Metered taxis sit right outside T1 at Aberdeen
The main airport taxi rank stands directly outside the T1 arrivals doors, less than a 1‑minute walk from baggage reclaim, so you’re in a cab almost as soon as you exit customs. All cars here run on metered fares rather than fixed prices, and drivers are licensed by Aberdeen City Council.
Typical rides from Aberdeen Airport to Union Street in the city centre take about 25–30 minutes, depending on traffic on the A96, and cost roughly £25–£35 on the meter. That same meter system applies for shorter hops to Dyce station, which usually clocks in under £10 for the 5‑minute drive.
The rank operates in line with flight schedules, with cabs queuing from early morning departures around 04:30 through late‑evening arrivals after 22:00. If you land on one of the last flights from London around 23:00, you should still find licensed taxis waiting at the signed “Taxi Rank” area outside arrivals.
All official airport taxis use calibrated meters set to local tariff bands, with higher night and weekend rates kicking in after 22:00 and on Sundays. You’ll see the meter running in pounds and pence from the base flag‑fall, so you can keep an eye on cost as you head down the A947 or A96.
Most drivers at the airport rank accept card payments, including contactless and major credit cards like Visa and Mastercard, but a few still run cash‑only, especially on older saloons. Aim to carry at least £20–£30 in notes if you’re arriving late at night, in case the first car you get doesn’t have a working card terminal.
Larger groups can usually grab a people carrier or 6‑seater from the same T1 rank, and these vehicles are often used on oil and gas crew transfers to business parks around Dyce and Bridge of Don. Expect the meter to tick up slightly faster for bigger vehicles under local tariff rules, particularly during peak commute times around 08:00–09:00.
If queues at the rank run longer than 10–15 minutes, which can happen when two or three UK domestic flights land together, walk back inside T1 and check the arrivals hall information screens for alternative numbers for local private hire firms in Dyce and Aberdeen. One simple move: step out of baggage claim with your destination postcode ready on your phone so you can get a quick ballpark estimate from the driver before you pull away from the curb.