How Much Cash Should I Take to Nashville? (Money Saving Tips Inside!)

From the Author: I've lived in Nashville for 12 years, and my wife was born here. Alex worked downtown for five years. We love Broadway and know it well. If you have any questions, we respond quickly to comments!

Planning a trip to Nashville and wondering, “How much cash should I take?”

Your daily expenses, excluding accommodation costs, can average around $180, typically charged to a card. This sum considers transportation, food, attractions, entertainment, and miscellaneous expenses. Remember, these figures serve as a rough guide, and the actual amount may vary depending on your personal preferences and plans. Now, let's delve deeper into each category.

Accommodation:

Most hotels in Nashville range between $150-250 a night. While most places accept cards for payment, it's a good practice to have some cash handy for tipping the housekeeping staff, usually around $2-5 daily.

TripAdvisor often has deals of up to 30% off, allowing you to compare prices. Click here for hotel deals.

Here's a list of the most popular downtown hotels.

📍Most Popular Nashville Hotels (Top Rated)

🏢 Close to downtown and all major attractions	Holiday Inn Express Nashville-Downtown	~$180
👍Close to Broadway with rooftop views	Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown	~$220
🌟Top rated hotel in Nashville – located downtown	Virgin Hotels Nashville	~$280
🍻 Connected to Printers Alley – centrally located	Courtyard by Marriott Nashville Downtown	~$224
🏒 Close to the Bridgestone Arena	Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville	~$245
💵 Great value for downtown Nashville	Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville Downtown	~$150
🥂 Luxurious downtown stay	Residence Inn by Marriott	~176
🎼 Located on the historic Music Row	Locale Music Row – Nashville	~155
🏫 Close to the Vanderbilt University Campus	Comfort Inn Downtown Nashville/Vanderbilt	~$144
🎸 Close to the Grand Ole Opry	Homewood Suites by Hilton Nashville Downtown	~$160
🚶 Walking distance to everything	Hilton Garden Inn Nashville Downtown/Convention	~$250

Getting Around Town:

The best money saving advice I can give you is to stay in downtown Nashville. You'll be within walking distance of most attractions. This will save you money on transportation and parking (which can be ridiculous! 🤬).

Click here for things to do in downtown Nashville.

Whether you rely on public transport, ride-sharing apps like Uber or Lyft, or rent a car, your daily transportation expenses can be roughly $40-60. Parking downtown can add another $20-30 to your daily expenses. And, of course, remember the cost of gas, which, as of 2023, sits around $3.20 per gallon.

You can easily avoid these costs a couple of ways.

First, is the Hop on Hop Off Trolley. This is a really great way to get around Nashville. It has 13 stops all over Nashville and live commentary. There are multiple trolley's running around town and you never have to wait too long for one to swing by. You don't have to worry about parking or Ubers (yuck!). Check it out here 👇

Nashville Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

The trolley drives all around Nashville for a 90 minute round trip with live commentary. When the weather is warm the windows are open. It covers over 100 points of interest. I recommend it as a great way to see what Nashville has to offer on a single trip. It covers Broadway, Music Row, Centennial Park, the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville neighborhoods and more.

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Eating in Nashville

Nashville is a city of foodies. Depending on where and what you eat, you could spend anywhere from $10 to $50 per person for a meal. Factor in a tip for your server, typically 15-20% of your bill.

Visiting Nashville Attractions:

Looking to immerse yourself in the local culture? Let's talk about some well-known attractions and their costs:

Country Music Hall of Fame: $25.95 for adults and $15.95 for youths aged 6-12.
Musicians Hall of Fame: $24.95 for adults.
The Parthenon: $6 for adults and $4 for children between 4-17 years old.
Cheekwood Estate & Gardens: $20 for adults, $18 for seniors aged 65+, and $13 for youths aged 3-17.

For our guide to cheap things to do in Nashville, see our post: Nashville on a Dime: 21 Exciting and Fun Things To Do

To visit multiple attractions, there is the option of the Nashville city pass. This give you access to up 20% off normal ticket prices! Check it out 👇

The Nashville Sightseeing Pass

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Experience Live Music

Music is in the air in Nashville. Many bars and venues don't charge an entry fee, but leaving a tip for the musicians is customary. For bigger concerts or shows, ticket prices start around $30 and vary depending on the artist and seat location.

Here's a snapshot of what you might spend on a 5-day trip:

Category	Cost Per Day	Total Cost (5 Days)
Accommodation	$200*	Not needed
Transportation	$50	$250
Food	$60	$300
Attractions	$20	$100
Entertainment	$30	$150
Misc. Expenses	$20	$100
Total	–	$900

**Hotel costs are typically charged to a credit card, so you won't need cash.

These figures provide a ballpark estimate. Everyone has their unique travel style, and most places accept cards, so you only need to carry some cash with you. But it's good to have money on hand for tipping or if you run into a vendor that doesn't accept cards.

Lastly, don't forget to explore the Honky Tonk Highway, a famous stretch of Broadway brimming with bars and restaurants. The music starts around 10 AM and keeps going until 3 AM. Some cash for this experience could come in handy.

Pack your bags, bring your budget, and get ready for the unique charm of Nashville. It's time to tune into this city's music, culture, history, and flavors.