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, 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, Gulf Air, Qantas Airways and other airlines departing from the United States. The shortest domestic flight to Tuscaloosa departs from Washington, D.C. and takes around 2h.

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 Greenville, expect to pay about $66 for a 8h 14m 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 Greyhound, FlixBus and Tornado Bus. From Chicago, the bus ride to Tuscaloosa takes 945 miles and will cost you around $88. From Houston, the ticket costs about $180 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 Washington, D.C. and takes around 2h.

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 Greenville, expect to pay about $66 for a 8h 14m 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 Greyhound, FlixBus and Tornado Bus. From Chicago, the bus ride to Tuscaloosa takes 945 miles and will cost you around $88. From Houston, the ticket costs about $180 for a journey of 959 miles.

Airports near Tuscaloosa

MGMMontgomery Dannelly Field
GTRColumbus Golden Triangle Reg.
BHMBirmingham

Airlines serving Tuscaloosa

Lufthansa
Good (7,407 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,385 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,360 reviews)
Delta
Good (7,953 reviews)
Iberia
Good (2,924 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (8,925 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,468 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,334 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,624 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,143 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,486 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Excellent (10,885 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,323 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (962 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (1,270 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (1,559 reviews)
Spirit Airlines
Good (8,016 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (1,847 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (1,139 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (1,696 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 Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tuscaloosa - Univ. of Alabama. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Tuscaloosa, with prices from $51 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 377% 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
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tuscaloosa East By IHG
2 stars
Excellent (9.1, 114 reviews)
$110+
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La Quinta Inn & Suites By Wyndham Tuscaloosa University
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 1058 reviews)
$96+
View
Hotel Indigo Tuscaloosa Downtown By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 579 reviews)
$116+
View
Hotel Capstone
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 1026 reviews)
$129+
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Wingate by Wyndham Tuscaloosa
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1158 reviews)
$82+
View
Best Western Catalina Inn
2 stars
Good (7.5, 255 reviews)
$107+
View

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa costs $56 per day, on average, or $113 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, 7% more expensive than at Birmingham.

Expect to pay $3.56 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 $42.70 and $56.93. Compact (Chevrolet Equinox or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Tuscaloosa, while also 44% cheaper than other types, on average.

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa costs $56 per day, on average, or $113 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, 7% more expensive than at Birmingham.

Expect to pay $3.56 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 $42.70 and $56.93. Compact (Chevrolet Equinox or similar) is the most popular car type to rent in Tuscaloosa, while also 44% cheaper than other types, on average.

Best car rental deals in Tuscaloosa

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$31/day

Economy

Compact

4 Adults, 2 Bags

$35/day

Compact
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.