Transit Options from ATL to Athens
Athens, the college town housing the University of Georgia, is a dynamic destination full of entertainment options and artistic things to do. Boasting a thriving food culture, as well as a bustling music scene, Athens is 75 miles/120km from Hartsfield Jackson Airport. Travelers landing at ATL and looking for a way to travel from Atlanta Airport to Athens, GA, can make their pick among the comfortable Atlanta airport taxis or the shuttles departing from the airport. Alternatively, private airport transfers are a more luxurious option for passengers who don’t mind the extra cost, while airport car rentals are typically chosen by visitors who enjoy road trips and independent rides.
| Options | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 150 | 137,70 | 100 min |
| Shuttle | 52 | 47,75 | 165 min |
Atlanta Airport to Athens, GA, by Taxi
The most convenient way to travel from ATL to Athens is via an Atlanta airport taxi. Airport taxis are always available at the airport in Atlanta, queuing up at the taxi ranks that are to be found in the two terminal buildings. Hence, the domestic taxi stand lies close to Doors W1 and W2 at the domestic terminal’s Ground Transportation Center (on the west curb). On the other hand, international passengers can catch their cab from the taxi stand situated at the Arrivals level of the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. international terminal, close to Door A1. Although taxis at Atlanta Airport aren’t the same color, they generally provide reliable and efficient services. Hence, provided you catch your cab from the official taxi ranks, you shouldn’t be concerned about their reliability and legitimacy.
Your taxi will drive you from Atlanta Airport to Athens, GA, in about 90-100 minutes. It goes without saying that if traffic is heavy, the duration of the journey will be longer. Therefore, you might need up to 140 minutes to get to your destination.
Your taxi ride to Athens will be metered. Hence, the final cost of the ride will be calculated by the taximeter based on the exact location of the destination and the traveling time. In general terms, taxis in Atlanta charge $3,50/€3,22 for the first ⅛ mile/0.2 km and $0,30/€0,28 for each additional ⅛ mile/0.2 km thereafter. One hour of waiting time comes with a $24/€22,11 fee, and airport rides are $1,50/€1,38 more expensive. That being said, luggage (unless too excessive) and night journeys don’t bring extra fares, while tipping is optional. Nevertheless, most passengers leave a 15%-20% tip for satisfactory services. Finally, rides with more than one person incur an extra fee of $2/€1,84 for each additional passenger. Similarly, one child per adult passenger adds $2/€1,84 to the final fare. In any case, children younger than 6 travel free of charge.
The usual rate for the journey from Atlanta Airport to Athens, GA, is around $150/€137,70.
Are you wondering how to pay for your taxi from ATL to Athens, GA? Cash payments and credit/debit cards are equally accepted. Nevertheless, if you are planning to pay via a bank card, you should let the driver know.
Our Tip: Do you prefer using a ride-hailing service? Uber and Lyft are present at Atlanta International Airport, providing connections to Athens as well.
Atlanta Airport to Athens, GA, by Shuttle
The efficient MARTA network doesn’t link the airport to the college town of Athens. Therefore, travelers who are looking for a cheaper transit option than airport taxis typically settle on a shuttle from Atlanta Airport to Athens, GA. Indeed, Groome Transportation provides shared-ride shuttle services from ATL to Athens. The Groome Transportation Shuttles depart from the Hartsfield Jackson airport domestic terminal. Their stop lies at the Ground Transportation Center, close to Doors W1 and W2, the MARTA Station, and the Skytrain stop. Hence, passengers can easily catch the Groome Transportation Shuttles to Athens as long as they exit Doors W1 or W2 and follow the covered walkway to bays 4-8.
Are you an international passenger landing at the international terminal building? You’ll need to catch the complimentary International Terminal Shuttle running at a 15-minute frequency from one terminal to the other. Its stop is to be found in the international terminal’s Arrivals area, close to Doors A1 and A2. Travelers can also head from one terminal to the other airside. Thus, the free Plane Train also travels between terminals, while the two buildings are linked via the underground Transportation Mall. Still, passengers need up to 40 minutes to traverse it.
The Groome Transportation Shuttles from Atlanta Airport to Athens, GA, depart every hour from 05:30 am to 01:30 am. There are also two available routes at 01:00 pm and 04:00 pm. Overall, they need around 165 minutes to travel from ATL to Athens.
The shuttle fare for adult passengers is $59/€54,16, while travelers booking their tickets online pay just $49/€45 for their shuttle ride. What’s more, children aged 3 to 7 are charged $25/€23, while younger children travel for free. That being said, a $3/€2,75 administrative fee applies to all passengers. Hence, your shuttle ticket if booked online will cost you $52/€47,75 (the online fare plus the administrative fee). As for luggage, each passenger is allowed to carry up to 2 standard suitcases. On the other hand, one pet is permitted per vehicle, bringing an extra $15/€13,77 fee.
Car Rental from ATL to Athens, GA
If you want to travel from Atlanta Airport to Athens, GA, at your own pace, exploring the in-between destinations and making as many stops on the way as you like, consider renting a car from Hartsfield Jackson Airport. In that way, not only will you enjoy an independent ride to Athens, but you’ll also have the flexibility to visit other nearby sites and attractions while staying there. Overall, twelve car hire companies offer their services at ATL Airport, with their desks lying at the Rental Car Center, linked to the domestic terminal via the complimentary Skytrain and to the international building via the courtesy shuttle. Thus, if you explore your options and make your reservation in advance, you might find the ideal Atlanta airport car rental for you at a competitive price.
Your ride with your Atlanta car rental from ATL to Athens shouldn’t last more than 90-100 minutes. However, during rush hours, roads tend to get congested. Therefore, during those times, you might need around 2.5 hours to reach your destination. Have you decided where to park your rental vehicle? Although parking shouldn’t be such a challenging task if staying outside the city center, parking in downtown Athens can be tedious. Street parking spaces are limited and come with time restrictions. Thus, you should be able to park for up to 2 hours, at least until 06:00 pm. Fortunately, parking decks and private car parks are also available. Moreover, you should bear in mind that street parking in the city center of Athens is free of charge on Sundays.
Private Airport Transfers from ATL to Athens
Private airport transfers are the ultimate way to travel from Atlanta Airport to Athens, GA. However, they are, at the same time, the most expensive option. Private airport transfers, though somewhat costlier than ordinary taxis, are widely favored by luxurious travelers who aren’t on a budget and value their level of comfort and quality. Welcome services at the airport, rides to the exact location of the passenger’s destination, and extra amenities, along with well-maintained vehicles and highly competent drivers, are some of the reasons behind the popularity of private airport transfers. Nevertheless, their main advantage is their customized services. Passengers can tailor journeys to their exact needs and enjoy seamless and carefree rides to their destinations.
FAQs
How do I get from Atlanta Airport to Athens?
Do you want to travel from ATL to Athens, GA? Depending on your preferences and budget, you can pick between various transit options. Hence, apart from the flexible and independent airport car rentals and the lavish private airport transfers, airport taxis and shuttles also link ATL to the college town.
How far is it from Atlanta Airport to Athens, GA?
The distance from ATL to Athens, GA, is about 75 miles/120km. Thus, a car ride from the airport in Atlanta to the town housing the University of Georgia lasts around 1.5 hours. Are the roads congested? Car journeys will be longer. Hence, you should expect a 140-minute ride to your final destination in Athens.