BNA Airport in Southeast Nashville, operated by the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, is the busiest in Tennessee, catering to over 22 million annual passengers. The airport serves over 100 domestic and international destinations. Nashville, comprising 4,555 acres of land, has a single terminal with four runways, five concourses, and 54 gates. Reflecting its reputation as a music city, the airport also offers live music performances to represent the city’s vibrant musical heritage.
BNA Airport History
BNA, the airport’s IATA code, is abbreviated from Berry Field Nashville, which was the airport’s name when it first opened in 1937. In 1987, the current terminal replaced the earlier terminal, and with the expansion came the new name. The airport also serves as a military base, housing the 118th Wing and the 1/230th Tennessee Army National Guard at Berry Field.
During the Second World War, the United States Army Air Forces Air Transport Command used the airfield as the base for military operations, and the airport was expanded to 1,500 acres. When the war was over, it was reinstated and returned to the city. Still, the military operations of the Tennessee National Guard continued to use the facilities.
In 1958, Nashville began its expansion, resulting in a new terminal and the arrival of jet service in 1961. Passenger traffic surpassed half a million for the first time that year.
After 1970
Towards the 1970s, the number of passengers traveling through Nashville Airport increased, resulting in the need for expansion. In response, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority was created in 1973 to plan a new terminal and runway to increase capacity.
Thus, in the early 1980s, the airport began constructing a new, modern terminal, and it was completed in 1987. The new terminal included three main concourses, with an international wing in Concourse A, and was renamed Nashville International Airport. A new parallel runway opened in 1989.
Where is BNA Airport?
BNA, or Nashville International Airport, is at One Terminal Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37214, USA. It is about seven miles from downtown Nashville, and it takes about 13 to 15 minutes to drive.
BNA Airport Map
Refer to the Nashville Airport map for locations of the concourses, parking, pick-up and drop-off locations, and transportation facilities.
BNA Airport Parking & Transportation
There are both onsite and offsite parking options at Nashville Airport. The onsite lots are Short-Term, Valet Parking, Terminal Garages 1 & 2, Terminal Lot A, Economy Lot B, and Economy Lot C. The airport parking does not support reservation, and parking is on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you want cheaper BNA parking rates, you must reserve parking at the offsite lots. Reserving a parking spot via GlobalAirportParking.com will get you the cheapest rates.
Transportation: Public transportation, cars, taxis, and rideshare services can get you between the airport and the city.
Public Transportation
WeGo Public Transit (Route 18) offers a bus service to and from the airport. The bus also stops at WeGo Central, Lafayette & Wharf, and Elm Hill & Acorn. It will cost $2 for adults and $1 for children, senior citizens, and disabled passengers.
Car Service and Rideshares
Ride Apps
Ride Apps will pick you up from Level 1, Terminal 2 Garage, at the Ground Transportation Center. A trip from BNA Airport to downtown Nashville will cost you between $13 and $29, depending on the type, time, and traffic conditions. Here are the app-based rides that are available at the Airport:
- Lyft
- Uber
- KreweCar
Rental Cars
Rental car pick-up is at the Main Terminal, Level 1. The airport’s authorized car companies are:
- Advantage
- Alamo
- Avis
- Budget
- Dollar
- Enterprise
- Hertz
- National
- Payless
- Thrifty
Taxis
The taxi pick-up point is at Terminal Garage 2, Level 1, in the Ground Transportation Center. Here are some of the authorized taxi companies at Nashville Airport. A drive downtown Nashville will cost between $25 and $30.
- American Music City Taxi,
- Checker Cab
- Magic Taxi
- TennCab
- NashVegas Cab
- TN National Cab
- Volunteer Cab
- Yellow Cab
How to get to BNA Airport
Here are the driving directions to Nashville Airport:
Downtown Nashville
To get from Downtown Nashville, take Interstate 40 East to Exit 216A for departures. Take Exit 216B for Arrivals.
From North
Via Briley Pkwy: Drive to Exit 90B on I-65 South to reach Briley Pkwy East (TN-155 E). Follow the signs to the airport and Interstate 40 E to reach Exit 6A (about 10 miles on Briley Parkway E). From 1-40, after about 1.5 miles, take Exit 216 A for departures and 216B for arrivals.
Via I-65: Take Exit 86 on Interstate 65 South, merge into Interstate 24 East, and follow the directions to Chattanooga and Knoxville. Stay on I-24 for about three miles east to Exit 50A and merge onto I-40 toward Knoxville and Chattanooga. Stay on I-40 E for about 4 miles and use Exit 216A for Departures and Exit 216B for Arrivals.
South
Drive on I-24 West to I-40 East, taking Exit 52B. Stay East on I-40 for about 2.5 miles and take Exit 216A for departures and Exit 216B for Arrivals.
East
Take Interstate 40 West to Exit 216, turn left on Donelson Pike, and drive onto the airport by following the instructions.
How to get from Nashville International Airport to Downtown Nashville
To Downtown Nashville
Follow the signage on Terminal Drive to reach Interstate 40 West
North
Observe the directions on Terminal Drive to reach Interstate 40 West to Interstate 24 West/I-65 North.
South
From I-40: Follow the directions on Terminal Drive and merge onto Interstate 40 West. Stay on I-40 for about 2.5 miles and drive onto Exit 213A to head east on Interstate 24 toward Chattanooga.
via Donelson Pike: Drive to Donelson Pike South on Terminal Drive. Take Donelson Pike to the right for about 4 miles to reach Interstate 24.
East
Go north on Donelson Pike towards Interstate 40 East.
Amenities
These are some amenities that you can find at BNA Airport.
- ATM
- Charging Stations
- Free Wi-Fi
- Children’s Play Area
- Currency Exchange
- Health Care Clinic
- Lounges
- Nursing Station
- Pet Relief Areas
- Restaurants
- Shops
Hotels Near Nashville Airport
Here are some of the best Nashville Airport hotels:
Hilton Nashville Airport
- Address: 2200 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, Tennessee, 37214, USA
- +1 615-883-9770
Sheraton Music City Nashville Airport
- Address: 777 McGavock Pike, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, 37214
- Phone: +1 615-885-2200
Best Western Plus Nashville Airport Hotel
- Address: 911 Airport Center Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37214, United States
- Phone: +1 615-872-0109
Courtyard Nashville Airport
- Address: 2508 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, 37214
- Phone: +1 615-883-9500
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Nashville Airport
- Address: 2424 Atrium Way, Nashville, Tennessee 37214 USA
- Phone: +1 615-889-8889
Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville-Airport
- Address: 583 Donelson Pike, Nashville, Tennessee, 37214, USA
- Phone: +1 615-885-4242
Radisson Hotel Nashville Airport
- Address: 1112 Airport Center Drive, Nashville, TN, 37214, US
- Phone: +91 615-866-4017
BNA Airport Lounges
These are the various lounges you can see at Nashville International Airport.
Delta Air Lines Delta Sky Club
- Level 3 of Concourse B, near to Gate B3
American Airlines Admirals Club
- Mezzanine Level of Concourse C, near Gate C15.
USO Lounge
- At the South Terminal intersection, between Terminals C and D, on Level 3, near Gate D1.
Minute Suites
- Level 3 of Concourse D, near Gate D3.
Nashville Airport Food and Dining
BNA Airport has several food and dining options across the terminal. Some of the restaurants at BNA are:
Concourse A
- Arrington Wine Bar and Grill
- Fugitives Public House
- Kijiji Coffee House
Concourse B
- Half Moon Empanadas
- Kijiji Coffee House
- Little Harpeth Brewing
- Pig Star by Peg Leg Porker
- TN Moonshine Bar
Concourse C
- 400 Degrees Hot Chicken
- 8th & Roast Coffee Co.
- Barista Parlor
- Bongo Java
- Hattie B’s
- MEEL
- Ole Red
- Pyramids Cafe
- Shake Shack
- Slim and Husky’s
- SMASHVILLE
- Southernaire Market
- Swett’s BBQ
- TailGate Brewery
- Tennessee Rickhouse
- The Urban Juicer
- Three Casks
- Tootsies Orchid Lounge
- Vino Fiesta
- Yazoo Brewing Company
Concourse D
- 8th & Roast Coffee Co.
- Burger King
- Party Fowl
- Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant
- The Southern Steak & Oyster
Satellite Concourse
- Bongo Java
- Fat Bottom Brewery
- Jimmy John’s
- TX/MX
Pre-Security
- Green Beans Coffee Co.
BNA Airport Shops and Stores
Concourse A
- The ARTS District Market
Concourse B
- Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum
- Tennessee Trading Post by Hudson
- Time for a Shine
- Travelers Post Smoking Lounge
Concourse C
- airessentials
- Brookstone
- Hudson Nonstop
- InMotion
- James Avery
- Music Row Supply
- Na’Sah’s Nail Salon
- Nashville Threads
- The Opry Shop
- True to Tennessee
- West End News
Concourse D
- District News
- Donelson Emporium
- Sunglass Hut
- Tennessee Whiskey Company
- True to Tennessee
Satellite Concourse
- Distillery District Market
- Gulch Goods
- Nashville Supply Co.
- A/B Rotunda
- EVOLVE by Hudson
- Goo Goo Shop
C/D Connector
- Johnston & Murphy
- The Tennessee Tribune
- Central Marketplace
- Draper James
- InTune
- Nashville Jam Sessions
- Natalie’s Candy Jar
- Parnassus Books
- The Galleria Duty Free/ Duty Paid
- The Atrium
- Whiskey Trailhead
Accessible Services
Nashville Airport has a special program, ‘BNA Cares,’ to help passengers in need of assistance. The aim is to help every passenger have a smooth traveling experience. The airport offers whatever services and facilities are required by those in need of special care. They have wheelchair assistance, adult changing tables, an accessible shuttle, and elevators.
Lost and Found
All the items lost at the airport areas will be taken to the Lost and Found. If you have lost something at the airport, you can file a claim online free of charge. To collect your item, you must contact the Customer Service Representative, who will be at the information desk (Level 1) between 6:30 am and 10:30 pm. You can call them at +91 615-275-2098. Email: Lost&Foun[email protected].
For items lost on the flight, you must contact your airline.
Check-In Time at BNA
Nashville Airport’s check-in times vary depending on the flight schedule.
- North Ticketing Check-In: Opens 3 hours prior to the first flight departure
- South Ticketing: 2 hours before the first flight
- TSA security checkpoint: Opens at 3:30 AM
TSA PreCheck
BNA Airport has dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes at the security checkpoint. If you have enrolled in this program, you can have a quick screening process. Its counters are open between 4:30 am and 7 pm. The PreCheck enrollment center is on level 1 of the Ground Transportation near the Payless Rental Car Kiosk. Just follow the signage.
CLEAR
Nashville Airport has CLEAR Lanes for eligible travelers, which allows them a faster screening process. The Lane is open between 4:30 am and 7 pm for both standard security & TSA PreCheck travelers. CLEAR Enrollment Center is at the security checkpoint entrance (North), near Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Look for TSA PreCheck and CLEAR signage.
Tourist Destinations near BNA
If you have a long layover or are in the area for a while, these are the popular attractions near Nashville Airport that you can consider visiting:
- Ole Smoky Distillery & Yee-Haw Brewery: at 423 6th AVE. South and Peabody St. Nashville, TN
- Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery: at 5025 Harding Pike, Nashville, TN
- Grand Ole Opry: at 600 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville, TN
- Ryman Auditorium: at 116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN
- Johnny Cash Museum: at 119 3rd Ave S, Nashville, TN
- Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: at 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S Nashville, TN
- Honky Tonks: at 329 Broadway, Nashville, TN
- Nashville Parthenon: at 2500 West End Ave, Nashville, TN.
BNA Airport FAQs
How big is Nashville Airport?
The airport covers about 4,555 acres of land and has a single terminal with four runways, five concourses, and 54 gates.
What does BNA stand for in Nashville Airport?
BNA, the airport’s IATA code, is abbreviated from Berry Field Nashville, which was its name when the airport first opened in 1937. In 1987, the current terminal replaced the earlier terminal, and with the expansion came the new name, Nashville International Airport.
How far is Nashville Airport from downtown?
Nashville Airport is about seven miles from downtown Nashville, which is about a 13 to 15-minute drive.
Where is BNA Airport?
Nashville International Airport, or BNA Airport, is at One Terminal Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37214, USA. The airport is about seven miles from downtown Nashville, which takes about a 13 to 15-minute drive.
How early to get to Nashville Airport?
BNA Airport recommends passengers arrive a minimum of two hours before the scheduled domestic flights and at least three hours before international flights.
How much is Uber from Nashville Airport to downtown?
A trip from BNA Airport to downtown Nashville will cost you between $13 and $29, depending on the type of ride, time, and traffic conditions.
