Nashville, Tennessee, is a popular vacation destination filled with live music, great food, and Southern charm. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway, a music festival, or a business trip, there are plenty of ways to reach the Music City.
Flying into Nashville
The Metropolitan Nashville Airport (BNA) is located just eight miles outside Downtown Nashville and is the main airport. With nearly 22 million passengers served annually and one of the fastest-growing airports in the US, finding direct flights to BNA is easy. Major cities with direct flights to Nashville include Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Myrtle Beach, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Raleigh, and many more.
Airlines that serve BNA: Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, Frontier, Spirit, Alaska Airlines, Allegiant, Avelo Airlines, JetBlue, Air Canada, British Airlines, Contour Airlines, Flair Airlines, Icelandair, Sun Country Airlines, Vacation Express, Viva Aerobus, WestJet, and Aerlingus (Coming in April 2025).
How to Get from the Airport to Downtown
BNA has several transportation options to get you downtown, including car rentals, ride-share services like Uber and Lyft, shuttle services, and the WeGo Public Transit (formerly known as the MTA). Once you’ve settled in, it’s time to explore Nashville. Don’t have a car during your trip? No worries! There are plenty of ways to get around Nashville without having a car.
Driving to Nashville
If you prefer to drive, Nashville is well-connected by major highways such as I-40, I-65, and I-24. The list below gives you an idea of estimated travel times to Nashville from nearby cities:
From Atlanta, GA: The drive from Atlanta to Nashville takes approximately 4 hours. From downtown Atlanta, hop on to I-75 towards Chattanooga and merge onto I-24 West, where you’ll drive 130 miles toward downtown Nashville. To make the road trip a little more exciting, stop at Lucky Ladd Farms or Arrington Vineyards along the way for a break from driving.
From Louisville, KY: Driving to Nashville from Louisville is an easy and direct trip that takes approximately 2.5 – 3 hours, depending on traffic. From downtown Louisville, get onto I-65 for 175 miles, leading you right to Nashville.
From: Memphis, TN: Another direct trip, the drive from Memphis to Nashville, covers 212 miles and takes about 3 to 3.5 hours. You’ll get on I-40 East from Memphis, passing through Jackson, TN, and arrive in Nashville. Fun stops along the way include Green Door Gourmet, Centennial Park, and the Nashville Zoo.
From St. Louis, MO: Roughly, a 4.5 to 5-hour drive, the drive from St. Louis to Nashville covers approximately 310 miles. The fastest route is via Interstate 64 (I-64) East, Interstate 57 (I-57) South, and Interstate 24 (I-24) East into Nashville.
Tips for Traveling to Nashville
Book Early: Nashville is a popular destination year-round, so booking flights and accommodations early can help you secure the best deals.
Plan for Traffic: Nashville traffic can be a bit chaotic, and parking downtown is limited and expensive, especially during peak seasons. Allow extra travel time if you’re driving, or consider using a ride-share service or the public transit system to get around town.
Airport Transfers: Consider pre-booking airport transfers, shuttles, or rental cars for one less thing to worry about once you arrive in Nashville.
Book Your Nashville Vacation
With a major international airport, numerous airlines, and well-connected highways, getting to Nashville is convenient for travelers from near and far. Book your Nashville vacation rental and start planning your trip with these tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip to the Music City.
