Atlanta Airport Transfers

If you are travelling to Atlanta and want to know how to get from the airport to the city, read this article in which I tell you about the different ways to do it.

María Cano

María Cano

7 min read

Atlanta Airport Transfers

Aircraft taking off | ©mkjr_

Atlanta airport is not very far from the city and it is also very well connected. If you want to know what options you have for getting from the airport to Atlanta, read on. In this article I will tell you the best ways to do it and the most striking features of each of them.

So, if you are planning a trip to Atlanta, you will know which is the best way to get to the city so you can enjoy the best things to do in Atlanta.

1. A private transfer, the most exclusive and safest option

Airport| ©Jeshoots.com
Airport| ©Jeshoots.com

The best way to get from the airport to Atlanta is by private transfer. This is the most comfortable, exclusive and safest option of all. A professional chauffeur will meet you at the airport at the appointed time and take you in a luxury car to your hotel or destination.

This type of transfer covers the Downtown Atlanta, North Atlanta, Buckhead and Alpharetta areas. So wherever you are going, the vehicle will be able to get you there on time.

The driver of the vehicle will be waiting for you at the baggage claim area to take you to your destination. All you have to do is provide your hotel details, flight itinerary and address at the time of booking.

Beyond the financial savings over taxi services, private transfer with a professional driver is also a great option compared to public transport. The latter is especially beneficial if you are travelling with the whole family to the city to discover what to do in Atlanta with children.

Depending on the number of passengers, you can choose between one vehicle or another. For the sedan, the maximum number of passengers per trip is three. On the other hand, if you are travelling with a large group, you can opt for the minivan, in which case the permitted capacity is 5 passengers. And if your flight is running a little late, you don't have to worry; the driver will wait for you for up to an hour. If this time is exceeded, you will have to pay an additional charge.

Interesting details

  • Travel time: depending on traffic in the city and the location of your hotel. If you are going to Midtown, the trip usually takes about 15 minutes.
  • Price: about 77 euros per person.
  • Advantages of using this method: it is the most comfortable and safest way to travel.
  • How to book this transfer: to book this transfer, you will need to provide your flight details as well as the location of your hotel.
  • Recommended if you have to arrive at your hotel at a certain time and cannot afford delays.

Book a private transfer from Atlanta airport to your hotel

2. A shared transfer, a slightly cheaper, but less exclusive option

Waiting to board| ©Guilherme Stecanella
Waiting to board| ©Guilherme Stecanella

If you can't afford a private transfer, you can also opt for a shared transfer. This option consists of vans that take several passengers from the airport to their destination. Several companies offer this service. In some cases, they allow different stops. In others, there is a common destination from which you will need to transfer to your hotel.

The vans cover the downtown Atlanta, Midtown and Buckhead areas. Since this is a shared transfer, you will not be able to choose your pick-up time. In this type of transfer, you will have to wait for the shuttle to arrive. However, you will not have to wait too long, as the Vans leave the airport every 15 minutes.

The pick-up area is between the North Domestic and South Domestic terminals, next to the bus stop. The fare varies depending on your destination and the area of the city in which it is located.

In addition to the companies that offer this service, you should note that several hotels near the airport offer a free airport shuttle service. Make sure that your hotel does not offer this option before booking a shared transfer.

Useful details

  • Duration of the trip: depending on your destination.
  • Price: the fare per person for a ride to the city centre is about $16.50. If you're going to Midtown, the cost is usually around $18.50. Lastly, for the Buckhead, the approximate cost is $30.00.
  • Advantages of using this method: it is a comfortable and cheaper option than a private transfer.
  • How to book this transport: you will have to choose one of the companies offering this service and fill in their booking form.
  • Recommended if you can't afford the cost of a private transfer or if you are travelling with a large group.

3. The train, the fastest option

Arriving at your destination| ©Danijela Prijovic
Arriving at your destination| ©Danijela Prijovic

Another great option if you want to get from the airport to the city is to use public transport, specifically the train. Atlanta airport offers an express train service called MARTA.

The destination for these trains is Five Points station, which is located in the heart of the city centre. From here, you can get to your destination in a variety of ways, as it is a very well connected area.

The passenger pick-up area for MARTA trains is located outside the Domestic Terminal baggage claim area at the west end of the airport. Within this train service, there are two lines: the red and the gold.

The Atlanta airport train service operates every day of the week. From Monday to Friday, the service is open from 4:45 am to 1:20 am, so it operates almost 24 hours a day. On weekends, the schedule is from 6:00 am to 1:00 am.

Details of interest

  • Journeytime: about 15 minutes to Five Points Station.
  • Price: about 2.50 euros per person.
  • Advantages of using this method: it is a very economical and quick option.
  • How to book this transport: You will need to buy your ticket at the airport station.
  • Recommended if you need a quick and inexpensive way to travel.

4. A bus, one of the cheapest methods

Airport shuttle| ©Erik Odiin
Airport shuttle| ©Erik Odiin

Another option for getting from Atlanta airport to the city is to use the bus lines provided for this purpose. The 191 bus line runs to downtown Clayton County and Lakewood Station, as well as to College Park and Riverdale Park.

This line runs from 5:00 am to 11:40 pm. As such, it does not operate in the evening, so you will most likely not be able to make use of this option.

On the other hand, there is the Greyhound Flightlink line, which departs from the North Terminal to different areas of the city and the state. This line is normally operational from 08:00 am to 10:00 pm Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, the regular schedule is from 09:00 am to 04:00 pm. Finally, on Sundays the service is usually available from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

This is a very economical way to get from Atlanta airport to your destination. It also has a wide range of stops, including local, regional and national stops. However, the downside is that it is a very popular and uncomfortable service.

Interesting details

  • Journey time: depending on your destination and traffic.
  • Price: about 2.50 euros per person.
  • Advantages of using this method: it is one of the cheapest methods of transport along with the train and reaches many areas of the city and the state of Georgia.
  • How to book this transport: You will have to buy your ticket at the Atlanta airport bus stop.
  • Recommended if you are travelling light and not too tired.

5. Taxi or Uber, the second most convenient option

Taxi on the move| ©Rodolfo Clix
Taxi on the move| ©Rodolfo Clix

Finally, you also have the option of getting from Atlanta airport to your hotel or destination by taxi or Uber. If you take an Uber, you can book your trip in advance and set all the details of your journey.

This way, when you land in Atlanta, your driver will be waiting for you without delay. However, remember that these companies price their trips according to demand. Thus, if the demand for journeys from the airport is very high, the trip will be excessively expensive.

As for the taxi service, the airport has a taxi rank outside the baggage reclaim area, next to the bus and train stops. At any time of the day, many taxis are waiting for passengers who have landed. However, there are often long queues. You should also bear in mind that there are different fares, such as night fares.

This option is particularly advisable if you are going to Atlanta for a business trip or other work-related reasons. In these cases, the visit will usually be a one-day visit to Atlanta and you will need to save as much time as possible on transfers.

Interesting details

  • Travel time: depending on traffic and your destination.
  • Price: If you're going downtown, the fare is usually around $35. If you are going to Buckhead, the cost is around $40. Lastly, if your destination is in Midtown, the price per ride is usually around $35.
  • Advantages of using this method: it is a very convenient method and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • How to book this transport: you can book through the Uber App or wait for a taxi at the taxi rank in question at the airport.
  • Recommended if you are travelling late at night.