RT sent an email about this topic last week, but we have some information from Elizabeth S. that’s pretty important if you’re flying into Atlanta for RT 2017:
I noticed they did put the alert in the RT notes sent out today concerning the bridge collapse on I-85; this is quite close to the hotel so everyone needs to be aware that there will be detours and traffic delays throughout that area.
They are right in that MARTA is the best way to get to and from the airport and the hotel. It’s fast, cheap, and relatively efficient as well as safe and patrolled. (It’s the only way I will go to and from the airport, in fact; it eliminates TONS of hassle!)
However, while MARTA does run at 10 minute intervals during the weekdays, be aware that evenings and weekends the trains only run every 30 minutes. So if anybody is going to the airport on Saturday or Sunday, plan to leave an hour or so ahead of when you think you should. since the train may not be there when you expect it.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at RT!
Romantic Times also sent out a newsletter with a ton of information about the 2017 events, and, after mentioning car services and taxis, included these details:
M.A.R.T.A.: (Located in baggage claim between the North/Blue and South/Red terminals.) Follow the signs. The cost is $2.50 per ride (+ $1, one-time fee for the card). Trains run approximately every 10 minutes.
Hyatt Regency Atlanta is connected to the Peachtree Center Train Station. Exit the station Northeast towards Peachtree Center Mall. It’s a 20 minute train ride from the Airport.
A NOTE from the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB): “A section of Interstate 85 just north of downtown Atlanta caught fire and collapsed, causing officials to close this stretch of roadway while repairs are made. Reports claim I-85 between I-75 and SR 400 could be closed for a few months. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, allow extra driving time for travel and to use M.A.R.T.A. where possible. Due to the Interstate closures, we recommend that guests use M.A.R.T.A. from the airport to the Hyatt when possible. Its efficient schedule, convenient station location to the Hyatt and inexpensive fare make it a viable option to and from the airport.”
So, need some help?
First, it’s pretty easy to use Google Maps to plot the train ride to Peachtree Center.
MARTA has a guide to traveling to and from the airport:
If you are arriving in Atlanta, follow signs to the baggage claim, which usually involves taking the internal plane train from your concourse to the baggage claim stop. You’ll go up a tall escalator, at which point you’ll be facing the Airport MARTA station, but it won’t be visible due to restrooms that are immediately in front of it.
Turn right or left to enter the North or South baggage claim area… both have doors that lead into the rail station near the last baggage claim carousel.
Inside the station you can buy or reload a Breeze Card or get a paper Breeze ticket at the station vending machine. RideStores are also staffed during business hours if you want to purchase fare via a person.
MARTA also has a guide specifically for navigating from the airport to the Hyatt Regency Atlanta:
All trains departing the airport stop at the Peachtree Center station as well as all southbound trains.
Once at the station, follow the signs to the Harris Street exit after getting off the train then to Peachtree Street East. At street level, turn right to walk north along Peachtree Street. Turn right again at the first intersection on Harris Street, then left at the nextblock on Peachtree Center Avenue.
Approximate walking time from the fare gate is only three minutes.
If you don’t want to walk outside, you can also exit the station into the Peachtree Center mall where there’s a skybridge connection.
The red and gold lines run every 5 minutes, as Elizabeth pointed out, on weekdays, and the ride is pretty simple and direct.
Normally, with luggage, I’d take a taxi, but with the highway detours on top of traffic that’s nearly as gnarly as DC and Manhattan, I’ll most likely be on the MARTA to the airport, along with my luggage. I won’t be the only one, I bet.
Safe travels, everyone!
For senior citizens, disabled persons (hey), and those on Medicare, there is a reduced fare of $1. You’ll have to provide documentation I think, but check under Fares in the menu.
(I’m not attending, I just figured I’d check.)
Using MARTA between the Hyatt Regency and the airport is definitely the way to go, even without that whole “collapsed overpass” problem. We do it for DragonCon, and all while hauling costume-laden suitcases.
I’ve lived in Atlanta, definitely take MARTA.
But I will say the I-85 collapse is actually few miles north of immediate central downtown. So the main problem would be the traffic.
I’m still debating on whether to take the train or just get on a shuttle. I just think it will be a problem with the luggage (especially coming back) to ride a crowded train. It might not be a problem for me. I get in at 2 on Tuesday and will probably leave around 5 on Saturday so rush hour won’t be a factor.
Think you can give us an update after you arrive at the hotel via the train, Sarah?
The Atlanta airport is huge. Coming from NYC and the dirt pit that is LAGuardia I was really impressed. My trip was about 10 years ago – the Atlanta airport had installations from museums, an internal subway system to move you from terminal to terminal and the connections to MARTA were easy with rolling luggage.
The Peachtree Station is very deep with beautiful exposed granite walls. There were both escalators and elevators. I was traveling with with my adolescent son with luggage, backpacks and a chess bag and was able to manage once I figured how to exit the station. If I remember correctly you must tap your fare card to enter and leave Marta.
@Vic, thank you for pointing that out; you do need to tap your fare card on the lit-up green dot on the pylon to access the gate/turnstile in or out. One in and one out constitutes one ride; if you are going anywhere else via a connecting train you DO NOT have to tap your card or exit the station, they all connect. There are both escalators and elevators in all stations as well as the airport for ease of luggage handling. All MARTA cars also have a designated luggage corral at one end where you can strap your bags in if they are too large to keep by your seat; the other end has a special wheelchair area where you can back a wheelchair into a space just large enough for it and strap in also. Buskers and panhandlers are forbidden so you should not be hassled. The trains also have a recorded voice that tells you which station you are at or approaching next, for the visually impaired, as well as maps of the MARTA lines in all cars so you can follow along and see where you are.
The airport does still have the internal trams that will take you to and from the main gate and all terminals; they run every 5 minutes or so (but unfortunately no longer sound like Cylons; they now have a very pleasant female voice giving you directions.) If you are only going one terminal down there are also moving sidewalks. If you have a large bag, ask any airport personnel for directions to the elevators (they are behind or near the escalators, usually, and many people don’t notice them.) And if you are disabled or otherwise have difficulty walking long distances, let them know in advance and they will carry you everywhere. (Last time I was there with my stroke-affected husband they treated him like a rockstar; we both got expedited through security with minimal hassle and they had wheelchairs with porters waiting at every venue to take him wherever he needed to go. I believe they will do this for seniors also.)
I used to travel to Atlanta all the time work. MARTA is the best way to go very efficient and safe.
Thanks for this!
Thanks EC Spurlock and SandyH
This is really helpful – thank you guys!
Trains are every 20 minutes during nights and weekends, not 30, FYI