Car Hire Nantes Airport

Car Hire

Five miles from Nantes, Nantes Atlantique Airport offers easy access to the historical city and other attractions in Pays de Loire. Shuttle buses operate between the airport and Nantes, while slower trams take up to 35 minutes. Car hire in Nantes Atlantique Airport offers passengers the quickest way to the city, with Nantes a 20-minute drive to the north.

Who to Book With
International car rental suppliers at the airport include Avis, National, Europcar and Hertz. All suppliers have offices on the esplanade right next to the car park, which is accessible from the terminal on foot. Vehicles are collected and dropped off in the airport’s car park.

Need to Know Essentials
The following documents are needed upon vehicle collection:

- Your UK driver’s licence (both parts)
- A document to confirm your ID, such as a passport or utility bill
- Booking confirmation

For more info read our FAQ's.

Driving
French authorities strictly enforce parking restrictions, and drivers should expect steep fines or towing if they park in an illegal area. Discs to park in blue zones can be purchased at police stations, tourist offices or shops and are to be displayed in the vehicle. Automatic petrol pumps are the norm and accept both credit and debit cards for payment, but UK drivers should carry cash in case their card is not accepted. It is obligatory to carry a warning triangle and a florescent jacket in your vehicle. Some roads are toll routes; UK drivers can use an automatic telepeage tag to pass through the automatic tag lanes.

To learn more about driving here, look at our guide to France.

Transport

The quickest way for arriving passengers to reach the city from the airport is to self-drive. Shuttle buses take longer, at around 30 minutes, while trams take even longer and do not run directly from the airport. Taxis are also available but are a pricey option.

Trains
Buses operate from the airport to Nantes Railway Station. From here, SNCF trains run to Paris, Lyon and Marseille.

Taxis
Taxis wait at the rank outside of the terminal building, while pre-arranged taxis wait in a separate area near the car hire facility.

Taxi prices:
Nantes Atlantique Airport to Nantes city centre is around £20

Buses
Tan Air shuttle buses run between the airport and Nantes, making a stop at Nantes Railway Station before terminating in the city centre. The bus stops in front of Hall 1 and operates every 30 minutes between 05:30 and 23:15. On Sundays and bank holidays, it operates between 06:15 and 23:15. Tickets are purchased directly on the bus and cost around £6. In addition, local bus number 37 stops outside of Terminal 1 and takes passengers to tramway Line 3, which services Nantes Place du Commerce.

Facilities

Terminals
The single terminal airport is the largest airport in the west of France and handles over 3.2 million passengers annually. The airport operates flights to a number of destinations within France and elsewhere in Europe, as well as to Morocco, Tunisia and Réunion, and seasonal services to Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic and Montréal, Canada.

Parking
There are nine car parks on site, with P4 being the closest lot to the terminal and P0 eco being the furthest away. Prices run from about £10 to £20 a day though rates drop after the first 24 hours.

Wi-Fi
Wireless internet is available throughout the entire airport. Cards can be purchased in the terminal and cost about £2 for 30 minutes, £3.50 for one hour and £8 for 24 hours.

Information Services
There is an information counter in the terminal’s Hall 1.

Useful Numbers
Call Centre: +33 240 848 000

Accessibility
The airport offers facilities and services for passengers with reduced mobility. There is a drop-off point just outside of the terminal, between halls 3 and 4, which has an assistance button which can be used by passengers to avail of aid. There are designated car park spaces close to the terminal that are reserved for disabled persons, and lifts and ramps can be found in all areas of the airport.

Restaurants and Bars
L'Atelier des 2 Rives is the airport’s only full-service restaurant, serving traditional French cuisine made using products from the region. There are also four cafés and one French cuisine fast-food outlet on site.

VIP Lounges
There are no VIP lounges at the airport, but there are six meeting rooms which are available for hire.

Money and ATMs
ATMs are available in the terminal though there are no bank branches. Currency exchange services can be found in Hall 1.

Shopping
Duty-free alcohol, tobacco, perfume, cosmetics and local products are available in the boarding area at Duty Free Atlantique. Reading material, snacks and souvenirs can be had at Relay (Hall 1), while top brand watches can be purchased at Hour Passion (Boarding area).