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
$100
1 night at 3-star hotel
Tuscaloosa in January
Estimated hotel price
$100
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 Fort Lauderdale and takes around 2h 03m.

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 Winter Park, expect to pay about $190 for a 42h 38m trip. The train station in Tuscaloosa is called Tuscaloosa, and is located 2.0 km 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 Turo, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Tuscaloosa using Greyhound or FlixBus. From Chicago, the bus ride to Tuscaloosa takes 1440 km and will cost you around $216. From North Miami Beach, the ticket costs about $239 for a journey of 1931 km.

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 Fort Lauderdale and takes around 2h 03m.

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 Winter Park, expect to pay about $190 for a 42h 38m trip. The train station in Tuscaloosa is called Tuscaloosa, and is located 2.0 km 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 Turo, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Tuscaloosa using Greyhound or FlixBus. From Chicago, the bus ride to Tuscaloosa takes 1440 km and will cost you around $216. From North Miami Beach, the ticket costs about $239 for a journey of 1931 km.

Airports near Tuscaloosa

MGMMontgomery Dannelly Field
GTRColumbus Golden Triangle Reg.
BHMBirmingham

Airlines serving Tuscaloosa

KLM
Good (1,473 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,858 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,800 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,288 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,138 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,546 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,435 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,543 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,736 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,719 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,813 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,373 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Good (12,062 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (1,477 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (1,129 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (1,202 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (1,914 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (1,740 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (1,564 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (1,571 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 Surestay Hotel By Best Western Tuscaloosa. There are also lots of vacation rental options in Tuscaloosa, with prices from $47 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 273% 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 (9.2, 120 reviews)
$106+
View
La Quinta Inn & Suites By Wyndham Tuscaloosa University
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, 1147 reviews)
$75+
View
Rodeway Inn Tuscaloosa near University
2 stars
Excellent (8.4, 773 reviews)
$63+
View
Ambassador Inn & Suites Tuscaloosa University I-20
3 stars
Excellent (8.3, 642 reviews)
$62+
View
Wingate by Wyndham Tuscaloosa
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1215 reviews)
$73+
View
Ramada by Wyndham Tuscaloosa
2 stars
Excellent (8.1, 724 reviews)
$62+
View

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa costs $65 per day, on average, or $130 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, 14% more expensive than at Birmingham.

Expect to pay $3.82 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 $45.88 and $61.17. The most frequently booked car type in Tuscaloosa is Compact (Jeep Compass or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Mitsubishi Mirage or similar) are, on average, 51% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa costs $65 per day, on average, or $130 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, 14% more expensive than at Birmingham.

Expect to pay $3.82 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 $45.88 and $61.17. The most frequently booked car type in Tuscaloosa is Compact (Jeep Compass or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy rental cars (Mitsubishi Mirage or similar) are, on average, 51% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Tuscaloosa

Intermediate

5 Adults, 3 Bags

$38/day

Intermediate

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$38/day

Economy
Find car rentals in Tuscaloosa