Travel and Accommodation

Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital (RACH), Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) and Aberdeen Maternity Hospital (AMH) are all situated at Foresterhill site, Aberdeen.

• Travelling by bus
• Travelling by car
• Travel costs
• Travel costs - Highlands and Islands
• Patients from Shetland
• Patients from Orkney
• Accommodation for relatives

Travelling by bus

Bus numbers 3, 5 and every second 14/14A (First Aberdeen) and 10, 59 and 215 (Stagecoach / Bluebird) pass near the hospital.  There is a site map (pdf) that shows the bus routes and stops near the hospital.  Bus number 23 and the Park & Ride service (number 40) from Kingswells and Bridge of Don also pass by the hospital.

If you would like more information about bus routes and times, please call First Aberdeen Busline on (01224) 650065 or visit the First Aberdeen website, or call Stagecoach Bluebird on (01224) 212266 or visit the Stagecoach Bluebird website.

Travelling by car

Please visit the Foresterhill car parking page for detailed information.

Getting to Foresterhill from outside Aberdeen by car

If you are unsure of the best route to take you can contact ARI Concourse Reception on (01224) 554567. You can also use the Automobile Association (AA) website at www.theaa.com.  If using this website, please use the postcode AB25 2ZN when describing the end of your journey.

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Travel costs

If you receive Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance (income related), Job Seeker's Allowance (income based), Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or hold a valid NHS Exemption Certificate you may be entitled to help with hospital travel costs. If you are named on an HC2 or HC3 certificate or complete an HC5 form, you may also be entitled to help with travel costs. You must bring details of your benefits and appointment card when you attend the hospital.  Please keep any tickets and receipts as proof of your travel costs. Please note that reimbursement will only be at the cheapest public transport rate.

Reimbursement and queries are dealt with by:

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary - General Office, Administration Department
Woodend Hospital - General Office
Woolmanhill Hospital - Main Office, Medical Block, Mount Stephen Pavilion
Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital - General Office (ground floor near WRVS shop, open from 9:00am to 3:30pm, Monday to Friday)

Those receiving the above named benefits, travelling with children under 16 are entitled to claim expenses for one escort. If on medical grounds, your child needs two escorts you will receive reimbursement for both.

If you are not receiving these benefits and require help to pay your travelling expenses, a form HC1 can be obtained from the General Office. You should return the completed form in the pre-paid envelope provided.

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Travel costs - Highlands and Islands

The arrangements above do not apply to patients who live in the former counties of Shetland, Orkney, Caithness, Sutherland, Ross & Cromarty, Inverness, Argyll, Arran, Bute, Cromdale or Nairn.

Such patients from the Highlands and Islands catchment area who have to travel more than 30 miles (or more than 5 miles by water) to hospital can claim repayment of travel expenses without test of means less the first £10.00 (for each appointment).  Those who receive Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance (income related), Job Seeker's Allowance (income based), Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or hold a valid NHS Exemption Certificate, or who are named on an HC2 or HC3 certificate or who complete an HC5 form will not have to pay the first £10.00 of any expenses claimed as long as proof of entitlement can be given.

The expenses of an escort may also be paid if medical staff consider that an escort is medically necessary.  Expenses will be paid on the basis of travel by public transport, although in special cases a private hire may be essential, and an assessment will be made as to which level of reimbursement will be paid which may be a petrol allowance.  If you use your own car a mileage allowance may be payable.  Claims can be made at the hospital General Office.  Please keep any tickets and receipts as proof of your travel costs.

The hospital General Office will be happy to assist with any enquiries made by telephone.

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary: (01224) 552237 or 554150
Woodend Hospital: (01224) 556312.
Woolmanhill Hospital: (01224) 555433
Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital: (01224) 552679

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Patients from Shetland

Please contact the Patient Travel Officer at NHS Shetland as soon as possible so that your travel arrangements can be organised in good time.

Write to:
Patient Travel Office
Gilbert Bain Hospital
Lerwick
ZE1 0TB
Telephone: (01595) 743305

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Patients from Orkney

The tickets are issued under the Highlands & Islands travel scheme and are booked through your GP. Please ask your GP for a travel pack which will contain all the information you will need.

Accommodation for relatives

There are a limited number of beds available for parents and carers. Please check with the nurses on admission for availability. Accommodation cannot be booked in advance.

We have prepared an accommodation list  (pdf) providing information about bed and breakfast and guest houses near the hospital.