BNA Rental Car Guide: Nashville International Airport
Renting a car at Nashville International Airport (BNA) in Nashville, Tennessee. This guide covers the pickup process, top brands on-airport, average prices, hidden fees, and the specific tricks for saving money at BNA that you would not learn from the rental company itself.
Where to pick up your rental at BNA
On-airport rental facility connected to terminal by short walk.
Rental counters are inside the new terminal building, off baggage claim. No shuttle for most.
BNA pricing & hidden fees
Average daily rate: $55-$80 economy, $100-$160 SUV.
Mandatory airport fees: Concession recovery 11%, customer facility charge $4/day, TN state tax 7% + Davidson County 2.25%.
That means a $50/day economy rental at BNA actually costs $65-$75/day after fees. Always check the all-in total when comparing across brands.
Top rental brands at BNA
BNA hosts 10 on-airport rental brands:
- Hertz
- Enterprise
- Avis
- Budget
- National
- Alamo
- Dollar
- Thrifty
- Sixt
- Fox
Best for premium service: Enterprise (largest local fleet)
Cheapest base rates: Fox (often 25% below majors)
For each brand's specific fuel policies and refueling charges, see our deep-dive guides:
Hertz fuel policy · Enterprise fuel policy · Avis fuel policy · Budget fuel policy · National fuel policy
BNA-specific quirks worth knowing
Should you rent off-airport instead?
Nashville is growing fast and rental demand often exceeds supply. Off-airport in suburbs may have better availability.
Worth considering for longer rentals: Brentwood (15 min) for cheaper week+ rentals.
How to save the most at BNA
- Compare across all 10 brands. Price differences of 30-40% for the same car class on the same dates are common at BNA.
- Skip prepaid fuel. Self-fill at a station 3-5 miles from the rental return is cheaper in 85%+ of cases. FillItRight calculates the exact gallons.
- Decline counter insurance. Your credit card or auto policy almost certainly covers it. InsureItRight tells you which.
- Photograph everything at pickup. Every panel, the fuel gauge, the odometer, with timestamps on. Saves you in damage disputes 30+ days later.
- Read the agreement. Especially the fuel policy section — that's where the $9-$11/gal refueling charge hides.
Frequently asked questions
Where do you pick up a rental car at BNA?
On-airport rental facility connected to terminal by short walk. Rental counters are inside the new terminal building, off baggage claim. No shuttle for most.
What is the average rental car price at BNA?
$55-$80 economy, $100-$160 SUV. Plus airport fees that typically add 25-40% to the displayed daily rate.
What hidden fees should I watch for at BNA?
Concession recovery 11%, customer facility charge $4/day, TN state tax 7% + Davidson County 2.25%. These are mandatory and apply to every rental at this airport.
Which rental car company is best at BNA?
For premium fleet and reliability: Enterprise (largest local fleet). For cheapest base rates: Fox (often 25% below majors). Always compare total prices including the airport fees.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off-airport from BNA?
Nashville is growing fast and rental demand often exceeds supply. Off-airport in suburbs may have better availability. Specifically: Brentwood (15 min) for cheaper week+ rentals.
Are there any quirks to renting at BNA?
Nashville sees major spikes during CMA Awards (November), Stagecoach overflow (October), and bachelorette season (March-October). Book 6+ weeks ahead.