Ways to Get Around

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Transportation can be one of the trickiest parts of planning a trip.

April 3, 2023

If you aren’t driving to our beautiful beaches, you’ll need a way to get from place to place, or you’ll risk missing out on anything not within walking distance of your accommodations. In a place as picture-perfect as the Alabama Gulf Coast, that’s a risk you just can’t take!

Luckily, you don’t have to. Gulf Shores and Orange Beach aren’t just tourist-friendly; we’re transportation-friendly, too! Our area offers many ways to get around, allowing you to explore our beloved destination without stress.

But First — How to Get Here

First-timers find that getting to our coastal community is easier than they thought. Our prime location on the Alabama Gulf Coast is within a day’s drive of many major U.S. cities in the Southeast, and two nearby airports provide easy access from anywhere in the world.

By car: Travelers arriving by car have two options for reaching the beach, Alabama Highway 59 or the Baldwin Beach Express. Both highways are accessible from I-10 and offer direct commutes to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. You’ll find fewer traffic lights on the Baldwin Beach Express, which allows drivers to bypass towns and cities along the drive.

By air: Mobile Regional Airport and Pensacola International Airport are each a short drive from our beaches, and both offer daily nonstop flights on several major airlines. Several shuttle services can get you from the airport to your vacation rental. Some of the biggest car rental companies offer rentals at both locations upon your arrival.

Getting Around the Area

Once you’ve arrived, you’ll want to experience the many attractions and sights Gulf Shores and Orange Beach offer. Luckily, our big beach destination is relatively small, and getting from one place to another can be a walk in the park, depending on the season you visit. With some simple planning, you can reserve a ride that transports you easily across our shores.

Ridesharing

If you don’t want the expense of a rental car, ridesharing is an alternative way to travel around the area that’s safe and affordable. Uber and Lyft operate in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. To use their services, download the company’s app and request a ride to your desired destination. A driver will pick you up right outside your accommodations and take you where you want to go.

Car Rentals

If you want to cruise with control throughout your beach vacation, renting a car may be a good choice. While renting a vehicle has a higher up-front cost than other transportation options, it gives you the freedom to come and go as you please and explore the area at your own pace. You can reserve a rental car at either airport or one of several locations along Highway 59 in Foley. Be sure to book a rental in advance.

Taxis & Shuttles

Several local taxi and shuttle companies will transport you across the area for an affordable fee. Companies like Coast Cab offer rides for up to 14 people to any local destination, all from the convenience of an interactive app. Most companies even have local drivers who love to share their favorite spots in the area with friendly visitors!

Biking

Biking is a fun way to get around our destination if you prefer to ride at your own speed. There are seven miles between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, many of them meandering through the scenic trails of Gulf State Park. If you want to traverse the park, grab a bike from the free bike-sharing program and hit the trails. There are also roadside paths and sidewalks throughout the area. Even the main beach boulevard is lined with biking lanes, offering easy access to shops, restaurants, attractions, and beach access points. You’ll have no trouble reserving your ride, thanks to various bike rental companies across the area.