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.

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Where to Eat in Tuscaloosa

If you’re looking for affordable options, Dillard's Chophouse (2330 4th St) and Forte (2321 6th St) are great picks. For delicious green meals, SoCal Cantina (2310 University Blvd) and Side by Side Kitchen & Cocktails (2410 University Blvd) are recommended spots to get vegetarian or vegan food in Tuscaloosa.

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, Air France, Aeromexico and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Tuscaloosa departs from Fort Lauderdale and takes around 1h 45m.

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 00m 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 Turo, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Tuscaloosa using Tornado Bus or Greyhound. From Dallas, the bus ride to Tuscaloosa takes 644 miles and will cost you around $185. From St. Louis, the ticket costs about $92 for a journey of 790 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, Air France, Aeromexico and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Tuscaloosa departs from Fort Lauderdale and takes around 1h 45m.

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 00m 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 Turo, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Tuscaloosa using Tornado Bus or Greyhound. From Dallas, the bus ride to Tuscaloosa takes 644 miles and will cost you around $185. From St. Louis, the ticket costs about $92 for a journey of 790 miles.

Airports near Tuscaloosa

MGMMontgomery Dannelly Field
GTRColumbus Golden Triangle Reg.
BHMBirmingham

Airlines serving Tuscaloosa

Lufthansa
Good (7,046 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,334 reviews)
British Airways
Good (6,844 reviews)
Delta
Excellent (7,933 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,701 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,446 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,697 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,216 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,563 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (9,251 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,349 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,275 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (9,972 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (1,076 reviews)
Spirit Airlines
Good (7,963 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (852 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (1,464 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (1,069 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (1,767 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (1,698 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Tuscaloosa

Where to stay in Tuscaloosa

If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Fairfield Inn by Marriott Tuscaloosa and TownePlace Suites by Marriott Tuscaloosa University Area. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Tuscaloosa, with prices from $54 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 329% 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
Hotel Indigo Tuscaloosa Downtown
3 stars
Excellent (8.8, 560 reviews)
$155+
View
Holiday Inn Express And Suites Tuscaloosa East Cottondale
2 stars
Excellent (8.9, 109 reviews)
$114+
View
Embassy Suites by Hilton Tuscaloosa Alabama Downtown
4 stars
Excellent (8.7, 420 reviews)
$192+
View
Hotel Capstone
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 1021 reviews)
$144+
View
La Quinta Inn & Suites By Wyndham Tuscaloosa University
2 stars
Excellent (8.5, 985 reviews)
$90+
View
Wingate by Wyndham Tuscaloosa
2 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1072 reviews)
$85+
View

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa costs $72 per day, on average, or $143 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 8% more expensive than at Birmingham.

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. Compact (Nissan Kicks or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Tuscaloosa, while also 42% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa costs $72 per day, on average, or $143 if you want to rent if for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by renting your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 8% more expensive than at Birmingham.

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. Compact (Nissan Kicks or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Tuscaloosa, while also 42% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Tuscaloosa

Supplier choice

5 Adults, 5 Bags

$36/day

Supplier choice

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$38/day

Economy
Find car rentals in Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa Travel Guide - View the KAYAK Tuscaloosa city guide for the best Tuscaloosa travel tips. To help you organize your Tuscaloosa trip ideas, this Tuscaloosa visitors guide provides travel information and trip tips about how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more.