Budget · Atlanta · United States
Atlanta on a budget
What a trip to Atlanta really costs, and where the savings are.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: BakedintheHole, CC0
Quick answer
Atlanta is moderately priced for most international visitors. Budget roughly $85–$140 per person per day on a tight budget, $200–$350 mid-range and $500–$1,200 for luxury, excluding flights. Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February.
Key facts
- Budget traveller
- $85–$140 a day
- Mid-range
- $200–$350 a day
- Luxury
- $500–$1,200 a day
- Local currency
- USD
- Free sights
- 5
Daily budget and trip cost
AMZBooking estimates per person in US dollars, excluding flights, reviewed October 2026. Accommodation is the biggest variable; prices rise in peak months.
| Style | Per day | 3 days | 5 days | 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $85–$140 | $255–$420 | $425–$700 | $595–$980 |
| Mid-range | $200–$350 | $600–$1,050 | $1,000–$1,750 | $1,400–$2,450 |
| Luxury | $500–$1,200 | $1,500–$3,600 | $2,500–$6,000 | $3,500–$8,400 |
Typical prices
Approximate prices in Atlanta, October 2026. They change; use them for planning, not as quotes.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| MARTA train or bus ride | about $2.50 |
| Varsity chili dog | about $3–$5 |
| Order of lemon pepper wings | about $12–$18 |
| Meat-and-three lunch plate | about $15–$25 |
| Georgia Aquarium adult ticket | about $40–$60 |
| Pint of local beer | about $7–$9 |
| Mid-range Midtown hotel | about $160–$280 per night |
Money-saving tips
- The King historical park, Piedmont Park, Oakland Cemetery, the BeltLine and Centennial Olympic Park are all free.
- Take MARTA from the airport instead of a taxi or ride-hail; it is quick and costs a fraction of the fare.
- Downtown hotels are often cheaper at weekends when convention business drops, unless there is a big game or Dragon Con.
- A combination attraction pass is worth it only if you plan to see most of the aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and other included sights.
- Hotel bills include high local hotel taxes and fees; compare total prices, not nightly rates.
Free things to do
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park — A short stretch of Auburn Avenue holds Dr.
- BeltLine Eastside Trail — The BeltLine turns a ring of old railway lines into trails and parks; its Eastside Trail runs about 5 km from Piedmont Park past Ponce City Market and Historic Fourth Ward Park to Krog Street Market and Inman Park.
- Piedmont Park — Atlanta's central park covers about 80 hectares of lawns, trails, dog parks and ball fields, with the classic view of the Midtown skyline across Lake Clara Meer.
- Oakland Cemetery — Founded in 1850, Oakland is a Victorian garden cemetery with ornate mausoleums, gardens and old oaks framing the downtown skyline.
- Centennial Olympic Park — Built for the 1996 Summer Olympics, the park's lawns connect the aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and the civil rights centre.
Where to stay on a budget
$$ · Best for first-timers, families and budget
Downtown
Centennial Olympic Park, the big attractions and convention hotels
$$ · Best for families, quiet stays and food lovers
Decatur
Courthouse square, craft beer and a small-town feel at the end of the Blue Line
Eating well for less
- The Varsity chili dog — The original Varsity on North Avenue in Midtown.
- Biscuits and gravy — Breakfast and brunch spots across in-town neighbourhoods, and every diner.
- Waffle House breakfast — Hundreds of branches across metro Atlanta; the original site in Avondale Estates is now a small museum.
- Boiled peanuts — Roadside stands and gas stations outside the city, and some markets and ballpark concessions.
Getting around for less
Breeze card
MARTA's reloadable fare card for trains and buses; multi-day passes can be loaded onto it.
Atlanta CityPASS
A combination ticket covering the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola and several other attractions; it saves money only if you visit most of them.
Questions travellers ask
+How much does a trip to Atlanta cost?
About $1,000–$1,750 per person for five days mid-range, excluding flights (estimate), or $425–$700 on a tight budget.
+Is Atlanta expensive?
It is moderately priced for international visitors. The King historical park, Piedmont Park, Oakland Cemetery, the BeltLine and Centennial Olympic Park are all free.
+How much money do I need per day in Atlanta?
Roughly $85–$140 on a budget and $200–$350 mid-range (estimates).
+When are hotel prices lowest in Atlanta?
Usually in January–February.