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ATLANTA_GETTING_AROUND
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| Getting Around Atlanta |
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By Car
Atlanta rates as one of the most car-accessible cities in the country thanks to a cobweb of major thoroughfares. Interstate 20 bisects downtown Atlanta in an east/west direction, coming from Alabama in the west and South Carolina in the east. Interstate 75 rummages in from a north/south direction, and Interstate 85 veers through at a northeast/southwest angle.
But there are also challenges.
Driving in Atlanta is mind bending. Part of the problem lies in a deficiency of creative street names. There is Peachtree Street, Peachtree Road, Peachtree Avenue, and Peachtree Industrial Boulevard. If your destination bears the name Peachtree be sure to carefully consult the RoadTrip Wizard to avoid a vehement bout of pounding the dashboard.
One-way downtown streets, sudden street name changes, and roads abruptly cut-off by Interstates contribute to the driving tangle. Try to avoid morning and afternoon rush hour traffic, especially through the "downtown connector," a stretch of downtown Interstate where I-75 and I-85 merge.
Arriving by Air
Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport ( ATL ) stands as the world's busiest passenger airport. Located 10 miles south of downtown, it is currently undergoing an ambitious 5.4 billion dollar development program to keep pace with its world standing.
All of Hartsfield's ground transportation services, including buses, rental cars, shuttles, and trains, are conveniently located in the airport's Ground Transportation Center (GTC ). MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority ) offers rail service in and out of the airport. Trains depart every eight minutes. Rides to downtown last 15 minutes, one of the fastest options into Atlanta. One-way fares cost $1.75; weeklong passes $13.
Taxis are located on GTC's Island A. The cabs charge set fees for Atlanta's central business district with a special per-person rate for two or more passengers. Set fees: USD25 to Downtown, $28 to Midtown, and $35 to Buckhead. Rides outside of the central business district operate on a meter basis.
GTC's Island B harbors shuttle van service. The vehicles depart every 15 minutes, operating daily from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Depending on location rates generally fall between $12-$18.
By Airport Car Rental
To get into downtown hop on either Interstate 85, which runs along the northwest side of the airport and eventually flows into Interstate 75, or pick up Interstate 75 on the west side of the airport for the straight shot into town.
By Train
Amtrak puffs into Atlanta's historic train station at 1688 Peachtree Road. The Crescent Line services the area daily from New York City with stops in Philadelphia and Washington.
By Bus
Greyhound escorts travelers in from every direction. The bus terminal at 232 Forsyth Street adjoins Atlanta's rail system, lending for easy access to other parts of the city.
Getting Around Town
Rail service, via MARTA, represents the quickest means of transportation for maneuvering around Atlanta. The orange colored North/South Line services downtown as well as such popular destinations as Buckhead, the High Museum of Art, and the airport.
The blue East/West Line also wanders through downtown and beyond and includes stops at the Martin Luther King historical sites. Trains pass each stop every 15 minutes. One-way fares are $1.75; weeklong passes $13. Trains only accept exact change and tokens. Hours of operation: M-F 5 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sat-Sun 5 a.m.-12:30 a.m.
Though slow and infrequent, buses, also managed by MARTA, service all of downtown and the surrounding suburbs. Destinations and route numbers are clearly visible on the bus windshields. The $1.75 fare includes transfers. Hours: M-F 5 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sat-Sun 6 a.m.-12:30 a.m.
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ATL-SUGGESTED-TRIPS
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Road trips in and around Atlanta coming soon |
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