Nantes Travel Essentials

• Being only 50 km from the Atlantic Ocean, Nantes’s climate is heavily influenced by the ocean.
• It has mild and drizzly winters and decently warm summers, with average temperatures ranging from 2°C in winter to 25°C in summer.
• The rainiest time of the year is from November to January, with an average of 12 rainy days per month.
• The best time to visit Nantes is from May to September. Nantes is rarely crowded with tourists, but hotel and flight prices are nevertheless slightly higher in July and August.

• Primary Languages: French
• Plug types: C, and E
• Electricity: 220-240 V
• Currency: Euro (€)
• International dialling code: +33 2
• Emergency telephone number: 112

Nantes Atlantique Airport

Nantes Atlantique Airport is located in Bouguenais, 8 km southwest of central Nantes. It’s a medium-sized international airport, mainly connected to European and North African cities. There are several transfer options to reach central Nantes:

• A taxi to the city centre takes around 20 minutes and costs roughly €35. Taxi ranks can be found in front of arrival hall 3.
• The airport shuttle bus (named Navette Tan Air in French) takes around 25 minutes and costs €9. The shuttle bus stop can be found in front of arrival hall 2.
• The bus and tram takes around 40 minutes and costs €2. From the airport, take bus 48 to Neustrie, then the tram to the city centre using the same ticket. It’s the cheapest way to get downtown from the airport.
• Car rental agencies including Avis, Budget and Hertz can be found in the arrivals halls.

Nantes Train Station 

Nantes Train Station is 1 km east of the city centre. It can be reached in about 2.5 hours from Paris by TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse – High-Speed Train). The train station features 2 entrance halls: north and south. The northern hall is the main one. There’s a tram station right in front of the doors. The southern hall is served by the airport shuttle bus. The tram and bus networks available at Nantes Train Station can get you almost anywhere in the city. Car rental agencies can be found in the southern entrance hall, and taxi ranks are at hand in front of both entrances.

Nantes city centre is easily walkable. Many quaint pedestrian streets lined with bars, restaurants and shops offer pleasant strolls in the heart of the city, which also hosts attractions such as the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany, the Cathedral and the Passage Pommeraye. For longer journeys, the city’s public transport network provides you with an affordable and efficient way to discover the city. It features bus and tram lines as well as car- and bike-sharing schemes.

• A single ticket costs €1.70 when purchased at a bus/tram station vending machine, or €2 on the bus. It’s valid for 1 hour.
• A 10-ticket carnet costs €15.30.
• You can purchase a 24-, 48- or 72-hour Nantes City Cards. It includes limitless use of public transport and free admission to 30 attractions. Prices start from €25.41 for a 1-day pass.

• Taxi ranks can be found at Nantes Train Station and on Brancas Lane near Commerce Square, in the city centre. It’s also possible to hail a cab on the street if there’s no rank within 50 metres.
• Taxi rates are fixed by the prefecture. In Nantes, they range between €0.85 and €2.54 per kilometre, depending on the time, the day and the type of taxi.
• If you do not speak French, a good way to tell the taxi driver where you want to go is by showing him a piece of paper, or your smartphone, with the address of your destination written on it.
• Taxi apps including Uber, eCab, MyTaxi and Taxi-Nantes can be used to get around the city.

Bicloo Nantes Metropole is a bike-sharing scheme run by the city. Available 24/7 and featuring over 100 bike racks throughout Nantes, it offers an affordable and healthy way to get around the city. You can subscribe for 1 day for €1. The first 30 minutes are free, then the price is €0.50 per 30 minutes of bike use.