Nashville Unscripted · Nashville Airport
Everything you need for Nashville International Airport (BNA) in one place: the Dolly Parton rename, construction, parking, getting downtown, where to eat, and flying with your dog.
The short version: Nashville International Airport (BNA) is about 8 miles east of downtown, roughly 15–20 minutes by car outside rush hour. It’s being renamed in honor of Dolly Parton, though the final name isn’t set. It’s mid-construction through late 2027. On-airport parking runs $24–$48 a day. Uber, Lyft and taxis pick up on Level 1 of Terminal Garage 2, and a taxi downtown is a $30 flat fare.
Airport Code
BNA
Address
1 Terminal Dr, Nashville TN 37214
To Downtown
8 miles · 15–20 min
Taxi Downtown
$30 flat
Parking
$24–$48/day
Free Cell Lot
1415 Murfreesboro Pike
The New Name: Renaming BNA for Dolly Parton
On September 11, 2026, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority board voted 6–0 to begin renaming the airport in honor of Dolly Parton, who died August 25 at 80. The final name hasn’t been announced, and it’s not yet decided whether the BNA code will change. For travelers, nothing is different yet: tickets, boarding passes and signs still say BNA.
Full story and timeline: the Dolly Parton airport rename →
Construction Through 2027
BNA’s $40 million Central Core project started June 1, 2026 and is expected to finish in December 2027. It’s expanding the escalators between ground transportation, baggage claim and ticketing from 6 to 16. While it’s underway, the middle of the terminal is a work zone, so expect detours and give yourself about 30 extra minutes. A new rental car facility and parking garage are also being built where Terminal Lot A used to be.
What’s open, what’s closed and how to get through: BNA construction guide →
Parking at BNA
| Option | Daily Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Economy Lots B & C | $24 | Free shuttle about every 10 minutes |
| Terminal Garages 1 & 2 | $36 | Covered, walk to terminal, first 30 minutes free |
| Valet | $48 | Ground floor of Garage 1 |
| Off-airport lots | Usually much less | Book ahead, shuttle to terminal |
2026 Changes
Rates went up this year, Lot A is closed, and on-airport parking is cashless. Older guides that quote $16 economy or $26 garages are out of date.
Full rates, cost by trip length and off-airport options: BNA parking guide →
Driving to BNA?
Reserve Parking Before You Leave
The terminal garages fill up often. Compare off-airport lots and lock in a spot.
Find BNA Airport Parking →Getting to Downtown and Broadway
Downtown and Lower Broadway are about 15–20 minutes away in normal traffic and 30–45 minutes at rush hour. Your options:
- Taxi: $30 flat to downtown, plus $2 per extra passenger. No surge pricing.
- Uber or Lyft: live app fare, often similar to the taxi except during surges. When we landed around 1 p.m. on a weekday, our Uber to Broadway took about 20 minutes and cost $25 with tip.
- WeGo Route 18 bus: about $2, roughly hourly, slower and best with light luggage.
- Rental car: counters on Level 1, cars in Terminal Garage 1. Only worth it if you’re leaving downtown.
Times, costs and when to leave for your flight: Nashville Airport to Broadway →
Finding Your Ride: Uber, Lyft and Taxis
Pickups are not on the arrivals curb. From baggage claim, go down to Level 1, exit the terminal, turn right and follow the covered walkway to the Ground Transportation Center in Terminal Garage 2.
- Lyft: Zone A
- Uber: Zones B and C
- Taxis, hotel shuttles and the WeGo bus: also in the Ground Transportation Center
Picking Someone Up?
Wait free at the cell phone lot at 1415 Murfreesboro Pike. It has live flight screens. BNA estimates about 15 minutes from landing to the curb without bags and 30 with bags.
Step-by-step pickup directions →
Where to Eat and Drink at BNA
BNA leans hard into local names, so you can get a real taste of Nashville before you board. All of these are past security, and hours vary with flight schedules, so check BNA’s dining directory for early or late flights.
| Craving | Where | Why Go |
|---|---|---|
| Hot chicken | Hattie B’s, Concourse C | Nashville’s best-known hot chicken, with a BNA-only breakfast menu until 10 a.m. |
| Live country music | Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Concourse C | The Lower Broadway honky-tonk’s airport outpost, with live local music all day |
| Tennessee spirits | TN Moonshine Bar, Concourse B | Local moonshine cocktails, plus quick sandwiches and salads |
| Local coffee | Barista Parlor; Frothy Monkey, Concourse D | Two Nashville coffee favorites |
| Soccer fans | The Castle, Concourse D | Nashville SC–themed restaurant and bar |
You’ll also find more local names around the terminal, including Prince’s Hot Chicken, Ole Red and Bar-B-Cutie SmokeHouse. Locations can shift during construction, so check the airport’s directory for the gate nearest you.
Flying With Your Dog
BNA bills itself as the first airport certified by Better Cities for Pets, a program from Franklin-based Mars Petcare. The airport’s signage lists:
- An open-air dog park on the pedestrian plaza on top of Terminal Garage 1
- An indoor pet and service-animal relief area on Concourse D, past security
- Two outdoor relief areas on the Departures Level
Use the rooftop dog park or the outdoor areas before security. Once you’re through, Concourse D has the indoor option.
Where to Stay
Early flight? Several hotels near the airport run free shuttles, and some offer park-and-fly packages that bundle a night’s stay with parking for your trip.
Here to see Nashville? Stay downtown and skip the car. Two we’ve checked out ourselves: Dolly Parton’s SongTeller Hotel, a two-minute walk from the honky-tonks, and Union Station Nashville Yards, a historic train station hotel on upper Broadway.
Book Your Nashville Stay
Airport or Downtown
Compare hotels near BNA, or book a downtown base for your trip.
Browse Nashville Hotels → Browse Nashville VRBOs →BNA Tips Locals Use
- Allow extra time during construction: add about 30 minutes to your usual routine.
- Avoid rush hour on I-40: weekday mornings and late afternoons can double the drive.
- Pack a card: on-airport parking is cashless.
- Follow the signs, not old maps: walking routes inside the terminal change as construction moves.
→ Nashville Airport Renamed for Dolly Parton
→ BNA Construction 2026
→ BNA Airport Parking: 2026 Rates
→ Nashville Airport to Broadway
→ BNA Uber, Lyft & Taxi Pickup
→ WeGo Transit Nashville
Last updated October 2026. Rates, restaurant locations, pickup zones and the airport’s name are changing during construction and the rename process. Confirm current details at flynashville.com before you travel. This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.