Atlanta Rail Map: How to Navigate Trains in and Around the City

Atlanta’s rail network is centered on MARTA, with supporting commuter and intercity rail options that help you move around the city and region without driving. Understanding the Atlanta rail map makes it much easier to plan your commute, connect from the airport, or explore the city as a visitor.

This guide walks you through the main rail lines, key stations, how they connect, and what to know when reading or using a rail map in Atlanta.

The Core of the Atlanta Rail Map: MARTA Rail

When people talk about the “Atlanta rail map,” they’re almost always referring to the MARTA rail system. MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) runs heavy rail lines that form the backbone of local transit in the city.

MARTA Rail Lines at a Glance

MARTA’s rail network has four main lines, all color-coded:

All four lines intersect in Downtown Atlanta, creating a central transfer area where riders can switch lines.

Downtown & Midtown: The “Hub” of the Rail Map

On any Atlanta rail map, you’ll notice a cluster of stations in the downtown core. This is where the system interlocks and where most visitors and many commuters will transfer.

The Four Shared “Core” Stations

These stations form the main transfer spine between the north–south and east–west lines:

• Five Points
• Peachtree Center
• Georgia State
• Garnett

Five Points Station is the true center of the rail map:

• All four MARTA lines pass through Five Points.
• It’s the key point where you can go from any line to any other.
• It’s close to attractions like Underground Atlanta, City Hall, and government buildings.

If you’re ever unsure where you are on the map, find Five Points first — it’s your reference point.

Line-by-Line: What Each MARTA Rail Line Covers

Understanding what each line serves helps you read the rail map quickly and choose the right route.

Red Line: North Springs – Airport

The Red Line runs north–south, connecting the northern suburbs to Downtown and the Airport.

Key stations you’ll see on the map:

• Airport – Direct access to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport via a station inside the Domestic Terminal (near baggage claim).
• College Park – Park-and-ride options; gateway to southern suburbs.
• Garnett / Five Points / Peachtree Center / North Avenue – Downtown and Midtown stops.
• Arts Center – Near the Woodruff Arts Center and Midtown offices.
• Buckhead – Serving the Buckhead business and shopping district.
• Medical Center, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, North Springs – Serving Perimeter Center offices, hospitals, and northern commuters.

Use the Red Line if you’re commuting from North Fulton or Perimeter to Midtown/Downtown, or if you’re heading to or from the airport.

Gold Line: Doraville – Airport

The Gold Line also runs north–south, overlapping with the Red Line through Midtown and Downtown but branching off in the northeast.

Key stations:

• Airport – Same station shared with the Red Line.
• Midtown area & Downtown – Shares several central stations with the Red Line.
• Lindbergh Center – A major transfer point between Red and Gold, plus bus connections.
• Brookhaven/Oglethorpe – Serving Brookhaven neighborhoods and Oglethorpe University area.
• Chamblee – Park-and-ride access and bus transfers to nearby suburbs.
• Doraville – Northeastern terminus, near I-285 and industrial areas.

On a rail map, you’ll usually see the Red and Gold lines intertwined in the central area, then diverging as you move north.

Blue Line: Hamilton E. Holmes – Indian Creek

The Blue Line runs east–west across the city.

Key stops often highlighted on maps:

• Hamilton E. Holmes – Western terminus near I-20 and neighborhoods on the west side.
• Ashby – Access to Westside neighborhoods.
• Vine City – Close to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Georgia World Congress Center.
• GWCC/CNN Center – Major downtown attractions and events.
• Five Points – Central transfer hub.
• King Memorial, Inman Park/Reynoldstown – In-town residential neighborhoods.
• Edgewood/Candler Park – Transfer point to the Green Line.
• Avondale, Kensington, Indian Creek – Eastern terminus areas serving DeKalb County.

Use the Blue Line for cross-city trips, especially to the Westside, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, or eastern DeKalb County.

Green Line: Bankhead – Edgewood/Candler Park

The Green Line is a shorter east–west branch on the western side of the system.

Key stations:

• Bankhead – Western terminus serving Westside neighborhoods and redevelopment zones.
• Ashby, Vine City, GWCC/CNN Center, Five Points – Shared inner-city stations with the Blue Line.
• Edgewood/Candler Park – Eastern end of the Green Line, where it meets the Blue Line.

On the map, the Green and Blue lines overlap through downtown, then split toward Bankhead (Green) and Hamilton E. Holmes (Blue).

Reading the Atlanta Rail Map: Symbols & Patterns

Most printed or posted Atlanta rail maps use a simple, consistent visual language:

• Colored lines = Specific MARTA routes (Red, Gold, Blue, Green).
• Circles or dots = Stations.
• Larger icons or circles = Major transfer stations or terminals.
• Plane icon = The Airport Station.
• Bus icons (where shown) = Key bus connections or transit centers.

📝 Tip: If you’re planning a multi-line trip, look for where two or more colors overlap on the map; those are your transfer stations.

Key Stations to Know on the Atlanta Rail Map

Certain stations come up repeatedly when planning trips in Atlanta.

Five Points Station (Downtown)

• Main hub for transfers across all lines.
• Central for trips to government offices and older downtown landmarks.
• You’ll see it clearly marked on every rail map.

Location: 30 Alabama St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Airport Station

• Terminus for both Red and Gold lines on the south side.
• Directly connected to Hartsfield-Jackson’s Domestic Terminal.
• On the map, it’s always at the southern end of the north–south corridor.

Peachtree Center & Civic Center (Midtown/Downtown)

• Peachtree Center serves hotels, offices, and tourist areas in downtown.
• Civic Center (where present on maps) helps with access to northern Downtown and southern Midtown.

Lindbergh Center

• Major transfer point between Red and Gold lines north of Midtown.
• Key bus hub for surrounding neighborhoods.
• Often marked clearly because of its role as a transit center.

Using the Rail Map for Common Atlanta Trips

1. Going from the Airport to Downtown or Midtown

On the rail map:

1. Find Airport Station on the south end of the Red/Gold lines.
2. Follow the line north.
3. Downtown stops: Garnett, Five Points, Peachtree Center.
4. Midtown stops: North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center.

You don’t need to transfer; just make sure you board a northbound train (Red or Gold).

2. Going from Midtown to Buckhead or Perimeter

On the map:

1. Start at Midtown or Arts Center on the Red/Gold corridor.
2. Travel northbound.
3. For Buckhead, look for Buckhead Station on the Red Line.
4. For Perimeter Center, continue to Medical Center, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, or North Springs (Red Line).

Watch the train line color and terminus names displayed at the station or on system maps.

3. Crossing the City East–West

If you’re going from the Westside or stadiums to Decatur-area neighborhoods:

1. Start at Vine City or GWCC/CNN Center.
2. Take the Blue Line eastbound toward Indian Creek.
3. For in-town neighborhoods like Inman Park or Edgewood, get off at Inman Park/Reynoldstown or Edgewood/Candler Park.
4. For deeper into DeKalb (e.g., Kensington or Indian Creek), stay on until your desired station.

Printed & Posted Rail Maps: Where to Find Them

If you want a physical or on-site rail map in Atlanta:

• At MARTA Rail Stations

  • Posted near station entrances, on platforms, and by fare machines.
  • Typically show all rail lines, major bus connections, and park-and-ride lots.

• Inside Rail Cars

  • Simplified strip maps often show the stations for that particular line.
  • On older rail cars, these may be above doors or windows.

• MARTA Headquarters & Customer Service Centers

  • MARTA Headquarters & Government Center offices often have printed materials.
  • Address for MARTA’s main offices commonly listed as:
    MARTA Headquarters
    2424 Piedmont Rd NE
    Atlanta, GA 30324
    Main customer information line (widely published): 404-848-5000

If you’re unsure, station agents and help phones in larger stations can direct you to the nearest posted map.

Other Rail and Rail-Adjacent Services on the Atlanta Map

The everyday “Atlanta rail map” is mostly MARTA, but a few other rail services and corridors are important context.

Intercity Rail: Amtrak

Atlanta has one Amtrak stop on the Crescent line.

• Atlanta Amtrak Station (Peachtree Station)
  • Location: 1688 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Serves long-distance trips between cities like New Orleans, Birmingham, Charlotte, and New York (via Washington, DC).
  • Not part of MARTA, so it will usually appear on separate maps or as a simple marker rather than as a fully integrated line.

When planning a trip that involves both MARTA and Amtrak, you may see small icons or notes on some citywide transit maps indicating how to connect from MARTA bus or rail to the Amtrak station.

Commuter & Regional Rail Concepts

From time to time, you may see rail maps or planning graphics in Atlanta that show:

• Proposed or planned commuter rail lines.
• The evolving Atlanta BeltLine transit corridor (currently more of a trail system with future transit concepts).
• Potential light rail or streetcar extensions.

These maps are often conceptual and are separate from the operational MARTA map, but they can appear in local planning documents or city information displays.

Atlanta Streetcar (Downtown Loop)

The Atlanta Streetcar is a short rail-based loop in downtown:

• Connects spots like Centennial Olympic Park, King Historic District, and Peachtree Center.
• On some broader city transit maps, it shows up as a distinct loop rather than as part of MRT’s heavy rail system.
• It can be a useful connector between MARTA rail and key downtown attractions.

Understanding Zones, Fares, and Park-and-Ride on the Map

While the visual map focuses on lines and stations, many posted versions also indicate:

• Park-and-ride lots – Often marked by a “P” symbol; common at end-of-line or suburban stations like North Springs, Doraville, Indian Creek, and Hamilton E. Holmes.
• Accessibility markers – Symbols indicating elevators or accessible station entries.
• Bus transfer centers – Where multiple bus routes connect to the rail, such as Lindbergh Center, Doraville, or College Park.

If you’re driving to the train, look for these symbols on the map near the outer ends of the lines.

Practical Tips for Using the Atlanta Rail Map

• Start with your destination: Find the nearest station to where you’re going (by name/neighborhood), then trace back to see which line you need and where to transfer.
• Pay attention to termini: Trains are labeled by their final station (e.g., “North Springs,” “Airport,” “Doraville,” “Indian Creek”). On the map, those same termini are at the line ends and help you confirm direction.
• Use Five Points as your anchor: When in doubt, aim for Five Points and transfer from there. It’s clearly marked at the center of all MARTA rail maps.
• Note overlapping lines: The Red and Gold share track through much of Midtown and Downtown; the Blue and Green share downtown segments. The map shows these as double-color lines or closely parallel tracks.
• Check first/last trains in your planning: While the map itself doesn’t show times, knowing when service typically starts or ends is important for early or late trips.

By learning how the Red, Gold, Blue, and Green lines connect and where main transfer hubs like Five Points, Lindbergh Center, and Airport Station sit on the map, you can use Atlanta’s rail system confidently for commuting, airport trips, and exploring the city.