Why Nashville Airport Charges Some of the Highest Uber Lyft Fees

(NASHVILLE) Nashville International Airport (BNA) now ranks among airports with the highest ride-share fees in the United States 🇺🇸, following a major shift that took effect this summer. On June 3, 2025, the airport moved all Uber and Lyft pickups and drop-offs into its Ground Transportation Center (GTC) to clear traffic at the terminal curbs. Since then, riders have seen airport surcharges in the $7–$10 range per ride, applied to both pickups and drop-offs, on top of standard fares and service charges. Airport leaders say the costs support construction and keep traffic moving; riders and drivers say the hit to the wallet is hard to ignore.

What changed and where to go

The new setup places every ride-share trip at the Ground Transportation Center (GTC), located on Level 1 of Terminal Garage 2, next to the main terminal. For pickups, riders request their car in the app and then follow signs to the GTC. For drop-offs, drivers now leave passengers at the GTC instead of the terminal curb.

BNA says the walk from the GTC to the Grand Lobby is less than five minutes. The change is part of BNA’s “New Horizon” expansion and its Terminal Access Roadway Improvement program. According to the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA), centralizing ride-share activity reduces curbside crowding, improves safety, and allows airport staff to manage surges more smoothly during peak hours.

The airport also rolled out an “instant rematch” option for drivers. After dropping off, a driver can accept another request immediately, which helps cut idle time and can increase earnings during busy periods.

“Centralizing ride-share activity reduces curbside crowding, improves safety, and allows airport staff to manage surges more smoothly,” — MNAA (summary of airport rationale)

How the new process works (step-by-step)

1. Request your Uber or Lyft in the app as usual.
2. For pickups: follow app prompts and airport signs to GTC, Terminal Garage 2, Level 1.
3. For drop-offs: expect drivers to take you to the GTC rather than the curb.
4. Walk from the GTC to the Grand Lobby (typically under five minutes).

Passenger costs and fee details

• Riders have reported a flat BNA airport surcharge commonly between $7 and $10 per ride.
• In some cases, an additional $1 per extra passenger appears.
• The BNA airport fee appears automatically in fare breakdowns, added to base price, time & distance, and platform service fees.
• Lyft lists its airport fees as “varies”; Uber does not post a public schedule. Real-time fare breakdowns shared by users show the typical surcharge range above.

Industry observers note that combined costs for common routes—such as BNA to downtown Nashville, Brentwood, or Franklin—have trended higher than comparable trips from similar-sized U.S. airports. VisaVerge.com reports these increases and provides route analysis.

Industry and traveler response

• Analysts say BNA’s ride-share fees now rival or exceed those at major hubs like LAX, SFO, and JFK.
• Budget-minded travelers may switch to:
  • taxis,
  • shuttle buses,
  • pre-booked car services,
  • or shared rides, depending on group size and trip length.

For drivers:
– The “instant rematch” can string rides together and reduce deadhead miles.
– Centralized staging can create longer queues at peak times.
– Opinions vary: some worry higher fees will reduce short-haul demand; others believe tourists and business travelers will pay for predictability.

Why this matters for Nashville

Nashville is a fast-growing destination city with rapid airport expansion, flights, and passenger volume. As traffic has grown, curbside areas became chokepoints. The GTC model is intended to:

• handle growth more safely,
• separate buses, shuttles, taxis, and ride-shares,
• keep pedestrian and vehicle flows organized.

The trade-off is higher costs borne by app-based ride users.

Revenue rules and transparency

Airport officials say the fees support the GTC, terminal expansions, and road upgrades, and that revenue use aligns with federal rules. The Federal Aviation Administration’s policy on airport revenue explains how facilities may spend income derived from airport operations. See the FAA guidance here: https://www.faa.gov/airports/airport_compliance/revenue_use.

Travel advocacy groups want more transparency about how ride-share fees are set and when they might drop once the building phase eases. Riders have also urged clearer signs inside the terminal so first-time visitors can find the GTC without confusion.

Practical tips for passengers

• Request your Uber or Lyft as usual.
• For pickups: go to GTC, Terminal Garage 2, Level 1, following airport signs and app prompts.
• For drop-offs: expect drivers to take you to the GTC rather than the curb.
• Plan for the $7–$10 airport surcharge per ride and possible $1 per extra passenger.
• Build in a few extra minutes for the walk between the GTC and the terminal.

Additional considerations:
– Families: strollers and luggage carts can handle the GTC walk; pack light or request a larger vehicle when possible.
– Tight connections: leave earlier from origin points—curbside drop-off is no longer available.
– Frequent riders: budget for repeated surcharges if you rely on ride-share regularly.
– Alternatives: taxis often stage near ride-shares at the GTC; hotel/off-airport shuttles and pre-booked car services may offer different pricing or convenience.

Contacts, monitoring, and outlook

• Ground Transportation questions: (615) 275-1675
• GTC address: 1 Terminal Drive, Nashville, TN 37214 (Terminal Garage 2, Level 1)

According to VisaVerge.com analysis, close monitoring through upcoming travel peaks—Labor Day and the winter holidays—will show whether the GTC setup and fee structure reduce congestion without pushing too many riders to other modes.

BNA’s expansion is ongoing. As new phases open, operations could shift (lane patterns, staging zones, etc.). The MNAA says it will continue to review ride-share policy as part of the broader build-out. Until further notice, passengers should expect the GTC-only pickup and drop-off rule and one of the highest ride-share fee structures in the country to remain in place.