Airport Area Lodging/Transportation to MB Stadium Area

Question

Atlanta

My husband and I, along with our son-in-law and possibly 3 grandchildren (17, 12, & 10), have high hopes of attending the CFB National Championship game. 🤞🏻I am not “putting the cart before the horse” and don’t want to jinx it, but am a planner and want to ensure that everything is lined up so that, if needed, bookings can be made immediately following the conclusion of the semifinal game. I would appreciate your thoughts and opinions on what we are currently looking at. We would fly in to ATL on Friday evening, January 17th and fly out Tuesday, January 21st. Our plan would be to stay at an airport area hotel and take MARTA to travel back and forth between the stadium area and the hotel once each day, as hotels anywhere near the stadium are priced astronomically high! Our priorities would be to visit the College Football HOF, Aquarium (especially if grandkids are with us), Centennial Park, and other attractions in that area as time would permit. We would also want to attend all pregame pep rallies and festivities. We are looking at staying at Springhill Suites Atlanta Gateway Airport and taking the Skytrain to and from the airport Marta stop each day. Would this be advisable or would you recommend a hotel at a different stop on the MARTA line (away from the airport) that would be more convenient? Thanks in advance for your input.

Answer

It sounds like you've got a solid plan in place for attending the CFB National Championship game and visiting some of Atlanta's top attractions! The Springhill Suites Atlanta Gateway Airport is a good choice for a budget-friendly option with access to MARTA, but I'll offer a few thoughts and suggestions to help you refine your travel logistics.

First, staying near the airport and using MARTA to get to the stadium area and downtown attractions is a smart move, especially with larger groups. The Springhill Suites is located at the Gateway Center, which is well-connected to MARTA via the Skytrain, but there are some other MARTA stations closer to downtown that could give you quicker access to places like the College Football Hall of Fame, Georgia Aquarium, and Centennial Park.

Here are some options for hotels and MARTA stations to consider:

Springhill Suites Atlanta Gateway Airport – As mentioned, this hotel is a solid option, especially with the convenience of the Skytrain connecting directly to the airport’s MARTA station. The train ride to the Five Points station downtown will take about 25 minutes. The hotel offers free parking, which could be helpful if you plan on renting a car, and it's a bit more affordable than downtown hotels. However, the commute to downtown attractions might add some extra time to your day.
Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Downtown – If you're willing to spend a little more, staying closer to downtown could save you time on your daily commute. This hotel is within walking distance of the Georgia Aquarium, College Football Hall of Fame, and Centennial Park, so you'll be right in the heart of the action. Plus, MARTA’s Peachtree Center station is just around the corner for trips to the stadium and other parts of the city. If you can find a good rate here, it might be worth the convenience.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Atlanta Downtown – Another great downtown option is Home2 Suites, located near MARTA’s Peachtree Center station. It’s close to several top attractions and also offers larger suites, which might be useful for your family. Rates could be on the higher end during game weekend, but the convenience could be worth it for easy access to attractions and events.
Atlanta Marriott Marquis – A mid-range option located in downtown, this hotel is another good choice if you want to be close to major attractions like Centennial Park, the aquarium, and the CFB Hall of Fame. It's also just a few blocks from the Peachtree Center MARTA station for easy access to the stadium area and the airport.

Regarding MARTA: The Five Points station, which is the transfer point between the Red/Gold and Blue/Green lines, is a central hub that connects to a lot of attractions and makes it convenient to travel to and from the stadium area (Mercedes-Benz Stadium). If you want to minimize walking, staying near this area or at one of the stations along the Blue or Gold line (such as Peachtree Center or Midtown) will provide easy access to both the stadium and the downtown attractions you're planning to visit.

If you decide to stick with the Springhill Suites, your plan to take the Skytrain to the airport and then transfer to MARTA is still very workable. However, it could be more convenient to stay in a hotel slightly closer to downtown, which will give you easier access to restaurants, shopping, and the downtown attractions you'll be exploring. Since you mentioned attending pregame festivities and pep rallies, staying closer to downtown could give you more flexibility in managing those events.

Overall, I’d recommend considering either the Hilton Garden Inn or Home2 Suites in downtown for better access to attractions and less time spent commuting. But if budget is a priority and you don’t mind a little extra travel time each day, the Springhill Suites at the airport should still work well for your family. Just be sure to book as early as possible since prices can fluctuate around major events like the National Championship game.

Enjoy your trip, and I hope you have an amazing time at the game and in Atlanta!