Atlanta, GA
Atlanta travel guide
The world's busiest airport and a city worth the stop
- Airports
- ATL Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
- Region
- US Southeast
- Best time to visit
- March–May (dogwoods and azaleas) and October–November are pleasant.
- Shortest flight
- 1h 55m from Miami
- Round trips from
- $60 (live)
- Time zone
- America/New York
About Atlanta
Downtown clusters the big attractions — Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Centennial Olympic Park and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights — around one walkable campus. Midtown has the High Museum and Piedmont Park; the BeltLine's Eastside Trail links Ponce City Market, Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward's restaurants; the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is a short walk east.
Getting in: MARTA trains run from the airport terminal to downtown in about 20 minutes and Midtown in 25 ($2.50) — the best airport-to-city connection in the South. Rideshares cost $30–$45 to downtown. Traffic on the connector is heavy at rush hour; take the train if your hotel is on the line.
Stay in Midtown for the arts district and Piedmont Park, downtown for the attractions, or Inman Park and Old Fourth Ward for restaurants along the BeltLine. Fried chicken, Southern brunch and the international restaurants along Buford Highway keep meals at $12–$25; Krog Street and Ponce City food halls are convenient. Tip 18–20%.
Best time to visit
March–May (dogwoods and azaleas) and October–November are pleasant. Summer is hot and humid; winter is mild with rare ice days and low fares.
Where to stay
Neighborhoods our travelers like: Midtown, Downtown, Inman Park / Old Fourth Ward, Buckhead, Decatur.
Flights to Atlanta: typical round-trip fares
What economy round trips to ATL usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.
| From | Flight time | Typical fare | Lowest live fare | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) | 2h 30m | $134 | $69 · Tue, Oct 6 | Search dates → |
| Chicago (ORD) | 2h 5m | $118 | $61 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
| Dallas (DFW) | 2h 5m | $118 | $76 · Wed, Oct 7 | Search dates → |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | 4h 25m | $178 | $178 · Tue, Nov 10 | Search dates → |
| Miami (MIA) | 1h 55m | $98 | $60 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
| Denver (DEN) | 3h | $138 | $98 · Tue, Dec 1 | Search dates → |
Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.
Airports in Atlanta
What to do in Atlanta
The places our editors send first-time visitors.
- 1
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
Dr. King's birth home, Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King Center — free, and essential.
- 2
Georgia Aquarium
One of the largest in the world, with whale sharks and manta rays in a 6-million-gallon tank.
- 3
The BeltLine
A 22-mile loop of former rail corridors turned into trails, art and parks; the Eastside Trail is the lively stretch.
- 4
Ponce City Market
A 1926 Sears building reborn as a food hall, shops and a rooftop with mini golf and skyline views.
- 5
Atlanta History Center and the Cyclorama
The restored 1886 Battle of Atlanta painting plus 33 acres of gardens and historic houses in Buckhead.
Atlanta weather by season
Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.
Winter
53° / 35°
Mild; rare ice storms.
Spring
73° / 52°
Dogwood season; pollen is intense in April.
Summer
89° / 71°
Hot and humid with afternoon storms.
Fall
73° / 53°
Comfortable; football weekends.
Travel tips for Atlanta
- Take MARTA from the airport — it's faster and cheaper than any car during rush hour.
- The Georgia Aquarium is cheapest on weekday afternoons with online tickets.
- Buford Highway's Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican and Chinese restaurants are the city's best-value meals.
- Atlanta is hilly and spread out; plan neighborhoods by MARTA line or BeltLine access.
- Summer thunderstorms hit most afternoons in July–August; keep museum time for 3–5pm.
Atlanta flights: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Atlanta airport to downtown?
MARTA's Red and Gold lines leave from the domestic terminal and reach Five Points downtown in about 20 minutes for $2.50. Rideshares take 20–40 minutes and cost $30–$45.
Is a layover in Atlanta long enough to see the city?
With 6+ hours, yes — MARTA gets you downtown in 20 minutes, and the aquarium, Centennial Park and the civil rights center are within a few blocks of each other. Leave 2.5 hours to clear security on the way back.
When are flights to Atlanta cheapest?
January–February and late summer. Delta's hub status means plenty of seats year-round; midweek fares are typically 15–25% lower than Friday and Sunday.
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