Nashville to Memphis Graceland and Sun Studio Tour Guide
Plan a Nashville-to-Memphis visit to Graceland and Sun Studio with practical guidance on ticket timing, parking, prices, accessibility, and Elvis Week.
Day trips are worth choosing by logistics, not just the destination.
Franklin, distilleries and historic sites can each be excellent, but drive time and pacing change the experience.
A Nashville to Memphis Graceland and Sun Studio tour brings together two very different visitor experiences. Graceland runs on timed mansion entries and a larger visitor complex, while Sun Studio sells guided tours in person on a first-come, first-served basis. Seeing both in one day is possible, but it rewards an early start, realistic buffers, and a willingness to keep the Sun Studio stop flexible.
Nashville to Memphis tour at a glance
- Reserve Graceland's timed mansion entry before building the rest of the day; Sun Studio tickets are sold in person and do not reserve a tour time in advance.
- Allow roughly 2 to 5 hours for the attractions themselves, before road travel, meals, parking, ticket lines, and check-in.
- Graceland lists daily visitor hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Sun Studio lists daily hours from 10:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.
- An adult choosing the $85 Elvis Experience, $20 Sun Studio admission, and $10 standard Graceland parking should budget at least $115 before road-trip costs and checkout additions.
- For an August 15, 2026 visit, plan around Elvis Week at Graceland, advertised for August 8 through 16, 2026.
Think of this as a full-day Tennessee road trip rather than a quick detour. Your margin for error depends on where you begin in Nashville, road conditions, parking, and the ticket slots available after you arrive. Check current routing and traffic conditions on departure day instead of building a tight plan around a generic drive-time estimate.
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Choose the version of the trip that fits your time
A same-day round trip works best for travelers who are content to focus on the two headline stops and protect their schedule from the start. The mansion alone takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. Graceland's Elvis Experience takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hours, and Sun Studio asks visitors to allow 1 to 1.5 hours overall. Those numbers leave little room for an overstuffed Memphis agenda.
The focused same-day plan
For a one-day visit, make Graceland the fixed point because its mansion entry is timed. Then treat Sun Studio as the variable stop, arriving ready to buy the next tour time available. This approach cannot guarantee a preferred Sun Studio slot, but it protects the reservation that is hardest to replace. If the day already feels too compressed, compare other escapes in the Best Day Trips From Nashville guide before committing.
The overnight Memphis plan
An overnight stay gives the itinerary a much kinder rhythm. It creates room to target Sun Studio close to its 10:00 a.m. opening, buy a later tour that day, and fit Graceland around a timed entry without making every delay feel costly. It also makes Graceland's early Meditation Garden visit more practical for travelers who want to use that separate morning window.
Set your Memphis arrival points before you leave Nashville
Save the exact visitor addresses in your navigation before departure. Graceland's visitor parking is at 3717 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, TN 38116. The property places it about 10 minutes from downtown Memphis and three minutes from Memphis International Airport. Sun Studio is at 706 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 38103, in a separate part of the city.
| Stop | Arrival detail | Time to protect |
|---|---|---|
| Graceland | Use visitor parking at 3717 Elvis Presley Blvd. Mansion-tour ticket holders should arrive at least 15 minutes before their assigned entry. | The mansion alone takes about 1 to 1.5 hours; the Elvis Experience takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hours. |
| Sun Studio | Use 706 Union Ave. Free parking is behind the building, entered from Monroe Avenue rather than Union Avenue. | Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the tour you hope to take. The guided portion lasts roughly 40 to 50 minutes; allow 1 to 1.5 hours overall. |
The parking arrangement at Sun Studio is a small but useful detail on a tightly timed day. Its free lot is behind the building, not on Union Avenue. At Graceland, standard-vehicle parking is listed at $10, so include that cost when comparing ticket options or deciding how much cash to keep available for the trip.
Secure the two stops in the right order
Graceland and Sun Studio have opposite booking systems. Graceland's mansion visit is tied to an assigned entry time, and a missed slot may be difficult to recover if capacity is full. Sun Studio sells tours only in person on a first-come basis. A prepaid Sun Studio voucher covers admission but does not hold a particular tour time.
Reserve Graceland first
Book your Graceland mansion entry first and choose a time with enough road-travel and parking buffer. Graceland currently lists daily visitor hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the final mansion tour beginning at 4:00 p.m. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the assigned time, particularly when the day includes a second attraction across town.
Handle Sun Studio as a same-day ticket stop
Sun Studio lists general guided tours beginning at 10:30 a.m. and then hourly through 4:30 p.m. Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before the tour you want, understanding that availability depends on same-day demand. Travelers who place Sun Studio above everything else should arrive close to the 10:00 a.m. ticket-sale opening and ask about a later tour before going elsewhere.
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Use a flexible, buffer-heavy schedule
- Choose and reserve a Graceland mansion entry that leaves a conservative arrival margin after your Nashville departure.
- Navigate directly to Graceland visitor parking and arrive at least 15 minutes before the timed entry.
- Give the mansion or the broader Elvis Experience the full time it needs rather than cutting the visit short for a rigid next stop.
- Travel to Sun Studio and purchase the best remaining tour time available in person.
- Keep meals, shopping, and the return to Nashville flexible until you have your Sun Studio ticket in hand.
This sequence is deliberately cautious. Sun Studio's hourly tours and same-day ticketing can work well when there is availability, but they should not be treated like a reservation. If a specific Sun Studio hour is essential, the overnight approach gives you far more control than trying to force both sites into an inflexible out-and-back day.
Know what time each visit takes
At Graceland, select the scope of visit before you buy. The mansion on its own takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. The Elvis Experience includes the mansion plus additional exhibits and takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hours. The longer choice is a better fit for travelers with an overnight stay or a Memphis-focused day, rather than a rushed round trip from Nashville.
Sun Studio is the smaller time commitment, but it still needs breathing room. Its guided portion runs roughly 40 to 50 minutes, and the studio recommends allowing 1 to 1.5 hours from arrival to departure. That includes the practical realities of checking in, waiting for a tour, and moving through the visit without watching the clock every minute.
Build a clear ticket and parking budget
Published adult prices make it possible to set a useful baseline before fuel, meals, and any applicable checkout additions. Graceland lists the Elvis Experience at $85 for adults. Sun Studio lists adult admission at $20, and standard Graceland parking is $10. That puts the simple two-stop combination at at least $115 per adult before road-trip expenses.
| Item | Published adult price | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Graceland Elvis Experience | $85 | Includes the mansion and additional exhibits. |
| Elvis Presley's Memphis + Planes option | $53 | A separate published Graceland ticket option. |
| Sun Studio admission | $20 | Tickets are first-come, first-served and sold in person. |
| Graceland standard-vehicle parking | $10 | Add this for travelers driving to the property. |
| Sample baseline: Elvis Experience + Sun Studio + parking | At least $115 | Excludes road-trip costs and any applicable checkout additions. |
Graceland also lists higher ticket tiers at $148, $240, and $260 before 1:30 p.m. Choose the experience that matches the time you actually have, rather than upgrading simply because it sounds comprehensive. A longer Graceland ticket changes the whole rhythm of a same-day plan, while Sun Studio remains a separate, same-day ticket decision.
Plan for access, cameras, and the early garden visit
Graceland accessibility
Graceland's shops, restaurants, visitor facilities, exhibits, and Elvis Presley's Memphis complex are wheelchair accessible. The mansion has an alternate route for visitors who cannot use stairs, though two basement rooms are viewed through photos and a monitor. Airplane interiors are not wheelchair accessible, but visitors can see the exterior and a video. Bring a personal wheelchair or scooter when possible; limited mansion-only wheelchairs may be available first come, first served.
Sun Studio accessibility
Sun Studio is partly accessible rather than fully step-free. The gift shop and cafe are accessible, and the studio portion of the tour is accessible, but the first half of the visit requires a staircase. Its restroom has one step at the entrance. Staff will try to accommodate guests who cannot climb the stairs, so contact the studio in advance to make a comfortable plan.
Photography and the Meditation Garden
At Graceland, leave flash photography and video cameras out of the mansion, shops, and attractions. Sun Studio prohibits smart glasses and covert recording devices; pets are not allowed, although qualifying service animals are permitted. Graceland also offers a free walk-up Meditation Garden visit from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Enter by 8:30 a.m. and leave before regular tours begin.
Visiting on August 15, 2026: plan around Elvis Week
An August 15, 2026 visit falls within Graceland's advertised Elvis Week, running August 8 through 16. Reserve Graceland ahead, arrive early for your assigned entry, and build extra time around the property. The event makes advance planning especially valuable for a Nashville-to-Memphis itinerary that also depends on same-day availability at Sun Studio.
Make the call: is the Nashville to Memphis tour worth it?
This trip suits travelers who want to connect Nashville and Memphis through two landmark music stops and are comfortable organizing the day around tickets. Its biggest reward is the contrast between a timed Graceland visit and Sun Studio's compact guided format. Its main limitation is time pressure. Reserve Graceland first, leave Sun Studio flexible, and consider an overnight stay if you want room to enjoy both. The Country Music Hall of Fame guide adds a useful Nashville-side museum complement to the journey.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Graceland and Sun Studio in one day from Nashville?
Yes, but it is a time-sensitive road-trip day. The attractions alone require roughly 2 to 5 hours, depending on the Graceland ticket selected, before allowing for road travel, parking, meals, ticket lines, and check-in.
Should I reserve Graceland or Sun Studio first?
Reserve Graceland first because its mansion entry is timed. Sun Studio tours are sold in person on a first-come, first-served basis, so treat it as the flexible stop and arrive ready to take the best available slot.
How long should I allow at Graceland and Sun Studio?
Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours for the Graceland mansion, 2.5 to 3.5 hours for the Elvis Experience, and 1 to 1.5 hours at Sun Studio. The Sun Studio guided portion itself lasts roughly 40 to 50 minutes.
How much does the Graceland and Sun Studio combination cost?
A sample adult baseline is at least $115 for Graceland's $85 Elvis Experience, $20 Sun Studio admission, and $10 standard Graceland parking. Fuel, food, and any applicable checkout additions are extra.
Where do I park for Graceland and Sun Studio?
Graceland lists visitor parking at 3717 Elvis Presley Blvd. and standard-vehicle parking at $10. Sun Studio has free parking behind the building, entered from Monroe Avenue rather than Union Avenue.
Are Graceland and Sun Studio accessible for wheelchair users?
Graceland is broadly wheelchair accessible, with an alternate mansion route and a few noted limitations in basement rooms and airplane interiors. Sun Studio is partially accessible: its studio portion is accessible, but the first half of the tour requires stairs.
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Hotel bases to compare after this tour
Once you have the tour shortlist, compare a few stays that can make the trip logistics easier.
Featured stay Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown
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- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
Central Location in Nashville Located in the heart of Nashville, Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown offers air-conditioned rooms with modern amenities and a range of facilities for a comfortable stay. Convenient Amenities Guests can enjoy a…
- Room, 2 Queen Beds, Accessible (Tub)
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Guest favorite Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown
- Free WiFi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
Central Location Located in the heart of Nashville, Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown offers a convenient stay near popular attractions like Bridgestone Arena, Ryman Auditorium, and the Johnny Cash Museum. Modern Amenities Enjoy air-conditioned rooms, an outdoor…
- 2 Queen Beds - Non-Smoking
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Guest favorite La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Nashville Downtown Stadium
- Free WiFi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
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- 2 Queen Accessible Bath Tub Non-Smoking
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- Non-refundable rate
Guest favorite Holiday Inn & Suites Nashville Downtown - Broadway by IHG
- Free WiFi
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
Luxurious Accommodation Holiday Inn & Suites Nashville Downtown Broadway offers elegant rooms equipped with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, coffee makers, and work desks. The hotel's prime location in the heart of Downtown Nashville provides easy…
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