Budget Car Hire
Alabama

The Budget Car Rental counter is conveniently located within the airport’s consolidated Rental Car Facility. This facility houses multiple rental agencies in one place, making it a streamlined experience for travellers. After collecting your luggage, follow the airport signs for “Rental Cars”. The building is adjacent to the main terminal, just a short walk away, so there is no need for a shuttle bus.

Finding your way is very straightforward. Once you have your bags from the lower-level baggage reclaim, look for the overhead signs that read “Rental Cars”. Follow these signs; they will lead you out of the terminal and along a covered walkway directly to the entrance of the Rental Car Facility. The Budget counter will be clearly visible among the other agencies as soon as you enter the building.

Budget operates from a separate, consolidated Rental Car Facility at BHM, not inside the main terminal building. However, this facility is conveniently connected to the terminal via a covered walkway, making access quick and easy. You can walk from baggage reclaim to the Budget counter in just a few minutes without being exposed to the weather. The rental vehicles are also parked in an attached multi-storey car park, providing a seamless transition from the counter to your car.

For late-night arrivals, the process remains convenient, as the rental car centre is typically staffed to accommodate the last scheduled flights. The facility and car park are well lit, ensuring a safe environment for locating your vehicle. It’s always good practice to include your flight number in your reservation so staff are aware of any delays. Once you have your keys, clear signage will guide you from the car park to the main airport exit to begin your journey.

While times can vary, a reasonable estimate for a smooth process on a typical weekday afternoon is around 30 to 45 minutes. This accounts for disembarking, walking to baggage reclaim, waiting for your luggage, and the short walk to the rental car facility. The transaction at the Budget counter is usually efficient, and from there it’s just a matter of locating your vehicle in the adjacent car park. Planning for this timeframe helps ensure a relaxed start to your trip.

A great meeting spot is the baggage reclaim area for the last arriving flight. This allows everyone to gather their luggage in one place before heading over to the rental counter together. Alternatively, the main seating area just inside the entrance of the Rental Car Facility is another excellent option. This spot allows the designated driver to handle the paperwork while the rest of the group waits comfortably with the luggage.

Your rental agreement will be your primary guide to finding your vehicle efficiently. It will clearly state the specific bay number or row where your car is located. The car park at the BHM Rental Car Facility is well organised with clear, easy-to-read signage for rows and sections. Simply match the information on your rental agreement to the signs in the car park to locate your car quickly.

The safest and most practical place to get organised is within the rental car car park itself, before you exit. Find an empty, out-of-the-way parking bay and pull in for a few minutes. This allows you to set your GPS, adjust your mirrors, and arrange your belongings in a calm environment without the pressure of moving traffic. Once you exit the car park, you will be directed onto airport roads that merge quickly with the interstate.

The most common point of confusion for visitors leaving BHM is the immediate merge onto Interstate 20/59. The airport exit funnels you directly onto the motorway, so it’s crucial to know whether you need to head east or west beforehand. Having your navigation set up and running before you leave the rental car park is the best way to avoid a last-second, stressful lane change. Pay close attention to the overhead signs for I-20 W/I-59 S towards Downtown/Tuscaloosa or I-20 E/I-59 N towards Atlanta.

The drive to downtown Birmingham is quite direct and easy to navigate. From the airport, follow signs for Interstate 20 West/59 South. This single interstate takes you directly towards the city centre. Then take one of the downtown exits, such as the 22nd Street exit (Exit 125), which provides straightforward access to the main hotel and business district. The entire drive is typically under 15 minutes without heavy traffic.

To get to Homewood, take I-20 W/I-59 S from the airport and merge onto US-31 S/US-280 E via Exit 126A. Follow signs for US-31 South, which takes you directly into the heart of Homewood. This route is a mix of motorway and surface streets but is generally easy to follow with GPS. One of the benefits of staying in Homewood is that most hotels in the area offer ample complimentary on-site parking, making it a convenient choice for travellers with a rental car.

The drive to the UAB campus and hospital district is very similar to going downtown. You’ll take I-20 W/I-59 S and exit onto surface streets that lead directly into the university area. The campus is sprawling, so it’s best to know the specific address or building you’re heading to. Parking in this dense area is almost exclusively paid parking decks and garages. Plan to use one of these facilities, as on-street parking is scarce and often reserved for permit holders.

For a trip to Railroad Park, take I-20 W/I-59 S from the airport towards downtown. You can use Exit 124A for 17th Street North, which will lead you south towards the park. Railroad Park is located along 1st Avenue South. Visitors typically find ample metered on-street parking on the surrounding blocks, especially on weekdays. There are also several paid surface car parks nearby if street parking is full.

The most convenient option for visiting the Civil Rights District is the parking deck located directly opposite the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute on 16th Street North. This provides secure, centralised parking for the entire district, including the 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park. In addition, there is metered on-street parking throughout the area, which is a good option for shorter visits. Be sure to note the time limits on the meters.

Visiting the Birmingham Museum of Art by car is very manageable. Located in the heart of downtown, the museum has its own dedicated public car park accessible from Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard. This is the most convenient option and is often free for museum visitors. If this car park is full, there is plenty of metered on-street parking on the surrounding streets, as well as several paid public parking garages within a short walk.

When heading to a game at Regions Field, it’s wise to arrive early to secure good parking. Several large paid car parks and garages are located around the ballpark, with clear signage directing you as you get close. Post-game traffic can be heavy as everyone leaves at once, so expect some delays exiting the car parks and navigating nearby streets. A good strategy is to relax after the game for a bit or plan a route that avoids the main thoroughfares immediately.

Five Points South is a vibrant entertainment district where parking can be competitive during peak evening hours. The best strategy is to look for one of the several paid surface car parks just off the main intersection. While on-street parking is available, it fills up quickly. Arriving a little before your dinner reservation can make finding a space much easier. Once parked, the area is very walkable, allowing you to explore its many restaurants and bars on foot.

The Avondale neighbourhood is perfect for a ‘park once’ approach. The main commercial area along 41st Street South has a good amount of free on-street parking. The most practical plan is to find a space anywhere in this central area and then walk to the various breweries, restaurants, and music venues. The district is compact and pedestrian-friendly, so you won’t need to move your car once you’ve found a spot for the evening.

Downtown Birmingham features a grid of one-way streets and numerous turn-only lanes, which can be tricky for first-time visitors. While your phone’s GPS is essential, it can sometimes lag, causing you to miss a turn. The best advice is to review your route briefly before you set off and pay close attention to road signs. Look out for “One Way” and “Do Not Enter” signs, and be prepared for your GPS to recalculate if you miss a turn.

Weekday rush hour in Birmingham generally runs from about 7:30–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:00 PM. Leaving the airport during the afternoon rush, you’ll find traffic heading south and west on the I-59/I-20 and I-65 corridors slows down considerably. The interchange where these motorways meet, known locally as ‘Malfunction Junction’, is a primary bottleneck. If your flight lands during these times, it’s wise to budget extra time for your drive into the city or out to suburban areas.

Visitors to Birmingham often notice that local drivers tend to be courteous but also move at a confident pace, especially on the interstates. Merging can happen quickly, so it’s important to be decisive and maintain your speed. In the city, be aware that some drivers may make sudden stops or turns with little warning. The key is to stay alert, leave a safe following distance, and trust your navigation while also paying close attention to the flow of traffic around you.

Visiting Vulcan Park and Museum by car is a very low-stress experience. The route to the park is well signed as you approach on surface streets such as Valley Avenue. The road winds up Red Mountain to the entrance, where you’ll find a large free car park right at the base of the statue and museum. There are no complicated parking rules or fees, making it easy to park your rental car and enjoy the panoramic city views.

Accessing Red Mountain Park is straightforward, with the main entrance just off Lakeshore Parkway. The park has a large paved car park near the main trailhead and visitor centre. On beautiful weekend days, this car park can become quite full, so arriving earlier in the morning is a good strategy to ensure you get a space. The access roads are well maintained, so any type of rental vehicle will be suitable for the trip.

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark is conveniently located just east of downtown Birmingham and is easily accessible from the interstate. The entrance is clearly marked, leading you directly to the site. One of the best features for drivers is the vast free on-site car park. Even during popular events or busy tourist days, there is typically more than enough space for all visitors, so parking your rental car is rarely a concern.

A day trip to Oak Mountain State Park is an easy drive south from Birmingham, primarily via Interstate 65. After leaving the motorway, well-marked roads take you to the park entrance. There is a per-person entry fee to access the park. Inside, you’ll find numerous designated car parks near popular attractions like the beach, trailheads, and the farm. Parking is included with your entry fee and is generally plentiful, though prime spaces can fill up on sunny weekends.

The drive to Talladega Superspeedway is a simple, direct trip east on Interstate 20. The journey takes about an hour without traffic. As you approach the speedway, large signs will direct you to the appropriate entrance. On non-race days, parking for museum visits or tours is free and located right near the main entrance, making it incredibly easy. During race weekends, parking is a much larger, coordinated effort, so be sure to follow all specific event directions.

The drive to Huntsville is a straight run north on Interstate 65, taking about an hour and a half to two hours. A perfect, convenient halfway point for a break is the city of Cullman. Several Cullman exits offer a wide variety of petrol stations, fast-food chains, and sit-down restaurants right off the motorway. This makes it an ideal spot to refuel both your car and yourself without venturing far off your route.

The trip to Montgomery is an easy drive south on Interstate 65, typically taking about 90 minutes. Once you arrive in downtown Montgomery, you’ll find it quite visitor-friendly for parking. There are numerous public parking garages offering reasonable hourly or daily rates. In addition, metered on-street parking is widely available near key attractions like the state capitol and the Legacy Museum, providing convenient options for exploring the city’s historic sites.

Driving to Tuscaloosa from Birmingham on a game weekend requires significant planning. Expect very heavy traffic on Interstate 20/59 West, especially on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Once in Tuscaloosa, on-campus parking is almost entirely reserved, so your best bet is to find a paid spot in a private lot or yard away from the stadium and be prepared for a considerable walk. Arrive several hours before kick-off and plan for a slow exit after the game.

The main interchange that requires a driver’s full attention is where I-65 meets I-20/I-59 near downtown, often called ‘Malfunction Junction’. This multi-level interchange has several lanes that split off for different directions. The key to navigating it successfully is to know your next major route well in advance and move into the correct lane early. Rely on your GPS but also watch the large overhead signs carefully to avoid a last-minute, difficult lane change.

During a heavy downpour, visibility can be significantly reduced on all major interstates, particularly I-65 and I-59/20, due to spray from lorries. The complex ‘Malfunction Junction’ interchange can be especially challenging in these conditions. Some low-lying surface streets in the downtown and Southside areas can also be prone to temporary flooding or large puddles. Best practice is to reduce your speed, increase your following distance, and use your headlights to remain visible to others.

While Birmingham does not get significant snowfall, the primary winter driving hazard is ice, especially ‘black ice’ that forms overnight. Out-of-state drivers are often surprised by how quickly bridges and flyovers can freeze, even when other road surfaces seem fine. Areas with elevated roadways, like the interchanges for I-65, US-280, and I-459, require extra caution during cold snaps. It’s always wise to drive more slowly and avoid sudden braking in these conditions.

A compact or mid-size saloon is often the ideal choice for navigating Birmingham. This vehicle size is comfortable and stable for driving on the area’s extensive interstate system. At the same time, it remains nimble enough to handle downtown’s one-way streets and fit into the sometimes tight spaces found in parking garages and on-street bays. This balance provides the most versatility for a typical visitor’s itinerary.

If you’re travelling with several large suitcases, a mid-size or full-size SUV will likely be your best option. Before leaving the car park, open the rear hatch to visually check the cargo area, ensuring it has the depth and height you need. For saloons, a deep, more square-shaped boot is more practical than a shallow, long one. Taking a moment to confirm your luggage fits comfortably without obstructing your rear view is a smart step before starting your trip.

The best place to install car seats is in a quiet corner of the rental car car park before you leave. After you’ve located your assigned vehicle, you can often find an empty, out-of-the-way parking bay nearby. This provides a safe, controlled environment away from moving traffic where you can take your time to secure the seats correctly and get your children settled without feeling rushed.

Before you exit the rental lot, it’s wise to do a quick two-minute check of the vehicle’s essential functions. Turn on the headlights and walk around the car to ensure they all work. Test the windscreen wipers and washer fluid. Glance at the dashboard to make sure there are no warning lights, such as low tyre pressure. Finally, plug your phone cable into the USB or power port to confirm it works for navigation and charging.

For a convenient stop right after leaving the airport, head towards the Eastwood shopping district. It’s a short drive from BHM, typically reached by taking I-20 East for just one or two exits. This area features major grocery stores, supercentres, and restaurants, all with large, easy-to-navigate car parks. This lets you get your supplies without immediately getting tangled in complex city traffic after collecting your car.

You’ll find several fuel stations conveniently located along Messer Airport Highway, the main road leading directly to and from the airport terminal. These stations are on both sides of the road and are designed for easy entry and exit for travellers. Refuelling at one of these locations on your way back to BHM allows for a stress-free return, as you’re only a minute or two from the rental car return entrance.

As you drive towards the airport on Messer Airport Highway, stay in the left or middle lanes. You’ll see large, clear overhead signs differentiating between “All Terminals” and “Rental Car Return”. Follow the specific signs for “Rental Car Return”. This will guide you to a dedicated entrance for the return garage, keeping you separate from the busier traffic loops for passenger drop-off and pick-up.

The process is designed to be simple and intuitive. After you’ve dropped off your vehicle and keys in the rental car garage, you’ll see clear signs directing you towards the main terminal. Follow these signs, which will take you back through the same covered walkway you used on arrival. Once inside the terminal building, you’ll be on the lower level; simply take an escalator or lift up to the upper level for all airline ticketing and check-in counters.