Ways to Get Around
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
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 Alabama's Beaches, 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; they're transportation-friendly, too! Our area offers many ways to get around, allowing you to explore our beloved destination without stress or even a vehicle.
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 nearby airports provide easy access from anywhere in the world
By Car
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.
Beginning May 2026, travelers can take the newly constructed Intracoastal Waterway Bridge. This Southbound bridge and a new connector road to SR-161 will provide drivers a new route to reach Alabama's Beaches. Once the new bridge is open, the existing Beach Express bridge by the Wharf will be northbound traffic only.
By Air
By Air
Visitors can now fly directly into our destination with a nonstop flight to Gulf Shores International Airport. Once you arrive, you can rent a car through Hertz or Turo at the airport.
Mobile Regional Airport and Pensacola International Airport are also each a short drive from our beaches, and both offer daily 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 beach destination is relatively small (only 32 miles of coastline), and getting from one place to another can be a walk in the park. With some simple planning, you can reserve a ride that transports you easily across our shores.
Car Rentals
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
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 visitors.
Ridesharing
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 on Alabama's Beaches. 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.
Biking
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.
Alabama's Beaches
These blogs are written by the destination experts at Alabama's Beaches. From the best restaurants and hidden gems to tips and tricks for making the most of your stay, our knowledgable team has the lowdown on our area.
