Nashville Airport Guide

Nashville International Airport (BNA) is the main commercial airport for Nashville and Middle Tennessee, southeast of downtown. It has one passenger terminal, but the current gate layout is more nuanced than a simple four-concourse plan.

• Concourses B, C, and D and the T-gates are in the main terminal complex.
• The Satellite Concourse is a separate secure-side gate building reached by shuttle from the main terminal near Gate C13.
• Concourse A is closed for demolition and reconstruction, with the replacement scheduled to open in 2028.

Airlines can use more than one gate area, so check the official airline directory, your boarding pass, and the live terminal map instead of relying on a fixed concourse assignment. BNA also features live-music stages across the terminal.

Key fact: The active gate areas are connected on the secure side. A domestic connection between the main terminal and the Satellite Concourse uses an airside shuttle, so you do not re-clear security, but you should allow time for the ride and boarding process.

Terminal Layout

After the central TSA checkpoint, follow signs for Concourses B, C, D, or the T-gates. Concourse A is not part of the current passenger route. For Satellite Concourse gates, go to the shuttle station next to Gate C13; BNA describes the shuttle as a brief secure-side ride. The live map is the best reference while construction continues.

The airport does not publish a universal connection-time table. Your airline's minimum applies to a protected itinerary. Leave extra margin if your next flight uses the Satellite Concourse, if you booked separate tickets, or if you must collect and re-check a bag.

International Arrivals

Flights arriving from airports without U.S. preclearance use BNA's International Arrivals Facility for Customs and Border Protection processing. The Customs exit is landside on Level 1, so a traveler connecting onward must follow the airline's baggage instructions and clear TSA screening again. Flights pre-cleared before departure arrive as domestic flights for U.S. entry purposes.

BNA is southeast of downtown Nashville and does not have airport rail service. The main options are WeGo Route 18, taxi or rideshare, rental car, and hotel or regional shuttles.

Most commercial pickups, including WeGo buses, ride apps, taxis, and off-airport shuttles, use the Ground Transportation Center on Level 1 of Terminal Garage 2. From Level 1 of the terminal, exit and turn right, then follow the covered walkway and overhead signs. Check live road conditions for any car journey because construction and event traffic can change travel times substantially.

Uber and Lyft are available at BNA. The rideshare pickup location is on the ground level of the parking garage:

1. Exit baggage claim and cross to the parking garage
2. Follow signs to "Rideshare Pickup"
3. The designated pickup area is on Level 1 of the garage
4. Request your ride once you're in the pickup zone

Typical fares (2024-2025):

• Downtown Nashville: $20-30
• Music Row/Midtown: $18-28
• The Gulch: $20-30
• East Nashville: $20-28
• Opryland: $25-35

Wait times average 5-10 minutes but can extend during peak hours (Friday/Sunday evenings, major events).

Taxis are available at the Ground Transportation area on the lower level, outside baggage claim:

• Downtown Nashville: $25-35 (metered)
• Flat rate to downtown is not available - fares are metered

The direct public-transit option is WeGo Route 18 Airport, which runs between BNA and the Elizabeth Duff Transit Center at WeGo Central in downtown Nashville. WeGo publishes a $2 adult fare; use its dated schedule because Route 18 has local and express variants and departure intervals vary.

How to Ride

1. Go to the Ground Transportation Center on Level 1 of Terminal Garage 2.
2. Follow signs for WeGo Route 18 and confirm the next departure in the official schedule.
3. Pay with QuickTicket, a contactless bank card or mobile wallet, or exact cash.
4. Ride to the Elizabeth Duff Transit Center for downtown destinations and connections to other WeGo routes.

Route 18 is usually the lowest-cost option for downtown. If its timetable does not match your flight, use a taxi, rideshare, or pre-arranged shuttle.

BNA offers multiple parking options:

Lot	Daily Rate	Notes
Terminal Garage	$30/day	Connected to terminal, covered parking
Long-Term A	$18/day	Shuttle to terminal (every 5-10 min)
Long-Term B	$14/day	Shuttle to terminal (every 5-10 min)
Economy Lot	$10/day	Furthest lot, shuttle service
Cell Phone Lot	Free (short-term)	For pickup waiting only

Online booking: Reserve parking in advance at the BNA website for guaranteed spots and occasional discounts.

Budget tip: Off-site parking lots on Donelson Pike offer rates from $6-10/day with free shuttle service. Popular options include Park N Fly and The Parking Spot.

BNA has invested heavily in local Nashville dining options, with over 30 restaurants representing the city's food scene.

Concourse A:

• Whiskey Bent Saloon - Nashville-style bar food and live music
• Tootsie's Orchid Lounge - Famous Broadway honky-tonk outpost
• Starbucks - Coffee and quick bites

Concourse B:

• Puckett's Grocery - Southern comfort food and barbecue
• Bar-B-Cutie - Tennessee BBQ since 1950
• Yazoo Brewing Company - Local Nashville craft beer

Concourse C:

• Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Nashville's famous hot chicken (prepare for spice)
• Flyte - Upscale dining with wine bar
• Jason Aldean's Kitchen + Rooftop Bar - Country star-owned restaurant
• Ole Red - Blake Shelton's restaurant and bar with live music

Concourse D:

• 8th & Roast - Local Nashville coffee roaster
• Swett's - Soul food cafeteria-style dining

Central Terminal/Pre-Security:

• Marche Artisan Foods - Bakery and cafe

Most restaurants close between 8-9 PM. For late-night departures, options are limited to grab-and-go locations.

Free WiFi is available throughout the airport:

• Network name: _Free BNA WiFi
• Cost: Free, unlimited
• Quality: Adequate for browsing, email, and video streaming

To connect:

1. Select "_Free BNA WiFi" from available networks
2. Open your browser - you'll be redirected to a landing page
3. Accept the terms of use

For faster speeds, airline lounges offer premium connectivity.

SIM cards and phone accessories are available at:

• InMotion (Concourse B, near Gate B8) - Travel tech and SIM cards
• Hudson News locations (multiple concourses) - Basic prepaid options

For international arrivals, major US carriers (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon) offer eSIM activation through their apps for compatible phones.

Tip: Nashville has good cellular coverage from all major carriers throughout the city.

ATMs are located throughout the airport:

• Central Terminal (pre-security, near ticketing)
• Concourse A (near Gate A10)
• Concourse B (near central area)
• Concourse C (near Gate C12)
• Concourse D (near entrance)
• Baggage claim area

Most ATMs charge $3-5 for out-of-network withdrawals. Major banks represented include Regions Bank and Fifth Third.

Currency Exchange: Limited currency exchange services are available. For international travelers, using a no-foreign-fee bank card or exchanging money in Nashville is typically more economical.

Throughout Concourses:

• Hudson News - Books, magazines, travel essentials (all concourses)
• InMotion - Electronics and tech accessories
• Johnston & Murphy - Shoes and accessories
• Opry Originals - Grand Ole Opry merchandise and Nashville souvenirs
• Music City Marketplace - Local Nashville products and gifts

Nashville-Specific:

• Hatch Show Print - Iconic Nashville letterpress posters
• Third Man Records - Jack White's record label merchandise

BNA leans into Nashville's identity with music-themed retail throughout.

BNA has limited lounge options compared to larger hub airports:

The Club BNA

• Location: Concourse C, near Gate C5
• Access: Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or day pass purchase (~$45)
• Hours: 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily
• Amenities: Complimentary food and beverages, WiFi, flight monitors

Airline Lounges

American Airlines Admirals Club:

• Location: Concourse B
• Access: Admirals Club membership, Oneworld Emerald/Sapphire, Citi Executive card

Delta Sky Club:

• Location: Concourse D (opened 2023)
• Access: Sky Club membership, Delta One ticket, Delta Reserve Amex

Day Passes

The Club BNA sells day passes for approximately $45 when space is available. Can be purchased at the lounge entrance or through Priority Pass/LoungeKey apps.

On-Site/Connected:

BNA does not have a hotel directly connected to the terminal. The closest options are:

Near Airport (with shuttle):

• Nashville Airport Marriott: Full-service hotel, 2 miles from terminal, free shuttle. Pool, fitness center, on-site restaurant.

• Hilton Nashville Airport: Business-friendly hotel with free shuttle. Recently renovated rooms.

• Embassy Suites Nashville Airport: All-suite hotel with complimentary breakfast and evening reception.

• Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Airport: Free shuttle, complimentary breakfast and evening "Kickback" with food and drinks.

• Courtyard by Marriott Nashville Airport: Reliable mid-range option with free shuttle.

Budget Options:

• La Quinta Inn Nashville Airport
• Holiday Inn Express Nashville Airport

For early morning departures, any of the shuttle hotels works well - the drive to the terminal is under 5 minutes.

Nashville offers major attractions within easy reach of the airport:

Downtown/Broadway (15-20 min from airport):

• Lower Broadway (Honky Tonk Highway): Free live music at dozens of bars, 10 AM to 3 AM
• Ryman Auditorium: The "Mother Church of Country Music," tours and concerts
• Country Music Hall of Fame: Comprehensive museum. Adults $28+
• Johnny Cash Museum: Dedicated to the Man in Black. Adults $26

Music Row/Midtown (15-20 min):

• RCA Studio B: Historic recording studio tour (book through Country Music Hall of Fame)
• The Parthenon: Full-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon in Centennial Park

East Nashville (15-20 min):

• Five Points: Hip neighborhood with restaurants, bars, and vintage shops
• The Basement East: Popular live music venue

Opryland Area (20-25 min):

• Grand Ole Opry: Live country music shows (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday nights)
• Gaylord Opryland Resort: Massive hotel with indoor gardens

Getting Around: Nashville is car-dependent. Rideshare is readily available and affordable for getting between neighborhoods. Lower Broadway is walkable once you're there.

Tips:

• Broadway gets crowded Thursday-Sunday; arrive early for bar hopping
• Hot chicken is a Nashville specialty - Hattie B's, Prince's, and Bolton's are local favorites
• Many attractions are closed Monday/Tuesday
• Nashville traffic is heavy during rush hours (7-9 AM, 4-7 PM)