Nantes is located at the confluence of the Loire and the Erdre rivers, just outside Brittany and the Atlantic Ocean. With good train, road, and air connections, the city is easily accessible from most major French and European cities.
Here, we present all the practical options for getting to Nantes, depending on your starting point and your preferences.
Summary: How to Get to Nantes
Here's a quick summary:
- By train from Paris Montparnasse: about 2 hours and 15 minutes by TGV; book your train tickets now
- By car from Paris (4 hours and 15 minutes), Angers (1 hour and 10 minutes), Tours (2 hours), or Rennes (1 hour and 30 minutes)— rent a car here
- By plane via Nantes Atlantique Airport, which is served year-round by flights from many European cities— compare available flights
- Day trips from Paris: convenient for groups or travelers who want to arrive directly without worrying about logistics; see day trips from Paris
- By long-distance bus: Flixbus and BlaBlaBus routes from several French cities
WHERE TO STAY IN Nantes
Downtown
Would you like to sleep in the heart of Nantes and enjoy its invigorating vitality? We liked it:
- Blu Radisson Hotel - see our article - see photos prices and availability
- L'Oceania - hotel de France - see our article - see photos prices and availability
Near the station
A train to catch at dawn, there's a truly magical address just 2 steps from Nantes train station:
- Le Sozo Hotel - see our article - see photos, prices and availability
On the banks of the Erdre
Looking for a bit of peace and quiet, without straying too far from the city of Nantes? 2 addresses on the banks of the Erdre river:
- La Rivière House - see photos, prices and availability
- Le Best Western Plus Hôtel de la Régate - view photos, prices and availability
Where is Nantes? Map
Nantes is the prefecture of Loire-Atlantique, on the western edge of the Loire Valley. The city lies along the river just before it flows into the estuary, about 50 km from the Atlantic Ocean. Its location gives it a dual identity, with ties to both the Loire Valley and Brittany and the coast.
Here are the travel times by car and train from the major nearby cities:
- From Paris: about 4 hours and 15 minutes by car, 2 hours and 15 minutes by TGV
- From Angers: about 1 hour and 10 minutes by car, 40 minutes by train
- From Tours: about 2 hours and 30 minutes by car, 2 hours by train
- From Rennes: about 1 hour and 30 minutes by car, 1 hour by train
- From La Baule: about 1 hour by car
- From La Rochelle: about 1 hour and 45 minutes by car
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
By train from Paris and the cities along the Loire River
The train remains one of the most convenient ways to get to Nantes. The train station is located right in the city center, just a few minutes' walk from the main neighborhoods. This is a real advantage over other modes of transportation, especially for travelers who don't want to drive once they arrive.
From Paris
TGV trains connect Paris Montparnasse to Nantes in about 2 hours and 15 minutes. Departures are frequent throughout the day, with a steady pace during peak hours. We appreciate this route for its reliability, and we recommend booking a few weeks in advance to get the best rates, especially during school breaks. Book your train tickets now!
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in the Loire Valley a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
From other cities in the Loire region and the Greater West
Nantes is well connected to the region's major cities. Here are the main routes:
- From Angers: about 40 minutes; several trains per hour
- From Tours: about 1 hour and 30 minutes, sometimes with a transfer in Angers
- From Rennes: about 1 hour and 15 minutes; regular service
- From Le Mans: about 1 hour and 30 minutes by Intercités train
We recommend that you book your tickets in advance, especially during the summer and school holidays. Rates are significantly lower several weeks before departure. Check the schedules and book your train tickets.
By car
A car offers the greatest freedom to explore Nantes and then venture out to the Loire Valley, Brittany, or the Atlantic beaches. This is a good option if you plan to visit several places during your stay, but we don't recommend it for getting around within the city itself, as we explain below.
The Main Routes
- From Paris: Take the A11 highway toward Le Mans, then Angers. About 4 hours and 15 minutes nonstop. Expect to pay a toll.
- From Angers: Take the A11 highway westbound. About 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- From Tours: Take the A85, then the A11. About 2 hours.
- From Rennes: Take the A811 highway, then the A11. About 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- From Bordeaux: state highway and the A83 highway. About 4 hours.
PLAN YOUR STAY IN Nantes
Itineraries
Visits
Rent a car
If you're arriving by train or plane and plan to explore the region, renting a car once you're there is still a good option. There are several agencies at the airport and in the city center. We recommend that you compare offers in advance, as rates vary significantly depending on the season. Find all our tips in our guide to renting a car in Nantes here. Compare car rental deals.
Parking in Nantes
The city center has several covered parking garages, located throughout the main neighborhoods. It is also possible to park on certain streets, but parking there is expensive and spaces are limited, especially during the day.
Instead, we recommend getting the Nantes City Pass, which provides access to more than 40 landmarks and museums, as well as the city's public transportation. Driving in Nantes can quickly become a real headache, what with the one-way streets, frequent roadwork, and lack of parking spaces. So it's best to leave your car behind once you arrive and get around on foot or by tram. Book your CityPass now.
By plane
Nantes has its own airport, Nantes Atlantique Airport, with the code NTE. It's the perfect way to avoid the major Parisian airports and travel directly to the Loire Valley, Brittany, and the Atlantic beaches. Find all the details in our comprehensive guide to Nantes Atlantique Airport.
Airlines and Destinations Served
Many airlines operate out of Nantes: Transavia, EasyJet, Volotea, Vueling, Swiss, Ryanair, Air Corsica, Aegean, and Iberia. The routes include, among others, the United Kingdom, Spain, the Canary Islands, Portugal, Corsica, Greece, and Morocco. Compare available flights.
Getting to the City from the Airport
The airport is located about 12 km from downtown, which is a 20-minute drive under normal conditions. There are several ways to get to Nantes, depending on your budget.
The shuttle connects the airport to downtown in 20 minutes for 9 euros, with three stops along the way. Find the current operating hours here. A taxi is still a convenient option; expect to pay between 30 and 40 euros for a ride to the city center. Finally, if you're planning a road trip as soon as you arrive, renting a car is the easiest option: there are rental agencies right outside the terminal.
By long-distance bus
Long-distance buses are an affordable option for traveling to Nantes, especially for those on a tight budget. Flixbus and BlaBlaBus provide service to the city from Paris and several major French cities. Travel times are longer than by train, but prices are often very competitive, especially if you book in advance. View Flixbus routes to Nantes
On a day trip from Paris
Are you in Paris and interested in exploring Nantes and the western Loire Valley without having to plan an entire trip? Organized transfers and excursions are a comfortable, convenient option for groups or travelers who want to arrive directly at their destination without worrying about logistics. This package is particularly well-suited for international visitors who have limited time and prefer a fully managed experience, from transportation to the scheduled stops along the route. See day trips from Paris to the Loire Valley.
It's time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
And once in Nantes...
Nantes has some wonderful discoveries in store. The Elephant and the Machines de l'Ile, the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, the Museum of Fine Arts, and, of course, the city’s many parks and gardens are, in our opinion, must-see attractions. We recommend that you plan to spend at least two days exploring the city and its surroundings.
Check out our article “Things to Do in Nantes” and our article “Where to Stay in Nantes” featuring our favorite hotels to help you plan your trip.
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
HE MADE THE TRIP Manu
