How to Get Around Tennessee

Getting Around

Nashville International Airport (BNA) and Memphis International Airport (MEM) are Tennessee's major air gateways; Memphis's airport is also a global logistics hub, home to FedEx's air cargo operations. Within cities, Nashville's WeGo Public Transit, Memphis's MATA and Chattanooga's CARTA (which also operates the historic Lookout Mountain Incline Railway) run local bus networks, though a car remains the most practical way to move between Tennessee's cities and to reach Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The park itself, straddling the Tennessee-North Carolina border near Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, charges no entrance fee -- almost unique among major U.S. national parks -- but requires a parking tag for any stay over 15 minutes. Manchester, home to the annual Bonnaroo festival, and the wider Middle Tennessee region are best reached by car, as is most of rural East and West Tennessee.

Verified against National Park Service, September 2026.

By air. Nashville International Airport (BNA) and Memphis International Airport (MEM) are the state's main gateways; Memphis's airport is also FedEx's global air-cargo hub.

Within Nashville. WeGo Public Transit's local buses cost $2 for two hours of unlimited rides, capped at $4 per day or $65 per month; WeGo Star provides regional rail service.

Within Memphis. MATA operates buses and trolleys; standard fares are $1.00 for adults, though MATA has run a Zero Fare pilot program offering free rides.

Within Chattanooga. CARTA's one-way adult cash fare is $1.50; CARTA also runs the historic Lookout Mountain Incline Railway.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park. No entrance fee is charged, but a parking tag is required for any stay over 15 minutes: $5 daily, $15 weekly, or $40 annually.

By car. Essential for reaching the park, Manchester and most of rural Tennessee; interstate highways connect the state's main cities.

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Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against National Park Service — Great Smoky Mountains National Park charges no entrance fee -- the parking tag required for any stay over 15 minutes is a separate charge, not an entrance fee -- with parking tags priced at $5 daily, $15 weekly or $40 annually, Great Smoky Mountains National Park charges no entrance fee -- the parking tag required for any stay over 15 minutes is a separate charge, not an entrance fee -- with parking tags priced at $5 daily, $15 weekly or $40 annually (September 2026).
Checked against WeGo Public Transit (Nashville) — WeGo Public Transit (Nashville) charges $2 for two hours of unlimited rides, capped at $4 per day or $65 per month, WeGo Public Transit (Nashville) charges $2 for two hours of unlimited rides, capped at $4 per day or $65 per month (September 2026).
Checked against MATA (Memphis Area Transit Authority) — MATA (Memphis's transit authority) has run a Zero Fare 90-Day Pilot Program offering free rides on buses, trolleys and MATAplus; its standard fare is $1.00 for an adult bus ride, MATA (Memphis's transit authority) has run a Zero Fare 90-Day Pilot Program offering free rides on buses, trolleys and MATAplus; its standard fare is $1.00 for an adult bus ride (September 2026).
Checked against CARTA (Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority) — CARTA (Chattanooga's transit authority) charges a one-way adult cash fare of $1.50, CARTA (Chattanooga's transit authority) charges a one-way adult cash fare of $1.50 (September 2026).