Aberdeen to Elgin Trains From €17.32*

Travel from the mouth of the River Don to an historic Moray town on one efficient train operated by ScotRail. What is the onboard experience like? How many bags can I bring on ScotRail? Find out the answers to these and other key travel questions below.

Is ScotRail a good operator?

ScotRail is a publicly owned Scottish rail operator, popular with travellers around the Lowlands and Highlands. Expect a comfortable onboard experience, affordable advance fares, and a warm welcome from rail staff.

How many bags fit on ScotRail trains?

Passengers with ScotRail have plenty of space to store bags. Each traveller can bring a maximum of three pieces of personal luggage onboard for free. Store small bags under your seat, or in overhead luggage compartments, and place larger items in end-of-aisle luggage racks.

Can I buy food and drinks on ScotRail?

Absolutely! Never go hungry on a ScotRail train: the onboard trolley service offers snacks like biscuits, crisps, and cakes, as well as juices, tea, hot chocolate, and coffee (all hot drinks can be served with oat milk). For great savings, buy a hot drink with a cake in a £4 combo deal, or combine two wines and two bags of crisps for £13.

Is it worth upgrading to ScotRail First Class?

The answer depends on your budget and travel priorities. Certainly, a ScotRail First Class upgrade guarantees passengers a comfy reclining seat in a quieter carriage, a free hot drink or bottle of water, and complimentary shortbread. Throughout your journey, you’ll also access free Wi-Fi and individual sockets or USB ports for charging.

Your route up from Aberdeen to Elgin is simple and enjoyable with ScotRail and our local station secrets. From boarding in the buzzing port city to stepping out into the former cathedral city, here’s what you need to know.

Getting to the platform: Aberdeen

• Station Road entrance: Located next to Union Square, on Guild Street, enter Aberdeen Station via Station Road. Alternatively, access the main concourse from the Union Square shopping complex.
• Shopping and Dining: The main concourse features a waiting area and a WHSmith store selling books, magazines, stationery, and confectionery. Union Square, with various shops and restaurants, connects directly to the concourse.
• Six or seven?: Trains to Elgin usually leave from platforms 6 or 7. Head there from the main station concourse, using stairs down from the bridge (or lifts for step-free access).

Onboard trains from Aberdeen to Elgin

A scenic route north west starts from the coastal location of Aberdeen and takes you up to Elgin along a predominantly rural route.

• Key Landmarks: Pass landmarks like Dunnideer Castle, Leith Hall, and Huntly Castle, before you track the path of the River Deveron, and finally bend west towards Elgin.
• The View Alert: More landmarks are available to passengers with a seat on the Left-Hand Side of the carriage (facing North).

Arriving at Elgin

Elgin Station has excellent onward access to the town centre. Managed and served by ScotRail, the station itself is basic but practical.

• Getting out: A two-platform station with decent facilities, including accessible toilets on platform 1, you’ll be sure of a comfortable arrival in Elgin. Exit the station north onto Station Road.
• Stagecoach: Elgin buses are operated by Stagecoach. Board from directly outside the station, with routes taking you all around the town centre, including the number 36, which stops at Elgin Cathedral. On foot, the route to Elgin Cathedral, and nearby Cooper Park, and the River Lossie takes around 20 minutes from the station.