Affordable Hotels Near the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta

Looking for cheap hotels near the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta? You’re not alone. The aquarium is one of the city’s biggest attractions, and staying nearby can save you time, rideshare costs, and parking headaches—especially if you’re traveling with kids or planning to walk to Centennial Olympic Park, the World of Coca-Cola, or State Farm Arena.

This guide focuses on budget-friendly hotel options within a short distance of the Georgia Aquarium, plus smart ways to keep your total trip cost down while still staying central.

Understanding “Cheap” Hotels Near the Georgia Aquarium

Prices in downtown Atlanta change based on:

• Season and events (major conventions, concerts, sports games)
• Day of the week (weekends often cost more)
• How close you are to attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the World Congress Center

In this area, “cheap” doesn’t usually mean ultra-low nightly rates like you might find far outside the city. Instead, it means:

• On the lower end of downtown prices
• Good value for the location
• Basic but comfortable rooms, not luxury

If you’re looking specifically to stay within walking distance of the Georgia Aquarium (225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313), expect to pay more than you would in the suburbs, but you’ll save on gas, parking, and commute time.

Best Areas Near the Aquarium for Budget-Friendly Stays

When searching for cheap hotels near the Georgia Aquarium, focus on these nearby areas:

1. Centennial Olympic Park / Luckie-Marietta District

This is the closest and most convenient area for walking to the aquarium.

Why it’s good for budget travelers:

• Easy walk to the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, CNN Center, SkyView Atlanta, and Centennial Olympic Park
• Plenty of quick-service food options and casual restaurants
• You may not need a car at all if you’re only exploring downtown

Look for limited-service or midscale hotel brands in this zone—these often have:

• Smaller rooms
• Fewer frills
• Lower rates than full-service flagship hotels

2. Downtown Core (Peachtree Street & Surrounding Blocks)

A few blocks farther away, but still walkable or a short rideshare to the aquarium.

Pros for budget stays:

• Wide range of price points
• Easy access to MARTA Peachtree Center Station
• Short distance to attractions like Underground Atlanta and Woodruff Park

This area can offer slightly better prices, especially if you don’t mind a 10–15 minute walk or using MARTA.

3. Midtown (North of the Aquarium)

Midtown Atlanta, centered around Peachtree St NE, is one to two MARTA stops north of downtown.

While some Midtown hotels are upscale, you can find:

• Occasional deals at mid-range hotels
• Easy public transit from MARTA Arts Center or Midtown stations
• Good option if downtown rates spike during events

You’ll trade a short train ride or drive for possibly better prices and a more neighborhood-like feel.

4. Atlanta Airport Area (Hartsfield–Jackson)

If your priority is the lowest possible rate and you don’t mind commuting:

• The airport area has many budget and value hotels
• You can take MARTA from the Airport Station to GWCC/CNN Center Station or Five Points, then walk or transfer to reach the aquarium area

This works best if:

• You’re comfortable using public transit
• You don’t need to go back and forth downtown multiple times a day

Example: What “Cheap but Close” Might Look Like

The table below gives a general sense of trade-offs near the Georgia Aquarium. It’s not a list of specific hotels, but a guide to help you filter your search.

*Relative price levels compared to other Atlanta options, not fixed amounts.

How to Actually Find Cheap Hotels Near the Georgia Aquarium

Instead of chasing a particular brand, use search and filter strategies that work well in the Atlanta market:

1. Use the Right Map Radius

When you search online:

• Set your map center around Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Filter for hotels within about 0.5–1.0 mile
• Sort by price or value rating

This keeps you close enough to walk or take a short rideshare while spotting the most affordable options first.

2. Check Multiple Date Ranges

Atlanta’s hotel prices can jump for:

• Falcons or Atlanta United games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Conventions at Georgia World Congress Center
• Major events at State Farm Arena

If your dates are flexible:

• Try shifting your stay by one or two days
• Compare weekday vs. weekend rates
  Sometimes Sunday nights are cheaper than Friday/Saturday in the downtown core.

3. Filter for Essential Features Only

To keep costs down, focus on:

• Free breakfast (saves on morning meals)
• Free Wi-Fi
• Reasonable reviews for cleanliness and safety

Skip filters like:

• High-end fitness centers
• On-site restaurants
• Luxury labels or “premium view” rooms

These extras often raise the nightly rate without improving how close you are to the aquarium.

4. Watch Parking and Fees

In downtown Atlanta, parking and fees can quickly erase savings, especially near the aquarium.

When comparing “cheap” hotels, factor in:

• Nightly parking fees
• Resort or destination fees, if any
• Wi-Fi or breakfast charges (some budget hotels charge separately)

Sometimes a hotel that’s a few dollars more per night but includes breakfast or cheaper parking will be the better deal.

Walking, MARTA, and Getting Around from Budget Hotels

If you pick an affordable hotel that isn’t right next to the aquarium, getting around is still manageable.

Walking Distance Guidelines

From most downtown hotels:

• A 0.5-mile walk to the aquarium is common (about 10–12 minutes)
• Many routes take you past Centennial Olympic Park or other busy, well-known streets

If walking with children or older adults, stay closer to Luckie St NW, Marietta St NW, and Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW to minimize hills and confusing turns.

Using MARTA to Reach the Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is near:

• GWCC/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green Line)
• Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold Line)

From those stations, it’s typically a 10–15 minute walk.

If you’re staying:

• At the airport – Take the Red or Gold Line from Airport Station to Five Points, then transfer to the Blue or Green Line to GWCC/CNN Center.
• In Midtown or Buckhead – Take Red or Gold Line south to Peachtree Center, then walk or transfer to GWCC/CNN Center.

Using MARTA can lower your overall trip cost, especially if:

• You don’t want to pay for downtown parking
• You’re comfortable walking a few city blocks

Tips for Families Looking for Cheap Hotels Near the Aquarium

Families often want to be very close to the Georgia Aquarium to avoid long walks with kids and strollers. At the same time, budget matters.

Consider these strategies:

• Look for rooms with mini-fridges and microwaves
  Great for storing snacks, drinks, or simple meals so you don’t eat every meal out.

• Compare the cost of breakfast
  A hotel with slightly higher nightly rates but free breakfast might beat a cheaper room plus eating out.

• Ask about rollaway beds or sofa beds
  One room that fits everyone can be cheaper than booking two rooms.

• Think about nap breaks
  If you know you’ll want to return to the hotel midday, staying within a 5–10 minute walk of the aquarium may be worth a small rate increase.

Safety and Practical Considerations in Downtown Atlanta

Most visitors stay near the Georgia Aquarium without issues, but it helps to be practical:

• Check recent reviews for mentions of noise, cleanliness, and nighttime environment.
• Look at hotel entrances and lighting on photos and maps.
• If you’re arriving late at night, consider a hotel with:
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Indoor or gated parking, if you’re driving

For additional reassurance, you can look up nearby Atlanta Police Department Zone 5 coverage, which includes much of the downtown tourism district.

When to Consider Staying Farther Away

If every hotel near the Georgia Aquarium seems too expensive, consider these options:

1. Airport Hotels with MARTA Access

Budget-friendly airport hotels around Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport can be significantly cheaper, especially during big downtown events.

• Many offer airport shuttles
• You can take MARTA into downtown for the aquarium and other attractions
• Factor in travel time: roughly 30–40 minutes each way, door to door

2. Suburban Areas on MARTA Lines

Some suburbs along MARTA rail can be a good compromise:

• College Park / East Point (south) – Closer to the airport, often more affordable
• Doraville / Chamblee (northeast) – Access via Red/Gold Lines and bus connections
• Decatur (east) – Walkable downtown area; sometimes mid-range pricing

From these, you’d ride MARTA into Five Points or Peachtree Center, then walk or transfer to reach the aquarium.

Quick Checklist: Booking a Cheap Hotel Near the Georgia Aquarium

Use this checklist before you finalize your booking:

• ✅ Is the hotel within ~1 mile of 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, or an easy MARTA ride away?
• ✅ Did you check total cost, including taxes, parking, and fees?
• ✅ Does it have decent recent reviews for cleanliness and safety?
• ✅ Is Wi-Fi included in the rate?
• ✅ If you’re driving, is parking available and affordable?
• ✅ For families: is there free breakfast and/or a mini-fridge/microwave?
• ✅ Are your dates avoiding major stadium events or large conventions, if possible?

If the answer is “yes” to most of these, you’ve likely found a good-value, cheap hotel option near the Georgia Aquarium by Atlanta standards.

By focusing on the immediate downtown and Centennial Olympic Park area, then widening your search out to Midtown, the airport, or MARTA-connected suburbs if needed, you can usually balance cost, convenience, and comfort—and still be close enough to fully enjoy the Georgia Aquarium and the rest of downtown Atlanta.