Cruden Bay is 26 miles (42 km) north of Aberdeen, most conveniently reached by car on the A90. The drive from Aberdeen takes about 35–40 minutes. There is no railway; the line from Aberdeen that once served the area, including the branch to Cruden Bay, closed in 1965.
Stagecoach operates bus services from Aberdeen (service 63) to Cruden Bay and the surrounding villages. The bus takes about 1 hour 10 minutes from Aberdeen Union Square. Services run several times daily Monday to Saturday, with limited Sunday provision. Taxis from Aberdeen are an option for those without a car, though the cost is significant.