MARTA Fare Prices in Atlanta: What It Really Costs to Ride

Understanding MARTA fare prices is essential if you live in Atlanta, commute regularly, or are just visiting and trying to manage transportation costs. MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) runs the city’s main rail and bus system, and its fare structure is fairly simple once you break it down.

Below is a clear guide to what MARTA costs, how to pay, and how to choose the most economical option for your situation in Atlanta.

MARTA Basics: How Fares Work in Atlanta

MARTA uses a flat fare system for most local trips. That means you pay the same base price whether you ride one stop or go from one end of the line to the other.

Key points:

• You pay using a Breeze card or Breeze ticket.
• The same basic fare applies to bus and rail for standard (non-discounted) riders.
• You can buy single trips, round trips, or multi-day/unlimited passes.
• Some groups (seniors, students, people with disabilities) may qualify for reduced fares with proper ID.

Standard MARTA Fares for Most Riders

For adults who do not qualify for discounts:

• Standard one-way trip: Flat fare for bus or rail.
• Includes free transfers between bus and rail within a time limit when using a Breeze card.

You’ll typically pay per boarding unless you’re using an unlimited pass. For example, a round trip counts as two fares if you’re paying per ride.

Quick Fare Snapshot (Typical Structure)

If you ride MARTA to work most weekdays, passes usually offer better value than paying one trip at a time.

Breeze Cards vs Breeze Tickets

To ride MARTA, you’ll typically use either a Breeze Card or a Breeze Ticket.

Breeze Card

• Reusable plastic card
• Can be loaded with:
  • Stored cash value (to pay per ride), or
  • Multi-day unlimited passes (1, 3, 7, 30 days, etc.)
• Better for frequent riders or anyone staying in Atlanta more than a day or two.

Breeze Ticket

• Paper ticket with a smart chip
• Often used for:
  • Short-term trips
  • Single rides or simple round trips
• Not as durable as a Breeze Card; not ideal for long-term use.

You can buy and reload both at MARTA rail station vending machines and at certain service centers.

Unlimited Ride Passes: When They Make Sense

If you plan to use MARTA heavily, especially in Atlanta’s core areas like Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead, an unlimited pass can quickly pay for itself.

Common options include:

• 1-Day Pass – Good for a day of errands or sight-seeing.
• Multi-Day Passes (3, 4, 7 days) – Smart for visitors staying near a MARTA rail line or convention center.
• 30-Day Pass – Designed for daily commuters who use MARTA to get to work or school most weekdays. This is often the most economical option for high-volume riders.

If you’re commuting five days a week, compare the cost of paying per ride versus a 30-day pass; for most downtown or Midtown workers, the unlimited option usually lowers the average cost per trip.

Reduced Fare Options in Atlanta

Some groups can qualify for reduced MARTA fares, often about half the standard rate or with special passes. To use these, you usually need an approved reduced-fare Breeze card with your photo and eligibility information.

Common Reduced Fare Categories

• Seniors (age threshold applies)
• People with disabilities
• Medicare cardholders
• Certain students (when participating in specific programs or institutions partnered with MARTA)
• Participants in approved transit assistance programs

You typically cannot just pay reduced fare at the gate without being enrolled. You must apply and receive a reduced-fare Breeze card first.

Where to Get or Reload a Breeze Card in Atlanta

At Rail Stations

Most MARTA rail stations in Atlanta have:

• Breeze vending machines:
  • Buy or reload Breeze cards and tickets.
  • Pay with cash or card (options may vary by machine).

Popular central stations where you can handle fare needs:

• Five Points Station (Downtown) – Atlanta’s main MARTA hub.
• Peachtree Center Station (Downtown, near hotels and offices).
• Midtown Station and Arts Center Station (Midtown).
• Buckhead, Lenox, and Lindbergh Center Stations (North Atlanta corridor).

MARTA Headquarters & Customer Service

For more complex fare issues (reduced fare cards, lost card questions, or eligibility):

• MARTA Headquarters / Customer Service Center
  2424 Piedmont Road NE
  Atlanta, GA 30324
  Main Customer Info: (404) 848-5000

Customer service staff can explain current fare prices, assist with reduced-fare applications, and guide you on best-value options for your situation.

Transfers Between Bus and Rail

When you use a Breeze card, MARTA typically allows free transfers within a set time window, so you don’t have to pay full fare every time you switch:

• Bus → Rail or Rail → Bus
• Bus → Bus

Key details:

• The transfer benefit usually only works when using the same Breeze card and staying within the allowed time limit.
• Breeze tickets may have more limited transfer options.
• If you exit and re-enter after the transfer window, it will count as a new fare.

For many Atlantans in areas like Decatur, West End, or East Point, this transfer system is what makes mixing bus and rail cost-effective.

MARTA to the Airport: Fare Considerations

One advantage in Atlanta is that MARTA goes directly into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport via the Airport Station at the domestic terminal.

• You pay the same standard MARTA fare to get to or from the airport as any other rail trip.
• If you’re staying in areas like Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, using MARTA to the airport often costs much less than a ride-hail or taxi.
• If you have an unlimited pass, the airport trip is typically included at no extra charge, as long as your pass is valid.

For travelers staying near MARTA stations, budgeting for a pass instead of multiple rides can simplify trip planning and keep total transportation costs predictable.

How MARTA Fits Into Your Cost of Living in Atlanta

When you’re evaluating cost of living and transportation in Atlanta, MARTA can play a big role:

• Using MARTA instead of driving can reduce:
  • Gas costs
  • Parking fees (especially in Downtown and Midtown)
  • Some car maintenance and wear
• Neighborhoods near MARTA rail stations (like Inman Park/Reynoldstown, Brookhaven/Oglethorpe, Sandy Springs, College Park) are often popular with people who want to limit car use or downsize to one car per household.

Many Atlanta residents combine:

• MARTA for work commutes
• Occasional ride-hail or carshare for off-route trips
• Walking or biking near station areas

From a monthly budget perspective, understanding MARTA’s fare structure and pass options makes it easier to estimate how much you’ll actually spend on local transit if you live or stay in Atlanta.

Practical Tips for Keeping MARTA Costs Down

Here are some simple ways Atlanta riders manage fare expenses:

• Plan around passes
  If you know you’ll ride most weekdays, calculate how many trips you’ll take in a month and compare that to a 30-day pass.

• Load value strategically
  If your usage is unpredictable, keep some stored value on your Breeze card instead of buying a long-duration pass.

• Use transfers
  When possible, combine bus and rail within the transfer window rather than breaking your trip into separate paid legs.

• Keep your Breeze card
  Treat it like a debit card; don’t throw it away after one trip if you may return to Atlanta or ride again soon.

• Check for eligibility
  If you’re a senior, student, or person with a qualifying disability, it may be worth contacting MARTA to see if you can register for reduced fares.

How to Confirm Current MARTA Fare Prices

Because fare amounts can change, it’s important to verify the exact current prices before loading a large amount or buying a long pass. You can:

• Call MARTA Customer Information: (404) 848-5000
• Check printed fare posters and digital boards at major MARTA stations like Five Points, Peachtree Center, Lindbergh Center, and the Airport Station
• Visit a MARTA RideStore or customer service desk at central stations for in-person questions

By understanding how MARTA fare prices work in Atlanta—standard rides, passes, reduced fares, and transfers—you can better plan your transportation budget whether you’re a resident, commuter, or visitor navigating the city.