ATL to Downtown Atlanta: Train, Bus, Taxi and Rideshare Compared
ATL to downtown Atlanta by MARTA train, bus, taxi or rideshare: ballpark fares, journey times, where to find each at the airport, and which to pick.
For most travelers, the MARTA train is the best way from Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) to downtown Atlanta. It leaves from inside the airport, avoids road traffic, and costs a few dollars per person instead of a few dozen per car. A taxi or rideshare makes more sense if you have heavy bags, are arriving late at night, or are heading somewhere the train doesn't reach easily. A car usually costs more per person even when a group splits it, but it takes you to the door.
Fares and pickup points below were checked on MARTA's site, the airport's ground transportation page and Wikipedia in October 2026. They change, so confirm before you travel. Landing at the International Terminal? Read know your arrival terminal first: your route to the train is different.
ATL to downtown Atlanta: train, taxi and rideshare at a glance
The airport is about 10 miles south of downtown, so the trip is short. The real differences between your options are traffic, cost, and how much walking you want to do at the far end.
| Option | Typical time to downtown | Ballpark cost (as of October 2026) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARTA train | Typically 15–20 minutes to Five Points (from the International Terminal, add the shuttle; see below) | $2.50 per person, one way | Solo travelers, couples, budget groups, rush hour |
| Taxi | Typically 20–30 minutes, much longer in heavy traffic | Flat fare to downtown: $37.50 for one person, $2 for each extra person, plus tip | Heavy bags, late nights, door-to-door |
| Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) | Similar to a taxi, plus the pickup wait | Per car; typically around $25–$45 at quiet times, more during surges | Door-to-door trips, places off the rail line |
| MARTA bus | Usually much slower than the train. Not designed as a downtown route | Generally the same flat fare as the train. Check itsmarta.com | Nearby southside neighborhoods |
The car times assume normal traffic. A weekday rush hour can easily double them on the Downtown Connector, where I-75 and I-85 merge through the city. The train runs on its own tracks and is not affected.
Know your arrival terminal before you land
ATL has two terminals on opposite sides of the airfield. The Domestic Terminal is on the west side, and the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal is on the east side. Which one you come out into decides your route to MARTA, whose station is in the Domestic Terminal.
- Domestic arrivals (Concourses T, A, B, C, D and E) come out into the Domestic Terminal.
- International arrivals clear customs in Concourse F and come out into the International Terminal, including flights that park at Concourse E.
Our live flight status page shows your flight's terminal and gate; the gate letter tells you the concourse.
MARTA train: the default choice
MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) is Atlanta's rail system. The Airport station is the southern end of the Red and Gold lines. It is inside the Domestic Terminal at the west end, between the North and South baggage claims.
Getting from your gate to the station (domestic arrivals): From Concourses A, B, C, D or E, ride the Plane Train toward the Domestic Terminal and get off at the baggage claim stop. Concourse E isn't only international: Frontier, for one, flies domestic flights from there, and you take the same train. The Plane Train is the airport's free underground people mover and runs 24 hours; the Transportation Mall, an underground walkway with moving walkways, follows the same route. From Concourse T, walk straight to baggage claim. Then follow the MARTA signs.
How it works:
- You pay one flat fare per person for a trip of any length: $2.50 one way as of October 2026.
- To pay, use a reloadable Breeze card from the station machines, or tap a contactless bank card or phone wallet: MARTA's new faregates, installed in 2026, take them. The Airport station also has a staffed RideStore if you need help.
- Because Airport is the end of the line, any northbound train goes downtown. You don't need to worry about direction.
- Downtown stops: Garnett, Five Points and Peachtree Center (handy for many large hotels). Five Points is typically 15–20 minutes from the airport.
- Stadium, arena and convention district: those stations are on the Blue and Green lines, which cross the Red and Gold lines at Five Points. Change there, and check MARTA's map for the stop nearest your venue.
- Trains typically come every 10–20 minutes, less often late at night and on weekends, and service stops overnight. The MARTA On the Go app shows real-time trains, including the last one.
- Step-free access: If you use a wheelchair or can't manage stairs or escalators, read MARTA's accessibility information on itsmarta.com and ask station staff whether the elevators at your destination station are working. A broken elevator at the far end matters more than one at the airport.
Where the train falls short: You still have to walk from your downtown station to your hotel, and some downtown streets are hilly. With two large suitcases, that walk can matter more than the ride. On game, concert and convention days downtown, trains get crowded, and so do the roads, so the train usually stays the more predictable of the two. Stations are generally busy and fine during the day. Late at night, many travelers feel more comfortable in a car.
If you arrive on an international flight: you clear customs at the Customs and Border Protection checkpoint in Concourse F (arrivals at Concourse E walk there through an underground passage) and come out into the International Terminal, on the opposite side of the airport from MARTA. Some flights from Canada clear US border checks before departure and arrive as domestic flights.
From the International Terminal you have three choices:
- The free terminal-to-terminal shuttle to the Domestic Terminal, then MARTA. It leaves from the arrivals level, between doors A1 and A2, about every 15 minutes, and drops you at the Domestic Terminal's west curb.
- MARTA bus route 191, which serves the International Terminal and runs to Lakewood/Fort McPherson rail station on the Red and Gold lines.
- A taxi or rideshare straight from the International Terminal. After a long-haul flight with checked bags, this is usually the easiest.
Taxi: simple, flat, and door-to-door
Atlanta sets flat taxi fares from the airport to three zones. As listed on atl.com in October 2026:
- Downtown: $37.50 for one person
- Midtown: $39.50
- Buckhead: $49.50
Each fare includes a $1.50 airport surcharge. Add $2 for each extra passenger, a fuel surcharge when gas prices are high, and a tip. Trips outside the zones are metered. Confirm the fare with the dispatcher before you get in.
At the International Terminal, the taxi stand is on the arrivals level outside door A1. At the Domestic Terminal, follow the Ground Transportation signs to the taxi stand. Don't accept rides from anyone who approaches you inside the terminal.
Train, taxi or rideshare for a group? Here is one example for four people traveling together. It uses the ballpark figures above. Train fares are per person, and car fares are per car:
- MARTA: about $2.50 per person.
- Taxi: $37.50 plus $6 for three extra passengers is $43.50, or about $10.90 each before tip.
- Rideshare: typically $25 to $45 for the car, about $6.25 to $11.25 each, depending on demand.
Even a full car typically costs at least twice the train per person. What the extra money buys is convenience: no walk from the station, no hauling bags through stations, and no wait on a late-night platform. If those matter to your group, a car is worth it.
Rideshare: Uber and Lyft
Uber and Lyft pickups at ATL are in set places, as listed on atl.com in October 2026:
- Domestic Terminal: the North Economy lot. Go through North baggage claim, take the lower-level escalators near door LN1, and follow the orange signs. The airport asks you to request the ride only once you're there.
- International Terminal: the arrivals level, outside doors A1 and A2.
Allow a few minutes to walk there and match the car's plate number.
How pricing works: You see the price before you book. A trip downtown at a quiet time typically costs around $25–$45 per car (our estimate, October 2026). The price rises after a wave of flights lands, during big downtown events and in bad weather. Compare both apps with the $37.50 flat taxi fare before you book.
One tip: If your flight is running late, don't book until you're actually at the pickup zone. You can track a delayed flight on our live flight status page. If the status wording is confusing, see how to read a flight status. To spot a delay before the airline announces it, see how to find the inbound aircraft for your flight.
Buses, shuttles, and what doesn't go downtown
There's no express bus from ATL to downtown; the train fills that role. MARTA buses serve the airport area, mainly for nearby southside neighborhoods and Clayton County. Route 191 is the one that serves the International Terminal.
A few other options:
- Shared-ride shuttle vans drop passengers at several hotels. They can be cheaper per person than a private car, but they're slower because of the multiple stops. Operators and fares change, so check with the provider.
- Hotel shuttles: Many airport-area hotels run them. Downtown hotels are less likely to, so ask yours directly before you count on one.
What doesn't go downtown: the ATL SkyTrain runs between the Domestic Terminal, the Rental Car Center and the Georgia International Convention Center. It's useful if you're renting a car, but it doesn't go downtown. For downtown, you want a MARTA Red or Gold line train.
Which is best from ATL to downtown?
- Traveling alone or as a couple, with carry-on or one bag each: Take MARTA. It's the cheapest option and isn't affected by traffic.
- Three or four people on a budget: MARTA is still cheapest per person. Take a taxi or rideshare if heavy bags or a long walk at the far end make the extra cost worthwhile.
- Arriving on an international flight with checked bags: a taxi or rideshare from the International Terminal is usually simplest. For the train, take the free terminal-to-terminal shuttle to the Domestic Terminal first.
- Arriving late at night, or with mobility needs: A taxi or rideshare to the door is easiest. If you'd rather take the train, check MARTA's accessibility information and elevator status first.
- Weekday 4–7 pm with a dinner reservation: Take the train. Rush hour on the Connector is unpredictable.
- Going to Midtown: Both Red and Gold line trains serve the Midtown stations, so board any northbound train.
- Going to Buckhead: take a Red line (North Springs) train. The lines split just north of Lindbergh Center, and Buckhead station is on the Red line only. After 8:30 pm on weekdays, MARTA says you may need to take a Gold (Doraville) train and change to the Red line at Lindbergh Center.
- Neighborhoods off the rail line: A car is simpler.
If your bag doesn't appear on the belt, our guide to what to do when an airline loses your bag explains the report to file before you leave the airport. If your flight into Atlanta is cancelled or badly delayed, see your rights when a flight is cancelled. For other major airports, baggage allowances and lounge access, see our travel services guides.
Frequently asked questions
Is the MARTA station inside the Atlanta airport?
Yes, inside the Domestic Terminal between the North and South baggage claims. From the International Terminal, take the free terminal-to-terminal shuttle first. See the MARTA section for the route from your gate.
Where do I clear customs at ATL?
If you land on Concourse F, you clear customs at the checkpoint in Concourse F. If you land on Concourse E and Atlanta is your final stop, an underground walkway takes you to that same checkpoint. Either way, you exit into the International Terminal. Our flight status page shows your terminal and gate.
How far is ATL from downtown Atlanta?
About 10 miles. The airport is directly south of downtown.
How much does it cost to get from ATL to downtown?
As of October 2026: $2.50 per person on MARTA; a $37.50 flat taxi fare for one person, plus $2 per extra passenger and tip; and typically $25–$45 per car by rideshare at quiet times, more during surges.
Is it cheaper to take a taxi or Uber from ATL to downtown?
It depends on timing. The taxi is a flat $37.50 for one person to downtown; rideshare prices move with demand. Check the app price against the taxi fare before choosing.
What time is the last MARTA train from the airport?
It varies by day of the week, and service stops overnight. The MARTA On the Go app and itsmarta.com show real-time trains. If you land after the last train, the taxi stand and rideshare pickups work around the clock.
Does MARTA accept contactless cards?
Yes. MARTA's faregates, upgraded in 2026, take contactless bank cards and phone wallets as well as Breeze cards, which are sold at the station.
Where do I get an Uber or Lyft at ATL?
Domestic Terminal: the North Economy lot, via North baggage claim and the orange signs. International Terminal: the arrivals level outside doors A1 and A2. See Rideshare.
How long does it take to get from ATL to downtown Atlanta?
MARTA takes roughly 15–20 minutes to Five Points, whatever the traffic. By car it's usually 20–30 minutes, but weekday rush hour on the Downtown Connector can make it much longer.
