Atlanta Trolley Map: How to Ride and Read the Atlanta Streetcar Route
Looking for an Atlanta trolley map to get around downtown and the Old Fourth Ward? In Atlanta, what most people call a “trolley” is the Atlanta Streetcar—a modern electric streetcar that runs on tracks through the heart of the city.
This guide walks you through the Atlanta Streetcar route, shows you how to read the map, and explains how it fits into the rest of MARTA transit in Atlanta so you can plan your trip with confidence.
Overview: “Trolley” Service in Atlanta Today
Atlanta used to have historic-style trolleys, but the main rail-based street-level service today is the:
- Atlanta Streetcar – a modern trolley-style vehicle running a loop downtown
It is operated by MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) and connects major destinations like Peachtree Center, Centennial Olympic Park, the Sweet Auburn district, and the King Historic District.
If you’re searching for an Atlanta trolley map, what you need is really an Atlanta Streetcar route map showing:
- Streetcar route and direction
- All stops on the loop
- Connections to MARTA Rail and MARTA bus routes
Atlanta Streetcar Route at a Glance
The Atlanta Streetcar operates on a loop through downtown and the Old Fourth Ward/Sweet Auburn area. Think of it as a U-shaped line that links tourist spots, hotels, offices, and historic sites.
Key Areas Covered
The Atlanta trolley-style streetcar map covers:
- Downtown Atlanta core
- Centennial Olympic Park area
- Peachtree Center / Downtown hotels and offices
- Sweet Auburn Avenue
- Old Fourth Ward and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Historic District
Most riders use it to move between:
- Hotels and conference centers downtown
- Tourist attractions like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and College Football Hall of Fame
- Historic and cultural sites in the Sweet Auburn and King Historic District area
Stop-by-Stop: What’s on the Atlanta Trolley (Streetcar) Map
The exact stop list can change over time, but most Atlanta Streetcar maps show a set of core stations positioned close to major streets and landmarks.
Here’s a simple summary-style table of how the route functions and what to look for on a map:
| Map Element | What It Means for Riders |
|---|---|
| Route line (loop) | Shows the single streetcar line making a loop through downtown and Sweet Auburn |
| Directional arrows | Indicate which way the streetcar travels along the loop |
| Named stops | Where you can board or exit the trolley-style streetcar |
| MARTA Rail connection icons | Mark places where you can transfer to MARTA trains (e.g., Peachtree Center Station) |
| Landmark labels | Help you see which stop is closest to major attractions and historic sites |
You’ll usually see stops labeled near:
- Centennial Olympic Park / CNN Center area
- Peachtree Center (near MARTA Rail)
- Woodruff Park / downtown office core
- Sweet Auburn Avenue (near restaurants, markets, and historic sites)
- King Historic District (near Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park)
💡 Tip: When you look at an Atlanta Streetcar map, first find Peachtree Center or Centennial Olympic Park—those are easy orientation points in downtown.
How to Use the Atlanta Trolley Map Step-by-Step
1. Locate Yourself on the Map
Find:
- The street or landmark you’re closest to (hotel, park, office tower, museum)
- The nearest stop name on the map
Most paper or posted maps show major street names like Peachtree St, Auburn Ave, Edgewood Ave, and International Blvd.
2. Identify the Direction of Travel
Because the Atlanta Streetcar is a loop, direction matters if you want the shortest ride.
On the map you’ll see:
- Arrows showing the travel direction along the loop
- Sometimes color variations or small icons to show the flow
Choose the platform or stop on the side of the street that matches the direction you need.
3. Match Stops to Your Destination
On the map, look for stops closest to:
- Georgia Aquarium / World of Coca-Cola – typically near Centennial Olympic Park stops
- Hotels near Peachtree Center – use a Peachtree Center / Peachtree St stop
- King Center & MLK Jr. National Historical Park – use King Historic District–area stops
- Restaurants and bars on Edgewood Ave – use Sweet Auburn / Edgewood Ave–area stops
Count how many stops are between where you get on and where you get off so you know when to exit.
4. Check for Connections to Other MARTA Services
Atlanta Streetcar maps often highlight:
- MARTA Rail stations – usually symbols near Peachtree Center
- Major MARTA bus routes that intersect the loop
If you’re coming from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, you can ride MARTA Rail to Peachtree Center Station, then walk a short distance to a streetcar stop.
Where to Find an Atlanta Trolley (Streetcar) Map in Person
You don’t have to print anything to use the streetcar—maps are easy to find around downtown.
Onboard the Streetcar
Inside each vehicle you’ll generally find:
- A route map showing the full loop
- Stop lists and next-stop announcements
- Sometimes transfer information to MARTA Rail and buses
At Major Stops and Stations
In and around the route, look for posted maps:
- Downtown Atlanta near major hotel clusters
- Near Centennial Olympic Park and nearby attractions
- Around Peachtree Center and other downtown transit hubs
Maps are usually posted in:
- Shelters at streetcar stops
- Transit information kiosks in central downtown areas
Understanding the Map in Relation to Popular Atlanta Destinations
To make the map more usable, think of the route in terms of clusters of activity:
Downtown / Peachtree Center Cluster
Use the map to reach:
- Peachtree Center offices and hotels
- AmericasMart Atlanta (trade shows and markets)
- Downtown restaurants around Peachtree St
Look for stops on the map labeled with Peachtree, Peachtree Center, or nearby street names.
Centennial Olympic Park Cluster
This side of the loop is your best map anchor for:
- Centennial Olympic Park
- Georgia Aquarium
- World of Coca-Cola
- National Center for Civil and Human Rights
- State Farm Arena / CNN Center area
On many maps, this group appears toward the west side of the loop.
Sweet Auburn & King Historic District Cluster
On the east side of the loop, the map shows stops serving:
- Sweet Auburn Curb Market area
- Edgewood Avenue restaurants and nightlife
- Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
- Ebenezer Baptist Church
When using the map, look for Auburn Ave, Edgewood Ave, or King Historic District labels for this area.
How the Atlanta Streetcar Map Fits with the Bigger MARTA Map
If you live in Atlanta or are visiting without a car, it helps to see how the Atlanta trolley map fits into the broader MARTA system.
Integration with MARTA Rail
On system-wide MARTA maps, the Atlanta Streetcar:
- Appears as a short loop line centered around downtown
- Is shown in relation to Red, Gold, Blue, and Green MARTA Rail lines
Important connection point:
- Peachtree Center MARTA Station (241 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303)
- This is your primary transfer between rail and streetcar
Integration with MARTA Bus Routes
On some printed or posted maps you’ll also see:
- Bus routes that cross the streetcar loop (especially on Auburn Ave, Edgewood Ave, and Peachtree St)
- Icons or small notes where bus and streetcar stops are near each other
Using the two maps together lets you:
- Take a bus or MARTA Rail into downtown
- Switch to the streetcar/trolley loop to move easily between close-in neighborhoods
Practical Tips for Reading and Using the Atlanta Trolley Map
- Check both sides of the street: On the ground, stops are usually on opposite sides of the street. The side you choose must match the direction of the loop shown on the map.
- Use big landmarks first: When you’re disoriented, find Centennial Olympic Park, Peachtree Center, or Auburn Ave on the map to get your bearings.
- Look for transfer symbols: On full MARTA maps, small icons show where you can switch from streetcar to rail or bus.
- Watch for updated signage: The system can evolve. If you see a posted map at a stop or onboard, rely on that version over older printed materials you might have picked up elsewhere.
Who Manages the Atlanta Streetcar and Where to Ask Questions
The Atlanta Streetcar is managed by MARTA, which provides maps, schedules, and rider assistance.
If you need in-person help with routes and maps, MARTA’s main public-facing locations include:
- MARTA Headquarters
2424 Piedmont Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Phone: 404-848-5000
Many downtown MARTA rail stations, such as Five Points and Peachtree Center, also have:
- Customer information areas
- Posted system maps that include the streetcar loop
- Staff or station agents during core hours who can help you interpret the map
Using the Atlanta trolley (Atlanta Streetcar) map is straightforward once you know what you’re looking at: a single downtown loop connecting major attractions, historic sites, and business districts, with clear links to the wider MARTA system. With a bit of orientation to Peachtree Center, Centennial Olympic Park, and Sweet Auburn, you can read the map easily and move around central Atlanta without needing a car.