When living in Atlanta, it's hard to avoid the topic of traffic congestion.

Especially during rush hour, the downtown stretch where I-75 and I-85 merge, or around I-285, can get extremely congested. So, when you want to get around without a car, you might consider MARTA at least once. The question is whether you can live in Atlanta using the subway, and the answer varies greatly depending on the area.

MARTA is Atlanta's main public transportation system. It has four rail lines: Red, Gold, Blue, and Green, and currently operates 38 stations.

It connects the airport to downtown, North Springs to the north, Doraville to the northeast, Indian Creek to the east, and Hamilton E. Holmes to the west.

In my opinion, MARTA shines the most at the airport. You can catch the train directly from the ATL airport terminal, and it takes about 17 minutes from Airport Station on the Gold Line to Five Points. You can reach Midtown in about 20 minutes. Considering the hassle of finding a rental car, parking, and dealing with congested highways, MARTA can actually be more convenient when traveling alone.

The prices are also quite affordable. As of 2026, the basic one-way fare is $2.50. A 30-day unlimited pass costs $95, while a one-day pass is $9, a two-day pass is $14, a three-day pass is $16, a four-day pass is $19, and a seven-day pass is $23.75. The Breeze Card itself costs $2. With the basic fare of $2.50, you can transfer for free up to four times within three hours.

These days, using MARTA has become easier than before. In addition to the Breeze Card, it supports tap payments using credit cards, debit cards, and mobile wallets. For tourists, the burden of buying tickets has significantly decreased.

The issue, however, is the routes. Since MARTA primarily operates in Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton Counties, it's difficult to rely solely on the train in Gwinnett County areas like Duluth or Suwanee, where many Koreans live. The same goes for Alpharetta and Johns Creek. While MARTA connects with local transit networks like Xpress and Ride Gwinnett, it can't fully replace a car.

Therefore, when evaluating MARTA in Atlanta, it's not as simple as saying it's good or bad. For someone traveling from the airport to downtown or Midtown, a one-way fare of $2.50 is quite attractive. Especially during rush hours or events when Uber prices rise significantly, the price difference becomes even more noticeable.

On the other hand, if you live in Duluth or Suwanee and work on the outskirts, the likelihood of using MARTA daily is low. Ultimately, a car is necessary. Atlanta is a big city, but it's not structured around subway stations like New York or Chicago.

Still, if you're visiting Atlanta for the first time for travel or business, taking MARTA from the airport is worth trying. If you don't have much luggage and your accommodation is in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, the $2.50 train can surprisingly be the fastest and most comfortable option.

In fact, just being able to pass by and see Atlanta's notorious traffic congestion out the window is worth the fare.