Major city · United Kingdom
Arbroath
Give Arbroath one full day: abbey, harbour and a smokie lunch. Sleep in Dundee unless you want the cliffs at dawn.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short days, closures), and match days if you want a quiet harbour
- Airports
- EDI · ABZ · DND
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
Arbroath is a red-sandstone fishing port on the Angus coast, 16 miles from Dundee, known for its ruined abbey, the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath and smoked haddock. The town itself is a half-day to a day; the cliff walk to Auchmithie and the beaches are what make an overnight worth it. Trains from Dundee take about 20 minutes, so most travellers visit as a day trip.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Arbroath, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyArbroath is a small, low-crime town and safe to walk by day and evening.
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers111 NHS non-urgent · 101 police non-urgent (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportEDI Edinburgh (Best range of flights; train to Arbroath via Dundee, about 2 h).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable: station to abbey about 10 minutes, abbey to harbour about 10 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- BeerPint of beer in a pub£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi across towncheck£5–8 (≈ US$7–11)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£10–20 (≈ US$14–30)
- Museum or sight ticketAbbey or St Vigeans museum entry, adultcheck£5.50–7.50 (≈ US$8–10)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B or small-hotel double, a night, per room£105 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedB&B or small-hotel double, a night, per room£160 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £95 (≈ US$130) · High £170 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- EDI Edinburgh (Best range of flights; train to Arbroath via Dundee, about 2 h) · ABZ Aberdeen (Closer by rail but fewer flights) · DND Dundee (Closest airport, very limited flights; about 30 min by road or rail)
Weather and climate
Arbroath: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C43°F
1°C34°F
12 rd
Feb
7°C45°F
1°C34°F
10 rd
Mar
9°C48°F
2°C36°F
11 rd
Apr
11°C52°F
4°C39°F
9 rd
May
14°C57°F
6°C43°F
9 rd
Jun
17°C63°F
9°C48°F
9 rd
Jul
19°C66°F
11°C52°F
10 rd
Aug
19°C66°F
11°C52°F
10 rd
Sep
16°C61°F
9°C48°F
10 rd
Oct
13°C55°F
7°C45°F
12 rd
Nov
9°C48°F
4°C39°F
12 rd
Dec
7°C45°F
2°C36°F
12 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable: station to abbey about 10 minutes, abbey to harbour about 10 minutes. Bus 30 loops the town hourly. Taxis from the station rank. A car or bike helps for the cliffs, St Vigeans and Lunan Bay.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Dundee
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Train from Arbroath, about 20 min
Discovery, the V&A and Verdant Works fill a day.
Montrose
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Train north, about 15 min
Basin, museum and a long sandy beach.
Forfar
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus or car via the A932, about 30–40 min
Glamis Castle and Pictish stones; a car makes it easy.
Lunan Bay
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car or taxi, about 15 min north
Red-sand beach and dunes; no train, limited buses.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Harbour and Shore
Seafront B&Bs and seafood restaurants; walk to the abbey and station.
High Street and town centre
Small hotels, pubs and the bus stance; best if you arrive by train.
West Links and Dundee Road
Beach, golf and holiday-park cabins; a car helps.
Inverkeilor and Lunan Bay
Country hotel and beach 5–6 miles north; only with a car.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £50–80 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- £80–130 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- £130 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or small-hotel double1 × 1 night × £105 | £105 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £95 | £190 |
| Arbroath Abbey entry, adult2 × £6 · check | £12 |
| Fish supper from a harbour chippy2 × £11 · check | £22 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £15 | £30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £36 |
| Trip total≈ £198 per person per day, bed included | £395≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Arbroath excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Arbroath smokie (single fish)Cheaper direct from a smokery. | £4–7 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Fish and chips | £10–15 (≈ US$14–20) |
| Pint of beer in a pub | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Abbey or St Vigeans museum entry, adultcheck | £5.50–7.50 (≈ US$8–10) |
| Taxi across towncheck | £5–8 (≈ US$7–11) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £10–20 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The abbey's abbot's house and some masonry are closed as unsafe; ticket prices are reduced — check before you pay.
- The cliff path to Auchmithie is cut off at high tide: check tide times and never walk below the cliffs on a rising tide.
- Sea swimming is cold year-round; there are no lifeguards.
- Many restaurants close one or two days a week and kitchens stop early; book or eat before 8pm.
- St Vigeans museum opens only a few days a week in summer — check first.
Emergency numbers
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ArbroathArbroath
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Arbroath; US and most other consulates are in Edinburgh, embassies in London.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Train Dundee → Arbroath: about £8–10 (≈ US$11–14) off-peak return, 20 min (check)
- Bus X7 Dundee → Arbroath: about £5 (≈ US$7) single, 30 min (check)
- Taxi station → harbour: £5–8 (≈ US$7–11) (check)
Say or show
- Please — Please (pleez)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank yoo)
- A smokie, please — A smokie, please
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the station? — Where is the station?
- Is it far? — Is it far?
English is spoken everywhere; no phrasebook needed.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Arbroath. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short days, closures), and match days if you want a quiet harbour · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for EDI and ABZ: last trains via Dundee, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with anchors: station and High Street, abbey and St Vigeans, harbour and Signal Tower, West Links.
- Place pages with verified hours (abbey, Signal Tower Museum, St Vigeans stones) and eat pages with last orders.
- Tide and weather fixtures for the Auchmithie cliff path so gates A–D can go green.