5 MARTA Tips for Final Four Weekend

Sometimes things happen -- you need a band-aid, lost your sunglasses, Pepto is calling your name.  CVS Pharmacy has locations literally right next to the Five Points station (in the Broad Street Plaza) and the Peachtree Center station.  Additionally, a medical staff is located in the Georgia Dome during ticketed events on the floor level near Gate E.As for restrooms, not all MARTA stations have them.  They are available at the Five Points station (and at the Lindbergh Center station as another popular option), or use the public restrooms in the Peachtree Center Mall above the Peachtree Center station.  Of course, if you are in the Georgia Dome, they have plenty of options as well.For anything else that may come up on or around MARTA, contact MARTA Police at 404-848-4911 (emergencies) or 404-848-4900 (non-emergencies).   If you have a smartphone, you can download the new See & Say app for a covert way to text and send pictures to MARTA of suspicious activity.  The system is actually one of the safest in the country, but always be aware of your surroundings as Atlanta is a large urban area.  When in doubt, especially at night, keep your smartphone in your pocket.MARTA Safety TipsBest of MARTA: RetailBest of MARTA: ServicesFor 2013, a three-day free music festival will take place in Centennial Olympic Park (including performances by Dave Matthews, Sting and Ludacris), which is in walking distance from two MARTA stations.  Most people will exit at the Dome station, but you may have less crowds to deal with if you exit at the Peachtree Center station on the red/gold rail line.  Plus, if your hotel is in midtown or Buckhead, or if you are coming from further north of the city, you don’t have to transfer trains if you exit at Peachtree Center.  Be advised that the walk is about two blocks from the Dome station and three from Peachtree Center.Additionally, bags larger than 11” by 17” are NOT allowed, and MARTA stations do not have lockers, so leave the big duffels at home (or at the hotel).Walking Directions to the ParkMost people have purchased their ticket to the games early.  Don’t stop there.  Same applies to your MARTA fare.  There will be lines at the fare machines all weekend.  Don’t be that person.  You can order/add fare online or at minimum, before the weekend kicks into high gear, purchase all your fares at once (fares can be added at any station).  You can purchase any number of trips (a roundtrip is two trips), or choose daily passes if you plan to ride multiple times throughout the day.  Unlimited rides for one day costs $9, or $14 for two days. If you don't already have a Breeze card, the cost to obtain one is $1.MARTA FaresBreeze Card OnlineBreeze Cards 101View the list »
If you are flying into Atlanta for the weekend, taking MARTA from the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is easy and inexpensive, provided you reserved a hotel near a MARTA station.  All trains departing the airport stop in downtown and midtown Atlanta, and trains labeled “North Springs” will zip you up to Buckhead, where there are more hotels to choose from. Fare is $2.50 one way vs. $30 or more for a cab ride.When you are ready to head to the festivities, the MARTA station to exit at is the Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN station on the west, blue/green rail line.  There is a direct entrance to the Georgia Dome inside the station, or use the other exit to get to street level for Philips Arena and the start of the 5K. Unless you are coming from the east or west side of the city (Decatur, Inman Park, H.E. Holmes, etc.), you must transfer to a westbound train at the Five Points station.  Follow the signs to the Westbound platform and board the first train that arrives (will be marked “H.E. Holmes” or “Bankhead”) -- but don’t follow just any escalator or stairwell, as not all will take you to where you need to go.Hotels Near MARTA (with directions)Tips for Riding MARTA to/from the AirportNavigating the Five Points Station

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Atlanta is lucky to host the Final Four championship games each year, which means lots of fun, activities and travelers. Central to all events is MARTA, which provides direct access to the Georgia Dome and easy access to other weekend festivities and hotels for those arriving from out of town.

Read on to learn the five things you need to know about using MARTA over the weekend so the only madness you experience is on the court.

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  • If you are flying into Atlanta for the weekend, taking MARTA from the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is easy and inexpensive, provided you reserved a hotel near a MARTA station.  All trains departing the airport stop in downtown and midtown Atlanta, and trains labeled “North Springs” will zip you up to Buckhead, where there are more hotels to choose from. Fare is $2.50 one way vs. $30 or more for a cab ride.When you are ready to head to the festivities, the MARTA station to exit at is the Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN station on the west, blue/green rail line.  There is a direct entrance to the Georgia Dome inside the station, or use the other exit to get to street level for Philips Arena and the start of the 5K. Unless you are coming from the east or west side of the city (Decatur, Inman Park, H.E. Holmes, etc.), you must transfer to a westbound train at the Five Points station.  Follow the signs to the Westbound platform and board the first train that arrives (will be marked “H.E. Holmes” or “Bankhead”) -- but don’t follow just any escalator or stairwell, as not all will take you to where you need to go.Hotels Near MARTA (with directions)Tips for Riding MARTA to/from the AirportNavigating the Five Points Station
  • Most people have purchased their ticket to the games early.  Don’t stop there.  Same applies to your MARTA fare.  There will be lines at the fare machines all weekend.  Don’t be that person.  You can order/add fare online or at minimum, before the weekend kicks into high gear, purchase all your fares at once (fares can be added at any station).  You can purchase any number of trips (a roundtrip is two trips), or choose daily passes if you plan to ride multiple times throughout the day.  Unlimited rides for one day costs $9, or $14 for two days. If you don't already have a Breeze card, the cost to obtain one is $1.MARTA FaresBreeze Card OnlineBreeze Cards 101
  • For 2013, a three-day free music festival will take place in Centennial Olympic Park (including performances by Dave Matthews, Sting and Ludacris), which is in walking distance from two MARTA stations.  Most people will exit at the Dome station, but you may have less crowds to deal with if you exit at the Peachtree Center station on the red/gold rail line.  Plus, if your hotel is in midtown or Buckhead, or if you are coming from further north of the city, you don’t have to transfer trains if you exit at Peachtree Center.  Be advised that the walk is about two blocks from the Dome station and three from Peachtree Center.Additionally, bags larger than 11” by 17” are NOT allowed, and MARTA stations do not have lockers, so leave the big duffels at home (or at the hotel).Walking Directions to the Park
  • Sometimes things happen -- you need a band-aid, lost your sunglasses, Pepto is calling your name.  CVS Pharmacy has locations literally right next to the Five Points station (in the Broad Street Plaza) and the Peachtree Center station.  Additionally, a medical staff is located in the Georgia Dome during ticketed events on the floor level near Gate E.As for restrooms, not all MARTA stations have them.  They are available at the Five Points station (and at the Lindbergh Center station as another popular option), or use the public restrooms in the Peachtree Center Mall above the Peachtree Center station.  Of course, if you are in the Georgia Dome, they have plenty of options as well.For anything else that may come up on or around MARTA, contact MARTA Police at 404-848-4911 (emergencies) or 404-848-4900 (non-emergencies).   If you have a smartphone, you can download the new See & Say app for a covert way to text and send pictures to MARTA of suspicious activity.  The system is actually one of the safest in the country, but always be aware of your surroundings as Atlanta is a large urban area.  When in doubt, especially at night, keep your smartphone in your pocket.MARTA Safety TipsBest of MARTA: RetailBest of MARTA: Services
  • You’re on a mission to get your fill of all things Final Four, but being on transit or on foot around the city gives you some additional opportunities to see some sights in Atlanta (and we do have a lot of great restaurants).The easiest (and coolest) things to check out near the Georgia Dome include:Georgia AquariumWorld of Coca-ColaStats (voted one of the top sports bars in the country)SkyLounge at the Glenn HotelWestin Hotel (head to the top for amazing bird’s eye views/restaurant/rotating bar in the sky -- see picture)For nightlife adventures downtown:Meehan’s Public HouseSweet Georgia’s Juke JointMetro Cafe Diner (daily karaoke)Trader Vic’s (tropical tiki bar)Park BarDer BiergartenFor more information, see:Atlanta Tourist Attractions (with MARTA directions)Best of MARTA: Fun/RecreationBest of MARTA: Dome StationBest of MARTA: Peachtree Center StationBest of MARTA: Five Points Station
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, Atlanta Public Transportation Examiner

Sara Cheshire lived six years in Atlanta without a car and likes to ease commuting pain and show that transit can work. See martaguide.com for additional tips and directions or email her at saracheshire(at)gmail.com.

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