Nantes Atlantique Airport doesn't have a train or tram running directly into the terminal, but the dedicated airport shuttle bus, run by TAN (Transports de l'agglomération nantaise), covers the gap efficiently, dropping you at Nantes' main railway station and city centre in around half an hour and connecting straight onto the city's tram network from there.
The TAN airport shuttle: the standard way in
TAN's dedicated airport shuttle departs from a stop just outside arrivals, running to Nantes' central railway station (Gare SNCF) and on to the Commerce stop in the heart of the city, the hub where several tram lines converge — see our guide to paying for public transport abroad for the general principles behind fare systems like TAN's. The journey takes roughly 25–30 minutes, with buses running frequently through the day — often every 15–20 minutes at busier times, thinning out later in the evening. Tickets can be bought on board or through the TAN app, and cost a fixed fare regardless of exactly where along the route you're headed.
Connecting onto the tram network
Once you reach Gare SNCF or Commerce, Nantes' tram network takes over for onward travel to most neighbourhoods and hotels — three lines converge on the city centre, covering the historic core, the Île de Nantes and the university district. A single TAN ticket, or a multi-trip pass if you're staying more than a day or two, covers both the airport shuttle and onward tram travel, so it's worth buying accordingly if you know you'll be using the network again during your stay.
Taxis and rideshare
A taxi rank operates directly outside the terminal, and rideshare apps also serve the airport, though availability can be thinner than in much larger French cities like Paris or Lyon. The trip into the centre takes around 20–25 minutes by road, similar to or a little faster than the shuttle bus depending on traffic, but at a noticeably higher fare. For a late arrival after the shuttle has stopped running, a group with heavy luggage, or simply wanting a direct door-to-door ride, a taxi is the sensible choice.
Renting a car
Nantes Atlantique has rental car desks a short walk from the terminal, useful if your plans extend into the surrounding Loire-Atlantique countryside or towards the Atlantic coast beaches around La Baule and Pornic, neither of which are well covered by city transit. Central Nantes itself is compact and tram-friendly, so most visitors are better off leaving the car until they're ready to head out of town. See our guide to driving in France for the basic rules of the road, and our route guide to Nantes to Bordeaux for one popular onward route along the Atlantic coast.
Timing and first-timer tips
The walk from arrivals to the shuttle bus stop is short and clearly signed, and drivers are used to airport passengers with luggage, so there's no need to build in significant extra transfer time. If you're landing very late at night, check the current shuttle timetable before you fly — frequency drops considerably after the evening peak, and a taxi becomes the more dependable option once services thin out.
A small, easy airport
Nantes Atlantique is a single, compact terminal, and the walk from baggage claim to the shuttle stop or taxi rank takes only a couple of minutes — there's no need to budget significant extra transfer time the way you might at a much larger French airport like Charles de Gaulle or Orly. Because the terminal is small, queues for the shuttle bus rarely build up badly even after a busy arrival wave, and drivers are generally efficient about loading luggage before departing.
Getting around once you're in Nantes
Nantes' tram network is the backbone of getting around the city once you've arrived, supplemented by a dense bus network and the Navibus river shuttle across the Loire, useful for reaching Trentemoult, the picturesque fishing village directly across the river from the city centre. Tickets across all modes are covered by the same TAN system used for the airport shuttle. If your plans include the city's best-known attraction, the mechanical elephant and other giant kinetic sculptures at Les Machines de l'île, the tram reaches within easy walking distance from the Commerce hub — worth knowing since it isn't directly on the airport shuttle route itself.
Which option should you choose?
For most visitors, the TAN airport shuttle plus tram combination is the straightforward, cost-effective default — direct, comfortable with luggage, and connecting neatly onto the rest of the city's transport network. A taxi makes more sense for a late landing, a tight connection, or simply wanting the fastest door-to-door option regardless of cost. If you're continuing your trip by rail, see our guide to Paris to Nantes, and the wider France by train network for how Nantes connects to the rest of the country.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Nantes Atlantique Airport to the city centre?
Take the TAN airport shuttle bus, which runs from just outside arrivals to Nantes' main railway station and the Commerce tram hub in around 25–30 minutes, with onward connections onto the tram network.
Is there a tram directly to Nantes airport?
No — the tram network doesn't reach the terminal itself. The airport shuttle bus bridges the gap, connecting directly to Gare SNCF and Commerce, where several tram lines converge.
How much does a taxi cost from Nantes airport to the centre?
Fares are higher than the shuttle bus for a roughly 20–25 minute ride, reasonable for a late arrival, a group, or heavy luggage, but not the cheapest option for a solo budget traveller.
Can I use the same ticket for the shuttle and the tram?
Yes — a standard TAN ticket or a multi-trip pass covers both the airport shuttle and onward tram travel, worth buying as a pass if you'll be using Nantes' transport network again during your stay.
Sources and further reading:
- Ground transport information: Nantes Atlantique Airport official site.
- Shuttle bus and tram routes, fares and tickets: TAN (Transports de l'agglomération nantaise).