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 53 miles from Tuscaloosa. Montgomery Dannelly Field is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, Gulf Air, Qantas Airways and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Tuscaloosa departs from Nashville and takes around 1h.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Tuscaloosa. The train journey from Tuscaloosa to Alexandria takes 18h 56m and costs around $174 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Baltimore, expect to pay about $185 for a 20h 38m 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 187 miles 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 Tornado Bus, Greyhound and FlixBus. From Dallas, the bus ride to Tuscaloosa takes 644 miles and will cost you around $180. From Houston, the ticket costs about $395 for a journey of 959 miles.

Plane

Although Tuscaloosa doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Birmingham (BHM), which is located 53 miles from Tuscaloosa. Montgomery Dannelly Field is the most popular, with regular flights from American Airlines, Gulf Air, Qantas Airways and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Tuscaloosa departs from Nashville and takes around 1h.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Tuscaloosa. The train journey from Tuscaloosa to Alexandria takes 18h 56m and costs around $174 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Baltimore, expect to pay about $185 for a 20h 38m 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 187 miles 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 Tornado Bus, Greyhound and FlixBus. From Dallas, the bus ride to Tuscaloosa takes 644 miles and will cost you around $180. From Houston, the ticket costs about $395 for a journey of 959 miles.

Airports near Tuscaloosa

MGMMontgomery Dannelly Field
GTRColumbus Golden Triangle Reg.
BHMBirmingham

Airlines serving Tuscaloosa

KLM
Good (1,410 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,572 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,008 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,517 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,017 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,011 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,661 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,408 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,487 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,444 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,575 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,335 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (11,282 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (1,875 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (1,004 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (1,610 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (1,163 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (1,370 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (1,668 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (1,565 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 $461 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Tuscaloosa are about 358% 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, 1087 reviews)
$71+
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Hotel Indigo Tuscaloosa Downtown By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 585 reviews)
$103+
View
Embassy Suites by Hilton Tuscaloosa Alabama Downtown
4 stars
Excellent (8.8, 433 reviews)
$151+
View
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tuscaloosa East By IHG
2 stars
Excellent (8.9, 115 reviews)
$98+
View
Wingate by Wyndham Tuscaloosa
3 stars
Excellent (8.2, 1189 reviews)
$63+
View
Best Western Catalina Inn
2 stars
Good (7.5, 256 reviews)
$93+
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

$34/day

Intermediate
Find car rentals in Tuscaloosa