Getting Around Downtown: A Local Guide to Peachtree Center Station in Atlanta

Peachtree Center Station is one of MARTA’s busiest rail stations and a major hub for getting around downtown Atlanta. Whether you live in the city, commute in for work, or you’re visiting attractions like the Georgia Aquarium or State Farm Arena, knowing how Peachtree Center works can save you time and confusion.

This guide walks through how to use Peachtree Center Station in Atlanta, how to find the entrances, what’s nearby, and practical tips that locals actually use.

Where Peachtree Center Station Is and What It Serves

Peachtree Center Station is on MARTA’s Red and Gold lines, right in the heart of downtown.

• Location (general area): Between Peachtree Street NE and Forsyth Street, around John Portman Boulevard (formerly Harris Street).
• Area served: Downtown office towers, hotels, major attractions, and several convention spaces.

From Peachtree Center Station, you can easily walk (often through covered or indoor routes) to:

• Peachtree Center office and retail complex
• Many downtown hotels (including several on Peachtree Street, Courtland Street, and Ted Turner Drive)
• Georgia State University’s downtown campus (a bit of a walk or short bus/transfer)
• Skybridges connecting to nearby office towers and buildings

If you’re staying or working in downtown, this station is often the closest and most convenient MARTA stop.

Access Points and Entrances

Peachtree Center Station has multiple entrances that can be confusing the first time. Having a mental map helps:

Main Street-Level Entrances

Common access points include:

• Peachtree Street NE entrance
  Typically used by people headed to or from:

  • Downtown hotels on Peachtree Street
  • Peachtree Center complex
  • The main business corridor

• Forsyth Street entrance
  More convenient for:

  • Office buildings and garages to the west
  • Some restaurants and smaller businesses

Look for the MARTA signage and escalators or stairs leading down. Because this is a deep station, there are multiple escalators to reach the platforms.

Which MARTA Lines Stop at Peachtree Center?

Peachtree Center Station is served by:

• Red Line: North–South (North Springs ↔ Airport)
• Gold Line: North–South (Doraville ↔ Airport)

If you’re coming from or going to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, you can ride either Red or Gold through downtown without transferring.

Quick Line Tips

• ✅ Airport → Peachtree Center:
  Board any Northbound Red or Gold train at the airport station and ride to Peachtree Center.
• ✅ Peachtree Center → Buckhead/Sandy Springs/North Springs:
  Take a Northbound Red train.
• ✅ Peachtree Center → Doraville/Chamblee:
  Take a Northbound Gold train.

Most digital signs and onboard announcements specify whether the train is Red or Gold and indicate major stops, including Peachtree Center.

Station Layout: What to Expect Inside

Peachtree Center is one of MARTA’s deepest underground stations, so expect multiple levels:

1. Street Level: Entrances from sidewalks and building lobbies.
2. Mezzanine / Fare Gate Level:
   • Breeze Card machines
   • Fare gates
   • Station attendant booth (during staffed hours)
3. Platform Level:
   • Center platform with trains on both sides
   • Red and Gold lines share the same platform (check signs for direction: Northbound vs Southbound)

Because of the depth, escalators are long and sometimes steep. Elevators are available, but at busy times there may be a wait.

Using Breeze Cards and Paying Your Fare

To enter Peachtree Center Station, you’ll need a Breeze Card or Breeze Ticket:

• Breeze Card: Reloadable plastic card suitable for regular riders or longer stays.
• Breeze Ticket: Paper ticket for shorter, occasional use.

At the mezzanine level, you’ll find:

• Breeze vending machines that accept:
  • Cash (bills and some coins)
  • Debit and credit cards
• Instructions on how to add:
  • Single trips
  • Round trips
  • Stored value (adding money you can tap down as you go)

After loading your fare, tap the card or ticket at the blue Breeze reader on top of the fare gate to enter or exit.

Key Nearby Destinations From Peachtree Center

Peachtree Center Station is often the starting point for exploring downtown Atlanta on foot or via short transfers. Here are common destinations and how they relate to the station:

Walkable from Peachtree Center

All distances are approximate and based on typical walking routes:

• Peachtree Center Mall / Food Court:
  Accessible via indoor routes and skybridges directly from nearby exits.
• Major Downtown Hotels:
  Many are within a 5–10 minute walk, especially along Peachtree Street, Courtland Street, and Ted Turner Drive.
• Georgia State University (downtown core):
  Roughly a 10–15 minute walk, depending on the specific building.

One Stop Away on MARTA

Peachtree Center is centrally located between several major destinations:

From Five Points Station, you can connect to:

• East/West line to reach:
  • Georgia State
  • Georgia World Congress Center area
  • Stadiums and arenas
  • Westside neighborhoods

Parking and Rideshare Near Peachtree Center Station

Peachtree Center Station itself doesn’t have a large MARTA park-and-ride deck like many suburban stations, but nearby options include:

• Private parking garages attached to office towers and hotels
• Street parking (metered) on surrounding blocks, quantity and availability vary by time of day
• Rideshare zones along Peachtree Street and nearby side streets

Many Atlanta residents will:

• Park at a suburban MARTA station with park-and-ride facilities (e.g., Lindbergh Center, College Park, Sandy Springs)
• Take the Red or Gold line into Peachtree Center to avoid downtown parking costs and traffic

Accessibility and Elevators

Peachtree Center Station is designed to be accessible, but it helps to know where and how:

• Elevators:
  Connect street level, mezzanine, and platform levels. Because the station is deep, there may be multiple elevator segments.
• Tactile paving:
  Present near platform edges.
• Announcements and signage:
  Trains and stations use visual and audio indicators to announce stops and directions.

If you rely on an elevator, allow a bit of extra time during rush hours in case of crowds or short delays.

Safety, Security, and Station Hours

MARTA typically runs from early morning until late night, with reduced service frequency late evenings and on some weekends or holidays. Trains serving Peachtree Center run as part of the regular Red and Gold line schedules.

Common safety practices locals use:

• Stay on well-lit, populated areas of the platform and station.
• Keep valuables out of sight and bags zipped.
• If traveling late at night, try to stand near where the train operator’s cab stops or where other riders are waiting.
• Use station call boxes or the station agent’s booth if you need assistance.

You may see transit police or MARTA security in or around the station, especially during events or peak hours.

When to Use Peachtree Center vs. Other Downtown Stations

Downtown Atlanta has several MARTA rail stations close together. Locals often choose based on what they’re doing:

• Use Peachtree Center Station if:

  • You’re staying in a downtown hotel along or near Peachtree Street.
  • You work in Peachtree Center, SunTrust Plaza, or nearby towers.
  • You want a central starting point for walking downtown.

• Consider another station if:

  • You’re going to a game, show, or large convention → Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/Philips or Vine City may be more direct.
  • You’re connecting between multiple MARTA rail lines → Five Points is the main transfer hub.
  • You’re visiting midtown attractions → North Avenue, Midtown, or Arts Center might be better options.

For many visitors, though, Airport ↔ Peachtree Center is the most common and straightforward route.

Practical Tips for Using Peachtree Center Station

A few local-style pointers to make your trip smoother:

• ⏱️ Avoid the tight rush-hour squeeze
  Weekday mornings (roughly 7–9 a.m.) and late afternoons (4–6:30 p.m.) can be crowded with commuters and students.

• 🧭 Pay attention to direction signs
  Northbound vs. Southbound trains share the same platform; check overhead signs and train destination displays.

• 🎟️ Buy or reload your Breeze Card before peak times
  Lines at vending machines can get long during large downtown events and conferences.

• 🏨 Confirm your hotel’s closest MARTA station
  Many downtown hotels provide directions specifically from Peachtree Center, but some may be closer to other stations.

• 🧳 If you have luggage:
  Give yourself extra time for the long escalators or elevators, especially when coming from or going to the airport.

Who Peachtree Center Station Is Best For

Peachtree Center Station is especially useful if you:

• Live in the Atlanta metro area and commute to a downtown office.
• Are visiting Atlanta and staying in a downtown hotel.
• Want a convenient transfer point between airport travel and downtown activities.
• Prefer to skip downtown driving and parking by using MARTA instead.

By understanding how the Peachtree Center MARTA Station in Atlanta fits into the broader transit system—and how it connects to downtown streets, hotels, and attractions—you can move through the city more confidently and efficiently.