Getting Around Atlanta, Atlanta

I spent part of my time in Atlanta getting around by myself on MARTA, and part of it with one of my friends shuttling me around in his car. My friend was a South Carolina native but had been to ATL several times. We found the streets extremely hard to navigate, even with a map. A lot of streets have very similar names, differentiated only by the direction designation on the end (NW,SE, etc.). And the jokes about "Peachtree" being in every street name are truer than you'd think. Peachtree Street/Avenue/Drive/Square, etc.--they're everywhere you look. For this reason, I recommend using the rail to get around if you're looking for a hassle-free vacation.

Atlanta is a city best seen by car. MARTA (Atlanta's subway system) is clean and efficient, but if you are used to more extensive subway systems you will be disappointed with it. Rent a car if you can afford it.

Tip:
When you are on the highway, be careful of "exit only" lanes that always seem to be popping up on the right. Keep one or two lanes to the left until you get near your destination exit.

Caution:
I recently rented a car from Thrifty's "airport" location and strongly recommend against renting from them. Although they claim to be located at the airport online, they are not really right at the airport--it's actually a mile or so away. And the people there pressured me into paying extra for insurance, something I never usually do. They more or less threatened that if I didn't purchase the insurance, they would find something wrong with the car when I returned it. I called their customer service when I returned home and the money was refunded, but I didn't appreciate being lied to and pressured at 1:00 a.m. when I finally got to Atlanta and picked up my car.

I have had luck with Enterprise car rentals in Atlanta in the past, but I don't know if they are located at the airport. Plenty of other companies are though.

Gray Line Loop Tour gives you a good taste of, Midtown, Buckhead and Downtown.
It loops through the city and you can exit and enter the bus all day long when ever you want.
Gray Line Atlanta:
705 LIVELY AVENUE
NORCROSS GEORGIA 30091
UNITED STATES
Email: SMUELLER@AMERICANCOACHLINES.COM

Atlanta, by far, has the worst transportation system of any large city, including Los Angeles. Not only does MARTA suck, but the freeway system is a joke.

Atlanta is served by the 20 (which runs east west), the 75/85 (they run together throughout the city and then split at both the north and south ends of the city); and the 285 (which essentially goes in a big circle). There are a few other smaller freeways that serve the area but none of these smaller ones will take you where you need to go.

There are 12 or 13 different streets named Peachtree, which literally drove me mad. I also found out that the closest distance between two points was not a line, but rather a series of twisting roads that seemed to take you right back the way you came from. Atlanta traffic was a little bit much for me.

I'd seriously suggest studying a map and having your route clearly established before you travel here.

Atlanta is served by the Hartsfield International Airport, the second busiest airport in the US.
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
rapid-rail subway from the airport is the best way to reach places in town.You can rent a car at the airport.
Many important roads go through Atlanta, the I-85, I-20, and I-75. The city is ringed by the I-285.
Bus campanies also connect Atlanta to other US cities and this too is a comfortable option.
Atlanta has a good subway system and an efficient bus service run by MARTA and so getting around town is quite easy.Taxis are easily available though a more expensive option. Parking lots are located at the CNN center as also at Peachtree center and other locations.Parking is available all over town. Many places charge but you run a good chance of getting your parking stub validated at the place that you are visiting in the historic districts. the streets are wide with parallel parking in most places.parking meters are on the streets and lots are not usually free, unless you are visiting a restaurant.

If the city is not your thing or you are just saturated with concentrete, head to Stone Mountain Park, it's really very special park which in which you could spend a good portion of the day. Here you willfind a 19th century plantation house with guided tour, an antique museum, river boat and railroad tours, a laser show and the world's largest granite boulder complete with a Civil War carved relif.Admission charged.6867 memorial Dr. on Stone Mountain hoe to the world's largest relief carving on the world's largest mass of ecposed granite, Stone Mountain Park is often reffered to as the Eighth Wonder of the World. Most popular attractions in the country.
You can explore 3,200 acres of breathtaking scenery, pristine lakes, forestland, spectacular flora and nature trails.

One can take MARTA, however, it is very limited and you could still walk miles to your destination from the MARTA station. If you don't have a car... rent one. There is no way to really effectively do anything in Atlanta without a car.

Take a flight to Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport. It´s the biggest or busiest Airport of the world. Nowhere else so many flight passengers arrive or depart. Hub of Delta Airlines. To get around in the city take your feet. All the main attractions are within walking distance from the downtown area. Public transportion is good. Try a MARTA (name of the transportation system) train if you want to go from downtown to visit Turner Field (baseball stadium of the Atlanta Braves) or if you want to get to Hartsfield International.

Hartsfield has flights from anywhere to anywhere. The largest airport in the country!
Marta can be helpful. Keeps you out of our world famous traffic jams....and some thought LA had the market cornered on smog and traffic.