How Do You Get from Nashville Airport to Downtown?

February 19, 2026

All ground transportation at BNA departs from the Ground Transportation Center on Level 1 of Terminal Garage 2. Walk out of the main terminal, turn right, follow the signs for Ground Transportation. Every option covered below starts there.

Rideshare: Uber or Lyft

This is what most people use. Uber and Lyft both operate at BNA, which was actually the first airport in the United States to officially authorize rideshare operations on its premises. Lyft pickups are at Zone A; Uber pickups are at Zones B and C. Both are in the same ground transportation area.

Pricing is dynamic, so there is no fixed fare. Typical range from BNA to downtown is $20 to $40. Off-peak hours on a Tuesday morning will land you in the low $20s. Friday evening when multiple flights arrive simultaneously can push you past $40 with surge pricing. If you want certainty, Uber allows you to reserve a ride in advance and lock in a price before you land. That is worth doing if you are arriving during a busy travel period or a Nashville event weekend.

Taxi: The Flat-Rate Option

The taxi stand is also at the Ground Transportation Center. Taxis from BNA to downtown run at a flat rate of $30, plus $2 for each additional passenger beyond the first. Taxis do not surge. During peak demand periods when rideshare prices spike, a taxi can actually be cheaper for a group. If you are traveling with two or three people and the math lines up, check both options before getting in the first vehicle you see.

WeGo Bus Route 18

Route 18 runs between BNA and downtown Nashville seven days a week. The fare is $2. The trip to downtown takes 30 to 35 minutes on most runs, with some express-style segments running closer to 20 to 25 minutes depending on traffic and stops. The bus runs approximately every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly on weekends.

The bus drops you at James Robertson Parkway and 7th Avenue North, which is in the northern edge of downtown. From there you are a short walk or a 5-minute Uber from Broadway. This option makes sense for solo travelers with manageable luggage who have no time pressure. For a group of three or four with checked bags arriving at midnight, it stops making sense quickly.

Bus service runs roughly 5am to midnight on weekdays, with reduced weekend hours. If you land on a late-night flight, the bus may not be running.

Taxi vs. Rideshare: Which Is Actually Better

Taxis are predictable and do not surge. Rideshare is more convenient to summon and usually cheaper off-peak, but unpredictable during events. For a couple arriving on a normal day, Uber wins. For a group of four arriving on a bachelorette-heavy weekend Saturday night, check both.

Rental Car

Rental car desks are inside the main terminal on Level 1. To exit BNA by car headed downtown, take Terminal Drive to I-40 West, then exit toward downtown. Use Exit 209B for Broadway. This is a 15-minute drive under normal conditions. Budget 30 to 40 minutes on weekday afternoons.

Shuttle Services

Several private shuttle companies operate between BNA and downtown hotels. Shared vans start around $18 per person. These work best if your hotel has a confirmed pickup arrangement, or if you want a flat-rate option without dealing with the taxi line or rideshare surge. They take longer because they aggregate multiple passengers and make several stops.

Some hotels in the Nashville area offer complimentary shuttle service; call your hotel before you land if you think that might apply to yours.

There Is No Train

The WeGo Star commuter rail serves the Nashville metro but does not extend to BNA. There is no light rail, no subway, no fixed rail of any kind between the airport and downtown. This is not a gap that is going to close anytime soon.

Sources

  • Visit Nashville, Travel and Transportation page, visitmusiccity.com
  • Vanderbilt University ISSS, Transportation Options from BNA, vanderbilt.edu
  • Rome2rio, Nashville Airport BNA to Downtown Nashville
  • Uber BNA airport pickup page, uber.com
  • Global Airport Parking, BNA Airport Guide
  • Welcome Pickups, Nashville Airport to Downtown guide
  • Upgraded Points, Nashville International Airport terminal guide

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