Atlanta MARTA Tickets: How to Ride, What to Buy, and Where to Get Them

If you plan to ride MARTA in Atlanta—whether you’re commuting from Midtown, heading to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, or exploring downtown—understanding MARTA tickets and fares will save you time and confusion.

Below is a practical guide to Atlanta MARTA tickets, with details on Breeze Cards, Breeze Tickets, prices, where to buy, and how to use them across rail, bus, and the Atlanta Streetcar.

MARTA Fare Basics in Atlanta

MARTA uses a smart card system called Breeze for almost all rides:

• Breeze Card – A reusable plastic card
• Breeze Ticket – A paper, limited-use ticket

Both can hold:

• Stored value (a dollar amount you tap down as you ride), and/or
• Passes (like 1‑day, 7‑day, or 30‑day unlimited ride passes on MARTA rail and bus)

Most riders in Atlanta use Breeze Cards for regular commuting and Breeze Tickets for short visits or occasional rides.

Breeze Card vs. Breeze Ticket

Breeze Card (Plastic, Reusable)

Best for: Atlanta residents, frequent visitors, or anyone using MARTA more than a couple of times.

Key points:

• Durable plastic card
• Reusable and reloadable
• Can hold both stored value and passes at the same time
• Can be registered for balance protection if lost (via official MARTA customer service channels)
• Works on:
  • MARTA rail
  • MARTA bus
  • Atlanta Streetcar (when loaded with valid fare)

Breeze Ticket (Paper, Limited Use)

Best for: Short-term visitors, one-time trips, or people who don’t expect to ride often.

Key points:

• Thinner, paper-based ticket
• Limited number of uses (not designed for long-term use)
• Can hold passes, but not as durable as a Breeze Card
• Often a little less cost-effective if you ride often (replacing them adds up)

For longer stays in Atlanta or daily commuting, a Breeze Card is usually the better choice.

Common MARTA Ticket Types and Pass Options

Below is a simplified overview. Always verify current fares with MARTA before traveling, since prices can change.

1. Single Trip / Stored Value

• You load a cash value (e.g., $5, $10, $20) onto your Breeze Card or Ticket.
• Each time you tap at a rail fare gate (or bus farebox), the standard fare is deducted.
• Good for:
  • Occasional riders
  • Visitors who are unsure how many trips they’ll take

2. Day Passes

MARTA offers unlimited ride passes over a set number of days. Common options include:

• 1-Day Pass
• 2-Day Pass
• 3-Day Pass
• 4-Day Pass
• 7-Day Pass
• 30-Day Pass

These passes allow unlimited MARTA rail and bus rides during the validity period (from first use).

Sometimes these are ideal if:

• You’re staying at a hotel in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead and plan to use MARTA daily
• You commute five or more days per week on rail or bus

3. Atlanta Streetcar Fares

The Atlanta Streetcar, operating mainly around Downtown (with stops near Centennial Olympic Park, the King Historic District, and the Sweet Auburn area), uses the Breeze system as well:

• You can usually use stored value or a valid pass loaded on your Breeze Card.
• There are separate Streetcar‑only tickets as well, sold at some streetcar stops.

Quick MARTA Ticket/Fare Snapshot

Where to Buy MARTA Tickets and Breeze Cards in Atlanta

You can buy MARTA tickets and Breeze Cards in several convenient ways.

1. MARTA Rail Stations

Every MARTA rail station in Atlanta has Breeze vending machines near the entrances.

Popular stations include:

• Five Points Station (Downtown; main hub where all rail lines connect)
• Peachtree Center Station (Downtown, near hotels and office towers)
• Midtown Station
• Arts Center Station
• Buckhead Station
• Airport Station (inside Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, domestic terminal)

At these kiosks, you can:

• Purchase a new Breeze Card or Breeze Ticket
• Load stored value
• Add or renew day passes and monthly passes

Most machines accept:

• Credit/debit cards
• Cash (bills and coins, within limits—always follow the machine prompts)

2. Airport MARTA Station

If you’re flying into Atlanta, the easiest place to get a MARTA ticket is the:

MARTA Airport Station
Inside Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Connected directly to the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim / Ground Transportation

Here you can:

• Buy Breeze Cards or Tickets from machines
• Load passes before heading to Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead

This is one of the most used stations for visitors staying in central Atlanta.

3. MARTA RideStores (Customer Service Centers)

MARTA operates in-person service centers—often called RideStores—at select stations. These are helpful if you:

• Need help choosing the right pass
• Want to ask about reduced fares, senior/disabled/student programs
• Have a problem with your Breeze Card or need a replacement

Two key locations to know:

1. Five Points Station RideStore (Downtown)
   30 Alabama Street SW
   Atlanta, GA 30303

2. Airport Station RideStore
   Inside the Airport MARTA Station
   Atlanta, GA 30320

Typical services at RideStores:

• Sell Breeze Cards and some special fare products
• Help with balance transfer in certain situations (e.g., damaged card)
• Provide printed route maps and basic trip guidance

Check posted hours at the station, as they can differ from train hours.

4. Online Purchases (Where Available)

MARTA has periodically offered online options to purchase or manage Breeze Cards, especially for:

• Employers and group accounts
• Some special programs

If you want to manage your fares in advance, check MARTA’s official channels for current online account or card management options and mail‑order availability, if offered.

How to Use MARTA Tickets on Rail and Bus

Using Tickets on MARTA Rail

1. Buy or load your Breeze Card/Ticket at a station kiosk or RideStore.
2. Go to the fare gate area.
3. Tap your Breeze Card/Ticket flat against the blue target on the gate.
4. Wait for the green light and gate to open, then walk through.
5. Keep your card or ticket—you may need it to exit at some stations or to transfer to bus or Streetcar.

For airport trips, you’ll tap in at the Airport Station and out at your destination station as usual.

Using Tickets on MARTA Buses

1. Board at the front door.
2. Tap your Breeze Card/Ticket on the card reader by the driver.
3. The system deducts the fare or recognizes your unlimited pass.
4. Ask for a transfer if needed, although in many cases the transfer is handled electronically through your Breeze Card.

MARTA buses cover a wide area, including routes through Downtown, Midtown, Georgia Tech, Buckhead, and many neighborhoods in Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton Counties.

Transfers Between Bus, Rail, and Streetcar

MARTA’s fare system is designed to make transfers easier and more affordable:

• When you use a Breeze Card or Ticket, transfers between MARTA rail and MARTA bus are usually recognized automatically within a certain time window.
• If your trip includes the Atlanta Streetcar, tapping your Breeze media on the reader validates your fare similarly.

General tips:

• Keep using the same Breeze Card or Ticket for your whole trip so transfers are counted correctly.
• Avoid mixing multiple cards at once, or you may pay extra.

Reduced Fare, Student, and Senior Tickets

MARTA offers reduced fare programs for eligible riders. These typically require verification and special Breeze Cards.

Common categories:

• Seniors (age 65 and older, with valid ID)
• Persons with disabilities
• Medicare cardholders
• Some students (through participating schools/programs)
• Certain income‑based or special programs

To apply for or manage reduced fare tickets, riders in Atlanta typically:

• Visit a MARTA Customer Service Center / RideStore in person
• Bring required documentation (such as a government ID, proof of age, disability documentation, or program enrollment)

Primary locations where reduced fare assistance is often handled:

• Five Points Station RideStore
  30 Alabama Street SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303

• Airport Station RideStore
  Inside the Airport MARTA Station

Always confirm current eligibility, documentation, and hours before going, as program rules can change.

Tips for Choosing the Right MARTA Ticket in Atlanta

Here are some simple scenarios to help you decide:

• You’re visiting for 1–3 days and staying Downtown or Midtown
  👉 A 1‑day, 2‑day, or 3‑day pass on a Breeze Card or Ticket may be convenient if you plan several rides per day (airport, sightseeing, restaurants, events).

• You live in Atlanta and commute to work on MARTA most days
  👉 A 30‑day pass on a Breeze Card can be cost-effective and convenient.

• You just need to get from the airport to your hotel once
  👉 Add enough stored value for a couple of rides on a Breeze Ticket or Card at the Airport Station.

• You’re not sure how often you’ll ride
  👉 Load a small amount of stored value (e.g., $10–$20) on a Breeze Card so you can tap and go, then reload later if needed.

Practical Tips for Using MARTA Tickets in Atlanta

• ⏰ Check service hours: Trains and buses have specific start/stop times; late-night or early-morning trips may require planning.
• ✅ Keep your Breeze Card safe: For frequent riders, consider registering your card through official channels if balance protection is offered.
• 📍 Know your station: Key central hubs like Five Points, Peachtree Center, Midtown, and Airport are useful anchors when planning trips.
• 💵 Carry backup payment: In case a vending machine is temporarily out of service, having a second payment method or small amount of cash can help.
• 📄 Watch for station signs: Fare information, service changes, and special instructions are posted at many stations.

Key Atlanta Locations to Get MARTA Tickets

If you only remember a few places, these are the most useful for most riders:

1. MARTA Airport Station
   Inside Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
   – Best for visitors arriving by plane

2. Five Points Station (Downtown)
   30 Alabama Street SW
   Atlanta, GA 30303
   – Main hub, with RideStore and multiple rail lines

3. Peachtree Center, Midtown, and Arts Center Stations
   – Convenient if you’re staying in central hotels or visiting major attractions

At any of these, you can purchase or reload your MARTA tickets and Breeze Cards and start riding across Atlanta.