Atlanta Car Rental: How to Find the Right Ride in and Around the City

Renting a car in Atlanta, Georgia can be a smart move whether you’re flying into Hartsfield–Jackson, visiting for a weekend, or you live in the metro area and just need wheels for a day trip or special occasion. Atlanta is a spread-out, car-oriented city, and understanding how Atlanta car rental works will save you time, money, and stress.

Below is a clear guide to renting a car in Atlanta, tailored to the way the city actually works.

Do You Really Need a Rental Car in Atlanta?

Before booking, it helps to be honest about where you’ll be and how you travel.

You’re likely to want a rental car if you:

• Are staying outside central neighborhoods like Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead
• Plan to visit Stone Mountain, the North Georgia mountains, Lake Lanier, or the suburbs
• Are traveling with family and luggage
• Want flexibility beyond MARTA rail and buses

You might not need one (or can delay renting) if you:

• Are staying near a MARTA rail line (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Airport area)
• Plan to focus on a few in-town neighborhoods: Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, West Midtown, Virginia-Highland
• Are comfortable using rideshares, scooters, and walking for short distances

Many travelers choose to skip a car for city days and rent a car just for day trips outside Atlanta. That’s very common and works well if you’re near a MARTA station.

Where to Rent a Car in Atlanta

Atlanta has three main types of rental locations:

1. Atlanta Airport Car Rental (Hartsfield–Jackson)

Most visitors rent at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The airport serves as the largest car rental hub in the region.

Rental Car Center (RCC) – ATL

• Address: 2200 Rental Car Center Pkwy, College Park, GA 30337
• Access: Take the SkyTrain from the airport terminals (no ticket needed, runs continuously)
• What to expect:
  • Multiple major rental brands in one large complex
  • Long lines at peak travel times (morning and late afternoon)
  • Good selection of vehicle types, including SUVs and minivans

Pros of renting at ATL:

• Convenient if you’re flying in or out
• Very wide vehicle selection
• Open long hours, often with after-hours drop-off

Cons:

• Airport fees and surcharges often make it more expensive
• Lines can be longer than neighborhood locations
• Driving out of the airport means immediate exposure to I-85, I-75, and dense traffic

2. In-Town & Neighborhood Rental Offices

If you’re already in Atlanta or prefer to avoid airport pricing, you can rent from neighborhood locations across the city, including:

• Downtown Atlanta near major hotels and office buildings
• Midtown near Peachtree Street and major corporate offices
• Buckhead and Lenox area
• Decatur, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and other suburbs

Why locals and some visitors choose neighborhood offices:

• Often lower fees than the airport
• Easier returns if you’re staying nearby
• Sometimes more flexible pick-up/drop-off arrangements

If you’re staying near a MARTA station, you can often ride MARTA to a nearby rental office and pick up your car there, avoiding airport traffic and surcharges.

3. Car-Sharing & Short-Term Car Access

In addition to traditional rental counters, Atlanta residents and visitors sometimes use:

• Car-sharing services (app-based, by-the-hour or day)
• Car rentals attached to home improvement stores or big-box stores for trucks and cargo vans
• Local independent rental agencies with single or small fleets

These can be practical if you only need a car for a few hours or want a specific vehicle type (like a cargo van) without a full-day commitment.

Key Things to Know About Driving and Parking in Atlanta

Atlanta’s layout and traffic patterns affect how you’ll use your rental car.

Traffic & Timing

• Major interstates (I-75, I-85, I-20, GA-400, and I-285) can back up heavily during:
  • Morning rush: roughly 6:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
  • Evening rush: roughly 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Expect congestion around Downtown Connector (I-75/85) and near Buckhead on weekdays.
• If possible, schedule pickup and drop-off outside rush hours to reduce stress.

Tolls and Express Lanes

Metro Atlanta has express lanes on some highways, including parts of I-75, I-85, and I-285. These often:

• Require a Peach Pass to use the toll lanes
• Charge variable rates based on traffic

Many rental cars don’t come with a Peach Pass by default. If you accidentally use the express lanes without authorized access, toll and administrative fees may be charged later. Ask the rental company how tolls are handled before you drive.

Parking Considerations

Parking varies by area:

• Downtown / Midtown / Buckhead
  • Many hotels charge nightly parking fees
  • Street parking is mostly metered or time-limited
  • Garages are common near attractions, such as:
    • Georgia World Congress Center
    • Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
    • State Farm Arena
    • Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca‑Cola
• In-town neighborhoods
  • Residential streets may have permit requirements or time limits
  • Popular spots like Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market, and Atlantic Station have dedicated paid parking decks or lots
• Suburbs
  • More free parking at shopping centers and restaurants
  • Hotels farther from the city center are more likely to offer free self-parking

Ask your hotel or host about parking costs and availability before you decide whether a car rental makes sense.

What You Need to Rent a Car in Atlanta

Requirements can vary slightly by company, but most Atlanta car rental locations expect:

• Valid driver’s license
  • U.S. residents: State-issued driver’s license
  • International visitors: Foreign driver’s license; some companies also ask for an International Driving Permit
• Credit card in the driver’s name
  • Some locations accept debit cards, but may:
    • Run a credit check
    • Require proof of return travel (for airport locations)
    • Limit vehicle types
• Minimum age
  • Most rental companies:
    • Minimum age: 21
    • Additional “young driver” fees: typically applied for drivers under 25
• Insurance decision
  • You can:
    • Use your personal auto insurance, if it covers rentals
    • Use credit card rental coverage, if available and accepted
    • Purchase rental company’s coverage at the counter

👉 Tip: Before you land in Atlanta, call your auto insurer and credit card to ask:

• “Am I covered to rent a car in Georgia?”
• “What types of damage and liability are covered?”
• “Do you cover loss-of-use or diminished value fees from rental companies?”

Common Types of Rental Cars in Atlanta (and When They Make Sense)

Different vehicles fit different Atlanta plans. Here’s a simple guide:

Consider:

• Where you will park (tight garages vs. open lots)
• How far you’re driving (city only vs. North Georgia day trips)
• Weather (Atlanta can see heavy rain; SUVs handle it more comfortably for some drivers)

Typical Costs and Fees to Watch For

Rental car pricing in Atlanta can fluctuate by season, events, and demand, but you can expect these common components:

• Daily base rate: The basic rental cost (varies by car class and timing)
• Airport fees and surcharges: Often higher at ATL than at neighborhood locations
• Taxes: State and local taxes added to your total
• Insurance and add-ons:
  • Optional coverage (collision damage waiver, liability supplements)
  • GPS units, car seats, additional drivers
• Underage driver fees: For drivers under 25
• Fuel charges:
  • Higher fees if you return the car without a full tank
  • Prepaid fuel options, which may or may not be cost-effective
• Toll and violation fees:
  • Charges for Peach Pass express lanes if not handled properly
  • Administrative fees on top of tolls or tickets

To avoid surprises, ask at pick-up:

• “What is my total estimated charge including taxes and fees?”
• “What happens if I return the car late?”
• “How is fuel handled if I don’t refill?”

Renting a Car for Specific Atlanta Plans

1. Business Travel & Conventions

If you’re attending events at:

• Georgia World Congress Center
• AmericasMart Atlanta
• Corporate offices in Midtown or Buckhead

Consider:

• Renting at ATL if you’re flying in and prefer door-to-door control
• Or relying on MARTA and rideshare within the core city and only renting a car for suburban client visits

Many conference hotels provide detailed directions and parking info on request. Some business travelers rent smaller cars mainly to navigate parking decks and tight hotel garages.

2. Family Vacations & Attractions

Popular stops like:

• Georgia Aquarium
• Zoo Atlanta
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History
• World of Coca‑Cola
• Children’s Museum of Atlanta

are all reachable without a car if you stay in central Atlanta, but a rental car can make it easier to:

• Carry strollers, snacks, and luggage
• Visit Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta Botanical Garden, and suburban attractions in the same trip
• Take day trips to:
  • Stone Mountain
  • Lake Lanier
  • Callaway Gardens (farther, in west-central Georgia)

An SUV or minivan is often popular for families navigating both the city and regional outings.

3. Day Trips from Atlanta

Common day-trip destinations where a rental car is particularly useful:

• North Georgia Mountains (Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, Helen)
• Stone Mountain Park
• Athens, GA (college town home to the University of Georgia)
• Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton area
• Lake Lanier and other lakes

If this is your focus, you may want to:

• Delay pickup until the morning of your trip
• Return the car the same evening or next morning to avoid paying for unused days in the city

How to Save Money on Atlanta Car Rentals

You can often reduce your overall cost with a few simple habits:

• Compare airport vs. in-town prices. It can sometimes be cheaper to:
  • Take MARTA or a rideshare from ATL to the city,
  • Then rent from a neighborhood location the next day.
• Adjust pickup and return times. Some companies charge by 24-hour blocks:
  • Returning a few hours late may trigger an extra day
  • Picking up slightly later can reduce your daily count
• Decline extras you don’t need:
  • GPS (many people use smartphone navigation)
  • Add-ons already covered by your own insurance or credit card benefits
• Fill the tank yourself before returning:
  • Use a gas station a few miles away from the rental lot to avoid the highest prices near the airport
• Book the right size vehicle.
  • Larger vehicles cost more to rent and fuel
  • In central Atlanta, smaller cars are easier to maneuver and park

Atlanta-Specific Tips to Make Your Rental Easier

• Know your routes.
  Plan your first drive with GPS directions ready, especially leaving ATL or navigating the Downtown Connector.

• Watch for one-way streets and bike lanes.
  Downtown and Midtown have a mix of one-way streets and increasingly protected bike lanes; pay close attention to signs and lane markings.

• Event days change everything.
  When there’s a big event at:

  • Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
  • State Farm Arena
  • Georgia World Congress Center

  Expect road closures, detours, and higher parking prices. Check for major events if you’re planning pickup or drop-off near Downtown.

• Keep tolls in mind if heading north.
  Driving on I‑85 North or I‑75 North out of the city might put you near express lanes. Stay in the general-purpose lanes if your rental isn’t set up for toll billing.

• Give yourself extra time for returns at ATL.
  The Rental Car Center is separate from the airport terminals:

  • Allow enough time to refuel, return the vehicle, and then ride the SkyTrain back to your terminal—especially during busy travel hours.

What Locals Often Do

Many Atlanta residents use car rentals to:

• Take weekend trips to the mountains or beaches without putting miles on their own vehicles
• Rent larger vehicles (SUVs, minivans, or trucks) for:
  • Moving furniture
  • Group outings
  • Family events and weddings
• Pick up short-term rentals during periods when their own car is in the shop

If you’re staying with friends or relatives in the metro area, it may be easiest to:

• Coordinate pickup and drop-off at a nearby neighborhood location
• Use their knowledge of local traffic patterns to choose pickup times and routes

By understanding how Atlanta car rental fits into the city’s layout, traffic, and transit options, you can choose whether to rent at the airport or in-town, pick the right vehicle type, and avoid unnecessary fees and stress while getting around the Atlanta area.