Atlanta, Georgia Bus Stations: A Local Guide to Getting Around by Bus

Atlanta’s bus stations are key hubs for getting into, out of, and around the city—whether you’re a daily commuter, a student heading home for the weekend, or a visitor arriving by coach. This guide focuses on the major bus stations in Atlanta, Georgia, how they work, and what to know before you go.

Main Types of Bus Stations in Atlanta

In Atlanta, “bus station” can mean a few different things:

• Intercity bus stations – For longer-distance trips between cities and states.
• Local transit hubs – MARTA bus bays and transfer centers for getting around metro Atlanta.
• Neighborhood transfer points – Smaller hubs where several routes meet, often at shopping centers or train stations.

Understanding which type you need helps you plan your trip more easily.

Major Intercity Bus Stations in Atlanta

If you are traveling between cities or states, these are the key Atlanta, Georgia bus stations you’ll most likely use.

1. Greyhound Bus Station – Downtown Atlanta

This is one of the best-known intercity bus terminals in the city.

Location (commonly referenced as):
Greyhound Bus Station – Atlanta
Around the Downtown Atlanta area, near major streets and central business locations.

What it’s used for:

• Long-distance routes to other Georgia cities (such as Savannah, Augusta, Macon)
• Regional trips across the Southeast (Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, etc.)
• Cross-country routes connecting through Atlanta

What you’ll typically find:

• Ticket counters and self-service kiosks
• Indoor waiting area
• Restrooms and vending machines or snack options
• Luggage check (on most routes)

Tips for using the downtown Greyhound station:

• Arrive early. For popular routes or peak times (weekends, holidays), arriving 45–60 minutes early is common.
• Have ID ready. A government-issued photo ID is usually required for boarding.
• Plan your ride from the station. Downtown bus stations are close to MARTA rail stations and local bus stops, but it helps to know your next step (MARTA, rideshare, taxi, or walking) in advance.

2. Megabus / FlixBus Pickup and Drop-off Locations

In Atlanta, some intercity services use curbside stops rather than a full indoor bus station. These services often operate from designated sidewalks or parking lots.

Common patterns include:

• Pick-up/drop-off near central areas with easy transit access
• Limited or no indoor waiting area
• Online or app-based ticketing only

Things to know:

• Check the exact stop address before your trip; these services sometimes adjust locations.
• Arrive a little early so you can find the bus, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the stop.
• There may be no restrooms or ticket desk on-site, so plan for that before you arrive.

Key MARTA Bus Hubs in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting without a car, you’ll likely use MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority). While MARTA doesn’t call them “bus stations” in the same way as Greyhound, several major MARTA rail stations and transit centers function as large bus hubs.

Here are some of the most important ones in the city:

Five Points Station (Downtown)

Five Points is the central MARTA hub and an anchor point for many bus routes.

Location:
Five Points MARTA Station
Atlanta, GA 30303 (Downtown area)

Why it matters:

• Transfers between all four MARTA rail lines
• Multiple bus routes serving downtown, west side, south Atlanta, and surrounding neighborhoods
• Walking distance to government offices, businesses, and attractions

If you’re coming into central Atlanta by bus, Five Points is often the main transfer point to reach your final destination.

Civic Center, Peachtree Center, and Other Downtown Rail Stations

Several MARTA rail stations in the downtown/midtown core act as informal bus stations because many routes start or end there:

• Civic Center Station – Serves buses heading to Midtown, North Avenue, and beyond.
• Peachtree Center Station – Walkable to many hotels, office towers, and tourist sites; multiple nearby bus stops.

These stops don’t have large indoor bus halls, but they are important transfer locations where you can change between rail and bus services.

Lindbergh Center Station (Buckhead/Midtown area)

Location:
Lindbergh Center MARTA Station
In the Lindbergh area, between Midtown and Buckhead

Why people use it:

• Major transfer point for northern Atlanta bus routes
• Access to neighborhoods like Buckhead, Morningside, and others
• Near apartments, offices, and shopping centers

Like Five Points, Lindbergh often functions as a regional bus hub for the north side of the city.

H.E. Holmes, Ashby, and Other Westside Hubs

On the west side of Atlanta, several stations double as local bus transfer areas:

• H.E. Holmes Station – Gateway for routes to West Atlanta and some neighboring communities.
• Ashby Station – Connects to westside and central neighborhoods.

These stations usually feature:

• Multiple bus bays
• Covered outdoor waiting areas
• Nearby neighborhood services like grocery stores or small retail

How to Choose the Right Atlanta Bus Station

When you’re trying to decide which Atlanta bus station to use, start with these questions:

1. Are you traveling within Atlanta or between cities?

   • Within Atlanta or the metro area → Use MARTA bus hubs and local stops.
   • Between cities or states → Use intercity bus services like Greyhound or curbside carriers.

2. Where are you starting and ending your trip?

   • Staying in Downtown, Midtown, or near a MARTA station → It’s usually easiest to route yourself through a nearby MARTA rail station with bus connections.
   • Traveling to another city → Look up the nearest intercity stop or bus terminal and plan a MARTA or rideshare connection there.

3. Do you need indoor waiting areas or luggage services?

   • For longer trips with bags, an indoor terminal (like Greyhound) is often more comfortable.
   • For shorter, budget-focused trips, you may be fine with curbside services.

What to Expect at Atlanta Bus Stations

Each station is different, but most Atlanta, Georgia bus stations and hubs share some common features.

Typical Amenities

You may find:

• Shelters or indoor waiting areas
• Restrooms (more common at larger stations)
• Customer service or information desks (at major MARTA rail stations and Greyhound)
• Vending machines or small food options
• Electronic displays or posted schedules

Not every location has all of these, so if you rely on a particular feature (such as restrooms or indoor seating), check details before you leave.

Safety and Comfort Tips

• Stay aware of your surroundings, especially late at night.
• Keep personal items close and bags zipped.
• Use well-lit areas and populated waiting zones when possible.
• If you are unsure where to go, look for uniformed staff at major stations (MARTA and Greyhound typically have visible personnel).

Local and Regional Bus Connections Beyond MARTA

If you’re heading beyond the Atlanta city limits, you may need connecting services:

• CobbLinc (Cobb County) – Buses that connect Cobb County to MARTA stations and key locations.
• Gwinnett County Transit – Serves Gwinnett County with some routes reaching MARTA-connected areas.
• Xpress (regional commuter buses) – Connects suburban park-and-ride lots to major employment centers in Atlanta.

These services often meet MARTA at certain stations or transfer points that function like mini bus stations for regional commuters.

Quick Reference: Types of Bus Hubs in Atlanta

Practical Planning Tips for Using Atlanta Bus Stations

A few simple steps make using bus stations in Atlanta much easier:

• Check schedules in advance. Both MARTA and intercity providers offer route and time details that help you avoid long waits.
• Build in buffer time. Traffic, boarding lines, and security procedures can delay your departure, especially for intercity travel.
• Know your backup route. If a bus is delayed or full, it helps to know a second option—another bus line, MARTA rail, or rideshare.
• Carry a small essentials kit. Water, snacks, phone charger, and any needed medications can make a delay much less stressful.

Atlanta’s bus stations—whether it’s the downtown Greyhound terminal, a curbside intercity stop, or a busy MARTA hub like Five Points—are central to how people move around the city and the region. Once you know which type of station you need and what to expect when you arrive, navigating bus travel in Atlanta becomes much more straightforward.