Getting around Nashville

Public transport

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) (tel: +1 615 862 5950; www.nashvillemta.org) operates bus services in the greater Nashville area. The main bus terminal, Music City Central, is found downtown at 400 Charlotte Avenue. Daily and weekly passes are available.

Nashville's commuter rail service, the Music City Star (tel: +1 615 862 8833; www.musiccitystar.org), runs between Lebanon and Riverfront Park. You can save money by buying 10-ride tickets.

Taxis

There are several taxi services in Nashville and it is easier to book one by telephone. Main firms include Allied Cab and Nashville Cab (tel: +1 615 333 3333), Checker Cab (tel: +1 615 256 7000) and Music City Taxi (tel: +1 615 865 4100).

Uber (uber.com) and Lyft (lyft.com) car services offer a quick, reliable and cheap alternative to taxis via your handheld device.

Driving

Driving is similar to any other mid-size American city, although rush hours (0700-0900 and 1600-1800) are best avoided. Right turns on red lights are legal, unless stated otherwise. Many of the parking meter lanes in the city are inactive during rush hours - cars left there during these periods will be towed away. On-street parking after business hours is usually free, but spaces fill up quickly.

Car hire

Car rental firms include Alamo (tel: +1 888 826 6893; www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: +1 615 361 1212; www.avis.com), Budget (tel: +1 615 366 0822; www.budget.com) and Thrifty (tel: +1 877 283 0898; www.thrifty.com). You must have a valid driving licence, be at least 25 years old and have a major credit card.

Bicycle hire

GreenBikes (tel: +1 615 625 2153; www.nashvillebikeshare.org) offer free bicycle hire (with valid ID) that allow you to explore 151km (94 miles) of Nashville greenways. Stations are based at are five community centres.

Nashville B-cycle (+1 615 625 2153; www.nashville.bcycle.com) runs a fee-based, bike share scheme that allows users to pick up and drop off wheels at more than 30 stations across central Nashville.

Cumberland Transit (tel: +1 615 321 4069; www.cumberlandtransit.com), at 2807 West End Avenue, is the place to hire high-end road bikes.