Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Renting a car

Tuscaloosa travel guide

Tuscaloosa Tourism | Tuscaloosa Guide

You're Going to Love Tuscaloosa

With a population of 90.468, Tuscaloosa is a must-see destination in Alabama, United States. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Tuscaloosa deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Tuscaloosa

If you’re looking for affordable options, Forte (2321 6th St) and Sugo Italian Restaurant (2218 University Blvd) are great picks.

When to visit Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa in January
Estimated hotel price
$99
1 night at 3-star hotel
Tuscaloosa in January
Estimated hotel price
$99
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Tuscaloosa in July, when the average temperature is 80.6 °F, and the highest can go up to 91.4 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 33.8 °F, with an average temperature of 44.6 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in February, when precipitation is around 5.3″. In contrast, September is usually the driest month of the year in Tuscaloosa, with an average rainfall of 3.2″.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Tuscaloosa

Plane

Although Tuscaloosa doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Birmingham (BHM), which is located 85 km from Tuscaloosa. Montgomery Dannelly Field is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, Delta, WestJet and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Tuscaloosa departs from Atlanta and takes around 52m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Tuscaloosa. The train journey from Tuscaloosa to Atlanta takes 4h 37m and costs around $32 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New Orleans, expect to pay about $36 for a 8h 05m trip. The train station in Tuscaloosa is called Tuscaloosa, and is located 1.3 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Tuscaloosa is to pick up a car rental from Atlanta, which is about 301 km from Tuscaloosa. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Ace, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Tuscaloosa, including Greyhound, FlixBus and Tornado Bus. From Dallas, the bus ride to Tuscaloosa takes 1036 km and will cost you around $180. From Austin, the ticket costs about $230 for a journey of 995 miles.

Plane

Although Tuscaloosa doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Birmingham (BHM), which is located 85 km from Tuscaloosa. Montgomery Dannelly Field is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, Delta, WestJet and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Tuscaloosa departs from Atlanta and takes around 52m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Tuscaloosa. The train journey from Tuscaloosa to Atlanta takes 4h 37m and costs around $32 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New Orleans, expect to pay about $36 for a 8h 05m trip. The train station in Tuscaloosa is called Tuscaloosa, and is located 1.3 miles from the city center.

Car

Another option to get to Tuscaloosa is to pick up a car rental from Atlanta, which is about 301 km from Tuscaloosa. You’ll find branches of Routes Car & Truck Rentals and Ace, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Tuscaloosa, including Greyhound, FlixBus and Tornado Bus. From Dallas, the bus ride to Tuscaloosa takes 1036 km and will cost you around $180. From Austin, the ticket costs about $230 for a journey of 995 miles.

Airports near Tuscaloosa

MGMMontgomery Dannelly Field
GTRColumbus Golden Triangle Reg.
BHMBirmingham

Airlines serving Tuscaloosa

KLM
Good (1,411 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,576 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,007 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,528 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,016 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,020 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,664 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,414 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,493 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,459 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,582 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,334 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,316 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (1,876 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (1,007 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (1,622 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (1,167 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (1,373 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (1,660 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (1,566 reviews)
Show more
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Where to stay in Tuscaloosa

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Fairfield Inn by Marriott Tuscaloosa and Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tuscaloosa - Univ. of Alabama. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Tuscaloosa, with prices from $52 to $453 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Tuscaloosa are about 337% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Most popular hotel in Tuscaloosa by neighborhood

Where to stay in popular areas of Tuscaloosa

Most booked hotels in Tuscaloosa

See all
La Quinta Inn & Suites By Wyndham Tuscaloosa University
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 1088 reviews)
$69+
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Hotel Indigo Tuscaloosa Downtown By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 587 reviews)
$102+
View
Embassy Suites by Hilton Tuscaloosa Alabama Downtown
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 435 reviews)
$135+
View
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tuscaloosa East By IHG
2 stars
Excellent (8.9, 115 reviews)
$101+
View
Wingate by Wyndham Tuscaloosa
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1194 reviews)
$57+
View
Best Western Catalina Inn
2 stars
Good (7.5, 256 reviews)
$90+
View

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa costs $58 per day, on average, or $116 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 13% cheaper than airport locations in Tuscaloosa.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in Tuscaloosa (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $40.88 and $54.51. The most frequently booked car type in Tuscaloosa is Compact (Chevrolet Equinox or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Chevrolet Spark or similar) are, on average, 67% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa costs $58 per day, on average, or $116 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

It’s generally cheaper to rent your vehicle outside the airport: locations in the city are around 13% cheaper than airport locations in Tuscaloosa.

Expect to pay $3.41 per gallon in Tuscaloosa (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $40.88 and $54.51. The most frequently booked car type in Tuscaloosa is Compact (Chevrolet Equinox or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Chevrolet Spark or similar) are, on average, 67% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Tuscaloosa

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$33/day

Economy

Intermediate

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$35/day

Intermediate
Find car rentals in Tuscaloosa