Bus line 38 gets you from NTE to downtown in 25–30 minutes
From Terminal T1 at Nantes Atlantique, local bus line 38 runs to Pirmil on the south side of Nantes in about 25–30 minutes, with stops right outside the terminal exit. The bus stop is signed “Bus 38 / Pirmil” and sits a 2–3 minute walk from arrivals, so you’re not hunting around the parking lots.
Line 38 runs roughly every 20 minutes on weekdays and every 20–30 minutes evenings and weekends, tying into the TAN public transport network. First departures are usually a bit after 05:30, with last buses from the airport around 23:00, but check the current TAN timetable if you have a very early or very late flight.
A single TAN ticket for bus 38 costs about €1.80–€2.00 depending on how you buy it and is valid for 1 hour across buses and trams in Nantes. You can usually buy a ticket from the driver with coins, from TAN ticket machines at key stops like Pirmil, or via the TAN mobile app before you board.
From the airport, line 38 drops you at Pirmil tram stop in around 25 minutes, where tram line 2 and line 3 run every 5–7 minutes into central Nantes (Commerce, Hôtel-Dieu, etc.). The same single ticket covers the full airport–Pirmil–center trip as long as you stay inside the 1‑hour validity window, so don’t tap again if you’re still within the time limit.
The buses on line 38 are standard city buses with low floors and space for a couple of suitcases; you’ll often see overhead signs showing the next stops. There’s no dedicated luggage rack and no toilet on board, and at peak times around 07:30–09:00 and 17:00–19:00 they can fill up, especially between Pirmil and the city.
Here’s how to use the local bus line 38 from Nantes Atlantique:
- 1. Exit Terminal T1 arrivals and walk 2–3 minutes to the signed “Bus 38 / Pirmil” stop.
- 2. Check the posted timetable for “Direction Pirmil” and confirm the next departure time.
- 3. Buy a TAN ticket (around €1.80–€2.00) from the driver in coins or via the TAN app before boarding.
- 4. Validate your ticket in the yellow or orange machine as soon as you step onto the bus.
- 5. Ride about 25 minutes to the “Pirmil” terminus, watching the on-board display for stop names.
- 6. At Pirmil, follow signs to tram lines 2 or 3 toward “Orvault-Grand Val / Jamet” and ride 10–15 minutes into central Nantes using the same ticket if still within 1 hour.
- 7. Keep your validated ticket handy; TAN inspectors do random checks, and the on-the-spot fine can exceed €50.
One last tip: if your flight lands around 22:00–23:00, check the TAN trip planner before you take off; missing the day’s last line 38 bus from the airport can leave you paying €25–€35 for a taxi into central Nantes.