Getting to and from Nantes Airport (NTE)

Nantes is the busiest airport in the west of France, and is a popular arrival and departure point for many tourists and business professionals. The airport is well known as the Nantes Atlantique Airport, or the Aéroport Nantes Atlantique in French, and is distinguished from other airports by its code of NTE. Due to its location particularly nearby Bouguenais, it was formerly referred to as the Aéroport Château Bougon. The airport directions are easy to follow, as its main access road is directly linked to the Nantes peripheral ring motorway, which circulates the city areas. The airport is also fully equipped for the needs of its passengers.

Nantes serves the Pays de la Loire region of France, and is located approximately 8km, or 5 miles southwest of central Nantes. The airport is found especially nearby the areas of Les Sorinières, Bouaye, La Montagne and Rezé, and the city of Nantes itself is to the southwest of Paris, the capital city of France, and north of Bordeaux, another larger city of the country. To the east of Nantes are cities such as Tours and Dijon. Major roads lead to Nantes from all these cities, and link to the N844, which is the ring road of Nantes. The main access road of the airport is the D85, while the D823 is another road which leads to the airport. The city of Nantes is popular for many attractions, and similar to Paris, as it is built around a river, which runs past the southern areas of the city centre and to the north of Nantes. It is known as the Loire River.  

Directions from Nantes city

From central Nantes, motorists are able to connect with the N844, or E3 from various roads and areas, or are able to travel directly on the D823 from areas such as Pont Rousseau, Château and La Houssais. The D823 by the airport is also known as the Rue de l’Aviation, while the D85 past the airport is named the Av. De Fremiou. Nantes Airport is well signposted on all routes leading to the airport, and the journey from the city will only take about ten to twenty minutes, depending on traffic conditions and your starting location. Driving in Nantes is generally pleasant, but like all large cities, main roads can become congested, therefore always leave plenty of time for travelling and to find a parking space at the airport.

Directions from the north

The main road leading from northern areas such as Rennes is the N137 National road, and is also part of the E3. The E3 continues as the A84 up to Caen, while the N176 heads for Saint-Malo on the coast, and the N12 leads to Saint-Brieuc. Once in Nantes, follow the ring road N844 west, and around to the south of the city and take the turn-off for the airport.

Directions from the south

The main road leading to Nantes Airport from the south is the A83, which connects the areas of La Roche-sur-Yon and Niort. From Niort, the A11 leads to La Rochelle, and the A10 provides access from Bordeaux and Saintes. Head west on the Nantes ring road and take the turn-off for the airport.

Directions from the west

From the west, motorists can easily reach Nantes from areas such as Brest, Quimper, Lorient and Vannes by travelling the N165. Just west of Nantes is also Saint-Nazaire, which is connected to the N165 by the N171. Head south on the Nantes ring road, and look out for signs pointing the direction to the airport.

Directions from the east

Motorists can travel to Nantes from Cholet southeast of the city by the N249, and from Angers to the northeast on the A11. The A11 also continues north to Le Mans, and then northwest to Chartres and Paris. From Angers, the A85 leads further west to Tours. The road network in France is excellent, and motorists can use these main roads to easily travel to Nantes.

The airport consists of a single terminal building, which is divided into four halls. The building is shaped like an ‘L’, and the longer side contains Halls 1 to 3, while the shorter side is where Hall 4 can be found. Hall 4 is connected to the rest of the airport by a lobby area. Passengers will check-in on the ground floor, and wait for their flight in the departure lounges found on the first floor of Halls 1 to 3. Hall 4 is a single-story building. Facilities include a selection of fine shops, bars and restaurants, meeting rooms of various sizes for conferences and business functions, banking and currency exchange services, a post box and wireless Internet connections. Disabled passengers will find adequate toilet facilities, pavement ramps and elevators for their assistance.

Alternative ways to reach the airport are by bus or taxi, but there is no train station on the airport grounds. The special Tan Air Shuttle bus takes passengers to the airport from the Gare de Nantes, or Nantes Railway Station, and the city centre, while taxis are available from all urban areas of Nantes and Saint-Nazaire. Another bus available is the Tan local bus 37, which travels from a connection of the Tram Line 3, in Neustrie. Passengers arriving in Nantes by train can take the Tan Air Shuttle to the airport.

Nantes directions in further detail are available online, at http://maps.google.com, or passengers can contact the airport information centres.