Atlanta MARTA Train Map: How to Read It and Get Around the City

Navigating Atlanta is much easier once you understand the MARTA train map. Whether you live here, commute into the city, or are visiting for a few days, knowing how the rail lines connect major neighborhoods, airports, and attractions can save you a lot of time and stress.

This guide walks you through the MARTA rail lines, key stations, transfers, park-and-ride options, and how to use the map like a local.

Overview: How MARTA Rail Is Laid Out in Atlanta

MARTA’s train system is built around four main lines, all meeting in Downtown Atlanta:

• Red Line – North–South
• Gold Line – North–South
• Blue Line – East–West
• Green Line – East–West (shorter, on the west side)

On the MARTA train map, lines are color-coded and labeled clearly. All four lines intersect around Five Points Station in Downtown, which is the central hub of the system.

Big picture:

• North–South trains (Red/Gold) connect the airport, Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead, then continue into the northern suburbs.
• East–West trains (Blue/Green) connect areas like Decatur, East Atlanta, West End, and the Westside with Downtown.

The Four MARTA Train Lines in Atlanta

Red Line (North–South)

The Red Line runs from North Springs in Sandy Springs down through Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown, and continues south to the Airport Station.

Common reasons Atlantans use the Red Line:

• Getting to/from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Commuting from North Springs, Sandy Springs, and Dunwoody
• Accessing Buckhead shopping and office districts
• Reaching Midtown for arts, business, or nightlife

Notable Red Line stations:

• North Springs – Park-and-ride; serves northern suburbs
• Sandy Springs / Dunwoody – Near offices, apartments, and Perimeter area
• Buckhead / Lenox – Major shopping and business district
• Arts Center / Midtown – Midtown offices, arts venues, restaurants
• North Avenue / Civic Center / Peachtree Center – Downtown core
• Five Points – Central transfer station to all other lines
• Airport – Direct access to airport terminals

Gold Line (North–South)

The Gold Line also runs north–south, mostly parallel to the Red Line in the city center, but its northern section branches off toward Doraville.

Common uses:

• Commuting from Doraville, Chamblee, and Brookhaven
• Reaching Georgia Tech and Midtown (via Midtown/Arts Center)
• Using Lindbergh Center as a major transfer and park-and-ride spot

Notable Gold Line stations:

• Doraville – Northern terminus; park-and-ride
• Chamblee – Access to neighborhoods and bus connections
• Brookhaven/Oglethorpe – Residential and university access
• Lindbergh Center – Big transfer and bus hub with parking
• Lenox – Lenox Square area
• Midtown / Arts Center / North Avenue / Five Points – Shared core with Red Line
• Airport – Some trains continue to Airport depending on schedule (always confirm southbound train destination on the map and platform signs)

Blue Line (East–West)

The Blue Line runs from Hamilton E. Holmes in West Atlanta through Downtown and on to Indian Creek in East DeKalb County.

Popular for:

• Travel between Downtown and Decatur
• Access to Georgia State University
• Reaching eastside neighborhoods and park-and-ride lots

Notable Blue Line stations:

• Hamilton E. Holmes – Western terminus; park-and-ride
• West Lake / Ashby – Connects westside neighborhoods
• Vine City – Near Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center – Stadiums and major venues
• Five Points – Downtown transfer hub
• Georgia State – GSU campus
• King Memorial – Grant Park/Oakland Cemetery area
• Inman Park/Reynoldstown – Popular intown neighborhoods
• Edgewood/Candler Park – Residential and bike trails area
• Decatur – City of Decatur
• Avondale / Kensington / Indian Creek – Eastern park-and-ride options

Green Line (Short East–West Line on the West Side)

The Green Line shares tracks with the Blue Line in the central area but is shorter, running only from Bankhead to Edgewood/Candler Park.

Common uses:

• Access to Bankhead and nearby Westside neighborhoods
• Short trips between Bankhead and central/eastside Atlanta

Notable Green Line stations:

• Bankhead – Western terminus
• Ashby / Vine City – Near the westside and stadiums
• Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center
• Five Points
• Georgia State / King Memorial / Inman Park/Reynoldstown / Edgewood/Candler Park

Key MARTA Transfer Points on the Map

On the MARTA train map, certain stations are highlighted as transfer hubs or major points of interest. Knowing these makes planning a trip much easier.

Five Points Station (System Hub)

Five Points is the main interchange where:

• Red and Gold Lines (north–south) cross the
• Blue and Green Lines (east–west)

From Five Points you can:

• Transfer to any other rail line
• Connect to many MARTA bus routes
• Walk to major parts of Downtown Atlanta

Address (approximate area):
30 Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Other Important Transfer Stations

These stations stand out on the map because they connect multiple lines, buses, or major destinations:

• Lindbergh Center (Red & Gold)
  • Major bus hub and park-and-ride
  • Connects to Midtown, Buckhead, and northern suburbs
• Arts Center (Red & Gold)
  • Transfers to buses serving Atlanta Arts District, Atlantic Station area
• Ashby (Blue & Green)
  • Interchange for westside and stadium trips
• Inman Park/Reynoldstown (Blue & Green)
  • Access to BeltLine, eastside neighborhoods, and bus routes

On the map, transfer stations are usually shown with distinct icons or larger symbols.

How to Read the MARTA Train Map Step by Step

When you look at the MARTA rail map, here’s how to break it down:

1. Find your current station or closest station
   Look for the station names near your starting point (e.g., Airport, North Springs, Decatur).

2. Locate your destination station
   Find its name on the map and note which line it’s on (Red, Gold, Blue, or Green).

3. Check if a transfer is needed

   • Same line: If both stations are on the same colored line, no transfer is needed.
   • Different lines: Identify the nearest shared station (often Five Points or a line-sharing section like Midtown/Arts Center).

4. Follow the direction of travel
   Each line is labeled with end-of-line destinations:

   • For example: North Springs, Doraville, Airport, Indian Creek, Hamilton E. Holmes, Bankhead.
   • On platforms and the train itself, you’ll see the terminal station name, which tells you which direction the train is going.

5. Confirm with platform signs
   At stations, electronic and static signs show:

   • Line color
   • Terminal destination
   • Arrival times

6. Use the legend on the map
   The legend explains:

   • Line colors
   • Transfer stations
   • Park-and-ride icons
   • Accessible stations

Popular Atlanta Destinations and Their MARTA Stations

Here’s a simplified reference table that mirrors how you might think through the map when planning a trip:

When you look at the MARTA map, these areas are easy to spot because the stations are labeled with clear names and are located along the color-coded routes.

Using Park-and-Ride Lots on the MARTA Map

If you’re driving in from outside the city or from the suburbs, the MARTA map highlights park-and-ride stations with specific icons.

Common park-and-ride stations include:

• North Springs (Red Line)
• Sandy Springs (Red Line)
• Doraville (Gold Line)
• Indian Creek (Blue Line)
• Kensington (Blue Line)
• Hamilton E. Holmes (Blue Line)
• College Park (Red/Gold Line)

On the map, look for the parking symbol next to the station name. This indicates that you can:

• Park your car in a MARTA lot or deck
• Take the train into Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the Airport

Understanding the Airport Connection on the Map

One of the most important features of the MARTA train map for Atlanta travelers is the direct airport connection.

• The Airport Station is at the southern end of the Red and Gold Lines.
• On the map, it appears at the bottom of the north–south corridor.
• Trains marked “Airport” will take you straight to the terminal.

Airport Station location (general):
6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
(Inside Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim)

From the Airport, the map helps you determine:

• Which direction to go for Downtown (northbound Red/Gold)
• How to reach Midtown and Buckhead
• Where to transfer (mainly at Five Points or Lindbergh Center) if you’re heading east or west

Local Tips for Using the MARTA Map Effectively

A few Atlanta-specific pointers that come in handy when you’re reading the MARTA rail map:

• Line names = destinations
  Always pay attention to the end-of-line station printed on the map (e.g., North Springs, Doraville, Indian Creek, Hamilton E. Holmes, Bankhead). This is exactly how trains are labeled in stations.

• Red and Gold share core stations
  In central Atlanta, Red and Gold trains stop at many of the same stations. The map shows this overlap. If your stop is in this shared zone, you can take either line.

• Blue and Green share central stations
  Similarly, the Blue and Green Lines overlap through central Atlanta. For downtown and near-eastside stops, either line may work, depending on your exact station.

• Check first/last trains
  While the printed/system maps show routes, they don’t show hours. If you are traveling early morning or late at night, it’s wise to check current service schedules before relying on the line layout alone.

• Accessible routes
  Many stations have elevators, and the map typically marks accessible stations with special symbols. If accessibility is important, look for those icons while planning your route.

Where to See a MARTA Train Map in Atlanta

You don’t need to memorize the system. Physical MARTA train maps are posted:

• Inside every MARTA rail station (near entrances, platforms, and ticket machines)
• Inside MARTA trains, usually above or near the doors
• At customer service booths in busy stations like:
  • Airport
  • Five Points
  • Lindbergh Center
  • Peachtree Center (during staffed hours)

You can also ask a MARTA station agent for printed guidance at staffed locations.

MARTA Headquarters (for general information):
2424 Piedmont Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Main phone (general customer info is commonly available through MARTA’s published phone lines—check current listings).

Quick Planning Checklist Using the MARTA Map

Before you ride, use this mini-checklist:

1. Find your start and end stations on the map.
2. Note the line colors you’ll use (Red, Gold, Blue, Green).
3. Identify any transfer station(s) (often Five Points).
4. Remember the terminal name of the train you need (e.g., “To North Springs” or “To Indian Creek”).
5. If driving, look for a park-and-ride symbol near your starting point.
6. At the station, double-check platform signs against what you saw on the map.

Once you understand how the Atlanta MARTA train map organizes the city into four simple color-coded lines with a shared downtown core, getting around Atlanta by rail becomes straightforward, whether you’re heading to the airport, commuting to work, or exploring a new neighborhood.