Atlanta Airport is connected to the city centre by a direct metro line. A large number of car rental companies are also available.
Car rental
Atlanta itself is not a major tourist destination. Therefore, it is best for travellers to rent a car right at the airport and set off to explore the southeastern USA.
The rental car companies are all located in one building about 1.5 km west of the domestic terminal.
Prices for a week's rental are around 310 usd.
The SkyTrain, an elevated automated train, runs from the National Terminal to the rental car locations. Hours of operation are 24/7, with a frequency of about once every 4 minutes during the day and once every 10-15 minutes at night. The train ride is free and takes about 5 minutes.
From the international terminal, the rental car companies can be reached by a shuttle bus that runs once every 10 minutes during the day, or about once every 20 minutes at night. The bus journey takes 20 minutes and is free of charge.
Taxi
For getting to the city centre, a taxi is the most convenient option, especially from the International Terminal, which is not served by a direct metro.
The prices from the airport to Atlanta are flat rates, so no taximeter is used. To get to downtown Atlanta, pay 38 usd and you can pay with cash or card.
Hotel Shuttles
Because Atlanta is more of a transfer airport than a destination, many travelers use overnight hotels around the airport.
Most offer free transfers in their own vans that go to the domestic and international terminals.
The vans usually run 1-2 times per hour and the stops are clearly marked.
- Domestic terminal - at gates W1 and W2
- International terminal - at exit A3
MARTA train
Only MARTA trains run directly into downtown Atlanta without transfers, and they are more like a regular city subway.
The station is located at the domestic terminal only, and you can use both routes to get downtown: Red Line + Gold Line.
The cheapest way to buy a ticket is through the Breeze mobile app, which eliminates the Breeze Card issuance fee.
If you prefer physical tickets, you can purchase a Breeze Card for 2 usd, which you load with any credit that will be charged incrementally. The other option is to purchase a single-use Breeze Ticket for 1 usd. These fees are for the issuance of the card/ticket only and do not include the fare itself.
- 2,50 usd - fares for 3 hours and a maximum of 4 transfers
- 9 usd - 1 day ticket
- 14 usd - 2-day ticket
For full information on fares and any discounts, please visit: itsmarta.com/fare-programs.
- Frequency - 6-8 minutes on weekdays, 10 minutes on weekends
- Travel time to the city centre - 17 minutes
- Last train from the airport - 1:20 (1:00 on weekends)
- First train from Five Points - 5:07 (6:27 on weekends)
- Timetable Red Line: itsmarta.com/Red-Line
- Timetable Gold Line: itsmarta.com/Gold-Line
Directions from MARTA Station to the International Terminal
The two terminals are connected by the "Terminal Connector Shuttle" running through the outdoor section without having to go through security. The ride is free and takes about 15 minutes.
On departure, some airlines (Delta, Air France, KLM, United, American) allow you to check in for your international flight at the domestic terminal. The appropriate departure gate is then reached in 10 minutes by an underground automated train, which is only after security check.
Alternatively, you can get off at the "Lakewood/Fort McPherson" station on your way out of the city centre, where you can change to the 191 bus service to the international terminal.
Bus 191
The only bus service directly to the International Terminal is the 191 bus to the surrounding neighborhoods and also to the "Lakewood/Fort McPherson" station, where you can transfer to the MARTA Red and Gold subway lines.
Fares are the same as the subway and can also be purchased in the same ways (see above).
- 2,50 usd - Fare for 3 hours and up to 4 transfers
- 9 usd - 1-day ticket
- 14 usd - 2-day ticket
The bus runs at intervals of 20-40 minutes and the journey to the subway takes 12 minutes. The timetable and a map of the line can be found on the website: itsmarta.com/191.
Bus 82
You can use the line 82 at the national terminal in the same way. However, it doesn't stop directly at the airport - use the free SkyTrain automated train, travel one station to the "Georgia Convention Center", where you will encounter bus stops after about 20 to 50 metres.
The 82 line runs to the eastern suburbs of Atlanta and can be useful, for example, for getting to hotels that don't offer their own shuttle service.
For a timetable and map of the line, visit: itsmarta.com/82
