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Car Rental - Aberdeen
One of Scotland’s great unsung attractions, Aberdeen boasts stately granite buildings, an impressive cathedral and a quirky old town with winding, cobbled streets. With its ancient university, this city on the east coast is home to a cosmopolitan mix of people from all over the world, working, studying and visiting.
This fine place has a growing reputation as an exciting destination and car rental in Aberdeen means you can explore not just the city but the surrounding county of Aberdeenshire and its beautiful coastline, complete with sandy beaches and rocky cliffs.
Our rental car pickup location at Aberdeen Airport means you can arrive into the city and be out on the road quickly and easily. Browse our range of Aberdeen rental car vehicles and find the right one for your vacation, whether that’s a family car, or something smaller and sleeker. There are no hidden fees to pay and our staff are ready and waiting to help you.
Aberdeen Locations
A Quick Guide to Aberdeen
If you’re looking for a Scottish trip with a difference, Aberdeen is the perfect choice. The pretty city itself is home to a number of galleries, museums and shopping malls, while its location on the coast and near the Highlands means you’re well placed to embrace your inner explorer or beach bum.
The Sea and Science
Fire up your rental car and tick off a number of Aberdeen’s cultural landmarks from your vacation itinerary. Number one on the list should be the Maritime Museum. Exhibits at this award-winning attraction explore the city’s deep connection to the sea. Offshore oil, shipping and fishing all have a part to play in its fascinating tale.
The Aberdeen Science Centre is one of the most popular family attractions in the city thanks to its array of educational exhibitions on topics ranging from volcanoes to NASA. Watch the stars come to life in the planetarium and try your hand at a mad scientist experiment.
There are also a number of shopping malls around the city, including the ‘Granite Mile’ section of Union Street, which is filled with designer outlets. For smaller, independent retailers head to Rosemount, where you’ll find an array of traditional Scottish goods including locally-produced cheese and colorful kilts.
Coastal Treasures
Perched on the North Sea coast, Aberdeen boasts miles of beach to explore, especially if you’re renting a car. Make your way to the esplanade and take a stroll along the award-winning stretch of sand. For something a little more hi-octane, rent a surfboard and head out into the waters to ride the mighty waves.
Beyond Aberdeen, there are plenty more beaches along the coastline, each as secluded and unspoiled as the next. Cruden Bay is one of the prettiest, just 40 minutes north of Aberdeen. While there, treat yourself to one of the local delicacies, such as a fisherman’s rowie – a sweet type of breakfast roll – or some of the region’s famously fresh seafood.
This area of Scotland is also great for stargazing. Journey inland to see them shining brightly against the inky night sky at the Glenlivet Estate, nestled among the Cairngorms National Park. During winter, you might be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights dancing colorfully above you.
Call of the Wild
For nature lovers, Aberdeenshire is a majestic place to spot wildlife. Hop in your Aberdeen car rental and drive to Newburgh Beach to see seals lolling on the shore or watch puffins nesting at the Bullers of Buchan. Scotland’s only mainland gannet colony has made its home at Troup Head and porpoises, minke whales and dolphins have also been spotted in the waters close by.
If you’re keen to see dolphins on your trip, it’s around a 90-minute drive north up the A96 to the Scottish Dolphin Centre at the mouth of the River Spey.
This area is an incredible haven for wildlife and you may spot ospreys, seals, otters and bottlenose dolphins.
Entry is free and it’s open seven days a week from the end of March to October. There are daily tours on offer, including land-based dolphin watching and a tour of the UK’s biggest icehouse. Renting a car for your visit to Aberdeen makes it possible to see all these sights and more, and makes possible a truly special Scottish adventure.
Driving In and Around Aberdeen
Scenic driving routes are in abundance for your car rental in Aberdeen and the surrounding area. The A96 runs directly from the airport to the center, making the city easy to reach in your holiday or business car rental. Take in the views of the famous grey-tinged granite buildings that form the heart of the city as you head from sight to sight. If you’d prefer to explore some areas on foot, you’ll find plenty of parking lots for your rental car dotted throughout Aberdeen.
Those booked in for a round of golf at the legendary Royal Aberdeen Golf Club should use the A90. If you’re keen to visit the two-mile long beach, take School Road and Golf Road to the seafront esplanade.
Located in the north-east of Scotland, Aberdeen has a wealth of countryside and coastal locations on its doorstep. It’s an easy drive in your rental car from Aberdeen to the Banffshire coast, where you’ll find sights including Findlater Castle, just up the A96, and beautifully preserved harbors dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. If you’re hoping to embark on a Scottish road trip from the comfort of your Aberdeen car rental to tour its major cities, the A90 runs through Dundee, Perth and Edinburgh.
The speed limit on freeways, known as motorways in the UK, is 70mph (113kph) and in built-up areas the limit is 30mph (48 kph). In residential areas, and especially near schools, it’s common for 20mph speed limits to be in place. These will be clearly marked by signs at the side of the road. Seatbelts must be worn by the driver and all passengers.
You’ll drive on the left-hand side of the road, overtaking on the right while in the UK, and there are no toll roads to pay for in Scotland.
