Aberdeen station/Dyce station to the airport; current situation?

[Howardh]

This summer I may need a stopover in Aberdeen to catch a flight the following morning. I note that Dyce station is on the perimeter of the airport, but not connected to the terminal. Is it better to get the bus from central Aberdeen? Clearly there's an option to take an airport hotel, but again it's access from the rail station.

There was a closed thread some years ago, so an update would be useful! https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/dyce-rail-station-to-aberdeen-airport.129879/

Thanks!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

It's possible to walk from Dyce railway station round to the Airport terminal at Aberdeen, but it's over two-and-a-half miles and will take up to an hour. Could always get a taxi between the two.

 

[Howardh]

It's possible to walk from Dyce railway station round to the Airport terminal at Aberdeen, but it's over two-and-a-half miles and will take up to an hour. Could always get a taxi between the two.

Thanks, don't fancy either but it confirms there's no bus/shuttle from the station? best stay in central Aberdeen than.
Sounds a bit like Teeside but at least there is property around Dyce station!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Thanks, don't fancy either but it confirms there's no bus/shuttle from the station?

Think there's an X27 service bus from the station round to the Airport terminal. Not used it myself but broadly it operates two or three times an hour. Can anyone confirm if it's still running?

 

[Willie Bee]

Looks like it's the 727 bus now

 

[GusB]

@Howardh, Stagecoach 727 goes from the bus station to the airport terminal on a 15 minute frequency. See attached timetable. The cheapest ticket appears to be a Dayrider at £5.20.

 

[Andover]

I think that's because Stagecoach won't offer you the single online (anyone know why?), that's £4.30 according to Traveline Scotland.

 

[cumbrianbill]

The X27 finished in 2022 according to bustimes. You can get from Dyce to the airport by catching either a 35, X35 or 18 towards town, crossing the dual carriageway at Bucksburn and then getting the 727 airport bus. The 727 from Union Square is the more straightforward option.

 

[Andover]

I think that's because Stagecoach won't offer you the single online (anyone know why?), that's £4.30 according to Traveline Scotland.

Sorry, or 3.70 according to their own website.

 

[Howardh]

Thanks for the info, 727 looks the easiest way!

 

[GusB]

Sorry, or 3.70 according to their own website.

That page seems to be a bit out of date - it says the return is £6.70 when it's actually £8.20 (found through the journey planner); there is no single fare listed at all now.

 

[Andover]

Good point, and on that Traveline agrees. So either they have abolished singles but not returns, or now sell the one but not the other online, both of which seems odd?

 

[signed]

(anyone know why?)

Most bus operators in Scotland seem to not advertise singles at all. McGills also doesn't, and you have to email them to get the Single Fare (or look through Traveline Scotland)

 

[cumbrianbill]

That page seems to be a bit out of date - it says the return is £6.70 when it's actually £8.20 (found through the journey planner); there is no single fare listed at all now.

£5.20 single according to the Stagecoach app.

 

[kkong]

Good point, and on that Traveline agrees. So either they have abolished singles but not returns, or now sell the one but not the other online, both of which seems odd?

Stagecoach do still sell singles on board. I've not bought one to the airport on the 727 for a long time, so can't say how much they are, but I regularly buy them on other Stagecoach routes in the city.

If the OP does choose to stay near Dyce station and catch an 18/35/X35 to Bucksburn then change onto the 727, the multi-operator GrassHOPPER Zone A Day ticket (£5.60, purchase on-board either First or Stagecoach) or a Stagecoach-only Aberdeen City DayRider (£5.20, purchase on-board or in-app) may suit.

I would choose the GrassHOPPER, it allows you to catch the First Bus 18 as well as the less-frequent Stagecoach 35/X35 for only 40p more.

Personally, given the frequency and journey time, I would stay in Aberdeen city centre and catch the 727 bus directly to the airport.

Edit: I forgot to mention the lesser-known First Bus 17K, which does link Dyce station area with the airport (the closest stop is Argyll Way - 5 mins walk downhill to the terminal), but there are only 3 buses in the morning.

 

[Davester50]

Had an Aberdeen to Airport single paid by contactless for £4.30 at the back end of last year.

 

[richardderby]

17K runs early morning direct from Dyce to just outside the airport until 08.00 https://bustimes.org/services/17k-faulds-gate-kirkhill-ind-estate
Plusbus Aberdeen covers the airport by 727 17K or any other bus for £3.70 for the day...

 

[kkong]

17K runs early morning direct from Dyce to just outside the airport until 08.00 https://bustimes.org/services/17k-faulds-gate-kirkhill-ind-estate
Plusbus Aberdeen covers the airport by 727 17K or any other bus for £3.70 for the day...

Yes, it will probably cover the 17K in practice.

But it doesn't cover the route from Dyce station to the airport according to the (very poorly delineated) official PlusBus Aberdeen map, which omits both Pitmedden Road and Dyce Drive at the north end of the airport, which the 17K traverses between Victoria Street and Howe Moss Avenue.

I emailed PlusBus about this (and a number of other anomalies in the map) several months ago and received a non-committal reply which said the map would be updated by the local scheme administrator (whoever that is, is there even one?) "if appropriate". Unsurprisingly, the map hasn't been updated.

 

[ainsworth74]

Thanks, don't fancy either but it confirms there's no bus/shuttle from the station? best stay in central Aberdeen than.
Sounds a bit like Teeside but at least there is property around Dyce station!

Teesside wishes it was like Aberdeen! By around half six in the morning Aberdeen has had as many departures as Teesside sees in a whole day. Indeed Aberdeen in one day manages more flights than Teesside does in a week

 

[Sealink]

Many moons ago - the view from Dyce Station after I paid £16 for a taxi from the airport!
I have put Alt Text in the image, but not sure if I have done it properly.
The image is of two railway tracks between two platforms. On the left is the tail of a bmi regional aircraft,
an Embraer ERJ-145 to the right is car park with parked cars.

 

[zero]

In 2021 we took the train from Inverness to Dyce and walked to the airport. It was slightly faster than going into the city and getting the bus.

After seeing my friend off on his flight I took the 727 into Aberdeen.

I think that's because Stagecoach won't offer you the single online (anyone know why?), that's £4.30 according to Traveline Scotland.

Sorry, or 3.70 according to their own website.

That page seems to be a bit out of date - it says the return is £6.70 when it's actually £8.20 (found through the journey planner); there is no single fare listed at all now.

The Stagecoach journey planner at the time suggested that the fare was £3.20 so I prepared this amount in cash, however when I handed it to the driver he gave me a confused look, told me a single was £2.60, then took the three £1 coins and gave me change.

If it's £4.30 now (or even £3.70) that is a very large increase in 3½ years.

 

[Andover]

Yes, it will probably cover the 17K in practice.

But it doesn't cover the route from Dyce station to the airport according to the (very poorly delineated) official PlusBus Aberdeen map, which omits both Pitmedden Road and Dyce Drive at the north end of the airport, which the 17K traverses between Victoria Street and Howe Moss Avenue.

I emailed PlusBus about this (and a number of other anomalies in the map) several months ago and received a non-committal reply which said the map would be updated by the local scheme administrator (whoever that is, is there even one?) "if appropriate". Unsurprisingly, the map hasn't been updated.

Is there actually any official guidance on what determines PlusBus validity - a poorly designed interactive map? Those even worse 'zone diagrams' (I'm guessing not)?

As the 17K doesn't even seem to stop in the affected area, it would feel very hard to me to argue a ticket wasn't valid, but you never know I suppose.

 

[GusB]

In 2021 we took the train from Inverness to Dyce and walked to the airport. It was slightly faster than going into the city and getting the bus.

After seeing my friend off on his flight I took the 727 into Aberdeen.

The Stagecoach journey planner at the time suggested that the fare was £3.20 so I prepared this amount in cash, however when I handed it to the driver he gave me a confused look, told me a single was £2.60, then took the three £1 coins and gave me change.

If it's £4.30 now (or even £3.70) that is a very large increase in 3½ years.

Maybe there was a bit of a glitch on the website. It's showing a single fare of £4.30 for me now, but it certainly wasn't there when I last checked; the lowest fare offered was the DayRider and I've just entered exactly the same origin and destination than I did before. I wish I'd taken a screenshot now!

 

[Andover]

Maybe there was a bit of a glitch on the website.

Or possibly someone has been reading this thread?