Help on transit from airport to bus depot.

Question

I have a student unfamiliar with Atlanta who is flying in at 10:00 p.m. He needs to get to the Greyhound Bus Depot to catch a 12:20 bus to Alabama (the one downtown, not at the airport). I am helping him try to figure out how to take the MARTA to get there. Could someone help?

Answer

Getting from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to the downtown Greyhound Bus Depot via MARTA is fairly straightforward, even for someone new to the city. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help your student navigate the trip safely, especially given the late arrival time.

1. Arrival at ATL: Once your student lands, they should follow signs to the MARTA station located inside the airport. Both domestic terminals (North and South) have direct access to the airport’s MARTA station without needing to go outside.

2. Buying a ticket: At the MARTA station, they can purchase a Breeze Card from the vending machines. A one-way fare to downtown Atlanta is $2.50. They may also buy a stored-value card if planning to use MARTA more than once.

3. Boarding MARTA: Take the Red or Gold line heading northbound toward North Springs (Red) or Doraville (Gold). Both lines stop at Five Points Station, which is the central hub in downtown Atlanta.

4. Transfer at Five Points: From the airport, the ride to Five Points is approximately 20-25 minutes. Once at Five Points, exit toward the Peachtree Street side. The Greyhound Bus Depot is within walking distance, about 10-12 minutes (roughly half a mile). They should follow signs for Peachtree Street and look for the bus depot at 232 Forsyth St NW.

For late-night safety, MARTA stations are staffed, but the student should remain aware of their surroundings, especially when walking from Five Points to the depot. It’s also good to have a rideshare (Uber/Lyft) as a backup if they feel uneasy.

Option 1: MARTA Red or Gold Line from ATL Airport → Five Points → walk to Greyhound Depot.
Option 2: Airport Shuttle or rideshare directly to Greyhound (faster, safer late at night).
Option 3: MARTA + short Uber/Lyft from Five Points if walking feels unsafe.

Tips:

Ensure the student checks the MARTA schedule ahead, but trains run frequently until midnight. A 10:00 p.m. arrival gives enough time to catch a 12:20 bus.
Have a map or navigation app ready to guide the walk from Five Points to the Greyhound station.
Keep personal belongings secure and avoid empty or poorly lit areas.

Using MARTA is cost-effective and convenient, but a backup rideshare option provides peace of mind for a late-night arrival.