The premier gateway into Music City, Nashville International Airport (BNA) sees over 20 million travelers passing through each year. Whether you’re in town for the honky tonks of Broadway, a business conference, or you’re taking a road trip through the Tennessee countryside, a car rental from BNA is going to offer you a much-appreciated dose of independence. In this guide, we’ll cover every facet of picking up a car at BNA-from where to do it to how much it costs, tips for picking up your car, and strategies for saving some money along the way.
Where to Pick Up a Rental Car At Nashville International Airport (BNA)?
BNA’s Rental Car Center is conveniently located on-airport and connected to the main terminal by free, 24/7 ground transportation shuttles. Once you’ve grabbed your luggage from the baggage claim, look for the “Ground Transportation” signs and follow the direction to the rental car shuttle pickup area on the lower level of the terminal building. The shuttle will whisk you away to the centralized facility, where all of the rental agencies are under one roof.
Having all agencies in a single building is incredibly convenient. Instead of waiting for and hopping on and off an off-airport van, you can get from baggage claim to all of your rental agency options on one direct shuttle.
Nashville Airport Car Rental Companies
All major national and international car rental brands can be found at the Nashville Airport, offering various car types and price ranges. The car rental agencies available at BNA include:
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car: Customers can expect top customer service and a broad range of cars.
- Hertz: A business traveler’s favorite; Gold Plus Rewards members skip the counter and pick up their vehicle at a faster speed.
- Avis: Preferred due to its well-loved loyalty program, Avis Preferred, which provides dedicated pickup lanes.
- Budget: If you’re traveling on your own, an economy and compact car rental could be found here for decent rates.
- National Car Rental: This is the favorite of regular business renters because of its Emerald Club membership, which comes with added perks.
- Alamo: Ideal for vacationers and families; a great selection of SUVs and minivans can be found here.
- Dollar: These cars can be found at the airport at affordable rates.
- Thrifty: You can often find the same economy car at another airport at higher prices.
You’ll find counters for each agency within the BNA Rental Car Center. Walk-ins are permitted, but it is always advisable to book your rental online in advance in order to secure more reasonable prices and the vehicle of your choice, particularly if your trip coincides with a major event (CMA fest, the NFL Draft, New Year’s Eve in Nashville, etc).
Car Rental Options at BNA
All the typical rental classes can be booked from Nashville Airport car rental agencies to accommodate your needs and budget:
- Economy & Compact Cars: The cheapest to rent and the best on fuel-a good option for traveling alone or with a companion.
- Mid-Size & Full-Size Sedans: A practical option for business travelers or small families.
- SUVs & Crossovers: Excellent for groups traveling in Tennessee or those traveling into more remote areas.
- Minivans: If traveling with family or a larger group, this could be a great option.
- Luxury & Premium Vehicles: These can be rented through Hertz, Avis, and Enterprise, depending on availability.
- Pickup Trucks: Not as common, available seasonally through a few agencies; best for hauls or outdoor adventures.
- Electric & Hybrid Vehicles: These are becoming more readily available; research charging locations for your accommodation if you choose this type of vehicle.
Average BNA Car Rental Prices
The costs at Nashville Airport’s car rentals are seasonal and can change depending on how far in advance you book and the type of vehicle you select. Use the prices below as a guideline only:
| Vehicle Class | Average Daily Rate |
|---|---|
| Economy/Compact | $35 – $65/day |
| Mid-Size Sedan | $55 – $85/day |
| SUV / Crossover | $75 – $130/day |
| Minivan | $90 – $150/day |
| Luxury / Premium | $120 – $250+/day |
Look out for prices increasing during large conventions, during the summer months (June – August), and over holiday weekends. Booking 2-3 weeks in advance will typically secure you the best deal. The airport charges, tax, and other fees (Customer Facility Charge, state tax, etc.) will be added at the end, so double-check your final total before confirming.
Tips For Booking Your Car Rental at BNA
- Book in Advance and compare prices: Make use of car aggregator sites such as Kayak, Expedia, and Google Travel. Comparing the prices offered by the rental agencies together will ensure you find a deal. Booking directly with an agency’s website might also give you access to exclusive member discounts.
- Sign Up to Loyalty Programs: You don’t have to pay to become a Hertz Gold Plus member, Avis Preferred member, National Emerald Club member or Enterprise Plus member, and these schemes often offer complimentary upgrades by one tier, skip-the-counter pick-ups, and points to be collected.
- Say no to double cover (insurance): Your own insurance policy from your car insurer or through your credit card provider may already include protection for damage to your car rental. By declining the agency’s Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), you’ll save $15-$30 per day.
- Refuel the tank: Prepaid plans for refuelling are usually more expensive than filling up yourself at a local station. Make sure to return the vehicle to the agency with a full tank to avoid the extremely high fuel-charging prices that agencies charge.
- Book a compact and get an upgrade on arrival: Most agencies give complimentary upgrades of compact or economy cars at the counter when they have too much stock, and especially if you’re already a loyalty member.
Driving in Nashville
TN Nashville’s street layout is pretty straightforward, but you should consider these points:
- I-65, I-40, and I-24 meet close to the center of town and get crowded during the commuter rush (7 am to 9 am, and 4 pm to 7 pm).
- Parking in the city center can be very expensive – anticipate $15 to $30 per day in garages adjacent to Broadway.
- Tennessee law mandates that all occupants of a car wear seatbelts and use hands-free devices when driving and talking on the phone.
- Nashville is driver-friendly for day trips, as the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, TN, Mammoth Cave, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park can all be reached in under 3 hours.
FAQs
Yes! BNA boasts a unified Rental Car Center situated right on the airport grounds. A continuous, free shuttle runs to and from the center and the main terminal, operating 24/7. All the main rental agencies are consolidated in this one location (Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Alamo, National, Budget, Dollar, Thrifty, etc.), making it easy to pick up or drop off your car.
The age requirement for car rentals at BNA is usually 25 years old. Younger renters (21-24 years old) are permitted by a few rental agencies in Nashville (most commonly Enterprise, Hertz, and Alamo), but will typically be charged a Young Driver Surcharge of $25-$35 per day. Renters under the age of 21 are typically not allowed to rent cars.
Absolutely. One-way rentals are offered by most companies at BNA, and you can pick up your car in Nashville and return it to another city or airport-such as Memphis, Atlanta, or Knoxville. Fees will vary by company and distance; you should clarify the drop-off fee at the time of booking.
Once you’ve landed, plan for about 20-35 minutes to pick up your luggage, board the shuttle, and complete check-in at the counter (or take advantage of the faster, express service if you’re a loyalty member). During peak periods or when the city hosts a major event, counter wait times may increase; allow additional time in these circumstances.
No, you may not need to. Before accepting the rental agency’s Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), consult your personal automobile insurance policy – often, this will cover rental cars. Alternatively, several credit cards (Visa Infinite, Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum, etc.) provide primary or secondary rental car coverage when you pay with the card; know your coverage before your trip.