Getting around Nantes: the basics
Nantes is a compact, walkable city with a public transport network that is easy to use once you understand how it is organised. The network is branded Naolib and brings together trams, buses, river ferries and the airport shuttle under one ticketing system. Most stops have real-time indicator boards, and the central interchange hub is the Commerce stop in the city centre, where the tram lines meet.
One quirk worth knowing before you plan your days: public transport in Nantes is free for everyone at weekends. The only exception is the dedicated airport shuttle, which always charges.
Trams, Busways and the rail station
The tram is the backbone of the network, with three lines that intersect in the city centre. Trams connect the centre with key districts, the main railway station (Gare de Nantes) and the university. Two of the bus routes are "Busway" lines — buses running on dedicated infrastructure in a tram-like style — and there are also more frequent Chronobus bus lines alongside the standard ones.
Gare de Nantes is the city's rail hub and is aligned east–west, with two useful exits: the north side (gare nord) faces the city centre and the trams, while the south side (gare sud) serves regional buses and the Convention Centre. Both exits, and the connecting bridge between them, have ticket machines and cafes, and there is a connecting subway. The station was upgraded in 2020, so it is clean, modern and well-policed, though further work has meant some disruption.
From Nantes, high-speed TGV services run to Paris Montparnasse, and direct TGV connections also link the city to other major French cities. Regional TER trains run frequent services into Brittany and across the Pays de la Loire, which makes day trips to the coast and smaller towns straightforward. As a rule, trains are preferable for shorter regional trips, while intercity buses generally cost less but take noticeably longer.
Buses, night services and river ferries
Buses supplement the trams to give full city coverage, with a large number of daytime lines plus a small number of night buses. The Navibus river ferries are part of the same network and operate on the Erdre and Loire rivers, serving certain districts — a pleasant way to cross the water rather than a tourist cruise.
Intercity buses, mainly Flixbus and BlaBlaCar Bus, depart from the bus station near Gare de Nantes. Note that some BlaBlaCar services from other French cities are actually car-share rides and may start or drop off some distance from city centres. The inter-city bus terminus on Route de Paris, in the northeast of town, is little more than a draughty shelter outside a clinic, though trams and town buses stop nearby.
Tickets and passes
A single ticket is valid across the Naolib network for one hour with unlimited transfers. You pay more buying on board than from a ticket machine, and less again if you buy a carnet of ten or use the electronic "Formule Sur Mesure" e-ticket. There is also a 24-hour ticket that covers one person, or up to four people travelling together, which is good value if you are sightseeing as a group.
If you hold a Pass Nantes, it is valid on all public transport, including the airport shuttle and the Navibus, so you do not need a separate ticket. Rechargeable cards are available from tram stop kiosks and ticket machines and work across trams and buses. Validation is required — on board buses and at tram station platforms — and inspectors conduct frequent checks, so always tap or stamp your ticket.
For information and help, the Espace Mobilité information point is at place du Commerce, 2 allée Brancas. It is open Monday to Friday 09:30–18:00 and Saturday 09:30–17:30, and can be reached on +33 (0)2 40 44 44 44. The official network app provides real-time schedules and route planning. Be aware that there is no service on 1 May.
Bikes, including the self-service scheme
Nantes is bicycle-friendly, with bike lanes along most major roads and many small streets open only to pedestrians and cyclists. The self-service scheme, Naolib vélo, is designed for short trips rather than extended sightseeing: registration starts at a small daily fee with a deposit, and the first 30 minutes are free, after which the price rises in half-hour steps up to a 24-hour cap. There are almost a hundred pick-up and drop-off locations across the city, and the map shows real-time availability. One practical warning: plans renew automatically each month, even the "sans engagement" ones, so cancel explicitly at the end of your trip.
If you want to take your own bike on public transport, the rules are specific. Standard bikes are allowed on trams every day, one per entrance, but only outside peak hours — before 07:00, between 09:00 and 12:00, between 14:00 and 16:00, and after 19:00. They are allowed on Navibus 1 and 2 (up to ten bikes) and on the Passeur Erdre (up to five). Folding bikes and scooters are accepted on all transport every day with no time restrictions, provided they meet criteria such as being compact when folded, with parts locked and retractable handlebars and pedals. Cargo bikes are prohibited on public transport, and bicycles are not permitted on buses or Busways at all.
Taxis and ride-hailing
There are taxi ranks by Place du Commerce and at the railway station. City fares are metered, with a flagfall, a per-kilometre charge and an hourly waiting rate; these apply Monday to Saturday, 07:00–19:00. At the airport, only authorised taxis may pick up — Allo Taxis and Hep Taxis — and the rank is outside Arrivals. A ride downtown takes about 20 minutes and costs around €30. Have nothing to do with unauthorised taxis, and if you take a taxi elsewhere, confirm that the meter is running or agree a fixed fare in advance.
Walking
Much of central Nantes is comfortably walkable, and the city's compact historic core rewards exploring on foot. Many small streets are reserved for pedestrians and cyclists only, which keeps walking pleasant. The main practical anchor for orientation is the Commerce stop, which sits at the heart of the tram network and the shopping district, with the Espace Mobilité information point just off it.
Getting from Nantes Atlantique Airport into the city
Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE) lies southwest of the city centre and has a single terminal, with a ground-level concourse shared by departures and arrivals. It has the usual facilities including cafes and car rental. There are three main public transport options into town, plus taxis.
- Navette Aéroport (airport shuttle bus): runs daily from 06:00 to 23:00 every 20–30 minutes. It leaves from outside Arrivals and calls at the railway station's south entrance (gare sud), the Lieu Unique event gallery, and Place de Commerce. The journey takes roughly 20 minutes to the station and 30 minutes to Place du Commerce. The fare is €10.00, and this shuttle is the one service not covered by the weekend free-travel rule. It is covered by the Pass Nantes.
- Bus 38: runs from the airport every 20 minutes and takes about 25 minutes to Pirmil, just south of the bridge from Île de Nantes, where you can change onto Tram 3 into town; the bus itself continues along the south bank of the river to Greneraie. A single ticket costs €1.80 from the machine outside Arrivals (bank cards accepted) and is valid for interchanges for one hour. On Saturday and Sunday it is free.
- Bus 98: runs every 30–60 minutes and stops at the Lindbergh roundabout, about 500 m east of the airport, on its way from the village of Brains to Neustrie, the terminus of Tram 3. This is really only useful for the western edge of town, which Bus 38 does not serve. Buy your ticket outside Arrivals, as there is no machine at the roundabout stop.
- Taxi: authorised taxis wait outside Arrivals; a ride downtown takes about 20 minutes and costs around €30.
There are no plans to extend the tram to the airport, nor to use the railway line that runs right past it; instead a dedicated Busway is planned. For now, the shuttle is the simplest direct option, while Bus 38 is the cheapest if you are happy to change onto the tram.