Help needed re trip to Aberdeen 9 January 2014 at 8:19PM in Scotland 11 replies 2.5K views

Polly

Would really appreciate some advice from the MSEs in Scotland. Will be travelling to Aberdeen via Glasgow airport for an interview in early Feb and would appreciate some info on the best way to get from Glasgow to Aberdeen. Also some recommendations on accommodation near the University. Will have an afternoon & evening to spare so ideas on somewhere to eat/drink/visit would be great too. Thanks

no_summer_here

My cousin travels from Glasgow to Aberdeen fairly frequently, and reckons
the train is best.

bubblegumcola

Agree with other poster, take the train.

I haven't lived in the city for many years but there are lots of pubs/restaurants along and around Union Street. Maybe have a look on Trip Advisor for up to date recommendations? Which university is it? Depending on the dept and the Uni the campus is in different areas of the city.

Good luck. I have very happy memories of my time up there.

mrs_T

Why not fly to Aberdeen? Again depends which uni but guessing you don't mean my alma mater RGU then Brentwood villa is closest b&b to Aberdeen uni but as I live here I don't know if it's any good.
Would recommend upstairs kilau cafe in the high street on the aberdeen uni campus for lunch/coffee, I go there at least once a week. If you arrive by train you will come into the union square shopping centre which has all the usual chain restaurants. All the students drink in the bobbin mill on king St. but there is also the Machar bar on campus. A lot of people don't realise Aberdeen has a lovely beach with nice cafes and a cineworld if it's raining, not far from the uni. Otherwise check here for what's on: http://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/

missile

Why are you travelling via Glasgow airport?

There are direct fights to Aberdeen from several airports in England.

mfmaybe

If you've already booked the flight then also have a look at the Citylink Gold. It's a plush bus and pretty quick.

Polly

Thanks for the replies so far. I'm flying to Aberdeen for £50 but the flight home was over £200 so I decided to travel to Glasgow for a much cheaper flight with Easyjet. The train fares I've been quoted have been very pricey so I might for the bus, depending on times etc. My interview takes place at the Suttie Centre in Foresterhill and it would be very helpful to know where to get accommodation/bus/train nearest to this area. I'd like to keep my taxi costs to a minimum. Thanks

pogofish

Here is a link to a map showing which routes serve where on the site:

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/iahs/documents/Foresterhill_Map.pdf

First's route page here:

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/aberdeen/journey_planning/maps/

In addition, a number of the Stagecoach/Country buses will stop at the Airport and Foresterhill Bus Port, which is only a minute or so's walk from Suttie.

Blether

I prefer to go on Mega bus to the train. You can usually get a ticket for £9-£10. Mainly retired people using the bus. Have been on the train a couple of times with passengers who are drinking heavily and by the end of the journey were becoming unpleasant. The Light of Bengal is a nice Indian restaurant for a lunch Mon - Fri. It is at the top on Union Street on Rose Street. It's a la carte is a bit pricey as are most places there. Usually stay at a travelodge but have the car to get around. You would be best check on trip advisor

stoneygiraffe

First of all there is a choice of buses from Glasgow to Aberdeen, Megabus, Megabus Gold, Citylink and Citylink Gold. Megabus is cheap and cheerfull but stops in places like Perth and Dundee so is slower. Citylink Gold which is about £15 single (when I got it) was direct non-stop to Aberdeen and is comfortable (even get a coffee and muffin). If you go by train only Scotrail provides services to Aberdeen from Glasgow. Now to get to Foresterhill ARI hospital area from city centre there are two companies First Aberdeen and Stagecoach Bluebird. I have found the Stagecoach Bluebird is slightly cheaper than First and they give change on their buses unlike First which is exact change. Stagecoach Bluebird service 59 goes from Guild Street bus stop next to the bus/train station/Union Square shopping centre to the Foresterhill ARI hospital complex. They usually green coloured buses market 'hospital direct' and Northfield 59 on the front.

stoneygiraffe

For things to do, if the weather cold/wet pop along to Aberdeen Maritime museum which is free it has exhibits of the history to the harbour as well as a huge model of an oil rig split between 3 floors, it has a small cafe inside, it's located on Ship Row near Vue Cinema. The art gallery is also free opposite The Academy Shopping Centre. Great place for a coffee, snack, lunch is Contour Cafe in the Green (between Union Street and Union Square shopping Centre), nice modern small cafe which serves lovely coffee and the best sandwiches and soup and very cheap (free wifi). For accommodation I would suggest looking at trip adviser, but bear in mind with the offshore workers hotels and B&B's can get busy and very expensive especially when bad weather offshore.