Holiday Inn Express Atlanta Downtown: What to Know Before You Book

Looking for a central, convenient place to stay in Downtown Atlanta without getting lost in a maze of options? The Holiday Inn Express Atlanta Downtown is one of the better-known mid-range hotels in the city’s urban core, popular with both business travelers and visitors who want to be within walking distance of major attractions.

This guide walks through location, parking, nearby sights, who this hotel works best for, and practical tips specific to staying here in Downtown Atlanta.

Where Holiday Inn Express Atlanta Downtown Is Located

The Holiday Inn Express Atlanta Downtown is in the heart of the central business district, in what many locals simply call “Downtown.” It sits in a dense, walkable area packed with office towers, hotels, and major attractions.

You’re typically within walking distance of:

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca-Cola
• Centennial Olympic Park
• State Farm Arena
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Tabernacle Atlanta
• CNN Center area
• MARTA rail stations (for airport and Midtown/Buckhead access)

If you’re visiting for a concert, convention, sports game, or sightseeing, this location is designed to minimize driving once you arrive.

Getting There: Driving, MARTA, and Airport Access

From Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Many travelers fly into Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and head straight to Downtown.

You generally have two main options:

1. MARTA Rail (Recommended for many travelers)

   • Take the Red or Gold Line from Airport Station (inside the terminal).
   • Get off at either:
     • Peachtree Center Station, or
     • Five Points Station
   • Expect about 20–25 minutes on the train plus a short walk through Downtown streets.

2. Driving / Rideshare

   • Driving time is often around 20–30 minutes, but can increase during rush hours.
   • Rideshare pick-up areas are clearly marked at the airport; just set your drop-off as the hotel.

MARTA Tips for Downtown Visitors

If you’re new to Atlanta:

• Buy a Breeze card or Breeze ticket at the airport station (machines accept cards and cash).
• The MARTA rail system is straightforward between the Airport and Downtown/ Midtown.
• If you plan to visit Midtown (for Piedmont Park, museums, restaurants), staying at this hotel and riding MARTA north is often easier than driving and parking there.

Parking and Getting Around Once You’re There

Downtown Atlanta is dense, and parking can add a meaningful cost to your trip.

Parking Near Holiday Inn Express Atlanta Downtown

What travelers typically encounter:

• On-site or adjacent garage/valet options at Downtown hotels
• Parking rates that are often nightly, not by the hour
• Limited free street parking; meters and time limits are common

Because specific rates can change, it’s smart to:

• Check current parking costs directly before you arrive.
• Factor parking into your total trip budget if you’re driving or renting a car.

Do You Need a Car in Downtown Atlanta?

If your plans are mainly:

• Georgia Aquarium
• World of Coca-Cola
• State Farm Arena / Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Centennial Olympic Park
• A few Midtown museum trips

…then you can often skip renting a car and rely on:

• Walking (much of Downtown’s tourist area is walkable from the hotel)
• MARTA (for airport and Midtown)
• Occasional rideshare for late-night or farther-out spots

What It’s Like Staying in Downtown Atlanta

Staying in Downtown Atlanta feels different from staying in Midtown, Buckhead, or the suburbs.

The Atmosphere

Downtown is:

• Busy during the day with office workers, conventions, and tourists
• Often quieter in the evenings except around event venues
• A mix of historic buildings, modern towers, and hotels

Street activity can vary block by block. Many visitors feel comfortable walking between major attractions, but—as in any major city—being aware of your surroundings and sticking to well-lit, busier routes at night is wise.

Noise and Events

Because you’re in the middle of:

• State Farm Arena
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Major hotels and event spaces

…you may notice:

• Event-related crowds on game or concert nights
• Traffic surges before and after big events
• Occasional street noise, sirens, or nightlife sounds

If you’re sensitive to noise, consider:

• Packing earplugs or a white-noise app
• Asking at check-in (when possible) for a higher floor or a room away from busier streets

Who Holiday Inn Express Atlanta Downtown Works Best For

This hotel tends to fit certain kinds of travelers especially well.

Business Travelers

Downtown Atlanta is a major business and convention hub. If you’re:

• Attending a conference near the Georgia World Congress Center
• Visiting corporate offices in Downtown
• Needing quick access to MARTA and the airport

…then this location cuts down on commuting time and lets you walk to many meetings or venues.

Tourists and Families

If you’re planning a short Atlanta visit focused on the big attractions, this hotel location can make the trip simpler:

Walkable from the hotel (or a very short ride):

• ⭐ Georgia Aquarium
• ⭐ World of Coca-Cola
• Children’s Museum of Atlanta
• College Football Hall of Fame
• CNN Center area
• SkyView Atlanta (large Ferris wheel near Centennial Olympic Park)
• Centennial Olympic Park playgrounds and green space

Parents often appreciate being able to walk back to the room for midday breaks or naps without moving the car.

Event-Goers: Games, Concerts, and Shows

The hotel is convenient if you’re in town for:

• Atlanta Falcons or Atlanta United games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Atlanta Hawks games or concerts at State Farm Arena
• Shows at Tabernacle Atlanta or other Downtown venues

You can often walk or take a very short rideshare, then return without battling post-event traffic from the suburbs.

Nearby Attractions You Can Walk To

Here’s a quick snapshot of popular attractions near Holiday Inn Express Atlanta Downtown and how most visitors move between them:

Food and Dining Around the Hotel

Downtown dining is a mix of quick-serve spots, casual restaurants, and hotel restaurants.

Walkable Options

You can generally find:

• Quick breakfasts and coffee spots
• Fast-casual chains for lunch
• Sit-down restaurants with Southern cuisine, burgers, pizza, or pub-style menus
• Food options in and around Peachtree Center and near Centennial Olympic Park

If you want more variety or nightlife, many visitors:

• Take MARTA or rideshare to Midtown for a denser concentration of restaurants, bars, and late-night options.
• Plan daytime exploring elsewhere (Grant Park, Inman Park, West Midtown) and eat there, then return Downtown to sleep.

Safety and Practical Tips for Downtown Atlanta Stays

Downtown Atlanta is a busy urban area with tourists, office workers, and residents. Experiences vary, but these common-sense practices help most visitors feel more at ease:

• Stick to well-lit, busier streets when walking at night.
• Keep valuables out of sight in parked cars.
• Use keyed hotel access and avoid propping doors.
• Verify official taxis or rideshares via the app before getting in.
• If you’re unsure about walking a certain route, ask the front desk for the best streets to use, especially late at night.

For non-emergency city concerns, Atlantans often use:

• 311 (within city limits) for city service questions, streetlights, etc.
• 911 for emergencies.

Using the Hotel as a Base to Explore Atlanta

Staying at Holiday Inn Express Atlanta Downtown can work well as a base camp while you explore other parts of the city.

Easy Day-Trip Ideas from Downtown

• Midtown Atlanta

  • Take MARTA or a short rideshare.
  • Highlights: Piedmont Park, Atlanta Botanical Garden, High Museum of Art, vibrant dining.

• Old Fourth Ward / BeltLine Eastside Trail

  • Rideshare from Downtown.
  • Popular for: Atlanta BeltLine, Ponce City Market, walkable trails, and restaurants.

• Grant Park / Zoo Atlanta

  • Short drive or rideshare.
  • Good for families: Zoo Atlanta, historic neighborhood streets, local restaurants.

• Inman Park / Little Five Points

  • Rideshare from Downtown.
  • Quirkier, artsy neighborhoods with local shops and cafes.

By staying Downtown, you’re centrally positioned to reach these areas without long drives from the outer suburbs.

How to Decide If Holiday Inn Express Atlanta Downtown Is Right for You

Consider this hotel if you:

• Want to be walking distance to Atlanta’s top Downtown attractions
• Prefer easy MARTA access to and from the airport
• Are in town for a conference, game, or concert at major Downtown venues
• Plan to explore multiple neighborhoods using MARTA and rideshare rather than driving everywhere

You might consider another area if you:

• Prefer a more residential or nightlife-focused area (Midtown or certain intown neighborhoods often fit better)
• Plan to spend most of your time in farther-out suburbs (such as Alpharetta or Marietta), where commuting from Downtown daily can be time-consuming

When you understand how Downtown Atlanta is laid out, what’s walkable, and how transit works, staying at Holiday Inn Express Atlanta Downtown can be a practical and efficient choice for experiencing the core of the city.