Getting Around: Guide to Public Transportation in Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta’s public transportation network combines heavy rail, buses, streetcar, and regional commuter options. It won’t replace cars for everyone, but if you understand how the system works, you can reliably get to major job centers, schools, stadiums, and the airport without driving.

This guide focuses on how public transportation works in and around Atlanta, Georgia, and what you need to know to actually use it.

The Core of Atlanta Transit: MARTA

The main public transit provider in Atlanta is MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority). It operates:

• Rail (subway/metro)
• Local and express buses
• The Atlanta Streetcar

MARTA focuses heavily on the City of Atlanta, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and parts of Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton counties.

Where MARTA Is Most Useful

MARTA is especially practical if you live in, visit, or commute to:

• Downtown Atlanta (Peachtree Center, Five Points, State Farm Arena, government buildings)
• Midtown (Georgia Tech, arts district, offices, nightlife)
• Buckhead (Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, office towers)
• Airport area (Hartsfield–Jackson airport terminals and nearby hotels)
• Major corridors in Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton Counties

If you’re trying to get between these areas—especially along a rail line—public transportation is often faster than driving during rush hour.

MARTA Rail: The Backbone of the System

MARTA Rail runs mostly above ground with some underground segments downtown. Trains are color-coded:

• Red Line: North–South (North Springs ↔ Airport)
• Gold Line: North–South (Doraville ↔ Airport)
• Blue Line: East–West (Hamilton E. Holmes ↔ Indian Creek)
• Green Line: West–East (Bankhead ↔ Edgewood/Candler Park during some service patterns)

Key MARTA Rail Stations for Everyday Use

Some of the most commonly used stations in Atlanta proper include:

• Airport Station – At Hartsfield–Jackson, directly inside the Domestic Terminal
• Five Points – Central hub downtown where all rail lines intersect
• Peachtree Center – Best for downtown hotels, Peachtree Street, and conventions
• Midtown Station – Tech Square, restaurants, offices, and some Georgia Tech access
• Arts Center – Woodruff Arts Center, High Museum of Art, and some bus connections
• Lenox / Buckhead Stations – Buckhead shopping and business district
• Garnett / West End / Oakland City – South of downtown, residential and bus transfer points
• Inman Park/Reynoldstown, King Memorial, Edgewood/Candler Park – Eastside neighborhoods and transit-oriented areas

Airport tip ✈️: MARTA is one of the easiest ways to reach or leave the Atlanta airport. Red and Gold Lines both serve the Airport Station, and trains typically run frequently throughout the day.

MARTA Buses: Filling in the Gaps

Where rail doesn’t go, MARTA buses cover more neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and job centers.

What MARTA Buses Are Best For

• Reaching neighborhoods not directly on rail, like parts of Southwest Atlanta, Southeast Atlanta, and North DeKalb
• Getting from rail stations to employment centers, malls, and medical facilities
• Off-peak and weekend trips where rail alone doesn’t connect your start and end points

Buses run on numbered routes (for example, Route 110 along Peachtree Street or Route 15 along Candler Road). Many routes feed into major rail stations, making transfers straightforward.

Atlanta Streetcar: Short Downtown Connector

The Atlanta Streetcar is a light-rail style loop in Downtown and parts of the Old Fourth Ward.

It’s most useful for:

• Moving between Peachtree Center / Centennial Olympic Park area
• Visiting Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
• Connecting with MARTA Rail at Peachtree Center or King Memorial (with walking)

This service is more of a short-distance downtown circulator than a citywide commute option.

Paying Fares: MARTA Breeze Card & Breeze Mobile

MARTA uses an electronic fare system called Breeze.

Main Ways to Pay

• Breeze Card (plastic card)

  • Load stored value or passes (like 1-day, 7-day, 30-day)
  • Tap at rail station gates and on bus readers

• Breeze Ticket (paper)

  • Short-term option, usually for visitors
  • Also taps at gates and on buses

• Mobile payment apps (where available)

  • Some riders use official mobile options to load value or passes*

(*Features and app options can change—check what is currently supported before you ride.)

Where to Get or Reload Breeze

You can typically buy or reload Breeze Cards and Tickets at:

• MARTA Rail Stations – Ticket vending machines at station entrances
• MARTA RideStores – For in-person help and bulk purchases:
  • Five Points Station (Downtown)
  • Airport Station (Airport terminal)

You generally tap in to enter rail stations and tap when you board buses. On rail, you usually do not tap when you exit; the payment happens when you enter.

Major Transit Hubs in Atlanta

Several locations function as major transfer points and orientation landmarks.

Five Points Station (Downtown)

• Intersection of all four MARTA rail lines
• Numerous bus routes converge here
• Close to government offices, State Farm Arena, and businesses

Airport Station

• Located inside the domestic terminal of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Designated area for MARTA entry/exit
• Often used by travelers and airport employees

Midtown & Arts Center Stations

• Midtown Station: Good for Tech Square, Midtown’s main strip, some Georgia Tech access
• Arts Center Station: Links to arts district, shuttles, and some regional buses

Lindbergh Center Station

• Key transfer station in north Atlanta
• Several bus routes, park-and-ride facilities, residential and office complexes

Other Transit Providers in the Atlanta Region

Public transportation in “Atlanta” sometimes includes regional agencies outside the MARTA service area. These mainly matter if you live or work in the suburbs.

Xpress (State-Backed Commuter Buses)

Xpress, managed at the state level, operates commuter bus routes between outlying counties and central Atlanta.

Used mostly by:

• Suburban commuters traveling to Downtown, Midtown, or Perimeter job centers
• Riders who want a one-seat ride during rush hour rather than transferring multiple times

CobbLinc (Cobb County)

CobbLinc serves Cobb County, including Marietta, Smyrna, and some areas near the Braves’ Truist Park. It connects with MARTA at selected points, making it possible to travel from Cobb into the MARTA zone without driving.

Gwinnett County Transit (Ride Gwinnett)

Gwinnett County Transit (now often referred to as Ride Gwinnett) provides bus and commuter services in Gwinnett County and has connection points with MARTA. If you live in Gwinnett but work in Atlanta, you may combine this with MARTA Rail.

How to Plan Trips on Atlanta Public Transportation

To ride comfortably in Atlanta using transit, it helps to plan ahead.

Basic Planning Steps

1. Identify your start and end points

   • Are they near a MARTA station, a bus stop, or the Streetcar route?

2. See if rail can cover most of your trip

   • Rail is usually the quickest and easiest to navigate.

3. Determine if you need a bus connection

   • For many neighborhoods, you take a bus from a rail station to your final destination.

4. Check current schedules and service changes

   • Look up:
     • First and last train times
     • Weekend and holiday service
     • Planned track work or route detours

5. Factor in walking time

   • Many stations are a short walk from offices, stadiums, and attractions, but plan for a few minutes of walking on each end.

6. Build in a buffer

   • For airport trips or important appointments, allow extra time for train waits, transfers, and security lines at the airport.

Using Transit for Popular Destinations in Atlanta

Here’s how public transportation can help with common trips in and around the city.

Getting to and from Hartsfield–Jackson Airport

• Take MARTA Red or Gold Line to Airport Station
• The station is connected directly to the Domestic Terminal
• For the International Terminal, you can:
  • Use the free airport shuttle from the Domestic Terminal
  • Or take airport-based transit between concourses and terminals

This often avoids traffic, parking fees, and rideshare surcharges.

Downtown Attractions

For places like Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, State Farm Arena, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium:

• Use MARTA Rail to:
  • Five Points, GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center Station, or Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/Mercedes-Benz Stadium (naming may vary slightly over time)
• The Atlanta Streetcar can help with shorter hops within downtown and to the MLK historic area.

Midtown and Georgia Tech

• Midtown Station:
  • Good for Midtown offices, Tech Square, restaurants, and nightlife
• North Avenue Station:
  • Often used for southern Georgia Tech campus access and nearby buildings
• Some Georgia Tech shuttles connect with MARTA stations; schedules may vary by semester.

Buckhead and North Atlanta

• Buckhead Station, Lenox Station, and Brookhaven/Oglethorpe Station:
  • Great for shopping districts, office buildings, and some residential complexes in North Atlanta and Brookhaven
• Many workplaces in this area actively encourage using MARTA to avoid heavy traffic and parking costs.

Accessibility and Rider Support

MARTA and many regional services are designed with accessibility in mind.

Accessibility Features You Can Expect

• Elevators and escalators at most rail stations
• Priority seating on buses and trains
• Level or ramped boarding at designated locations
• Audio and visual announcements for upcoming stops

Getting Help in Person

For questions, passes, or assistance:

• MARTA Headquarters / Customer Service
  • Main administrative offices are in downtown Atlanta area
  • Rail stations with staffed booths and RideStores (such as at Five Points and Airport) can provide in-person guidance

When you’re unsure, station agents and bus operators can usually answer basic questions about routes and transfers.

Safety, Comfort, and Practical Tips

Public transportation in Atlanta is widely used by commuters, students, and visitors. Experiences vary by time of day and location, but some general habits can make your trip smoother.

Safety & Comfort Tips

• Ride in busier train cars, especially at night
• Keep personal items close and avoid displaying valuables openly
• Know your stop in advance so you’re ready to exit
• Stay behind platform edge markings and follow posted signs
• For night travel, consider:
  • Standing near the station agent booth on platforms
  • Choosing well-lit, active areas of stations

Rush Hour vs. Off-Peak

• Rush hour (weekday mornings and evenings):

  • Trains and buses are more frequent but more crowded
  • Allow extra time for boarding and potential delays

• Midday, late nights, and weekends:

  • Less crowded but trains and buses may run less often
  • Always check current frequency before relying on a tight schedule

When Public Transit Works Best in Atlanta

Public transportation in Atlanta is most effective when:

• You’re traveling along or near a MARTA Rail corridor
• Your starting point and destination are close to rail stations or major bus lines
• You want to avoid airport traffic, downtown parking, or stadium event congestion
• You combine modes:
  • Park-and-ride + Rail
  • Bus + Rail
  • Walk or bike + Rail

For residents, many find a mixed approach works well: use MARTA for commuting and events, and a car, rideshare, or bike for trips that are poorly served by transit.

Key Takeaways for Using Atlanta Public Transportation

• MARTA is the core system for rail, bus, and streetcar in Atlanta.
• Rail lines connect Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, the Airport, and key corridors.
• Buses extend service to many neighborhoods and employment centers not on the rail.
• Breeze Cards and Tickets are the main way to pay fares.
• Regional systems like Xpress, CobbLinc, and Gwinnett County Transit expand options if you live or work in the suburbs.
• For the airport, big events, and central city trips, public transportation is often more predictable than driving.

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta, understanding how these services fit together makes it much easier to move around the city without relying entirely on a car.