MARTA Convention Pass: How Group Transit Works for Atlanta Conferences and Events

If you’re planning a conference, convention, corporate meeting, or large event in Atlanta, the MARTA Convention Pass can be one of the simplest ways to move attendees around the city without dealing with rental cars or parking headaches.

This guide explains what the MARTA Convention Pass is, who it’s for, how it works, and how to set it up for your event in Atlanta.

What Is the MARTA Convention Pass?

The MARTA Convention Pass is a multi-day transit pass designed for conventions, meetings, trade shows, and large group events in the Atlanta area.

It is:

• A reloadable Breeze card product used on MARTA trains and buses
• Sold in multi-day formats (for example, 1-day, 3-day, 4-day, or 7-day options are common)
• Intended to be purchased and distributed by event organizers, not individuals

Convention passes usually offer:

• Unlimited rides during the valid period
• Simple budgeting for event transportation
• Easy access to major destinations, including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead

Why Use a MARTA Convention Pass for Your Event in Atlanta?

For corporate travel planners, meeting organizers, and convention hosts, MARTA Convention Passes can be a practical alternative to shuttles or rideshare-heavy plans.

Key benefits

• Convenient airport access

  • The Airport Station is directly connected to the Domestic Terminal at Hartsfield-Jackson. Attendees can ride MARTA straight to Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead hotels.

• Predictable costs

  • You can pre-purchase passes for attendees and build the cost into registration or a travel package.

• Simplified logistics

  • Instead of coordinating multiple shuttles or reimbursing ride-hail trips, attendees have all-day transit access with one card.

• Walkable connection to key venues

  • Many major Atlanta venues are close to MARTA stations, such as:
    • Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC/College Football Hall of Fame stop on the Streetcar; walkable from CNN Center area after a short connection)
    • Georgia State University (Georgia State Station)
    • State Farm Arena (Vine City or GWCC area access)
    • Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Dome/GWCC/Mercedes-Benz Stadium/Philips Arena area)
    • Hotels in Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead near Peachtree Street and Peachtree Center

(Names and exact station pairings may shift as MARTA updates signage and branding, but core access remains similar.)

Who Can Get a MARTA Convention Pass?

The Convention Pass is generally aimed at:

• Convention and trade show organizers
• Corporate meeting planners
• Universities and schools hosting large groups
• Associations and professional organizations holding multi-day events

In most cases:

• Individual travelers cannot buy a “Convention Pass” at random – it is usually arranged as part of a group or event package.
• The event organizer or sponsoring organization works with MARTA to order passes, set quantities and durations, and coordinate delivery.

If you’re an attendee, your conference or company may include a MARTA pass in your registration materials or welcome packet.

How the MARTA Convention Pass Works

Although details can vary by event, the general structure is similar across Atlanta conventions.

Typical pass options

Convention passes almost always come as time-based unlimited ride passes, such as:

• 1-Day Pass – for single-day meetings or local events
• 3-Day Pass – popular for short conferences or weekend events
• 4- or 5-Day Pass – for mid-length conventions
• 7-Day Pass – for weeklong events or extended stays

These passes are generally valid on:

• MARTA rail (subway/metro)
• MARTA local buses

They are not typically valid on separate regional systems such as Xpress or other regional shuttles, unless specifically stated by MARTA.

When does the pass activate?

Most MARTA time-based passes activate on first use:

• The clock usually starts when the card is first tapped at a rail faregate or on a bus.
• A “3-Day” pass, for example, is typically good for three consecutive days from that first tap.

Attendees should be encouraged to:

• Wait to tap until they’re ready to start using MARTA regularly (often upon arrival at the airport or their first trip from the hotel).

Cost and Budget Considerations

MARTA’s pricing can change, but the structure of convention passes stays relatively consistent.

Event planners usually care about:

• Per-pass cost – based on the number of days
• Volume – discounts or special arrangements may be available at certain quantities or through MARTA’s group programs
• Payment method – invoicing, purchase orders, or corporate credit cards, depending on MARTA’s current policies

Since fares and offers update periodically, it’s best to confirm current pricing and program details directly with MARTA before finalizing your event budget.

How to Arrange a MARTA Convention Pass for Your Event

1. Contact MARTA in advance

For conventions and large meetings, reaching out weeks or months before the event is best.

You can begin with:

MARTA Headquarters & Customer Service

• Address: 2424 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
• General Customer Service: 404-848-5000

Explain that you are planning a convention or corporate meeting in Atlanta and ask for the team that handles group sales, corporate programs, or convention passes.

2. Share event details

MARTA staff may ask for information such as:

• Event name and host organization
• Event dates and expected attendance
• Primary venues (e.g., Georgia World Congress Center, Downtown hotels, Midtown offices)
• Whether attendees are flying into Hartsfield-Jackson and how many are local vs. out-of-town
• Desired pass duration (1, 3, 4, 5, or 7 days, etc.)

Providing clear details helps MARTA suggest the most cost-effective pass mix.

3. Decide how you’ll distribute passes

Common options include:

• Registration packets at the convention center or hotel
• Check-in desks at partner hotels
• On-site registration tables at the event venue
• Mailing passes in advance for certain VIPs or staff

Make sure your staff or volunteers can:

• Explain how to use the Breeze card
• Remind attendees that the pass activates on first tap

4. Confirm payment and delivery

Work with MARTA to:

• Finalize the number and type of passes
• Arrange payment (invoice, check, or card, depending on policies)
• Confirm delivery or pickup location and timing

For large events, passes are often delivered in bulk to:

• A host hotel in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead
• Your local office in metro Atlanta
• A designated on-site registration area (such as at the Georgia World Congress Center)

Using the MARTA Convention Pass: What Attendees Need to Know

Basic steps for attendees

1. Find the MARTA station or bus stop

   • Common hotel areas like Downtown (Peachtree Center, Five Points), Midtown, and Buckhead have easy rail access.

2. Tap the Breeze card

   • On rail, tap at the fare gate to enter and again to exit.
   • On buses, tap at the farebox near the driver.

3. Ride as often as needed

   • During the valid period, the Convention Pass typically allows unlimited trips on MARTA rail and local buses.

4. Keep the card handy

   • Attendees should hold onto the card for the entire event, as replacement may not be simple or free.

Quick reference for visitors

(Attendees should confirm the closest station to their specific hotel or venue.)

Where the MARTA Convention Pass Is Most Useful in Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta

Ideal if your convention is near:

• Georgia World Congress Center
• State Farm Arena
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Major hotels near Peachtree Center and Five Points

Attendees can often walk or take quick MARTA trips between:

• Airport ↔ Downtown hotels
• Hotels ↔ Convention center or stadiums
• Downtown attractions like Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and the Civil and Human Rights Center

Midtown

If your event is tied to:

• Corporate offices around Peachtree Street
• Georgia Tech or other nearby institutions
• Arts and cultural venues along Peachtree

The Convention Pass gives attendees an easy airport connection plus flexibility for dining and evening activities.

Buckhead

For higher-density business and retail areas in north Atlanta, MARTA rail access to Buckhead, Lenox, and nearby stops makes it simple for corporate travelers to:

• Arrive from the airport
• Commute to meetings
• Explore the area’s shopping and dining without rental cars

Tips for Event Planners Using MARTA in Atlanta

• Coordinate with hotels 🏨
  • Ask partner hotels near MARTA stations to include transit directions in confirmation emails or welcome packets.
• Add a transit map to your program
  • Include a simple MARTA rail map segment highlighting the stations closest to your venue and official hotels.
• Offer basic instructions
  • A short card or email explaining how to tap the Breeze card, how the duration works, and which lines to use can significantly reduce confusion.
• Support accessibility
  • Note which stations near your venue have elevators and accessible entrances, especially for attendees with mobility needs or heavy luggage.
• Plan for late arrivals
  • MARTA rail generally runs into the late evening. Still, some very late arrivals might need alternatives, so it helps to list a backup option in your materials.

Where to Get Help or More Information

If you’re planning business travel, meetings, or a large convention in Atlanta and want to explore the MARTA Convention Pass, these official resources are useful starting points:

MARTA Customer Information Center

• Phone: 404-848-5000
• Typical assistance: route planning, fare questions, station information

MARTA Headquarters

• Address: 2424 Piedmont Road NE
  Atlanta, GA 30324

When you call or visit, specify that you’re interested in corporate travel and visitor services or a MARTA Convention Pass for a group event in Atlanta. Staff can walk you through:

• Current pass options and pricing
• Eligibility and any minimum order requirements
• Ordering timelines and delivery methods

By planning ahead and coordinating with MARTA, Atlanta-based and visiting organizations can give attendees a simple, reliable way to navigate the city, from the airport to hotels, meeting venues, and local attractions, all on one card.