Find cheap flights to Mobile

You can get around Downtown Mobile on foot, and you should do so to get the best view of some of the city’s historic neighborhoods. When you tire of walking, you can hop on the Moda trolley, or ride the Wave buses. To see the sights outside of the city center, your best bet is to rent a car. Driving in the area is easy, if a bit busy during rush hour, and the roads are well marked.

Public Transportation

Geared towards visitors, the Moda is a free electric trolley serving the downtown area Monday through Friday from 7 am until 6 pm. The trolley connects shopping, restaurants, parks, bars and hotels. For further trips, Wave transit buses serve all of Mobile County with over 20 routes. A single ride fare is $1.25 USD and transfers are $0.10 USD. Children under 5 ride for free.

Taxis

Taxi services are available for Mobile AL transportation, but it may be difficult to hail one in the street, so you should call for service. Fares start at $3.00 USD, followed by $2.40 USD per mile, with a waiting charge of $19.00 USD per hour. Uber and Lyft services usually cost a little less, with prices varying depending on the time and the day.

No visa is required for domestic travelers within the U.S. For foreign nationals, please check the U.S. Department of State website.

Things to do and places of interest in Mobile, AL

Mobile is a historic city with many charming old homes, beautiful squares, fascinating museums and a vibrant cultural scene. Here are a few of the city’s top attractions.

• Mobile is home to the original Mardi Gras celebration, pre-dating the famed New Orleans spectacle. You can experience it at any time of the year at the Mobile Carnival Museum which highlights the history of Mardi Gras in Mobile. The museum boasts 14 galleries and 5 video presentations.
• Wander around Mobile’s 7 designated Historic Districts, each claiming its own unique character and architectural heritage. You can do a self-guided driving or walking tour to learn more about these interesting areas.
• Explore Mobile Bay which has several beaches, historic sites and wildlife refuges, such as the Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary.
• Take the children to the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center. This attraction offers interactive science exhibits and an IMAX theater to entertain and educate young minds. The permanent displays focus on physiology and biology, and offer a fun learning opportunity for kids.
• Take a self-guided tour of the Battleship USS Alabama which saw action in WW2. You can also view the Korean and Vietnam War Memorials and a submarine, fighter planes, and other military equipment at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.
• Visit the stunning Mobile Botanical Gardens, encompassing 100 acres of gardens including the Winter Garden, named as a Garden of Excellence by the International Camellia Society. You can also see one of the largest collections of azaleas on the Gulf Coast.

Tips and tricks for visiting Mobile, AL

Some say that Mobile is a family-friendly version of New Orleans, with similar history, architecture and racial issues. The city is extremely diverse and a melting pot of cultures, but there still exist some elements of segregation.

Tipping is customary in Mobile, and you should tip 15% – 20% in restaurants, unless the gratuity is already added to your bill. Only skip tipping if your service was terrible; the servers here often rely on tips to make ends meet.