Nashville Transportation: Your Guide to Getting Around

Whether you’re stepping off a plane with neon dreams or rolling into town for a honky-tonk weekend, navigating Music City is half the adventure. From zipping through Broadway in an Uber or Lyft to catching a city bus that hums past murals and landmarks, Nashville offers a ride for every rhythm. Hotel shuttles make airport pickups a breeze, private drivers cater to those chasing comfort with a side of Southern hospitality, and rental cars or personal wheels give explorers the freedom to roam from East Nashville eats to Green Hills boutiques. However you roll, the journey here is as colorful as the destinations.

Airport Transportation

Transportation from the airport is located at the bottom level. Rental car agencies have booths on the lower level and the cars are in the consolidated rental facility (3). Taxis are in the terminal garage (2). And all other transportation is in the transportation center (1). It takes approximately 10 minutes from the terminal to get to the transporation center.

Below is a map of the transportation Center. If you are taking Uber or Lyft, they will be on either side of the first island or across at the second. Hotel and other off-airport shuttles will be on the opposite side of island 2. And on-airport shuttles and WeGo bus #18 are at the far end of the Transportation Center.

Local’s Tip: Rideshare drivers are no longer allowed to drop you off at the terminal, so consider a cab if you have a condition that makes it difficult to walk 10 minutes extra with a bag. Also allow extra time if you choose to be dropped off at the Transportation Center.

Rideshare or Taxi?

In most cases I would say rideshare, as they are generally cheaper. There are some pivots here:

If you have a large group, even Uber XL or Lyft XL may not be a large enough vehicle. In these case, look for private transportation, which will be in larger vans.
If you have a 4 or more in your party. Taxis in Nashville are all in mini-vans, which can accommodate your party.
If rideshare is surging. This happens more often than I would like at the airport. If it is over $30, start comparing prices.

Taxi rates from the airport are a $9 drop fee ($5 in other areas of the city), plus $2.50 per mile. There is also a $2 fee for each additional passenger going to the same location. There is also a wait time charge of 35 cents per minute spent waiting at lights, etc. For 2 people, it will, on average, run $35-$40 to get to a downtown hotel, depending on the traffic. It will be similar to West End hotels or the Music Valley area.

Local’s Tip: Know the rates. There is also a negotiated $30 + $2 per additional rate to downtown, west end, and the Music Valley area, as well as downtonw/midtown to Opryland. To ensure they don’t play games mention the rate when you grab a cab.

Should I get a Rental Car for Transportion?

I would recommend starting with the following articles and determine what you want to do in Nashville:

Once you figure out what you want to do while you are here, then you can determine if having a car makes sense.

Local’s tip: Group your itinerary so you are not hopping all over town. Maybe a ride over to East Nashville one day, then hitting the Opry, the Opryland hotel, and some mall shopping another day.

No Car? No Problem.

With scooters, bikes, a trolley, and walkable neighborhoods, you don’t need wheels to enjoy Nashville—especially if you’re doing any of the following:

🎶 Car-free highlights:

Honky-tonks on Lower Broadway
Boutique hopping in the Gulch
Live music at The Listening Room or 3rd & Lindsley
Southern eats at Monell’s + Germantown stops like the Farmer’s Market and State Museum
Nightlife in 5 Points

🚌 Trolley-friendly fun:

Tennessee State Museum & Farmer’s Market
Marathon Works (shopping, distilleries)
Centennial Park & Parthenon
Belmont Mansion, GIG, Frederick Hart Museum

🎤 Opry Adventure? Make it a bundle.
Sure, it’s farther out, but you can stack your day with the Opry, Opryland Hotel, Mall at Opry Mills, Cooters (yes, the Dukes of Hazzard spot), line dancing at Nashville Palace, and dinner/music at Scoreboard. One rideshare, a whole experience.

Plan smart, group your stops, and you’ll keep your feet happy and your Uber budget intact. For itinerary inspo, check out The Short Trip Nashville Itinerary.

When Renting a Car Makes Sense

Nashville’s walkable core is great, but some experiences are best savored with a set of wheels. If your plans involve:

Taking a scenic cruise down the Natchez Trace Parkway
Sipping your way through Tennessee’s wineries and distilleries
Hitting spots all over town – but check if there is a tour for that first, okay?
Getting a hunka, hunka burnin’ love or a Dolly fix
Attending a beaver cult meeeting – yes, I am talking about Buc-ee’s
Or yes… chasing waterfalls instead of sticking to the rivers and the lakes you’re used to 👀 (we’re looking at you, Cummins Falls, Burgess Falls, and Fall Creek Falls)

…then it’s time to go grab those keys. 🛻

🚙 Local’s Tip: You don’t need to commit to a week-long rental. Several agencies offer daily rates, and Hertz has an office right inside the downtown Hilton. Plus, Avis, Budget, and Enterprise are just a short walk away.

A Word about Parking

Hotels and lots don’t care if it is your car or a rental. The price is the same, so expect to pay anywhere from $28 to $55 for overnight hotel parking. You might snag a spot in a cheaper lot, but $5 parking only applies at the courthosue lot on nights and weekends.

Outside of my previous tip to rent only for the days you require a car, you can also search for short term rentals that include a parking space. There are a few in the downtown area that fit the bill – primarily SoBro and the Gulch – and you can find others up in North Capitol and Germantown.

💡 Local’s Tip: Before you circle the block like it’s a NASCAR warm-up lap, check out this handy guide to navigating the madness: Parking in Nashville: Finding Your Spot in Music City. It’s got the scoop on garages, meters, and sneaky free spots that’ll save you time and cash.

Getting Around Nashville While You’re Here

Whether you’re chasing live music or just chasing waterfalls (we warned you about that pun), Nashville offers plenty of ways to get from honky-tonk to hot chicken without breaking a sweat—or the bank.

🚌 Buses
WeGo Public Transit runs buses to most major spots, including downtown, Germantown, and East Nashville. A single ride is $2, or $4 for a full day pass. Just keep in mind: you’ll need to plan around the schedule, which isn’t exactly built for spontaneity. Download the Transit app or check the WeGo site for real-time routes.

🚗 Ride Shares & Cabs
Uber and Lyft are everywhere, but expect surge pricing during events, weekends, and rainstorms that last longer than 10 minutes. Cabs are still a thing—less flashy, but sometimes more reliable when the apps are playing hard to get. Uber estimator here.

Local’s Tip: People will often say the cabbies overcharge and try to hold visitors hostage to ensure they pay these inflated rates. The best defense is a good offense here. Let them know up front you are aware of the rates. If they quote you something ridiculous for a short drive, you can always say no … I bet they change the price really quick, but you can always walk away.

🛵 Scooters & Bikes
For short hops, electric scooters and bikes are a fun and flexible option. You’ll find Lime (green), Bird (blue), and Spin (orange) scattered around town. Just download the app, scan, and scoot. They’re perfect for getting from Midtown to Broadway or cruising over to Centennial Park (although the hop on, hop off Trolley works nicely for that).

🚘 Private Drivers
If you’re looking for a more curated experience—or just want someone else to deal with traffic—private drivers are available through local services and concierge apps. Great for airport pickups, winery tours, or pretending you’re a country music star for the day.

Hotels with Shuttles

This question gets asked a lot, so I made a map (which is still in flux, but I do have enough options to start). You can view the map directly here.

Hotels in Midtown/West End

Courtyard Vanderbilt
Embassy Suites Vandebilt
HIlton Garden Inn Vanderbilt
Holiday Inn Vanderbilt
Homewood Suites Vanderbilt
Loews Nashville at Vanderbilt
Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt

Hotels in Metro Center

Millenial Maxwell
Fairfield Inn & Suites

Other Hotels

The Holiday Inn near, on East Bank, near the Stadium, has a shuttle to downtown, but can be considered walkable (although I would not do it at night).

There is also a shuttle that goes to and from Music Valley – near the Opryland Hotel – for $15 round trip or $40 for round trip for 3 days. This is their route:

The Opryland Hotel also offers a free shuttle to the Ryman Auditorium.

🗺️ Final Thoughts on Getting Around Nashville

From trolley tours to late-night scooters and everything in between, Nashville gives you plenty of ways to move—whether you’re chasing live music, hot chicken, or just chasing a good time. Plan smart, stay alert, and mix up your transportation based on where you’re headed and when.

Got a favorite way to get around town, or a cautionary tale from your own Music City travels? Drop a comment below or head over to the Contact Page—I’d love to hear your stories, tips, or burning questions. Let’s make getting around Nashville just a little easier (and a lot more entertaining).

Peace and Grace,