Mark Ford, Founder of Plus1 Travel
It’s great to have you here searching for Atlanta travel tips. The city of Atlanta is located in the southeastern state of Georgia, near the southern end of the Appalachians. Atlanta is a widespread and growing metropolitan area with currently five and a half million inhabitants. The center of Atlanta is over there on the horizon, but the rest of the city is a little harder to see. It lies under the trees! Atlanta has a thick and cohesive greenery roof and is therefore often called “the city in the forest”. Travel through the city’s past at the Atlanta History Center: from the beginning of the city as a railway terminal in 1837 through the plantation period of the American Civil War, when the city was almost burned to the ground.
The museum has one of the largest collections of items from the country’s civil war, but it’s not just flags and cannons. Many exhibitions focus on the human cost of the war. However, the city was rebuilt and growing. First came the motorways, and then the Civil Rights period when Atlanta took the first steps toward racial equality and began to be called “the city too busy to hate”. In 1996, the city lit up again, this time for the Summer Olympics. Atlanta made itself beautiful and presented to the world and only gets better for each season.
Atlanta is served by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport located 7 miles from the downtown area in Atlanta. Hartsfield-Jackson has been the busiest airport in the world since 1998 with over 110 million passengers passing through the airport each year. When searching for Atlanta travel tips and how to get from the airport to Atlanta there are a couple of great ways that will get you there as smoothly as possible. Let’s have a closer look at the options, how long they take and what the prices are.
Train
The cheapest way of getting from the airport to Atlanta is by train. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) train is the cheapest and fastest option to get to downtown Atlanta. The 18 minute ride costs just $2.50 for a one way ticket.
Taxi
Taxis are readily available outside the arrivals hall of the airport. It’s the most convenient way of getting from the airport directly to your hotel in Atlanta. The taxis don’t have a flat rate, they use the taximeter and your trip will cost around $40 depending on where in the city you’re staying. The ride takes around 20 minutes to the downtown area in light traffic.
When searching for Atlanta travel tips and how to best get around Atlanta there are a few things to keep in mind. This is a massive city and therefore walking is possible within the downtown area, but it’s not the best option to get to many of the major attractions. And driving a car in Atlanta can be a hectic, painful experience due to the large amount of traffic. Thankfully there are great public transport options in Atlanta that serve the city with trains, buses and light rail. Let’s have a closer look at those options, what they cost and where they will get you around Atlanta.
Atlanta
Train
The MARTA Rail trains serve with four lines (Red, Gold, Blue and Green) intersecting at the Five Points station in the middle of the city. The train is the most efficient way of getting from north to south and east to west. A single ticket cost $2.50 and a day pass is $9.
Bus
The MARTA buses operate throughout the suburbs and downtown where the train doesn’t reach. There are more than 100 lines covering more than 1000 miles and when you want to reach areas such as West Midtown and Atlantic Station in the Westside, the buses are your best option. The single ticket price is $2.50 the same as the rail system, although transfers are only available to Breeze smart card and Ticket pass holders.
Streetcar
The 2.7 mile loop of the Atlanta Streetcar offers 12 stops and is a great option to get between downtown and Eastside. There are major attractions located within walking distance of the street car such as the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. Centennial Olympic Park and the College Football Hall of Fame. Tickets cost $1 for a one way ride, $3 for a daily pass and it’s most easily accessed by downloading the Atlanta Streetcar App.
Taxi
Taxis are available to hail on the streets, metered rates start at $2.50 for the first 1/8 mile, with an extra 25 cents added for each additional 1/8 mile traveled. Uber also operates in the city and is a viable option to the regular taxis.
Best Places To Stay In Atlanta
Atlanta is a strong sports city with a thriving food and music scene. The city blends modern skyscrapers with southern traditions and is a charming, relaxed and exciting city to visit. When searching for Atlanta travel tips it’s not always easy to know where to stay in such a big city, that’s why we’ve put together this simple guide on our top three best places to stay in Atlanta. Let’s have a closer look at those neighborhoods.
Atlanta Downtown
Downtown is located in the heart of Atlanta, with the central business district and plenty of Atlanta’s main attractions such as the Centennial Park and the Center for Civil, Human Rights, College Football Hall of Fame, Georgia Aquarium, Centennial Olympic Park and Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. There are plenty of great accommodation, restaurants, bars and attractions to explore in the downtown area and it’s well-connected to the public transport system. This is the best place to stay if you want to live right in the middle where the action is.
Recommended Hotel: Ellis Hotel Atlanta
Inman Park is located on the eastside of Atlanta, the area is characterized by its 20th century homes and tree-lines streets. A charming neighborhood that showcases the southern charm and style of Atlanta. Here you’ll also find some of the best nightlife in the city, with great restaurants and wine bars to pubs, nightclubs and there’s a place for travellers of all ages and styles. This area is the best place to stay for nightlife and charming architecture.
Recommended Hotel: The In-Town Spot
Old Fourth Ward is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Atlanta, which was once an industrial area that was pretty beaten down. Today it’s one of the coolest parts of the city with trendy restaurants, hip cafés, stylish shops and thriving bars. You’ll also find plenty of great historical and cultural attractions in this area such as the Ponce City Market, Skyline Park, Edgewood Avenue and The Masquerade music venue. This is one of the coolest places to stay in Atlanta.
Recommended Hotel: Downtown Midtown Apartments
Georgia Aquarium
World of Coca Cola
Accreditation: Revisionee
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Mark Ford – Founder of Plus1Travel.com – For More Travel Tips > Go Here