Getting around Atlanta: MARTA rail to the airport on the Red and Gold lines, the new Rapid A-Line, the interstates, 511 traffic and park-and-ride.

Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. Transit details come from MARTA; roads and traffic from the Georgia Department of Transportation and its 511GA service.

MARTA, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, runs the trains, buses, the Atlanta Streetcar and a new bus rapid transit line, and its rail line ends inside the airport terminal. The interstates are run by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), and city streets by the Atlanta Department of Transportation.

At a glance

  • Plan a transit trip: MARTA trip planner
  • To the airport: Red or Gold Line to Airport Station, inside the Domestic Terminal
  • Live traffic and closures: dial 511 or 511ga.org
  • MARTA Mobility (paratransit) reservations: 404-848-4212
  • Street problems: ATL311, 404-546-0311

MARTA rail and bus

MARTA’s rail lines are named by color; the Red and Gold lines run to the airport, and downtown’s Five Points station is a transfer point. Schedules for every line and station are on MARTA’s train lines and schedules page, and the trip planner covers rail and bus together.

  • Transfers: up to four free transfers in three hours, MARTA’s fare page says; transfers do not apply to the streetcar.
  • Reduced fares: discounted Breeze cards for eligible seniors, people with disabilities and Medicare cardholders, valid on all MARTA buses and trains.
  • Atlanta Streetcar: a downtown route with its own day passes; route details on MARTA’s streetcar page.

The Rapid A-Line

MARTA’s first bus rapid transit line, the Rapid A-Line, is in service from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., with stops along Hank Aaron Drive. MARTA says fares will not be collected on it until further notice. Buses use red, bus-only lanes where construction is finished; drivers may not drive, stop or park in the red lanes but may turn right across the striped sections. Bikes are not allowed on A-Line buses for now.

Getting to the airport

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is south of downtown. MARTA’s airport guide says:

  • Airport Station is inside the Domestic Terminal, between the North and South baggage claim areas.
  • Take the Red or Gold Line.
  • Heading from the airport to Buckhead, Medical Center, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs or North Springs after 8:30 p.m.? Take a Gold Line train and change to the Red Line at Lindbergh Center.
  • Many MARTA stations offer long-term parking for less than airport lots, and Airport Station has a full-service RideStore.

Roads

Atlanta’s main highways are Interstate 75, Interstate 85, Interstate 20, Interstate 285 and Georgia 400. I-75 and I-85 run together through the middle of the city as the Downtown Connector. GDOT is rebuilding the I-285/I-20 West interchange and adding lanes on I-20 to Hamilton E. Holmes Drive; details and this week’s closures are on our road construction and closures page. For live conditions, dial 511 from any phone.

Walking and biking

The Atlanta Beltline trails, PATH400 and the PATH Foundation greenways link many neighborhoods. Distances, trailheads and parking are in our walking and biking trails guide.

Parking

Parking near the busiest destinations is limited on event days, so organizers of the city’s big festivals point visitors to MARTA. For a trip to the airport, MARTA’s station lots are the cheaper long-term option, the authority says. Parking tickets issued by the city can be contested through the city’s Appeal a Parking Ticket page.

What this means for you

  • Flying? The Red and Gold lines stop inside the Domestic Terminal.
  • Try the Rapid A-Line while it is fare-free.
  • Before any drive on I-285 or I-20 west of downtown, check 511.

Related: moving to Atlanta, things to do this month and who to call at City Hall.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from downtown Atlanta to the airport on MARTA?

Take a Red or Gold Line train to Airport Station, which MARTA says is inside the Domestic Terminal between the North and South baggage claim areas.

What is the MARTA Rapid A-Line?

MARTA’s first bus rapid transit line, with stops along Hank Aaron Drive. It runs 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., and MARTA says fares will not be collected on it until further notice.

How many free transfers does MARTA give?

Up to four free transfers in three hours, according to MARTA. Transfers do not apply to the Atlanta Streetcar.

Where can I check Atlanta traffic and road closures?

Dial 511 or use 511ga.org, the Georgia Department of Transportation’s traffic service. Our road construction page is updated weekly.

Is there cheaper airport parking than the airport lots?

MARTA says many of its stations offer secure long-term parking for a lower fee than airport lots; take the train from there to Airport Station.