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Compare car rental prices from top companies at Aberdeen Airport (ABZ) with Road Genius. From small economy cars to premium SUVs and minivans, you'll find vehicles at low prices. On-airport car hire pickup is at the Car Rental Centre, a short walk from the terminal, with 24-hour drop-off and major brands like Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Europcar and Sixt. It’s a base for Aberdeen city, Royal Deeside, the Cairngorms and the Speyside whisky trail. Book early for better availability around busy oil industry travel periods.
All major car rental companies at Aberdeen Airport are located in one central facility.
| Location Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| On-airport Car Rental Centre (short walk from terminal) | All major brands in one place (Avis/Budget, Europcar, Hertz/Thrifty/Dollar, Enterprise/Alamo/National, Sixt); quickest pickup and return; cars parked on-site; ideal for tight schedules and first-time visitors | Higher airport location fees; queues possible during peak business travel times |
| Off-airport local provider (Arnold Clark with shuttle) | Often competitive pricing; wider choice of local fleet options; good value for longer rentals | Requires shuttle transfer to depot; adds time to pickup/return; less convenient if you want to depart immediately |
On average, car rentals at Aberdeen Airport cost around €50 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from €15 per day.
Compare pickup locations: On-airport is super handy but carries a premium. If you’re heading into town first, price a city pickup or an off-airport provider with shuttle. Factor in taxi/bus cost and your time.
Be flexible with timing: ABZ rates often rise with oil-industry traffic. Avoid Monday mornings and Thu/Fri afternoons if you can. Midweek pickups can price better.
Reserve early for peak periods or automatics: Summer and conference weeks sell out fast, and automatics are limited. Lock in what you need, then re-check prices if your booking allows changes.
Pick the smallest suitable car: Lower daily rate, cheaper fuel, and easier on narrow Deeside and Cairngorms roads.
Compare one-way vs round-trip: Dropping in Edinburgh or Glasgow typically adds about £50–£75. Price both options, including fuel and parking, to see which wins.
Refuel nearby before return: Use the BP on the A96 or the Shell on Auchmill Road to return full and avoid refuelling charges.
If you need to park before collecting or after returning your rental:
| Car Park Option | Location | Use Case | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Stay | Adjacent to terminal | Brief pickup/dropoff or meetings | Higher hourly rates |
| Long Stay | Requires shuttle | Not usually needed for rental customers | Discounts for pre-booking |
| Rental Return | Designated areas in rental car park | Follow signage for your provider | Take photos of vehicle and fuel gauge when returning |
Hire a car to visit:
Aberdeen city centre – A96, 15–20 minutes
Royal Deeside (Ballater) – Balmoral Castle area, A93
Cairngorms (Aviemore) – A96, A939, A95
Speyside Whisky Trail – Dufftown, Craigellachie, A941
Stonehaven – Dunnottar Castle, A90 via AWPR
Inverness – A96, 2.5 hours
Which car rental companies are on-site at Aberdeen Airport? All the major car rental companies (Avis/Budget, Europcar, Hertz, Enterprise, Sixt) have desks in the Car Rental Centre. You can get there by taking a short walk from the terminal.
Is there a shuttle service to the car rental facility? You don't need a shuttle for the main companies because the rental centre is a short walk away. Arnold Clark is based off-airport and they run a shuttle service.
What do I need to bring to collect my rental car? You'll need to bring your driver's licence, a credit card in the main driver's name, your passport or ID and your booking confirmation. If you're visiting from overseas, you might also need an International Driving Permit.
Can I return my car outside of office hours? Yes, all the rental companies at the airport let you drop off your car 24/7 using a secure key box. Just follow the signs for after-hours returns and park in the right spot for your rental company.
How early should I arrive to collect my car during peak times? Picking up your car usually takes 15-20 minutes. But at busy times like Monday mornings or late afternoons, you should give yourself an extra 15 minutes in case there are queues.
What fuel policies are common for Aberdeen Airport rentals? Most rental companies use a 'full-to-full' policy. This means you pick up the car with a full tank and you need to return it full. You'll find petrol stations near the airport to make it easy to refuel before you drop the car off.
Can I pick up at Aberdeen Airport and drop off elsewhere in Scotland? Yes, most companies let you do one-way rentals in Scotland. If you drop the car off in another big city like Edinburgh or Glasgow, they will usually charge you a one-way fee of about £50-£75.
Are automatic transmission cars available at Aberdeen Airport? Yes, you can rent automatic cars, but there are fewer of them than manual cars. You should book ahead to make sure you can get one, especially if you want a certain type of car.
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