Tips for Riding MARTA to and from the Atlanta Airport
If you’re going to ride MARTA at all, take it to or from the busiest airport in the world. The Airport MARTA station is in the domestic terminal of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, providing an inexpensive and traffic-free way to travel. Whether you live in Atlanta or are visiting, see below for tips to make your commute easier.
Getting to the Airport on MARTA
In Atlanta, southbound red and gold line trains travel to the airport. Transfer at the Five Points MARTA station to the Southbound train platform if you are commuting via the blue or green line.
To reach a train station, park at a station with overnight parking, take a bus to a station, have someone drop you off or request an Uber/Lyft or taxi ride.
Tip: Use Google Maps to Plan Your Trip
Use Google Maps with the airport as the destination to get MARTA routes and trip times via the transit option.
Adjust the settings for the day and time you wish to arrive at the airport. Google will calculate which train you need to catch in order to arrive at the airport at your desired time. You can then save the trip to your calendar for easy reference.
For more information, view travel times from each MARTA station to the airport to get a quick overview.
Connecting With MARTA at the Atlanta Airport
1. Follow signs to the baggage claim
2. Enter the Rail Station from the North or South Terminal
In most cases, you’ll exit the airport plane train and go up a tall escalator to baggage claim. At this point you’ll be facing the Airport MARTA station, but it won’t be visible due to restrooms that are immediately in front of it. Turn right or left to enter the North or South baggage claim area… both have doors that lead into the rail station near the last baggage claim carousel.
3. Buy or Reload Fare Inside the Station
Inside the station you can buy or reload a Breeze Card or get a paper Breeze ticket at a vending machine. RideStores are also staffed during business hours if you want to purchase fare via a person.
In most cases you will select “trips,” which are one-way fares. If you plan to ride MARTA multiple times a day, then choose the “day” option so you can purchase a pass with unlimited rides.
4. Board the Train
Enter the station and get on a train. All departing trains travel northbound to downtown and Midtown Atlanta, so you don’t have to be concerned about which train to board. However, to reach Lenox, Brookhaven, Chamblee or Doraville, get on a train marked “Doraville.”
If you need to reach the red line after 8:30 p.m., board the first departing gold train and travel to the Lindbergh Center MARTA station to transfer to the red line.
A special note for Atlanta visitors and tourists: You can easily get to many Atlanta hotels via train, which can save you money on a taxi or shuttle and avoid traffic. In some cases commute time is similar or faster than driving.
To get specific MARTA directions to your final destination, use Google Maps with the transit option.
