How to travel from Dumfries to Aberdeen, United Kingdom

The distance between Dumfries and Aberdeen is around 309km (192 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to drive which takes around 3h 30m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Dumfries to Aberdeen by train, bus and car. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out AberdeenDumfries if you're planning a return trip.

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3 x train
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Train

Take the train to Carlisle then Haymarket and then to Aberdeen.

  • Duration4h 5m
  • Departsevery 2 hours
  • Typical cost
    £80($95)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
2
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Buchanan Bus Station and then to Aberdeen Coach Station.

  • Duration5h 25m
  • Departsevery 3 hours
  • Typical cost
    £28($33)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

🚀 Fastest
3
car
+

Drive

Drive to Aberdeen.

  • Duration3h 30m
  • Distance309km (192 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Dumfries and Aberdeen

There are several options for getting from Dumfries to Aberdeen by train, bus and car. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around £28 ($33) and will take around 5h 25m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can drive and arrive in approximately 3h 30m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately £54 ($64).

The distance between Dumfries and Aberdeen is around 309km (192 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 249km (155 miles)

It takes around 4h 5m to get from Dumfries and Aberdeen by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 3h 30m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Dumfries to Aberdeen is to drive which takes around 3h 30m and will set you back approx £54 ($64).

The cheapest way to travel between Dumfries and Aberdeen, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around £28 ($33) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Dumfries and Aberdeen. It typically takes around 4h 5m and departs every 2 hours.

There are no direct train services that runs from Dumfries to Aberdeen. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Carlisle and Haymarket. These services run every 2 hours and will take a minimum of 4h 5m.

First ScotRail Service, Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express Service, LNER and CrossCountry run train services between Dumfries and Aberdeen. Trains depart every 2 hours and will take around 4h 5m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Dumfries and Aberdeen. It typically takes around 5h 25m and departs every 3 hours.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Dumfries to Aberdeen. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Buchanan Bus Station. These services run every 3 hours and will take a minimum of 5h 25m.

Stagecoach West Scotland, Megabus UK and Scottish Citylink run regular bus services between Dumfries and Aberdeen. Buses run every 3 hours and take around 5h 25m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Dumfries to Aberdeen. We recommend that you take the train to Carlisle then Haymarket and then to Aberdeen. instead which will take 4h 5m.

The closest major airport to Aberdeen is Aberdeen Airport (ABZ) (ABZ) which is approximately 9km (6 miles) from Aberdeen. Dundee Airport (DND) (DND) and Inverness Airport (INV) (INV) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Dumfries and Aberdeen. The distance is around 309km (192 miles) by road and it will take around 3h 30m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Dumfries to Aberdeen is to take the train which takes, on average, 4h 5m and will usually cost around £80 ($95).

How do I get from Dumfries to Aberdeen

Compare travel optionsbetween Dumfries and Aberdeen

Transport options from Dumfries to Aberdeen
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
4h 5m
£80($95)
every 2 hours417km (259 miles)
Bus
5h 25m
£28($33)
every 3 hours368km (229 miles)
Drive
3h 30m
£54($64)
on demand309km (192 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Dumfries and Aberdeen

Train operators

Bus companies

Airports near Aberdeen

The following major airports near Aberdeen offer regular flights to various popular destinations within United Kingdom and internationally.

ABZ
Aberdeen Airport (ABZ)
International Airport
Distance
9km (6 miles) from Aberdeen
DND
Dundee Airport (DND)
Domestic Airport
Distance
95km (59 miles) from Aberdeen
INV
Inverness Airport (INV)
International Airport
Distance
126km (78 miles) from Aberdeen