Is Nashville expensive for a weekend?
Nashville can be expensive, especially around Broadway, but you can reduce the cost by staying outside downtown, comparing airport transfers, choosing free live music, sharing meals and planning free activities.
Nothing beats a weekend of pure fun in Nashville, where live music echoes endlessly, rooftop bars beckon, and the vibrant energy never fades. Yet, this excitement often comes with a hefty price tag. If you’re craving a budget-friendly Nashville getaway without sacrificing the fun, look no further. There were six of us when we visited in April 2024, so we got good at saving money. Here are our savvy tips, plus a few extras I found while researching this update.
How to get from Nashville Airport to downtown cheaply
When we visited Nashville in April 2024, a Lyft from the airport was $USD24 compared to $USD45 for an Uber. Prices change all the time, so check both apps before you book. If you’re travelling light, WeGo’s Route 18 bus runs from the airport to downtown for just $USD2 each way, and your ticket works as a 2-hour pass. It’s slower than a ride, so we didn’t try it ourselves, but it’s worth knowing about. Once you’re in the city, the free Downtown Circuit bus is handy for short hops.
Cheap places to eat in Nashville
We went to Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint and got a sharing platter for one that fed 3 of us. We all left feeling uncomfortably but happily full. Order less than you think you need!
Where to stay in Nashville on a budget
- Motif on Music Row is the best for groups. It’s an all-suite hotel about 1.5 miles from the centre of Nashville, with a full kitchen in every suite and a rooftop pool. It also has two- and three-bedroom units and connecting rooms.
- Moxy Nashville Vanderbilt at Hillsboro Village is the best for a local feel. It’s in the walkable Hillsboro Village neighbourhood, a 5-minute walk from Vanderbilt and Belmont universities. Guests get a welcome cocktail at check-in, and the lobby has darts, pool and shuffleboard.
- The Hayes Street Hotel is the best for saving on extras. It’s a boutique hotel in Midtown, steps from Music Row. The hotel says free breakfast and WiFi, on-site parking and two welcome drinks at check-in are included, and free breakfast adds up over a weekend.
You don’t need to stay in downtown Nashville, it is easy to travel around and will save you fortune staying just outside downtown.
How to save money on day adventures in Nashville
You don’t need to spend your whole time on Broadway. Venture to the 12th and South neighbourhood. Spend a day wandering the shops and quirky cafes, and looking up the murals. They are all on Google Maps and are free and beautiful to see. They also have some wonderful bars to spend an afternoon hopping between, it is truly a unique area.
Free live music in Nashville
There is so much free live music to choose from. Hop from bar to bar until you find the right one, and do not pay for entry, there is no need. Remember to look on each level of the bars too, as they usually all have different bands.
How to save money on Nashville souvenirs
They tend to be overpriced. For souvenirs with more local character and better prices, head to the independent boutiques in East Nashville or The Gulch.
Free things to do in Nashville
Besides 12 South and the free music, a few other free options came up in my research:
- The Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge is a converted railroad bridge over the Cumberland River with free skyline views, and it links downtown with East Nashville.
- The Nashville Farmers’ Market is free to wander around.
- The First Saturday Art Crawl is a free art evening from 6 to 9pm, if your trip happens to fall on the first Saturday of the month.
Is the Nashville attraction pass worth it?
The Visit Music City Total Access Pass may lower the cost per visit. Check the current price and what’s included on the official Visit Music City website to see if it works out cheaper for the places you want to visit.
For more inspiration, explore Weekend Wonders, browse Trip Itineraries, find practical advice in Travel Tips, compare stays with Tips and tricks for finding the cheapest accommodation, and discover more affordable weekend destinations.
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