Fetch your luggage, exit arrivals at Birmingham, AL Airport (BHM-Birmingham Intl.), and collect your rental car. Which one you hop into depends on what your travel itinerary looks like. If you’ll be mainly driving in downtown Birmingham, around 4 miles from the terminal, opt for something small. A compact car with good handling will suit those bustling city streets. But with a smorgasbord of things to see, like the stunning sandy shores of the surrounding area, there’s a good chance you’ll rack up those miles. A larger vehicle, like an SUV or a full-size car, will make lengthier road trips a pleasure.