Airport
Memphis International Airport
IATA Code: MEMLocation: The airport is situated eight miles (12km) south of Memphis city centre.
Time: GMT -6 (GMT -5 from March to November).
Contacts: Tel: +1 901 922 8000.
Transfer to the city: Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) public buses leave regularly for the city centre from a bus station near Terminal C, and there are also services to many out-of-town destinations. Taxis are available outside the terminal building. Car rental companies are represented at the airport; free telephones are available in the baggage claim areas to phone for a complimentary shuttle service to take passengers to the desired rental car company.
Taxis: Taxis are available outside terminal B baggage claim area at the ground level. A taxi from the airport to the city centre will cost about US$23 and take approximately 20 minutes, depending on traffic. Passengers may negotiate the fare for destinations outside of the city limits.
Car rental: Car rental companies represented at the airport are Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, National, Enterprise and Thrifty. A shuttle bus takes passengers to the car rental pick-up area from outside the baggage reclaim area; free telephones are available in the baggage claim areas to phone for a complimentary shuttle service to take passengers to the desired rental car company.
Facilities: There are numerous restaurants, bars and cafes and a variety of shops, including an Elvis gift shop. The International Travel Insurance and Business Service Center, located by Ticket Lobby B, provides a variety of services to business travellers including foreign currency and travellers cheque exchange, travel insurance and fax and photocopy services. 24-hour ATMs are located in Ticket Lobby B next to the Aviation Historical Room and American Express has an Express Cash Machine for travellers cheques located in Concourse B. Disabled facilities at the airport are good; those with special needs should contact their airline in advance.
Parking: There is a three-level parking garage across the terminal driveway that offers two areas of parking: Short-term is for stays of a few minutes to a few hours and long-term is for overnight or extended stays. A free shuttle service is available between the long-term lots and the Terminal Building.
Departure tax: None.
Website: www.mscaa.com
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Memphis
Few people alive today have not heard of Elvis Presley, legendary 'King of Rock 'n Roll', and most associate Memphis, largest city in Tennessee, with the iconic deceased singer. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the city each year, particularly on Elvis' birthday, to make a pilgrimage to Graceland, the mansion where Presley lived and died.
Citing its famous singing sensation as the only draw card in Memphis, however, is failing to do this go-getter city in southwest Tennessee justice. But music makes Memphis special, for sure: not only rock 'n roll but also the fact that the city spawned the modern musical forms of blues and soul as well. Music fans from all over the world stroll down legendary Beale Street in the downtown area, happy to be walking in the footsteps of their heroes.
Aside from touring Graceland there are several other music-related attractions to grab the attention, and a whole lot of other things to see and do in Memphis. The nightlife is world-renowned; the cuisine, particularly barbecue, irresistible; and there are fascinating museums, great gardens, Mississippi river boats, amusement parks, and some quirky cultural and natural sights to explore.
