Travel tips · Atlanta · United States
Atlanta travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: AtlChampion, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Atlanta is a majority-Black city with a long tradition of Black political, academic and business leadership, home to historically Black colleges such as Morehouse and Spelman and a powerhouse of hip-hop and film production. Southern hospitality is real: people greet strangers, say 'y'all' and expect a little small talk before business.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Things to know
- Greet people and say please and thank you; politeness and a little small talk matter in the South.
- At Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King tomb, keep voices low and treat them as places of worship and remembrance.
- Ask before photographing people at church services or festivals.
- Walking on the BeltLine, keep right and watch for cyclists and scooters coming up behind you.
- Allow extra time for traffic; locals plan around rush hour on the Downtown Connector.
- Book Georgia Aquarium ahead: Timed tickets are cheaper and easier to secure online; weekends and school holidays sell out.
- The King historical park, Piedmont Park, Oakland Cemetery, the BeltLine and Centennial Olympic Park are all free.
Tipping
Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, $1–$2 per drink at a counter, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, and a few dollars per bag for hotel porters.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Y'all | You all, used for any group |
| OTP / ITP | Outside / inside the I-285 Perimeter highway |
| The Connector | The shared I-75/I-85 highway through downtown |
What to wear
Dress is casual; bring light, breathable clothes for the humid summer and a light jacket for air-conditioned interiors and cooler winter evenings.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the airport, in libraries and in most cafés; US prepaid SIMs and eSIMs are easy to buy.
- Time zone
- America/New York
Car break-ins are common, so leave nothing visible in parked cars. Downtown can feel deserted at night outside event times, so use ride-hailing rather than walking long distances after dark, and carry water in the summer heat.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Atlanta?
Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, $1–$2 per drink at a counter, 15–20% for taxis and ride-hailing, and a few dollars per bag for hotel porters.
+Can you drink the tap water in Atlanta?
Tap water is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Atlanta?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Atlanta?
English.