Nantes Atlantique Airport

Nantes Atlantique Airport (NTE) is the largest airport in western France, serving as the gateway to the Loire Valley, southern Brittany, and the Atlantic coast. Located approximately 8 km southwest of Nantes city center in Bouguenais, the airport handled 6.5 million passengers in 2023.

The airport has a single L-shaped terminal divided into four halls:

• Halls 1-3: Form the main terminal building with check-in and baggage claim on the ground floor, departure lounges on the upper level
• Hall 4: A newer single-story extension connected to the main building by a lobby

Nantes Atlantique is a focus city for Volotea (the airport's largest operator with 42 destinations), Transavia France, easyJet, and Air France HOP. The airport offers approximately 90 direct destinations across Europe, North Africa, and a few routes to the Americas.

Nearby Airports

Nantes is well-positioned in western France, but alternative airports exist in the region:

Rennes-Saint-Jacques (RNS) — 102 km north

• Serves Brittany's capital
• Air France, easyJet, Volotea
• Best for: Northern Brittany destinations

La Rochelle-Ile de Re (LRH) — 113 km south

• Small regional airport
• Ryanair, easyJet seasonal routes
• Best for: Charente-Maritime coast, Ile de Re

Nantes Atlantique Airport is located 8 km southwest of the city center, with the airport shuttle providing a direct connection to the train station and central Nantes.

Typical travel times:

• Nantes city center by shuttle: 20-28 minutes
• Nantes train station by shuttle: 21 minutes
• City center by taxi: 15-20 minutes (traffic dependent)

The airport shuttle stop is located on the pathway opposite the entrance to check-in desks D.

Uber

Uber operates at Nantes Atlantique Airport.

• Pickup location: Follow signs in the app; pickup at arrivals level
• Services available: UberX, Uber Comfort
• Estimated fare to city center: EUR 20-30 (~USD 22-33)

Bolt

Bolt is also available in Nantes and serves the airport.

• Fares: Generally similar to or slightly cheaper than Uber
• App: Download Bolt app before arrival

Taxi

Licensed taxis queue outside Hall 1 arrivals. Fares are metered.

Destination	Fare	Time
Nantes city center	EUR 30-35 (~USD 33-38)	15-20 min
Nantes train station	EUR 25-30 (~USD 27-33)	15-20 min
Saint-Nazaire	EUR 80-100 (~USD 88-110)	45 min

Note: Fares are calculated by taximeter. Base fee is EUR 7.10, with EUR 1.78/km during the day or EUR 2.67/km at night. Confirm estimated fare before departure. Not all taxis accept cards—carry cash as backup.

Navette Aeroport (Airport Shuttle)

The Navette Aeroport is an express shuttle bus connecting the airport directly to the train station and city center. It operates as part of the TAN (Nantes transit network) but uses a special fare.

To Nantes City Center:

1. Exit arrivals and follow signs to "Navette Aeroport"
2. Shuttle stop is opposite check-in desks D
3. Journey time: 20-28 minutes depending on stop

Stops:

• Gare SNCF - Acces Sud (train station): 21 min
• Lieu Unique - Cite des Congres: 22 min
• Centre-ville - Commerce (city center): 28 min

Ticket Type	Price
Single adult	EUR 10 (~USD 11)
Pass Nantes holders	Free

Frequency: Every 20 minutes (April-October) / Every 30 minutes (November-March) Operating hours: First departure from city center at 04:30, last departure from airport at midnight Closed: May 1st

Where to buy tickets: Relay kiosk in departure hall, vending machines at tram stops, or TAN Naolib mobile app. Your shuttle ticket includes one hour of travel on the entire Nantes metro network.

Budget Alternative: Bus + Tram

For significant savings, take the regular TAN bus and tram:

1. Take Bus 38 from "Aeroport" stop to Pirmil (24 min)
2. Transfer to Tram Line 2 or 3 to Commerce (city center)
3. Total journey: 35-40 minutes
4. Cost: EUR 1.80 (~USD 2)—a single ticket covers both bus and tram

This option is ideal for budget travelers with light luggage.

Connections from Nantes

Nantes train station (Gare de Nantes) offers excellent TGV connections:

Destination	Journey Time	Frequency
Paris Montparnasse	2h 15min	Multiple daily
Bordeaux	4 hours	Several daily
La Rochelle	2 hours	Several daily
Rennes	1h 20min	Frequent

Nantes Atlantique offers multiple parking options with significant online booking discounts (up to 53% off).

Facility	Location	Rate (1 week)	Notes
P1 Couvert	Terminal connected	EUR 150 (~USD 165)	Covered, direct indoor access
P3/P5 Proximite	3 min walk	EUR 115 (~USD 126)	Outdoor, close to terminal
P6 Proximite	5 min walk	EUR 115 (~USD 126)	Close to terminal
P7/P8/P9 ECO	10 min walk	From EUR 35 (~USD 38)	Budget option, 4000+ spaces

Tips:

• Book online at nantes.aeroport.fr for up to 53% discount
• P3 and P5 offer 20 minutes free for drop-off/pickup
• Drop-off car park offers 10 minutes free
• P9 ECO has no height limit—best for large vehicles

Off-Site Parking

Third-party options are significantly cheaper:

• Very Good Park Nantes: From EUR 23/week
• Atlantique Parking: From EUR 24/week
• Average third-party rate: EUR 35/week

Nantes Atlantique has undergone a recent commercial transformation with 15 modernized and new food outlets. Options span both the public area (before security) and the boarding area (after security).

Public Area (Landside)

• La Grande Tablee: Fresh local produce, seasonal home-style cooking
• Brioche Doree: French bakery chain, sandwiches, pastries
• Starbucks: Coffee and light snacks

Boarding Area (Airside)

• Les Brasses: Bar-restaurant-microbrewery with 20 organic craft beers brewed with Breton and Loire ingredients—a Priority Pass partner
• Big Fernand: Gourmet French burgers
• Ker Juliette: Traditional Breton crepes and galettes
• Pokawa: Fresh poke bowls
• Pret A Manger: Fresh sandwiches, salads, wraps prepared daily
• Nantes Airport Bar: Near gates 35-38, coffee, hot meals, salads
• Brioche Doree: Second location in boarding area
• La Buvette du Voyage: Restaurant, bar, cafe with diverse menu; serves "Nantes Airport Beer"

Local tip: Try a Breton crepe at Ker Juliette or sample organic local beers at Les Brasses for an authentic regional taste before departure.

Free unlimited WiFi is available throughout Nantes Atlantique Airport.

Detail	Information
Network name	Vinci Airports WiFi
Registration	Email and country required
Time limit	Unlimited
Speed	Good for browsing and email

Additionally, four internet terminals are available: two in the public area and two in the departure lounge.

SIM cards are available at the airport, though city shops typically offer better value.

Airport Locations

• Relay stores: Basic prepaid SIM options
• Limited carrier presence at the airport

French Mobile Carriers

Provider	Prepaid Price	Data
Orange	From EUR 20 (~USD 22)	10 GB
SFR	From EUR 15 (~USD 16)	10 GB
Free Mobile	EUR 2/month	50 MB (EUR 19.99 for 150GB)
Bouygues	From EUR 15 (~USD 16)	10 GB

Tip: For better deals, visit Orange, SFR, or Free Mobile stores in Nantes city center. EU roaming is included on all French SIM cards—visitors from EU countries can use their home SIM without extra charges.

ATMs are available in the terminal, operated by CIC-Ouest bank.

ATM Locations

• One ATM at check-in desks area
• One ATM outside the arrivals hall

Currency Exchange

A change desk is located at the Hall 2 Services counter (opposite Relay and Starbucks):

• Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, 7 days a week
• Currencies: 50+ currencies available; others can be ordered within 48 hours
• Services: Buy/sell currencies, banknotes, coins, traveler's checks

Better alternatives:

• Withdraw EUR from ATMs using a no-fee debit card (decline dynamic currency conversion)
• France is increasingly cashless—cards accepted almost everywhere
• Wise or Revolut for better exchange rates
• Notify your bank before traveling to avoid card blocks

Nantes Atlantique offers shopping options in both the public and departure areas.

Duty-Free

Aelia Duty Free (Hall 3, 1st floor):

• 238 m2 modern boutique
• Hours: 4:30 AM - 10:30 PM daily
• Products: Perfumes, cosmetics, spirits, confectionery, jewelry, tobacco
• Tax-free prices available for non-EU destinations

Note: Duty-free purchases are only available for flights outside the European Union or to French overseas territories. Intra-EU travelers cannot benefit from duty-free prices.

Other Shops

• Relay/Monop'daily: Newspapers, books, snacks, travel essentials—locations in public area and boarding area
• Local souvenirs: French products and regional specialties

Shopping tip: Selection is limited compared to larger hubs. For serious shopping, head to Nantes city center.

Nantes Atlantique has limited lounge options, typical of a medium-sized regional airport.

Priority Pass Partner

Les Brasses (Boarding Area):

• Type: Restaurant-brewery experience (not a traditional lounge)
• Access: Priority Pass members receive EUR 23 credit toward bill
• Hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM daily
• What to expect: 80-seat venue serving 100% organic local craft beers, food menu available
• Note: Credit is per person, non-transferable; you pay the balance if bill exceeds EUR 23

Day Pass Options

No traditional business lounge with day pass purchase is currently available at Nantes Atlantique. Les Brasses via Priority Pass is the main option for travelers seeking a more comfortable pre-flight experience.

Hotels near Nantes Atlantique Airport are limited, with most options located in the city center (20-25 minutes by shuttle).

Near the Airport

• Best Western Plus Hotel & Spa (Bouguenais): 3-star, 10 min from terminal
• B&B Hotel Nantes Aeroport: Budget option, shuttle available
• ibis Nantes Aeroport: 3-star budget chain, near airport

In Nantes City Center (20-28 min by shuttle)

For more options and atmosphere, stay in the city:

• Radisson Blu Hotel Nantes: 4-star, near train station
• Hotel Sozo: Design hotel in a converted chapel
• Oceania Hotel de France: 4-star, central location
• Okko Hotels Nantes Chateau: Modern, near Chateau des Ducs

Nantes is the historic capital of the Dukes of Brittany and France's sixth-largest city. Strategically located at the confluence of the Loire and Erdre rivers, it serves as the perfect gateway to the Loire Valley chateaux, the Brittany coast, and the Atlantic beaches.

Getting to Key Attractions

Destination	Travel Time	Route
Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne	25-30 min	Shuttle + walk
Les Machines de l'Ile	30 min	Shuttle + tram
Cathedral St. Pierre et St. Paul	25-30 min	Shuttle + walk
Passage Pommeraye	25 min	Shuttle to Commerce
Nantes Train Station	21 min	Direct shuttle

Nantes Highlights

• Chateau des Ducs de Bretagne: 15th-century fortress with moat, now housing the Nantes History Museum
• Les Machines de l'Ile: Extraordinary mechanical creatures including a 12-meter walking elephant that carries passengers
• Passage Pommeraye: Stunning 19th-century shopping arcade on three levels
• The Green Line: Self-guided walking tour marked on the pavement connecting all major attractions
• Ile de Nantes: Creative district with contemporary art installations and urban renewal projects

Gateway to the Loire Valley

Nantes is the western gateway to the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage region famous for its chateaux:

Chateau	Distance	Travel Time
Chateau de Nantes	In city	25 min from airport
Chateau de Clisson	35 km	40 min by car
Chateau d'Angers	90 km	1 hour by car/train
Chateau de Chambord	240 km	2.5 hours by car
Chateau de Chenonceau	220 km	2.5 hours by car

Gateway to Brittany & Atlantic Coast

• La Baule: France's longest beach (8 km of sand), 75 km west, 1 hour by train
• Guerande: Medieval walled town famous for salt marshes, 80 km west
• Le Croisic & Batz-sur-Mer: Charming fishing villages on the coast
• Carnac: Prehistoric standing stones, 115 km northwest
• Pornic: Seaside resort, 50 km southwest

Puy du Fou

Located 90 km southeast of Nantes, Puy du Fou has been voted "Best Park in the World" multiple times. This unique historical theme park features no rides—instead, it stages elaborate shows recreating moments from European history across 200 hectares of forest.

Food & Drink

Nantes cuisine blends Loire Valley and Breton influences:

• Muscadet: Crisp white wine from the Nantes region, perfect with seafood
• Crepes and galettes: Breton buckwheat pancakes, found throughout the city
• Fruits de mer: Fresh Atlantic seafood platters
• Petit beurre LU: The famous butter biscuit was invented in Nantes
• Berlingots Nantais: Traditional striped hard candies

Travel Tips

• Purchase a Pass Nantes for unlimited transit, museum entry, and some attraction discounts (also includes free airport shuttle)
• The Green Line painted on the ground guides you through all major sights
• Many shops close Sundays; markets at Talensac (Tuesday-Sunday) are a local favorite
• TGV from Paris takes just over 2 hours—Nantes makes an easy weekend trip
• Best weather: May to September; winters are mild but rainy