Public Transport and Active Travel
Walk
Walking is the best way to reach the event, especially for those living in the city centre. The event is just a short walk from Union Street, making it the most convenient option.
Whether you're arriving by bus or train, the event is only a short walk from both stations. Clear signage will guide pedestrians from these transport hubs to the event.
For those interested in exploring the area further on foot, the Tall Ships walking trails offer a wonderful opportunity to delve into the local history and maritime heritage. These trails are available online and in printed copies from selected businesses and the Quayside Information Tent.
Bike
Additional cycle parking will be provided in Aberdeen City Centre to support the event.
The dedicated Tall Ships Cycle Park is located in front of the entrance to the Townhouse on Queen Street. With over 100 spaces, the cycle park will be open for the duration of the event from Friday the 18th of July to Tuesday the 22nd of July. From here, the Tall Ships berthings are just a short walk away. We encourage all visitors to take advantage of this facility to promote a greener and healthier mode of transportation to The Tall Ships Races Aberdeen!
Further information on the cycle network in the local area can be found on the Nestrans website.
Bus
There is a wide network of buses to get you to and from the event. See the First Aberdeen and Stagecoach websites for more detailed information.
Most buses serving the Aberdeen City Network pass through Union Street, which is a short walk to the event. However, please note that Union Street Central will be closed to buses during the event, which may impact accessibility to some elements of the weekend. Buses from Aberdeenshire or further afield typically terminate at Aberdeen Bus Station in Union Square, a 10-minute walk to the event.
- First service 12 and Stagecoach 59 run through Torry. 12 operates clockwise and 59 anti-clockwise, combined there are up to 9 buses an hour.
- First service 15 operates to Balnagask, via Girdleness Road up to twice per hour.
- Both the First service 3 and Stagecoach service X9 operate on Wellington Road, combined providing up to 5 buses per hour.
Please do not drive to Torry to see The Tall Ships. This is a residential area and there is not enough parking available. If you are planning on travelling to Torry Battery, please consider walking, cycling, or using the public bus services instead of travelling by car.
Tickets can be purchased on buses or via the First App or Stagecoach App. All local buses accept contactless payments. Further information on planning your journey, including accessibility assistance, timetables and tickets valid for multiple journeys, can be found on the First website, Stagecoach website or via Traveline Scotland.
The GrassHOPPER pass is a multi-operator ticket available from all bus operators across Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City and it can be used on most bus services.
Services to local and national destinations throughout Scotland are provided by Stagecoach, Citylink, Megabus and Flixbus from the bus station and Ember from the City Centre.
Rail
Aberdeen railway station is a 10-minute walk from the Tall Ships entrance. Frequent train services connect Aberdeen with nearby towns such as Huntly, Insch, Inverurie, Kintore, Dyce, Portlethen, Stonehaven, and Laurencekirk, as well as cities including Inverness, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and London.
ScotRail provides train services throughout Scotland,. During the event, ScotRail will increase capacity on key routes where possible. Expect busy trains, so plan your journey in advance. Visit the Scotrail website for more information and to book assistance for passengers with accessibility needs.
LNER services Aberdeen via the East Coast Mainline, connecting London Kings Cross, Edinburgh Waverley, and other key stations. For accessible travel and assistance, visit the LNER website.
Caledonian Sleeper offers overnight services between London and Aberdeen, providing a comfortable travel option for long-distance journeys. For more details and to book tickets, visit the Caledonian Sleeper website.
CrossCountry Rail connects Aberdeen with various destinations across the UK, including Birmingham, Manchester, and beyond. For schedules, tickets, and accessibility information, visit the CrossCountry Rail website.
Add bus travel to your train ticket
An Aberdeen PlusBus ticket gives you unlimited bus travel on First and Stagecoach bus services, around the whole urban area of Aberdeen City
Taxis
There will be a designated taxi rank and private hire drop-off / pick-up area in operation for The Tall Ships. The following are the existing taxi ranks in Aberdeen:
Daytime taxi ranks (5.00am to midnight):
- 1 Back Wynd
- 5 Dee Street
- 8 Chapel Street
- Queen Street (alongside Greyfriars Church)
- Aberdeen Rail Station
Night-time taxi ranks (midnight to 5.00am):
- 347 Union Street (at the 8848 Restaurant and Bar)
- 262 Union Street (near Gilcomston Church and Summer Street)
- 1 Back Wynd
Temporary taxi and private hire pick-up and drop-off point for The Tall Ships:
- 11 Commerce Street (prioritised for mobility impaired visitors and Tall Ships crew)
Ferries and Air
Due to the footprint of the Tall Ships event, the area around the NorthLink Ferries terminal will be much busier than normal with alternate traffic management arrangements in place. Please ensure you refer to the NorthLink Ferries website for any updates and leave additional time for travel to the terminal.
Scheduled flights operate to and from Aberdeen Airport within easy reach of Aberdeen City Centre. Taxis are available for hire from the forecourt and a regular bus service operates to Aberdeen City Centre. Details for the Jet727 airport bus service can be found at Jet 727 Bus - Aberdeen Airport Bus Times & Tickets | Stagecoach. The nearest railway station, Dyce, is a short taxi ride from the airport.
Accessible Event Site Shuttle
A free event site shuttle bus will also operate, up to every 20 minutes, to provide access across the Tall Ships event spaces between 10.00am and 9.00pm.
This will primarily be for those with reduced mobility.
This will be a circular service operating from Union Terrace servicing stops to access Blaikies Quay; Upper Quay, Trinity Quay and Regent Quay; Waterloo Quay and Petersons Yard; King Street Funfair and Castlegate Discovery Zone and Union Terrace Military Village.
More information will be available shortly.
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