Where to stay and how to get around

Where to stay

Most visitors rent a condo or beach house. Book through a licensed rental company or the property's own site, read the cancellation and hurricane policy before you pay, and never wire money to a stranger.

• Island-wide

  Condos, beach houses, hotels and resorts (opens in a new tab)

  The tourism bureau's lodging search covers Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Fort Morgan, with filters for property type and pet-friendly stays.

  Source: gulfshores.com

• Island-wide

  Lodging questions (opens in a new tab)

  The bureau's FAQ on booking, minimum stays and policies.

  Source: gulfshores.com

• Gulf Shores

  Stay inside Gulf State Park (opens in a new tab)

  Options include The Lodge at Gulf State Park (a 350-room Hilton), cabins and cottages on Lake Shelby, a 496-site full-hookup campground, and The Outpost hike-in camp.

  Source: gulfshores.com + 3 more

• Island-wide

  Welcome centers (opens in a new tab)

  The tourism bureau runs welcome centers in both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for maps, brochures and local advice.

  Source: gulfshores.com

Getting here

• Island-wide

  By car (opens in a new tab)

  From I-10, take Hwy. 59 (exit 44) through Foley, or the toll-free Baldwin Beach Express (exit 49) into Orange Beach at Canal Road. A southbound-only bridge opened in mid-May 2026; the southern Foley Beach Express by The Wharf is now northbound-only.

  Source: gulfshores.com

• Gulf Shores

  Gulf Shores International Airport (opens in a new tab)

  Nonstop Allegiant flights land a few miles north of the beach, per the tourism bureau, which notes many flights are seasonal. Arrange a shuttle, taxi, rideshare or rental car in advance.

  Source: gulfshores.com

• Baldwin County

  Pensacola International Airport (PNS) (opens in a new tab)

  About an hour away, per the tourism bureau. The airport lists seven airlines and 28 nonstop destinations.

  Source: gulfshores.com + 1 more

• Baldwin County

  Mobile airports (MOB and BFM) (opens in a new tab)

  Commercial service in Mobile is moving from Mobile Regional (MOB) to the new Mobile International Airport (BFM) terminal at Brookley. The airport authority said in July 2025 that the terminal would open in fall 2026, with Delta, United and American moving there. Check your boarding pass for which airport you're using.

  Source: mobileairportauthority.com + 1 more

• Fort Morgan

  Mobile Bay Ferry (opens in a new tab)

  Car ferry between Dauphin Island and Fort Morgan. Departures vary by season.

  Source: gulfshores.com + 1 more

Getting around

• Island-wide

  Taxis, shuttles and rideshare (opens in a new tab)

  Uber and Lyft operate in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and the tourism bureau lists local taxi and shuttle companies. We did not find a public beach trolley listed by either city or the tourism bureau; big festivals sometimes run their own park-and-ride shuttles.

  Source: gulfshores.com + 1 more

• Baldwin County

  BRATS (Baldwin Regional Area Transit System) (opens in a new tab)

  Baldwin County's public transit service. During Isaias it is offering rides to shelters while roads are safe: 251-972-6817.

  Source: baldwincountyal.gov + 1 more

• Island-wide

  Bikes and the trail (opens in a new tab)

  Gulf State Park's Bloom Bike Share has about 50 bikes at stations around the park, with the first three hours free; outfitters rent e-bikes. The Backcountry Trail connects Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

  Source: gulfshores.com + 1 more

• Island-wide

  Beach parking (opens in a new tab)

  Gulf Shores city lots are paid by the hour through ParkMobile; Gulf State Park accesses in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach charge a daily rate. Details and rules are on our Beaches page.

  Source: gulfshoresal.gov + 2 more

• Orange Beach

  Boating: no-wake zones (opens in a new tab)

  Orange Beach publishes maps of its no-wake zones.

  Source: orangebeachal.gov