Atlanta Airport to City Center
Once you reach Atlanta International Airport, the next step is to find a way to get to the city center. Most people coming to Atlanta for the first time or after a long time need clarification on how to get to the city center. The good news is, however, that there are various ways of getting from Atlanta Airport to City Center. Atlanta International Airport, also known as Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is about 10 miles from the City Center (Downtown Atlanta). The Downtown Area is where most of the city’s most popular tourist attractions are located such as Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Centennial Olympic Park.
Various modes of transport are available to travelers to reach the city center, including, MARTA Subway, airport shuttle SkyTrain, Taxi, Shared-ride shuttles, and more. You can choose a transport method that suits you the best and matches your budget. This guide helps you find the most suitable way for you to reach the city center from the airport:
Transfer From International Terminal to City Center:
If you have landed at the International Terminal of the Atlanta Airport, the best way to reach the Domestic Terminal is the free shuttle bus just outside the baggage claim area. The Red and Gold Lines take you directly to the Five Points Station, the heart of Downtown Atlanta. The only way to use the subway system is with a Breeze Card or ticket available through vending machines or stores. The card costs $2 and you can top it up according to your itinerary. The train runs every 5 to 10 minutes from the Airport Station and takes at least 30 minutes for you to reach Downtown Atlanta.
How to get from Atlanta Airport to Downtown Atlanta?
Getting to Downtown Atlanta takes 15 minutes by car and 45 minutes by train. The duration may differ from time to time due to traffic or weather conditions. Your choice of transport to reach the city center depends on many factors such as your budget, comfort, and accessibility. You can choose one of the following methods based on what your needs are and which terminal you are landing on.
MARTA Train (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)
The local subway system, MARTA Train, offers 4 service lines: red, gold, blue, and green. Only Red and Gold lines run from the airport and the Airport Station is the final station on the south end of both lines. The Airport Station is on the west end of the Domestic terminal, between the north and south baggage claim areas. You can buy your Marta train ticket at Atlanta Airport with the Marta vending machine, which is located to the left of the west end of the domestic terminal (it's located on the west side of W1). You can follow Marta train station signs at the airport to find where the train is and where you can buy your train ticket.
Atlanta Airport Marta Train Map
Private Transfer/Shared Ride Shuttles
Only privatized airport transfer and shared-ride services are available at the Atlanta Airport. Travelers need to pre-book this service to access it on the day of their arrival. The shared-ride shuttle service pick-up is right outside the International Terminal, to the right of the A3 door. The average cost of an airport transfer or a shared-ride shuttle service to Downtown Atlanta is around $16 per person for a single ride. This service is not available on location to arriving guests and requires advance booking. The Atlanta Shuttle is one of the airport shuttle services available to arriving guests that takes you directly to the city center. Airport Authorities Advise passengers to book their private transfer or shared-ride shuttle services a few days before their flight to be at ease.
Rent-a-car Service
If you are more at ease driving by yourself to the city center, rental car service is a great option for you. The Rental Car Center (RCC) near the Atlanta Airport provides arriving passengers with the facility of renting a car as soon as they arrive. The SkyTrain at the Domestic Terminal takes you directly to the RCC from where you can rent a car as per your requirements. The information desk provides you with all the information you may need to pick a car and get on your way.
Taxi
Atlanta offers an efficient taxi system and it is quite convenient to find taxis everywhere in the city. It is a fast and comfortable way of reaching the downtown area without waiting endlessly for public transport. The journey time from the airport to downtown is roughly about 15 to 20 minutes. A one-way taxi ride to Downtown Atlanta costs around $30 to $40 on average. The Yellow Cab of Atlanta offers flat rates for Downtown Atlanta. Similarly, private taxi services offer flat rates for other popular neighborhoods such as Midtown, Buckhead, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, etc. We allow you to book your taxi in advance so that you do not have to worry about booking at the last minute.
Bus
Arriving Passengers also have the option of booking bus tickets with Greyhound, which has a bus stop near the International Terminal. The bus takes you to Atlanta Downtown (Civic Center) station within 30 to 40 minutes. The ticket counter is also located outside the terminal where you can buy your tickets over the counter. We advise you to check their schedule beforehand to be familiar with the daily timings of the buses running from the airport to the city center.
Hotel Shuttles
This service depends on the hotel you choose and their transfer policy. We advise you to check with your hotel a few days before to find out if a pick-up service is available. A wide range of hotels are available in the downtown area and offer airport pick-up service. If you pick a hotel in the downtown area, transfer from the airport to the city center becomes a lot easier, and most of the city attractions and within walking distance from you. This is what we call a win-win!
Atlanta Airport SkyTrain
Atlanta Airport transfer shuttle train system, SkyTrain is located right next to the MARTA Train Airport Station. It is the best way to reach areas in the vicinity of the airport if you are staying very near to the airport. You do not have to buy any ticket or card to use this facility. SkyTrain takes you to Atlanta Airport’s Rental Car Center from where you can rent a car and explore the city on your own. SkyTrain provides free access to the airport hotels in case you are staying in one. You can go back and forth between your hotel and the domestic terminal to catch the MARTA Train to reach the downtown area. It is a convenient transport method for business travelers who frequently use Gateway Center for conferences and exhibitions.
