Most students choose to arrive in Alabama through the Birmingham Airport (BHM), which is the closest airport to Tuscaloosa and The University of Alabama (one hour by car). There are two types of pick-up services from the Birmingham Airport:

Airport Service
Tuscaloosa has a transportation service to and from the Birmingham (BHM) or Atlanta (ATL) airport.

The companies below offer transportation to and from the Birmingham or Atlanta Airports:

Crown Transportation: (205) 758-3875
All airport rides may be booked online or by phone.
Groome Transportation: (205) 719-0469
All airport rides may be booked online or by phone.
Prestige Limousine: (205) 333-9879
All airport rides may be booked online or by phone.

Taxi Service from Birmingham to Tuscaloosa

Although it is more expensive than the shuttle service, taxi service is also available from the Birmingham Airport to Tuscaloosa. The cost is approximately $100-120 (plus tip). Taxis are normally waiting outside the baggage claim area of the airport. You should ask the driver for the price and agree to the price before you get in the taxi.

Uber Airport Shuttle:
All airport rides may be booked online or by phone.
Lyft Birmingham Airport

If you are an ELI student and a problems occur while traveling and your arrival time changes, please call the ELI office at (205) 348-7413 as soon as possible. If the office is closed, call the ELI cell phone at (205) 454-8066. A card with the ELI phone number is enclosed with your arrival information; please keep this card with you as you travel.

If you need to stay in Birmingham overnight, you may wish to stay at one of the following hotels located near the airport. Both of these hotels provide free transportation to and from the Birmingham Airport. There are free courtesy telephones located near the baggage claim area so that you can call the hotel to ask for the free shuttle service.

Birmingham Hotels
Holiday Inn Airport/Birmingham
5000 10th Avenue, North
Birmingham, Alabama 35212
Phone: (205) 591-6900
Cost: Approximately $100

The Ramada Inn Airport Hotel
Airport Highway
Birmingham, Alabama 35212
Phone: (205) 591-7900
Cost: Approximately $100

Tuscaloosa Hotel
Hotel Capstone in Tuscaloosa
Some ELI students stay at the Hotel Capstone for 1 or 2 nights when they first arrive in Tuscaloosa. The Hotel Capstone is next to The University of Alabama campus.

Comfort Inn & Suites
The Comfort Inn & Suites is located in downtown Tuscaloosa a few blocks from the university. Some ELI students stay at the Comfort Inn & Suites for 1 or 2 nights when they first arrive in Tuscaloosa.

Students can easily move around campus by walking, riding a bicycle or taking one of the free campus buses.

Public transportation is available within the city of Tuscaloosa. Walking is also very common; for example, it takes 30 minutes to walk downtown from the UA campus. There is also a City Walk where people can walk and ride bikes.

Airport Service
Tuscaloosa has transportation services to and from the Birmingham airport.

The companies below offer transportation to and from the Birmingham or Atlanta Airports:

Crown Transportation: (205) 758-3875
All airport rides may be booked online or by phone.
Groome Transportation: (205) 719-0469
All airport rides may be booked online or by phone.
Prestige Limousine: (205) 333-9879
All airport rides may be booked online or by phone.

There are also train and bus services from Tuscaloosa.

Bus Service

Greyhound Bus: (205) 758-6651

Train Service

Amtrak: (800) 872-7245