Trains in Atlanta: How to Ride, Where They Go, and What to Expect

If you’re wondering “Does Atlanta have trains?” the answer is yes—but Atlanta’s train options may look a bit different from what you see in some older, rail-heavy cities.

Atlanta has:

• Passenger rail (Amtrak)
• Urban rail transit (MARTA trains)
• Streetcar service in the downtown area
• Freight rail lines that crisscross the region

Below is a practical breakdown of what exists, where it goes, and how locals and visitors actually use trains in and around Atlanta.

Main Ways to Ride Trains in Atlanta

1. MARTA Rail: Atlanta’s Primary Urban Train System

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) operates the main subway-style rail system in Atlanta. It’s what most residents think of when they say “the train.”

Key points about MARTA rail:

• Serves the City of Atlanta and parts of Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton Counties
• Connects Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
• Runs mostly above ground, with some underground stations in central Atlanta
• Uses a color-coded line system: Red, Gold, Blue, and Green

MARTA Rail Lines at a Glance

You can transfer between lines at major central stations like Five Points, Peachtree Center, and Midtown.

Popular Uses for MARTA Trains

People in Atlanta commonly use MARTA trains to:

• Get to and from the airport
  • The Airport Station is directly inside the Domestic Terminal baggage claim area.
• Commute into Downtown or Midtown for work or school
• Reach major attractions, including:
  • State Farm Arena (GWCC/CNN Center Station)
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium (GWCC/CNN Center or Vine City)
  • Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC/CNN Center)
  • Georgia State University (Georgia State Station)
  • Georgia Tech (North Avenue or Midtown Stations, then walk/shuttle)
• Avoid traffic during big events, concerts, or games

Basic MARTA Rail Tips

• Trains usually run from early morning to late night, with more frequent service at rush hour.
• You’ll need a Breeze Card or Breeze Ticket (reloadable transit card) to ride.
• Stations have maps, ticket machines, and station agents during regular hours.
• For help in person, the main MARTA HQ is at:
  MARTA Headquarters
  2424 Piedmont Rd NE
  Atlanta, GA 30324

2. Atlanta Streetcar: Short Hop Around Downtown

Atlanta also has the Atlanta Streetcar, a modern electric streetcar that runs on rails at street level. It’s separate from the MARTA heavy-rail network but connects with it.

What the Atlanta Streetcar does:

• Operates a loop through Downtown and the Sweet Auburn area
• Serves spots like:
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
  • Edgewood Avenue and Auburn Avenue nightlife and dining
• Connects with MARTA at Peachtree Center Station (a short walk)

The streetcar is useful if you’re staying downtown and want a car-free way to move between hotels, parks, museums, and historic sites.

3. Amtrak: Intercity Passenger Trains To and From Atlanta

Atlanta is on the route of Amtrak’s Crescent line, which connects the Southeast to the Northeast.

Atlanta’s Amtrak station:

• Peachtree Station (Atlanta)
  1688 Peachtree St NW
  Atlanta, GA 30309

From Atlanta, the Amtrak Crescent typically connects to:

• Southbound: Birmingham and New Orleans
• Northbound: Charlotte, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City

Important considerations:

• Only one Amtrak route serves Atlanta currently.
• The schedule is once a day in each direction, usually at off-peak hours (often late night or early morning).
• The station is small compared to major urban terminals and does not serve commuter rail.

If you’re thinking of traveling between cities by train, Amtrak is the primary passenger train option touching Atlanta.

4. Freight Trains: Common but Not for Public Use

You will see and hear freight trains all over Atlanta. The city is a major freight rail hub used by large rail carriers.

What this means for you:

• No public passenger service on these lines.
• Freight rail activity can affect traffic, especially where tracks cross busy roads.
• You may want to account for possible train delays at crossings in some neighborhoods and industrial areas.

So while freight trains are a big part of Atlanta’s landscape, they are not something you can ride unless you’re part of a rail operation.

Getting Around Atlanta by Train: What Works Well (and What Doesn’t)

Atlanta does have trains, but the city is still largely car-oriented, and not every part of the metro area is well served by rail.

Where Trains Work Especially Well

You’ll find train travel most useful if you’re going between:

• Airport ↔ Downtown/Midtown/Buckhead
  MARTA’s Red and Gold Lines make this a straightforward, traffic-free trip.
• Downtown ↔ Midtown ↔ Buckhead
  Good coverage with several closely spaced stations.
• Downtown ↔ East Atlanta/Decatur corridor
  Blue Line service to Decatur and surrounding neighborhoods.

For many residents and visitors staying near a rail station, MARTA is often:

• Faster than driving during rush hour
• Cheaper than multiple rideshares or daily parking
• More predictable for airport trips

Where Trains Are Limited

There are noticeable gaps in rail coverage:

• Many suburban areas (especially outside MARTA counties) don’t have rail.
• Popular in-town neighborhoods may rely more on buses, rideshares, or biking than on rail.
• There is no traditional commuter rail system bringing people into Atlanta from outer suburbs the way you might see in some Northeast or Midwest cities.

If you’re planning to live or stay in Atlanta without a car, it helps to:

• Choose housing or a hotel near a MARTA station
• Understand how MARTA buses and trains connect in your area
• Be realistic about travel time when relying only on public transit

Common Questions About Trains in Atlanta

Can I get from the airport to downtown Atlanta by train?

Yes. The MARTA Airport Station is directly attached to the Domestic Terminal. Take the Red or Gold Line northbound and you’ll reach:

• Five Points (central transfer hub for Downtown)
• Peachtree Center (Downtown hotels, office towers)
• Midtown and Arts Center (Midtown hotels, offices, arts venues)
• Buckhead, Lenox, and Lindbergh Center (northern business and shopping districts)

Most visitors find this one of the easiest and most reliable ways to enter the city from the airport.

Does Atlanta have a subway?

Atlanta has a rapid transit rail system (MARTA) that functions like a subway in the core city. Some parts run underground (especially in Downtown and Midtown), while other segments are elevated or at ground level.

Locals typically just call it “MARTA” or “the train,” not “the subway.”

Are there trains to Atlanta from other cities?

Yes, but only through Amtrak and only on the Crescent line. It’s suitable if:

• Your departure or destination is also on the Crescent route
• You prefer train travel over flying or driving
• You’re comfortable with once-daily service and specific schedules

For most city-to-city trips (for example, Atlanta to Savannah or Atlanta to Nashville), people usually fly or drive rather than take a train, because there isn’t broad passenger rail coverage between those cities via Atlanta.

Is there a commuter rail system in Atlanta?

No. Atlanta does not currently have a dedicated commuter rail network running from outer suburbs into the city. There have been ongoing discussions about regional rail and expanded transit, but as of now:

• MARTA heavy rail and buses are the main public transit tools.
• Most suburban commuters drive or use park-and-ride lots connected to bus or MARTA rail services closer in.

Quick Reference: What Kind of Trains Does Atlanta Have?

✅ Available Train Options in Atlanta

• MARTA Rail (Red, Gold, Blue, Green Lines)

  • Main urban transit system
  • Connects the airport, Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and parts of the east and west sides

• Atlanta Streetcar

  • Short streetcar loop in Downtown and Sweet Auburn
  • Good for sightseeing and short local trips

• Amtrak (Crescent Line)

  • Long-distance passenger train
  • Serves Atlanta’s Peachtree Station

• Freight Rail

  • Extensive, but not for public passenger use

🚫 Not Currently Available

• No full commuter rail network
• No high-speed rail serving Atlanta at this time

If you’re in or coming to Atlanta, you absolutely can use trains—especially MARTA—to get around key parts of the city and reach the airport. For broader regional travel or reaching many suburbs, you’ll likely combine trains with buses, rideshares, or driving for the most flexible experience.