Getting around · Atlanta · United States
Getting around Atlanta
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Atlanta is spread out and built around highways, but MARTA's rail lines link the airport, downtown, Midtown, Buckhead and Decatur, and the BeltLine connects several in-town neighbourhoods on foot. Most visitors combine MARTA, walking and ride-hailing. Not for a city break based in Downtown or Midtown, where MARTA, walking and ride-hailing work well.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Metro
- Airports
- ATL
- Need a car?
- Sometimes
- Travel pass
- Breeze card
Ways to get around
Metro
MARTA has four rail lines: the Red and Gold lines run north–south from the airport through downtown, Midtown and Buckhead, and the Blue and Green lines run east–west. Trains reach downtown from the airport in about 20 minutes.
Buy a reloadable Breeze card or use the Breeze app instead of paying per ride at the machine each time.
Walking
Downtown's attractions are walkable around Centennial Olympic Park, and Midtown is pleasant on foot. The BeltLine Eastside Trail is the best long walk, linking Piedmont Park with Inman Park.
Tram
The Atlanta Streetcar runs a short downtown loop between Centennial Olympic Park and the King sites on Auburn Avenue.
Ride-hailing
Uber and Lyft are the practical way to reach Buford Highway, West Midtown, Virginia-Highland and other areas away from MARTA.
Scooter
Shared e-bikes and e-scooters are common along the BeltLine and in Midtown; follow posted speed and parking rules.
Car
A car gives the most flexibility for suburbs and day trips, but traffic on the Downtown Connector and the I-285 Perimeter is heavy at rush hour.
Avoid driving through downtown between about 4pm and 7pm on weekdays.
Tickets and passes
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.
From the airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is about 16 km south of downtown. MARTA's Red and Gold lines start at the domestic terminal and reach downtown in about 20 minutes, Midtown in about 25 and Buckhead in about 35. The international terminal is linked to the domestic side by the airport's train and a shuttle bus.
Do you need a car?
Not for a city break based in Downtown or Midtown, where MARTA, walking and ride-hailing work well. A car is useful for Buford Highway, Stone Mountain and day trips to the North Georgia mountains.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Stone Mountain Park | About 30 minutes by car | Car or ride-hail |
| Athens | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car | Car |
| Helen | About 1 hour 45 minutes by car | Car |
| Chattanooga | About 2 hours by car | Car |
| Tallulah Gorge State Park | About 2 hours by car | Car |
| Callaway Gardens | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car | Car |
Questions travellers ask
+Do you need a car in Atlanta?
Not for a city break based in Downtown or Midtown, where MARTA, walking and ride-hailing work well. A car is useful for Buford Highway, Stone Mountain and day trips to the North Georgia mountains.
+How do you get from the airport to Atlanta?
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is about 16 km south of downtown. MARTA's Red and Gold lines start at the domestic terminal and reach downtown in about 20 minutes, Midtown in about 25 and Buckhead in about 35. The international terminal is linked to the domestic side by the airport's train and a shuttle bus.
+What is the best way to get around Atlanta?
Metro: MARTA has four rail lines: the Red and Gold lines run north–south from the airport through downtown, Midtown and Buckhead, and the Blue and Green lines run east–west. Trains reach downtown from the airport in about 20 minutes.