How Should I Travel To Nashville?

By Plane
Nashville International Airport (IATA: BNA),  Is about five miles from downtown. The most inexpensive way to travel to and from the Nashville International Airport and downtown Nashville is to ride the Nashville MTA's Route 18 Airport/Elm Hill bus which serves the airport and downtown on an hourly basis, from about 7AM to about 10PM, seven days a week. Schedules are located at the Welcome Center located on the baggage claim level of the airport. There are non-stop flights to Nashville International Airport from the following cities (some cities may be seasonal or only offer service certain days of the week): Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Cancun, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Hartford, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis St Paul, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oakland, Ontario, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Providence, Raleigh Durham, San Antonio, San Diego, Seattle, St Louis, Tampa, Toronto and Washington 

John C. Tune Airport, 110 Tune Airport Dr., +1 615 350-5000,

Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport, 278 Doug Warpoole Rd., Smyrna, +1 615 459-2651. 

Cornelia Fort Airport, 2640 Air Park Dr., +1 615 226-4258,

American Charter Express, 4432 Airport Rd., Springfield, +1 615 384-4181.

Lebanon Airport 760 Franklin Rd, Lebanon, +1 615 444-0031.

Murfreesboro Municipal Airport, 1930 Memorial Blvd, Murfreesboro, +1 615 848-3254, 

 By Car
Nashville is a nexus of several interstate highways, including I-65 (north-south), I-40 (east-west), and I-24 (northwest-southeast). The various highways sometimes merge and split without the typical exit-offramp design, so travellers should consult maps before attempting to navigate the area. There is easy access to/from Chattanooga, Knoxville, Memphis, Louisville, among others.

By Bus
Greyhound, 200 8th Ave, +1 615 255-3556,  Located right Downtown south of Broadway.


Get Around
By bus

Nashville MTA, +1 615 862-5969, Operates routes throughout downtown and the surrounding area. $1.60 for an adult local fare, with no transfers allowed. An all-day pass for an adult is $4.80.

Nashville's bus system is designed around a central station. The schedule accommodates a 9AM-5PM schedule with limited late night service. Route maps and schedules are subject to change but are available from the Nashville MTA website.
 
By Train

The Music City Star, +1 615 862-8833,  Commuter train runs Monday - Friday. The train runs from Lebanon to Downtown's Riverfront Station. One-Way tickets purchased at the platform are $5 each. There are two shuttle services that transport people for no extra charge, passengers use their Music City Star ticket to board. Shuttle 93 goes up Broadway, West End, and around the Vanderbilt area. Shuttle 94 loops through Downtown. If you wish to go to any other place in the city, you can catch the Downtown Shuttle at the Riverfront Station and exit at the downtown bus mall then catch the bus that is going to your destination.

By Car
Car is always your best bet. Average speed on highways ranges from 55-70 mph, while city streets are generally 35 mph unless otherwise posted.

I-40, I-65, and I-24 are the major interstate highways that run through Nashville.

All major national car rental agencies operate in Nashville.
Taxis are also very prevalent in Nashville, especially Downtown. Taxi companies that operate in Nashville are:

Allied Cab, +1 615 885-1499

Music City Taxi, +1 615 262-0451

Checker Cab, +1 615 615-256-7000

Metro Cab, +1 615 615-365-3434

Parking
If you are looking to park Downtown in a lot or garage, be sure to have a good idea of where to park. The Metro Owned Facilities managed by the Nashville Downtown Partnership (branded as ParkIt Downtown) seems to be the best deal. For example, the Metro Courthouse/Public Square Garage is just $3 after 5pm & on weekends. This is much cheaper than nearby private lots.