Getting There
Air
The Nashville metropolitan area is serviced by Nashville International Airport (BNA) and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA). Nashville International Airport (BNA) +1 615 275 1675 http://www.flynashville.com/
Nashville International Airport is located 8 miles/12.8 km east of downtown Nashville.
Air Canada (+1-888 247 2262 / http://www.aircanada.ca) American Airlines (+1 800 433 7300 / http://www.aa.com) Continental (+1 800 523 3273 / http://www.continental.com) Delta (+1 800 221 1212 / http://www.delta.com) Southwest (+1 800 435 9792 / http://www.southwest.com) United (+1 800 241 6522 / http://www.ual.com) US Airways (+1 800 428 4322 / http://www.usairways.com)
For a complete list of airlines visit http://www.flynashville.com/airlines/default.aspx
Airport Map & Information: http://www.airguideonline.com/airports/airport_bna.htm
Airport Services: http://www.airguideonline.com/airports/airport_bna2.htm
Airport Transportation: http://www.airguideonline.com/airports/airport_bna3.htm
From the Airport
Car Rental: Alamo (+1 800 327 9633 / http://www.alamo.com) Avis (+1 800 831 2847 / http://www.avis.com) Budget (+1 800 527 0700 / http://www.budget.com) Dollar (+1 800 4000 / http://www.dollar.com) Enterprise (+1 800 325 8007 / http://www.enterprise.com) Hertz (+1 800 654 3131 / http://www.hertz.com National (+1 800 227 7368 / http://www.nationalcar.com) Thrifty (+1 800 367 2277 / http://www.thrifty.com)
Taxi: Checker Cab +1 615 256 7000 American Music City Taxi +1 615 262 0451 Diamond Cab Service +1 615 254 6596
A cab ride from the airport to downtown should cost around USD25, not including tip or tax. At certain times a surcharge may be applicable.
Ride Shares: Anytime Transport +1 615 217 7433 http:// www.anytimetransport.com Anytime Transport provides shuttle service between Nashville International Airport and Clarksville, Tennessee.
Nashville Express Shuttle +1 615 335 6479 http://www.nashvilleexpressshuttle.com/ Express Shuttle travels from Nashville International Airport to downtown Nashville and the West End .
Gray Line Airport Express +1 615 883 5555 http://www.graylinenashville.com Gray Line provides shuttle service to hotels downtown and in the West End every 15-20 minutes from 5am-11pm daily.
Bus Service: Greyhound +1 800 231 2222 http://www.greyhound.com Greyhound operates nine daily trips to/from the Airport. Four of the departures offer service to Knoxville, and three to Clarksville/Fort Campbell. Greyhound also services Nashville from Nationwide locations.
Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) +1 615 862 5950 http://www.nashvillemta.org The MTA's route 18 Airport/Elm hill line runs on an hourly basis daily. One ride costs USD1.35
Highway
Access Nashville on Rt. 40, Rt. 65, and Rt. 431.
Getting Around
Bus
The Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) services the Nashville area with many local bus stops. (+1 615 862 5950 / www.nashvillemta.org)
Car
The most convenient way to get around Nashville is by car, whether you bring your own or rent one. The lack of extensive public transportation and sprawling layout of the city make it more difficult to get around on foot.
To find out city traffic information go to http://www.traffic.com
By Public Transportation
By Bus -- Although Nashville is served by the extensive and efficient Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) bus system, it is generally not practical for tourists. Call the Customer Service Center (tel. 615/862-5950), which is open Monday to Friday 6:30am until 6pm. The MTA information center and ticket booth, located on Deaderick Street at Fifth Avenue, is open Monday to Friday 6:30am to 6:30pm and on Saturday 8am to 1pm. MTA bus stops are marked with blue-and-white signs; in the downtown area, signs include names and numbers of all the routes using that stop. All express buses are marked with an X following the route number.
Adult bus fares are $1.25 ($1.75 for express buses); children under 4 ride free. Exact change is required. You can purchase a weekly pass good for unlimited local rides from Sunday to Saturday for $17 per adult or $10 per youth age 19 and under; a picture ID is required. Seniors and riders with disabilities qualify for a 60¢ fare with an MTA Golden Age, Medicare, Tennesenior, or Special Service card. Call tel. 615/862-5950 to register for this discount.
By Trolley -- For a quick way to get around downtown during weekdays, look for the LunchLINE shuttles. As a convenience to downtown workers, the Central Business Improvement District and Nashville Downtown Partnership offers a free trolley that loops through the heart of downtown weekdays from 11am to 1:30pm. Riders may hop on or off at any of the 15 stops. No tickets are required. Just look for the yellow LunchLINE signs.
The downtown route passes by many points of interest in downtown Nashville and is a good way to get acquainted with the city. For more information, look at this website: www.nashvilledowntown.com.
By Car
Because the city and its many attractions are quite spread out, the best way to get around Nashville is by car. It's surprisingly easy to find your way around the city and to find parking, even downtown. But bring plenty of cash. Parking can cost a few coins in the meter or upwards of $15 during special events. For helpful information, check out this website: www.parkitdowntown.com. The only time driving is a problem is during morning and evening rush hours. At these times, streets leading south and west out of downtown can get quite congested.
Rental Cars -- All the major rental-car companies and several independent ones have offices in Nashville. Fortunately, most of the companies have desks conveniently located on the lower level at the Nashville International Airport. Major car-rental companies in Nashville include Alamo Rent-A-Car, at the airport (tel. 800/327-9633 or 615/340-6546); Avis Rent-A-Car, at the airport (tel. 800/831-2847 or 615/361-1212); Budget Rent-A-Car, at 1816 Church St., 1525 N. Gallatin Pike, and the airport (tel. 800/763-2999 or 615/366-0822); Dollar Rent-A-Car, at the airport (tel. 800/800-4000 or 615/367-0503); Enterprise Rent-a-Car, at the airport (tel. 800/325-8007 or 615/275-0011); Hertz, at the airport (tel. 800/654-3131 or 615/361-3131); National Car Rental, at the airport (tel. 800/227-7368 or 615/361-7467); and Thrifty Car Rental, 1201 Briley Pkwy. at Vultee Boulevard, and at the airport (tel. 800/367-2277 or 615/361-6050).
Parking -- In downtown Nashville, there are a variety of parking lots, ranging from $6 to more than $10 per day. Drop your money into the self-service machine at the end of the parking lot. Downtown parking is also available in other municipal and private lots and parking garages.
When parking on the street, be sure to check the time limit on parking meters. Also be sure to check whether you can park in a parking space during rush hour (4-5:30pm) or your car may be ticketed and towed. On-street parking meters are free after 6pm on weekdays, after noon on Saturday, and all day Sunday. For more information, check out this new website: www.parkitdowntown.com.
Driving Rules -- A right turn at a red light is permitted after coming to a full stop, unless posted otherwise, but drivers must first yield to vehicles that have a green light or pedestrians in the walkway. Children under 4 years of age must be in children's car seats or other approved restraints when in the car.
Tennessee has a very strict DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) law, and has a law that states a person driving under the influence with a child under 12 years of age in the vehicle may be charged with a felony.
By Taxi
For quick cab service, call American Music City Taxi (tel. 615/262-0451), Checker Cab (tel. 615/256-7000), or Allied and Nashville Cab (tel. 615/244-7433). The flag-drop rate is $3; after that it's $2 per mile, plus $1 for each additional passenger.
On Foot
Downtown Nashville is the only area where you're likely to do much walking around. In this area, you can visit numerous attractions, do some shopping, have a good meal, and go to a club, all without having to get in your car. The suburban strips can't make that claim.
By Public Transportation
By Bus -- Although Nashville is served by the extensive and efficient Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) bus system, it is generally not practical for tourists. Call the Customer Service Center (tel. 615/862-5950), which is open Monday to Friday 6:30am until 6pm. The MTA information center and ticket booth, located on Deaderick Street at Fifth Avenue, is open Monday to Friday 6:30am to 6:30pm and on Saturday 8am to 1pm. MTA bus stops are marked with blue-and-white signs; in the downtown area, signs include names and numbers of all the routes using that stop. All express buses are marked with an X following the route number.
Adult bus fares are $1.25 ($1.75 for express buses); children under 4 ride free. Exact change is required. You can purchase a weekly pass good for unlimited local rides from Sunday to Saturday for $17 per adult or $10 per youth age 19 and under; a picture ID is required. Seniors and riders with disabilities qualify for a 60¢ fare with an MTA Golden Age, Medicare, Tennesenior, or Special Service card. Call tel. 615/862-5950 to register for this discount.
By Trolley -- For a quick way to get around downtown during weekdays, look for the LunchLINE shuttles. As a convenience to downtown workers, the Central Business Improvement District and Nashville Downtown Partnership offers a free trolley that loops through the heart of downtown weekdays from 11am to 1:30pm. Riders may hop on or off at any of the 15 stops. No tickets are required. Just look for the yellow LunchLINE signs.
The downtown route passes by many points of interest in downtown Nashville and is a good way to get acquainted with the city. For more information, look at this website: www.nashvilledowntown.com.
By Car
Because the city and its many attractions are quite spread out, the best way to get around Nashville is by car. It's surprisingly easy to find your way around the city and to find parking, even downtown. But bring plenty of cash. Parking can cost a few coins in the meter or upwards of $15 during special events. For helpful information, check out this website: www.parkitdowntown.com. The only time driving is a problem is during morning and evening rush hours. At these times, streets leading south and west out of downtown can get quite congested.
Rental Cars -- All the major rental-car companies and several independent ones have offices in Nashville. Fortunately, most of the companies have desks conveniently located on the lower level at the Nashville International Airport. Major car-rental companies in Nashville include Alamo Rent-A-Car, at the airport (tel. 800/327-9633 or 615/340-6546); Avis Rent-A-Car, at the airport (tel. 800/831-2847 or 615/361-1212); Budget Rent-A-Car, at 1816 Church St., 1525 N. Gallatin Pike, and the airport (tel. 800/763-2999 or 615/366-0822); Dollar Rent-A-Car, at the airport (tel. 800/800-4000 or 615/367-0503); Enterprise Rent-a-Car, at the airport (tel. 800/325-8007 or 615/275-0011); Hertz, at the airport (tel. 800/654-3131 or 615/361-3131); National Car Rental, at the airport (tel. 800/227-7368 or 615/361-7467); and Thrifty Car Rental, 1201 Briley Pkwy. at Vultee Boulevard, and at the airport (tel. 800/367-2277 or 615/361-6050).
Parking -- In downtown Nashville, there are a variety of parking lots, ranging from $6 to more than $10 per day. Drop your money into the self-service machine at the end of the parking lot. Downtown parking is also available in other municipal and private lots and parking garages.
When parking on the street, be sure to check the time limit on parking meters. Also be sure to check whether you can park in a parking space during rush hour (4-5:30pm) or your car may be ticketed and towed. On-street parking meters are free after 6pm on weekdays, after noon on Saturday, and all day Sunday. For more information, check out this new website: www.parkitdowntown.com.
Driving Rules -- A right turn at a red light is permitted after coming to a full stop, unless posted otherwise, but drivers must first yield to vehicles that have a green light or pedestrians in the walkway. Children under 4 years of age must be in children's car seats or other approved restraints when in the car.
Tennessee has a very strict DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) law, and has a law that states a person driving under the influence with a child under 12 years of age in the vehicle may be charged with a felony.
By Taxi
For quick cab service, call American Music City Taxi (tel. 615/262-0451), Checker Cab (tel. 615/256-7000), or Allied and Nashville Cab (tel. 615/244-7433). The flag-drop rate is $3; after that it's $2 per mile, plus $1 for each additional passenger.
On Foot
Downtown Nashville is the only area where you're likely to do much walking around. In this area, you can visit numerous attractions, do some shopping, have a good meal, and go to a club, all without having to get in your car. The suburban strips can't make that claim.
