Atlanta Airport to Downtown Atlanta
Take MARTA. It costs $2.50 and reaches Five Points in about 16 minutes (MARTA's average for the station; the Gold line timetable gives 17). A taxi is a flat $37.50 for one rider and UberX averages $35.
- Where
- Downtown Atlanta: Downtown Atlanta: Five Points and Peachtree Center
- By road
- 11 miles, about 22 minutes in light traffic. Uber's downtown route averages 11 miles and 22 minutes. The drive to the Hilton Atlanta is 10.7 miles, about 18 minutes.
- Ways compared
- MARTA rail, Shared-ride van, Taxi, Rideshare
Every way to get to Downtown Atlanta, compared
| Way | Time | Cost | First from ATL | Last from ATL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARTA rail | About 16 minutes to Five Points (MARTA's average; 17 on the Gold line timetable), about 17 to Peachtree Center (18 on the timetable) | $2.50 standard fare with up to four free transfers within three hours; $1 reduced fare; children 46 inches and under ride free, up to two per paying adult | Weekdays 4:36 a.m. (Gold), 4:46 a.m. (Red); Saturday and Sunday 5:52 a.m. (Red), 6:00 a.m. (Gold) | Weekdays 8:50 p.m. (Red), 1:20 a.m. (Gold); Saturday and Sunday 1:10 a.m. (Red), 1:20 a.m. (Gold) |
| Shared-ride van | Not published | Up to $16.50 per person (ATL's maximum trip fee) | None published | None published |
| Taxi | About 18 minutes by road (the drive to the Hilton Atlanta; ATL publishes no taxi ride time) | $37.50 flat for one rider, $41.50 for three (each extra rider adds $2); the flat fare includes a $1.50 airport surcharge | None published | None published |
| Rideshare | 22 minutes on average | UberX $35 average, Wait & Save $27, UberXL $55 (Uber's averages for the past month, not fixed prices) | Uber says its app takes requests at ATL at any hour | Uber says its app takes requests at ATL at any hour |
Shuttle arrival times by stop
| Stop | MARTA's average time from Airport Station |
|---|---|
| Five Points | 16 minutes (17 on the Gold line timetable) |
| Peachtree Center | 17 minutes (18 on the Gold line timetable) |
MARTA rail
Board at Airport Station, inside the Domestic Terminal between the North and South baggage claims. Red and Gold both run downtown, and Peachtree Center is one or two minutes after Five Points. A skywalk joins Peachtree Center to the Hilton Atlanta. Pay with a Breeze card or ticket, or tap a bank card or mobile wallet at the faregate. A one-day pass is $9. If you land at the International Terminal, MARTA's station is not there: ride the free International Terminal shuttle from the arrivals level to the Domestic Terminal baggage claim first (MARTA gives about 15 minutes and says it runs 24/7).
Shared-ride van
Shared-ride vans load at Aisle B of the Ground Transportation Center, stalls B3 to B8. ATL lists the companies that serve this area with phone numbers; call them directly to reserve. At the International Terminal, shared-ride vans are limited and load to the right of door A3.
Taxi
Taxis load at Aisle A of the Ground Transportation Center: stalls A3 to A10 on ATL's ground transportation page, A3 to A12 on the airport's terminal map. At the International Terminal they load on the arrivals level outside door A1. ATL adds a $2 or $3 fuel surcharge when gas prices pass set levels. Ask the driver to confirm the fare before your bags go in.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft pick up in the North Economy lot: go through North baggage claim to the escalators between doors N2 and N3, follow the orange signs, and request the ride only after you reach the pickup spot. ATL's ground transportation page words that spot as door LN1. UberX and Wait & Save seat four; UberXL seats six. ATL authorizes Uber, Lyft, HeRide and Boogidy.
Good to know
- Uber's figures are its own averages for the past month. ATL's posted taxi rates carry no effective date.
- After the last Gold train at 1:20 a.m., a rideshare is the sure thing: ATL's taxi page lists no hours.
- MARTA's Red Line stops at the same stations and adds trains, but its last weekday departure is 8:50 p.m.
Questions about Downtown Atlanta
How long is the drive from ATL to Downtown Atlanta?
11 miles, about 22 minutes in light traffic. Uber's downtown route averages 11 miles and 22 minutes. The drive to the Hilton Atlanta is 10.7 miles, about 18 minutes.
Sources: MARTA, ATL ground transportation page, Uber