Aberdeen Airport Parking

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Guide to Aberdeen Airport

Situated on the north-east coast of Scotland, Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ) plays a vital role in connecting some of the remote parts of the country with Edinburgh, London and the rest of the world.

Acting as a base for BMI Regional, Eastern Airways and Flybe, ABZ’s single passenger terminal serves over 20 airlines and sees an annual average of three million visitors travel to popular destinations throughout Europe. Aberdeen Airport also acts as the main heliport for Scotland’s offshore oil industry with four terminals dedicated to helicopter operations in the North Sea, making it the busiest heliport in the world.

Location of Aberdeen Airport

Aberdeen International Airport is only 5.8 miles (9.3 kilometres) north west of Aberdeen city centre and easily accessible via the A96 Aberdeen-Inverness road. Regular bus services operate between Aberdeen Airport and the city centre, with the journey taking 30 minutes on average from Guild Street Bus Station to the airport terminal building. The nearest train station to ABZ, Dyce, is only two miles (3.2 kilometres) away and easily reached by bus or taxi, so getting to the airport from elsewhere in the UK is simple.

History of Aberdeen Airport

Aberdeen Airport was opened in 1934 by politician and entrepreneur, Eric Gandar Dower, as a means of linking Scotland’s northern islands with the British mainland. However, with the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the Royal Air Force took command of the airfield and renamed it RAF Dyce. The base was used for photographic reconnaissance, but is best known for receiving a defecting German bomber in May 1943. The crew provided invaluable intelligence for the Allied war effort and the surrendered plane is on display today in the RAF Museum in London.

Having been returned to commercial use, almost nothing of Aberdeen Airport’s military past remains as the site has been continuously developed and expanded over the last 60 years. In 2005, the decision was made to run the airport 24 hours a day and 2011 saw the runway extended by 406ft (124 metres) to 6,407ft (1,953 metres) to accommodate larger, longer-distance planes. In 2014, it was acquired by consortium AGS Airports along with Glasgow and Southampton airports.

Runway extensions are on-going to facilitate flights between Aberdeen and airports in the Mediterranean, North Africa and North America, so the terminal’s passenger facilities are subjected to constant improvements, too.

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Aberdeen Airport Facilities

Whether you’re on a short business trip or about to start the holiday of a lifetime, Aberdeen International Airport has everything you need to make sure your journey is an enjoyable one. A selection of familiar high-street brands have got all your holiday essentials covered, from books and batteries to sun cream and spare socks. The terminal at ABZ also contains a variety of cafés, bars and family-friendly restaurants serving quality food and drink before and after security, so you can celebrate your holiday in style or just grab a quick coffee to get you ready for the day ahead.

If you have any special requirements for your time at the airport, you can find more information on their special assistance page or contact the team directly on +44 (0)1224 725767.

Facilities at Aberdeen International Airport include:

• Baggage weighing

• Baggage wrapping

• Cash machines

• Car hire

• Currency exchange

• Disabled access

• Family facilities

  • Baby changing

  • Play area

• Food and drink

  • Café

  • Bar

  • Restaurant

• Information points

• Hotels

• Left luggage

• Lost property

• Lounges

• Medical help

• Meeting points

• Parking facilities

  • Short-stay parking

  • Long-stay parking

  • Priority parking

• Pay phones

• Public seating

• Shopping

  • High-street brands

  • Convenience stores

  • Duty Free

  • Shop and Collect

• Smoking area

• Toilets

• Transport facilities

• Trolleys

• Viewing facilities

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Aberdeen Airport Hotel And Parking

ABZ hosts a number of chain hotels on-site, catering to all your accommodation needs whether you’re looking to save money for your big trip, start your holiday in luxurious style or just relax before or after a long journey.

Many of these hotels provide their own parking facilities or include a complimentary space in one of the airport’s car parks with your room reservation, so you can park up and rest easy knowing you’re only a short walk or a free door-to-door shuttle service to the terminal. This is the ideal parking package if you’re flying first thing in the morning, taking away the unnecessary stress of driving in the dark and giving you more precious time in bed.

If you’re saving money on your pre-flight accommodation or treating yourself to a five-star stay complete with gym, spa and restaurant options, all of the on-site hotels at Aberdeen International Airport are no more than a few minutes away from the terminal so you can leave your car behind and go from bed to boarding in no time at all.

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Top things to do in Aberdeen Airport

Stock up on essentials

A spread of popular high-street brands provide all your travelling essentials if there's anything you need to buy before you fly. Whether it’s a magazine for the plane, a new book for the beach or a camera to capture your special moments, ABZ will have it.

There’s also a duty free shop at Aberdeen Airport so you can splash out and save money, plus the airport also offers 'Shop and Collect', so if something takes your fancy but you don’t have room for it in your luggage, you can leave it at the terminal and it’ll be ready to pick up when you get back.

Wine and dine

Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty pre-flight fry up, a quick sandwich on the go or that all-important coffee fix, ABZ has a range of family-friendly cafés, bars and restaurants offering top quality seasonal menus. Unlike some other airports, Aberdeen provides access to quality food and drink before and after security, so if you’re too hungry or thirsty to face the queue, it’s easy to grab yourself a quick snack to see you through.

Cultural showcase

Aberdeen International Airport has its own art gallery, proudly displaying original paintings and drawings by some of the brightest up-and-coming artists in Scotland’s globally-renowned creative scene. Curated by a prestigious gallery established in Aberdeen, all of the works on display are available to purchase and are eligible for Shop and Collect, too. Take a look at the current exhibition and see if anything catches your eye.

Five-minute massage

ABZ has a number of coin-operated ergonomic massage chairs throughout the departure lounge, so if you’ve got a long, jet-lagged day of meetings ahead or want to start your relaxing holiday early, just sit back and let any pre-travel tensions be soothed away.

Executive comfort for everyone

Many of the executive lounges at Aberdeen Airport are available to everyone, no matter the airline you’re flying with or where you’re going. Whether you’re escaping the bustle of the airport to work or relax, ABZ’s lounges offer complimentary food, drink, magazines and newspapers as well as providing access to business facilities and high-speed WiFi. If you’re going to need some peace to catch up on your emails or your sleep whilst visiting ABZ, it’s a good idea to pre-book your space so you can make yourself comfortable straight away.

Plane spotting

Aberdeen Airport has a purpose-built observation deck on top of the short-stay multi-storey car park that provides great views of planes and helicopters landing and taking off from its commercial and industrial terminals. It’s a great way to see the vital role the airport plays in Scotland’s booming offshore oil industry.

Watch the local wildlife

If you’re at the airport early in the morning, you might catch a glimpse of some of its permanent residents. The lawn at the front of the terminal building is particularly popular with the local rabbits and it is not uncommon to see them when the airport opens its doors for the day. Taking a minute or two to watch rabbits hop about or spot birds of prey overhead is certainly a fun and unusual way to prepare for your early flight.

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Top things to do near Aberdeen Airport

The coast with the most

Only 10 miles (16 kilometres) from Aberdeen Airport is the award-winning Balmedie Beach, featuring over 14 miles (22.5 kilometres) of wide sandy beaches, certified clean water and an extensive dune system that supports a wide array of protected coastal wildlife. A frequent bus service conveniently connects the quaint Balmedie village to central Aberdeen where you can transfer to one of the many buses bound for the airport.

Medieval Majesty

Thanks to the strategic importance of its coastal location, Aberdeenshire is home to an unbelievable 300 castles, more per hectare than anywhere else in the British Isles. Having witnessed invasions, uprisings and occupations, this impressive collection of medieval monuments is still as important today as it was centuries ago.

There’s the breathtaking cliff-top fortress of Slains Castle, which supposedly inspired Bram Stoker to dream up Dracula; the bright pink Craigievar Castle, which, at seven storeys tall and adorned with towers and turrets, is rumoured to be the basis for Walt Disney’s own fantastical fortress and, of course, the iconic Balmoral Castle, a Royal residence for over 150 years. Almost all of the castles in Aberdeen can be visited, so take your pick and explore some Scottish history.

City of the sea

The Aberdeen Maritime Museum tells the story of the city’s long and fruitful relationship with the sea. With dozens of displays and exhibitions documenting everything from the history of shipbuilding and how to ‘park’ your ship in the harbour to fishing techniques from around the world, this is the place to come to see the pioneering technologies that were developed for Scotland’s offshore oil industry. If you’re just looking to put your feet up for a few minutes, admissions is free and the museum offers panoramic views over Aberdeen’s busy harbour.

Pay the toll…

Housed in one of Aberdeen’s oldest buildings, The Tolbooth Museum showcases the weird and wonderful history of crime and punishment around the world. Built between 1616 and 1629, the former 17th-century jail includes interactive exhibitions, faithfully reconstructed jail cells and artefacts including the notorious iron maiden. The free museum also claims to be one of Scotland’s most haunted buildings, having held some of Scotland’s most notorious criminals, which makes it a popular and uniquely atmospheric experience.

A wee dram

Aberdeenshire is home to some of Scotland’s oldest and most celebrated whisky distilleries, each with its own rich heritage, closely-guarded recipes and unique flavours, aromas and textures. Many of these distilleries welcome visitors, offering a variety of informative and interactive tours as well as the all-important tasting sessions. If you’ve got plenty of time before you fly, experience the history of world famous whiskies like Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and Chivas Regal and taste them fresh from the barrel.

A night at the movies

The first film to be seen in the building now known as the Belmont Filmhouse was shown in 1898 and saw Queen Victoria at Balmoral Castle. Over a century later, the building’s architectural heritage and passion for the moving image have been faithfully preserved, with the cinema well-known and much-loved for its eclectic timetables that mix mainstream blockbusters, cult classics and quirky curiosities. If you’ve got a soggy afternoon to spend in Aberdeen before you fly, check the Belmont Filmhouse listings to see what’s due on screen - it’s only a 30-minute bus or train ride between ABZ and the cinema in the city centre.

Stone-cold shopping

Aberdeen is famous for its grand architecture, with many of its buildings, from houses to castles, made of locally mined grey granite that sparkles like silver thanks to a particularly high mica content. At the heart of the city is a stretch of road known locally as The Granite Mile on which popular national and international retail outlets, designer collections, restaurants and bars are housed in some of the city’s oldest and most iconic granite buildings. Spend an afternoon taking in Aberdeen’s architectural legacy and some of the world’s finest shopping only half an hour from the airport.

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Which terminal?

Aberdeen International Airport is used by some of the world’s major airlines including British Airways, easyJet and Thomson Airways and serves as a hub for Flybe, Eastern Airways and BMI International. Welcoming over three million visitors a year, ABZ’s single terminal provides flights to popular destinations throughout Europe, such as Amsterdam, Paris and Frankfurt as well as 94 flights to London a week.

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How to get to Aberdeen Airport

Car

Aberdeen International Airport is located 5.8 miles (9.3 kilometres) north west of Aberdeen city centre on the A96 Aberdeen-Inverness Road. You can navigate your way there using the postcode AB21 7DU.

ABZ is clearly signposted from all approaches, but if you’re coming from further afield, the A96 is easily accessible via the A90 that runs along the south east coast of Scotland and is connected to some of the main motorways serving the UK.

Bus

Regular bus services run between the bus stop right outside the terminal at Aberdeen Airport and the city centre. The journey takes 30 minutes on average to and from Guild Street Bus Station, which is also the hub for coach routes from further afield. It’s useful to know that bus services are less frequent at weekends and on evenings, so if you’re planning on heading into the city, it’s worth checking bus timetables with the service provider before you set off.

Train

Whilst Aberdeen Airport doesn’t have a dedicated rail station, Dyce station is only two miles (3.2 kilometres) from the terminal and easily accessible on a number of bus routes or in a taxi. Dyce station is on the Aberdeen-Inverness line and is also served by some trains travelling to and from Glasgow and Edinburgh, making Dyce and Aberdeen Airport easy to get to from train stations around the country.

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Useful Tips

Arrive in plenty of time

Although it has just one commercial terminal, Aberdeen International Airport sees almost 10,000 visitors a day and can quickly get busy. It’s wise to leave plenty of time to get there, even if you’re familiar with the airport. If you’re flying elsewhere in the UK or to Ireland, check in no later than one hour before departure and if you’re flying to Europe, it’s best to check in at least two hours before you fly. Keep an eye on ABZ’s live flight list that includes airlines, flight names and handy social media links to let people know where their flights are.

Park smart

ABZ drop-off forecourt couldn’t be more convenient as it’s right outside the main terminal building. However, entry is not free and you will be expected to pay no matter how quick you are. If you and your passengers have a little more time before flying, the first 15 minutes of parking in Aberdeen Airport’s long-stay car park are completely free and only a two-minute complimentary coach ride to the terminal, which gives you plenty of time to wish your friends and family a happy holiday.

Proceed with priority

If long queues at Aberdeen Airport’s security gates mean you’re in danger of missing your flight, you can pay to be upgraded to priority security and be through to departures in minutes.

Relax in style

Almost all of the executive lounges at ABZ are open to anyone, regardless of the airline you’re flying with, so, if you’re looking to escape the buzz of the airport, book yourself in for some peace and quiet, complimentary snacks and drinks and access to wide screen television, newspapers, magazines, high-speed WiFi and business facilities.

Use the free WiFi

Aberdeen International Airport offers completely unlimited and free WiFi access for the duration of your visit so you can catch up on all your emails before you fly or unwind with a few episodes of your favourite TV show without worrying about your data allowance.

Stay charged

Aberdeen Airport doesn’t provide public plugs for the charging of electronic devices outside of its executive lounges, but there are a number of charging stations available in the departures lounge.

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Aberdeen Airport FAQs

How do I get to Aberdeen Airport?

With the city centre just under six miles (9.3 kilometres) away, getting to Aberdeen International Airport is easy. Located on the A96 Aberdeen-Inverness Road, the airport is only a short drive away from the city whether you’re driving yourself, on the bus or in a taxi and only two miles (3.2 kilometres) from the nearest train station, Dyce, which is connected to the UK’s national rail network.

Where can I find more information about my flight?

You should have received all the information you need from your airline, but if you can’t find it, contact them and keep an eye on ABZ’s live arrivals/departures feed where you’ll also find information on airlines, flight numbers and ETAs.

Should I pre-book parking?

As well as seeing over three million commercial travellers and holidaymakers a year, Aberdeen International Airport is also the busiest heliport in the world and instrumental in Scotland’s offshore oil industry. This means that ABZ’s car parks are shared by public visitors and those working in the oil industry, so, during peak hours, they can start to get busy. Pre-booking your parking guarantees that there will be a space waiting for your vehicle, no matter where you’re going or for how long you’re away.

What special assistance is available at ABZ?

Aberdeen International Airport is proud to conform with the UK Equality Act in helping all their visitors feel comfortable throughout the travelling experience, regardless of any special needs they may have. If you’re going to be visiting the airport, it is recommended that you inform the special assistance team at least 48 hours before arrival so arrangements can be made to make your time at ABZ as easy as possible. A helpful guide on Aberdeen Airport’s special assistance as well as the relevant contact information can be found here.

I’ve lost something at Aberdeen Airport - what do I do?

Don’t worry, your lost items will be tagged, dated and securely stored for up to 90 days. If you’re still at Aberdeen Airport, you can head to the Lost Property Office located at Check In or, if you’ve already left, you can fill in this form or call the team directly on +44 (0)1224 725767. Upon retrieving your items, you’ll need to provide proof of identification and pay a small fee to cover handling and administration.

Aberdeen Airport’s lost property team is only responsible for items lost within the airport terminal building. If you’ve lost something on an aircraft, contact your airline directly. A useful list of contact numbers for all the airlines flying to and from ABZ can be found here.