How to Get Around Nashville Without a Car
Nashville is not a walking city by design, but it's an extremely manageable city without a car — especially if you're staying in or near the main visitor neighborhoods. Here's how to navigate it.
Uber and Lyft Are Your Primary Transport
Rideshare is how most visitors get around Nashville and it works well. Pickup times are fast, coverage is city-wide, and prices are reasonable outside of surge periods. Expect surge pricing on Friday and Saturday nights after 10pm — rides from Broadway can run $20-$40 for short trips during peak hours. The fix: walk a block or two away from the main strip before requesting a ride.
Walking Within Neighborhoods
Each of Nashville's main neighborhoods is walkable within itself. You can walk all of Lower Broadway, the Gulch, East Nashville's Five Points area, all of 12 South, and most of Germantown. What you can't do is walk between most of them — they're 1-3 miles apart. Rideshare fills that gap.
Scooters and Bikes
Bird and Lime scooters are available throughout downtown and the inner neighborhoods. They're a good option for short trips within a neighborhood or for the stretch between downtown and the Gulch. Not ideal for longer hauls or late-night use when sidewalks get crowded.
Nashville's WeGo Bus System
WeGo Public Transit operates buses throughout the city. It's affordable but slow and not optimized for the visitor experience. The Music City Star commuter rail runs east-west but isn't useful for most downtown-focused trips. For most visitors, WeGo is not worth the effort.
The Nashville Pedal Tavern and Party Buses
For groups, pedal taverns and party buses are a legitimate transportation option that doubles as an activity. They're popular for bachelorette parties and birthday groups. You book a route, bring your own drinks, and pedal or ride through downtown with a guide. It's a Nashville staple.
Getting From the Airport
BNA Nashville International Airport is about 8 miles from downtown. An Uber or Lyft runs $25-$45 depending on traffic and time of day. There is no direct rail connection from the airport to downtown. Taxis are available but rideshare is almost always faster and cheaper.
Arrive to a Fully Ready Rental
If your group is staying at an Airbnb or vacation rental, skip the first-night grocery run. Music City Weekend Co. delivers and stocks your rental before you check in — cold drinks, breakfast items, snacks, and any rental gear you need. One less errand when you're navigating a new city without a car. Shop the full catalog at musiccityweekend.co/shop, or learn more about Nashville grocery delivery and fridge stocking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nashville walkable?
Individual Nashville neighborhoods like Broadway, the Gulch, East Nashville, and 12 South are very walkable within themselves. Getting between neighborhoods requires rideshare or a scooter. Nashville overall scores low on walkability compared to cities like New York or Chicago.
How much does an Uber cost in Nashville?
Most Uber rides within Nashville run $10-$25 during normal hours. Rides from Broadway on Friday or Saturday night after 10pm can surge to $30-$50 for short distances. Requesting a block or two away from the strip helps reduce surge pricing.
Is there public transportation in Nashville?
Yes. WeGo Public Transit operates a bus network throughout the city. It's affordable but not built for the visitor experience. Most tourists and visitors rely on Uber and Lyft instead.
Can you do Nashville without renting a car?
Absolutely. The vast majority of visitors never need a rental car. Rideshare handles everything within the city. A rental car is only useful if you're planning day trips to places like Franklin, Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, or Land Between the Lakes.