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Road Genius makes it easy to find great car hire deals in Aberdeen. Compare rates and book in one place. Simple. Pick up in the city centre or at Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ), with extended hours and 24/7 key-drop returns at the airport. Filter car hire by automatics, SUVs, unlimited mileage and one-way rentals to Edinburgh or Inverness and see low prices from major brands and local companies like Arnold Clark.
Aberdeen offers two main car hire locations: Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ) and city centre offices. Each has advantages based on your arrival method and itinerary.
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ) | • Located just outside the terminal (short walk) • All major providers on-site • Extended hours (many open 07:00-21:00, some until 23:00) • After-hours return via key drop boxes • Larger vehicle selection |
• Airport surcharge included in rates • Located 7 miles from city centre • Potential queues during peak business travel times |
| City Centre | • No airport surcharge • Convenient if arriving by train or already in the city • Multiple locations throughout Aberdeen • Some offices near the train station |
• Shorter business hours (usually close early evening) • Limited or no Sunday opening • May need taxi/transit to reach hire office • No dedicated parking for personal vehicles |
On average, car rentals in Aberdeen cost around €50 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €15 per day.
Compare city vs airport pickup: City centre locations often avoid airport surcharges. Handy if you arrive by train and don’t need the airport hours.
Watch Aberdeen’s business calendar: During oil industry conferences or summer, book early. Outside those periods, availability is better and prices tend to be calmer.
Cast a wide net when comparing: Check multiple brands and include local Scottish companies. Prices in Aberdeen can vary more than you’d expect.
Pick a smaller, manual car: Usually cheaper than larger or automatic models, plus easier to park in the city.
Check one-way drop fees: If ending in Glasgow, compare the drop charges across companies and directions.
Use full-to-full fuel: Refill before return to avoid refuelling charges. There are BP and Shell stations on the A96 near Aberdeen Airport.
Aberdeen offers various parking options throughout the city and has relatively good availability compared to larger Scottish cities.
| Car Park Type | Where to Find Them | Cost Range | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| City centre car parks | Multiple locations including Bon Accord Centre, Union Square | Varies | Union Square has direct access to shopping centre and train station |
| Street parking | Pay-and-display in central areas | Varies | Often free evenings after 8pm and Sundays in many areas |
| Residential areas | Permit zones near centre | Visitor permits sometimes available | Avoid permit-only areas (particularly Ferryhill, Rosemount) |
| Park & Ride | Available at Kingswells, Bridge of Don, Craibstone | Free or low cost | Convenient for city centre visits without finding a spot in town |
Low Emission Zone (LEZ): Aberdeen has an LEZ in the city centre. Modern hire cars meet requirements, but be aware of boundaries.
Bus Lanes: Active on major routes like Great Northern Road and Wellington Road at specific hours; cameras enforce restrictions.
Speed Limits: 20 mph in residential areas and around schools, 30 mph standard in city, 40-70 mph on approach roads.
Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR): Bypass around the city helps avoid city centre congestion when travelling north/south.
Roundabouts: Numerous throughout Aberdeen; remember to yield to traffic from the right.
Road Layout: Some one-way systems around Union Street and harbour area; recent pedestrianisation in parts of the city centre.
Get a car to drive to:
Royal Deeside (Ballater, Braemar) – Balmoral Castle, Linn of Dee
Aberdeenshire Castle Trail – Crathes Castle, Drum Castle, Fyvie Castle
Stonehaven – Dunnottar Castle, harbour
Cairngorms National Park – Lochnagar, Glenshee
Speyside – Glenfiddich, Macallan
Moray Firth coast – Pennan, Portsoy
What driving challenges might international visitors face in Aberdeen? Compared to bigger Scottish cities, you'll find Aberdeen's road layout is fairly simple. The main things you'll need to watch out for are roundabouts, one-way systems in the city centre and bus lanes that only work at certain times. The AWPR bypass has also eased a lot of the traffic that used to pass through.
How do Aberdeen hire rates compare to other Scottish cities? You'll often find that car hire in Aberdeen is a bit cheaper than in Edinburgh or Glasgow because fewer tourists visit. However, big business events can cause prices to go up for a short time.
Is winter driving difficult around Aberdeen? The city of Aberdeen itself rarely has major problems from snow. However, you might find the roads heading into the Cairngorms or inland Aberdeenshire are tricky. Crews keep the main roads clear, but some country roads might close for a short time if the snow is heavy.
What fuel stations are near Aberdeen Airport for refilling before return? You'll find easy-to-find fuel stations on the A96 as you drive towards the airport. There are BP and Shell stations just 5 minutes away from the terminal.
Can I take my hire car on day trips to the Highlands from Aberdeen? Yes, Aberdeen is a great starting point for day trips to the Highlands. People often take the A96 west to Inverness or the A93 southwest towards Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms. You can easily drive both routes in a day.
Is street parking readily available in Aberdeen city centre? You'll find more street parking in Aberdeen than in Edinburgh or Glasgow, but spots can fill up during business hours. If you can't find a spot on the street, you can always use a multi-storey car park.
Are there any major events that affect car hire availability in Aberdeen? Yes, big oil industry conferences like Offshore Europe can make it much harder and more expensive to rent a car. We recommend you book far ahead if your visit is at the same time as one of these events.
How long does it take to drive from Aberdeen to the nearest distilleries? You can drive to the closest whisky distilleries in about 30-45 minutes. Glen Garioch in Oldmeldrum is one of the closest ones. The Speyside region, famous for whisky, starts about a 1.5-hour drive west of the city.
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