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, 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 10m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Tuscaloosa. The train journey from Tuscaloosa to Baltimore takes 20h 31m and costs around $185 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New York, expect to pay about $197 for a 23h 45m 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 Ace and Turo, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Tuscaloosa, including Greyhound, FlixBus and Tornado Bus. From Atlanta, the bus ride to Tuscaloosa takes 233 km and will cost you around $50. From Chicago, the ticket costs about $209 for a journey of 1440 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 10m.

Train

Amtrak is the only carrier operating train routes to Tuscaloosa. The train journey from Tuscaloosa to Baltimore takes 20h 31m and costs around $185 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from New York, expect to pay about $197 for a 23h 45m 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 Ace and Turo, among others, in Atlanta.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Tuscaloosa, including Greyhound, FlixBus and Tornado Bus. From Atlanta, the bus ride to Tuscaloosa takes 233 km and will cost you around $50. From Chicago, the ticket costs about $209 for a journey of 1440 km.

Airports near Tuscaloosa

MGMMontgomery Dannelly Field
GTRColumbus Golden Triangle Reg.
BHMBirmingham

Airlines serving Tuscaloosa

Lufthansa
Good (7,986 reviews)
KLM
Good (1,513 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,969 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,451 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,214 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,585 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,698 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,571 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,728 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,772 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (11,016 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,393 reviews)
Alaska Airlines
Good (12,353 reviews)
Aer Lingus
Good (1,551 reviews)
LATAM Airlines
Good (1,917 reviews)
ANA
Excellent (1,208 reviews)
Japan Airlines
Excellent (1,817 reviews)
Korean Air
Excellent (1,217 reviews)
Aeromexico
Good (1,515 reviews)
Copa Airlines
Good (1,584 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 $44 to $456 per night. Downtown is the neighborhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, vacation rentals in Tuscaloosa are about 294% 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 By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.9, 608 reviews)
$117+
View
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tuscaloosa East By IHG
2 stars
Excellent (9, 121 reviews)
$99+
View
La Quinta Inn & Suites By Wyndham Tuscaloosa University
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, 1252 reviews)
$80+
View
Ambassador Inn and Suites Tuscaloosa
2 stars
Excellent (8.3, 662 reviews)
$66+
View
Wingate by Wyndham Tuscaloosa
3 stars
Excellent (8.1, 1238 reviews)
$62+
View
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Tuscaloosa East
2 stars
Good (7.7, 268 reviews)
$54+
View

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa costs $62 per day, on average, or $124 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 1% cheaper than airport locations in Tuscaloosa.

Expect to pay $4.77 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 $57.24 and $76.31. 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 Intermediate rental cars (Mazda Mazda3 or similar) are, on average, 65% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Renting a car in Tuscaloosa costs $62 per day, on average, or $124 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 1% cheaper than airport locations in Tuscaloosa.

Expect to pay $4.77 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 $57.24 and $76.31. 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 Intermediate rental cars (Mazda Mazda3 or similar) are, on average, 65% cheaper than other rental car types in the city.

Best car rental deals in Tuscaloosa

Economy

2 Adults, 2 Bags

$39/day

Economy

Compact

4 Adults, 2 Bags

$41/day

Compact
Find car rentals in Tuscaloosa