day Open Golf competition
• Old Aberdeen Whisky Festival (September)
• Cultural Festival (September)
• Christmas Village (December)

What is the best way to explore Aberdeen?

Most of the city’s attractions are close to each other so the city is easily explored on foot. 

Taxis and buses are also available for use in the city and surrounding areas.

• Buses

Operated by Stagecoach in the area, multiple routes are available around Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.  Click this link for journey planning and ticket options.

How to travel to Aberdeen from London

By train

The train station is close to the city centre and hotels. The main train line links Aberdeen with Edinburgh and Inverness, with access to Leuchars (for St Andrews golf), Dundee, Perth, Stirling and Glasgow around 2 hours 30 mins away. 

The Highlander Caledonian Sleeper also operates between London Euston railway station (9pm Sun to Fri) and Aberdeen (07:40 am arrive). Room, set and berth options are available.

Approx time and adult single ticket costs (at 31/08/23)

• Edinburgh – Anytime ticket £43.10, takes 2h20 direct service.
• Inverness – Off-Peak ticket £27.60, takes 2h15 direct service.
• Stirling – Anytime ticket £40.30, takes 2h direct service.
• Perth – Anytime ticket £32.50, takes 1h30 direct service.
• Leuchars (for St Andrews) – Anytime ticket £29.90, takes 1h20 direct service.
• Glasgow – To Queen Street – Anytime ticket £48.90, takes 2h30 direct service.

By car

• Easily accessible by road with good road links from south, and Edinburgh or from the north, Inverness, or west from Stirling or Glasgow.

• A car journey from Edinburgh would take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes via the M90 and the A90 roads.

• Three park-and-ride locations are also available depending on the direction of arrival towards the city.