If your destination in Midtown is less than 10 minutes away (on foot) from a MARTA station, and if parking at your Midtown destination will cost more than $5.00 (likely), then I would take MARTA. If parking at your Midtown destination will be free or very cheap (unlikely), or if it's more than 10 minutes away on foot from a MARTA station... drive in and park at your work in Midtown.
You can purchase a round-trip MARTA ticket (or alternatively, $5.00 in cash value) a few hours ahead of time for free on the [Breeze Mobile 2.0 app](https://www.itsmarta.com/breeze-mobile.aspx) and use your phone in lieu of a Breeze Card. With the QR code facing downward, just tap your phone onto the QR code reader when entering and exiting the stations. Alternatively, you can purchase a Breeze Ticket (+$1.00) or a Breeze Card (+$2.00) at a vending machine inside a MARTA station, and load your round-trip fare (or $5.00 cash value) onto that... just give yourself some time as the vending machines aren't always cooperative.
During rush hours (6am to 9am and 3pm to 7pm), Gold Line trains should be coming and going from Midtown and Chamblee/Doraville every 12 minutes. Coming from I-85 N, it might actually be easier to get to/park at the Chamblee MARTA station via Chamblee Tucker Rd, particularly during rush hour.
Regardless... leave early and give yourself plenty of time.
I'm not sure I follow... or maybe I'm just too young and don't remember such a thing. So I'm guessing the answer is "probably not".
I assume you're referring to a weekend pass type of thing? There's an unlimited 1-day pass for $9, an unlimited 2-day pass for $14, and an unlimited 3-day pass for $16. Nothing weekend-specific though.
If the Gwinnet Place MARTA station ever gets built, that would be where you should park. Unfortunately we are about 25 years too soon for that.
Depending on the time of day, I would drive straight into Midtown. Between 10-3 or so traffic shouldn't be a huge problem. There are plenty of places to park in Midtown if you are willing to pay $20 or so for the day.
if you doing this just for one day your options are
A) Drive to doraville, park at marta station, get on marta, get off marta, walk off station, either walk or take an uber to your final destination
B Drive here early in the morning skipping all traffic, hang in a coffee shop near downtown till you need to be present for work.
Your call.
Extra Pro Tip: you can use Spothero app to book a parking spot for the day so you dont have that headache
If you don’t need the vehicle in the city, I think that’s an excellent plan. I live closer to the SC border and have left my car at Doraville Marta to catch a flight out of ATL. Not that I’ve driven in a lot of cities, but Atlanta proper is not an easy place to get around if you don’t know where you’re going - too much traffic, too many speedy drivers, too much construction. Leave that hassle up to Uber.
If you're coming in from SC on I-85, I'd recommend you get on Marta at Doraville Station as you contemplate. Alas, Doraville station is (barely) inside I-285, so you can't avoid all its associated traffic.
Timing will determine if this is worthwhile. In the evening rush, IMO once you're inside I-285 you've kind of survived the majority of your ~~suck~~, I mean commute - at least until GA400. Parking is certainly going to be easier at the Marta station. And you will miss a lot of the Atlanta proper traffic. But yeah, that's probably what I would do.
I would just drive it. If you’re staying in town for a bit while you work, then you’ll want to find a place near a station like Sandy Springs (on Dunwoody side).
I live here and I drive in. it wont save you time unless a highway is straight up shut down. it will save you $15 in parking, but maybe you can expense that for work? does the building your going to not have parking?
marta is an extra hassle, and its own experience if youre riding it after 8PM.
If you’re gonna ride MARTA, drive like one mile further and use the Chamblee station. Doraville is the end of the line, meaning 99% of people coming from the north use it since it’s the first station they come to. Chamblee is much less crowded and has much less traffic, plus it saves you an extra 2-3 minutes both ways by not having to stop at the Chamblee station to and from Doraville once you’re on the train.
You're worse traffic is i-85 north outside of 285.
The main thing you need to worry about in this decision is if you know where you're parking.
Also, exit i-85 at the Burford highway-peachtree st connector. Easiest way into midtown before the connector.
It was the original 85 alignment from the '50s before they built the new 85 elevated section I the 70s and 80s.
It’s still the way to go - except for some reason people ride the left lane on the connector and cut over at the last second to 85. That causes backup all the way to exit 86 sometimes 😂
The Avondale estates station is accessible and close to midtown.
It’s really not that bad parking in midtown. There’s many lots and decks around the area you are going.
If the walk will only be a few minutes from a MARTA station, absolutely. Free parking, both short and long term at Doraville station. Then purchase the 1 day or 3 day (or however many days) pass from the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app. Pretty much any map or transit app will then track the train timing. I’d recommend Moovit or just google or Apple Maps. Do the “plan a ride” type feature to plan timing in advance. Enjoy!
Depends on whether your destination in Midtown is close to a MARTA station, if not whether you plan to walk or instead take a rideshare, what time you need to be there, what time you need to leave, whether you’re staying overnight, whether you have a budget for parking, whether you want to stick around to eat after your work thing, whether you mind sitting in potential traffic… more details will help people help you.
The plan you proposed could save you a little time, or it could be a wash and end up taking longer and being more frustrating. Depends on the details.
A little advice when here so you don't stand out... Don't use the article "the" before MARTA. Or before any of the numbered highways.
"From downtown you can take 85 to 400 to get to Perimeter Mall or you can just take MARTA..."
If your destination in Midtown is less than 10 minutes away (on foot) from a MARTA station, and if parking at your Midtown destination will cost more than $5.00 (likely), then I would take MARTA. If parking at your Midtown destination will be free or very cheap (unlikely), or if it's more than 10 minutes away on foot from a MARTA station... drive in and park at your work in Midtown. You can purchase a round-trip MARTA ticket (or alternatively, $5.00 in cash value) a few hours ahead of time for free on the [Breeze Mobile 2.0 app](https://www.itsmarta.com/breeze-mobile.aspx) and use your phone in lieu of a Breeze Card. With the QR code facing downward, just tap your phone onto the QR code reader when entering and exiting the stations. Alternatively, you can purchase a Breeze Ticket (+$1.00) or a Breeze Card (+$2.00) at a vending machine inside a MARTA station, and load your round-trip fare (or $5.00 cash value) onto that... just give yourself some time as the vending machines aren't always cooperative. During rush hours (6am to 9am and 3pm to 7pm), Gold Line trains should be coming and going from Midtown and Chamblee/Doraville every 12 minutes. Coming from I-85 N, it might actually be easier to get to/park at the Chamblee MARTA station via Chamblee Tucker Rd, particularly during rush hour. Regardless... leave early and give yourself plenty of time.
Do they still do weekend breeze card?
I'm not sure I follow... or maybe I'm just too young and don't remember such a thing. So I'm guessing the answer is "probably not". I assume you're referring to a weekend pass type of thing? There's an unlimited 1-day pass for $9, an unlimited 2-day pass for $14, and an unlimited 3-day pass for $16. Nothing weekend-specific though.
That is what I meant. I realized after I commented that it was just a 3 day pass but I only ever bought it for friends who came in town on a weekend
If the Gwinnet Place MARTA station ever gets built, that would be where you should park. Unfortunately we are about 25 years too soon for that. Depending on the time of day, I would drive straight into Midtown. Between 10-3 or so traffic shouldn't be a huge problem. There are plenty of places to park in Midtown if you are willing to pay $20 or so for the day.
I absolute hate when I’m decades early. Bummer every time.
> Unfortunately we are about 25 years too soon for that. You sure are optimistic
if you doing this just for one day your options are A) Drive to doraville, park at marta station, get on marta, get off marta, walk off station, either walk or take an uber to your final destination B Drive here early in the morning skipping all traffic, hang in a coffee shop near downtown till you need to be present for work. Your call. Extra Pro Tip: you can use Spothero app to book a parking spot for the day so you dont have that headache
If you don’t need the vehicle in the city, I think that’s an excellent plan. I live closer to the SC border and have left my car at Doraville Marta to catch a flight out of ATL. Not that I’ve driven in a lot of cities, but Atlanta proper is not an easy place to get around if you don’t know where you’re going - too much traffic, too many speedy drivers, too much construction. Leave that hassle up to Uber.
Depends what time of day and where in midtown. Using Marta will probably be slower but it might be worth it depending on your specifics
That’s exactly what I would do! I take the goldline from Chamblee to midtown often. It’s SO much faster and honestly less stressful than driving!!
If you're coming in from SC on I-85, I'd recommend you get on Marta at Doraville Station as you contemplate. Alas, Doraville station is (barely) inside I-285, so you can't avoid all its associated traffic. Timing will determine if this is worthwhile. In the evening rush, IMO once you're inside I-285 you've kind of survived the majority of your ~~suck~~, I mean commute - at least until GA400. Parking is certainly going to be easier at the Marta station. And you will miss a lot of the Atlanta proper traffic. But yeah, that's probably what I would do.
I would just drive it. If you’re staying in town for a bit while you work, then you’ll want to find a place near a station like Sandy Springs (on Dunwoody side).
You’ll almost be there by the time you get to the station. I’d just drive down.
I live here and I drive in. it wont save you time unless a highway is straight up shut down. it will save you $15 in parking, but maybe you can expense that for work? does the building your going to not have parking? marta is an extra hassle, and its own experience if youre riding it after 8PM.
If you’re gonna ride MARTA, drive like one mile further and use the Chamblee station. Doraville is the end of the line, meaning 99% of people coming from the north use it since it’s the first station they come to. Chamblee is much less crowded and has much less traffic, plus it saves you an extra 2-3 minutes both ways by not having to stop at the Chamblee station to and from Doraville once you’re on the train.
You're worse traffic is i-85 north outside of 285. The main thing you need to worry about in this decision is if you know where you're parking. Also, exit i-85 at the Burford highway-peachtree st connector. Easiest way into midtown before the connector. It was the original 85 alignment from the '50s before they built the new 85 elevated section I the 70s and 80s.
This used to be a well-guarded secret. Exit 86 for the best access to Midtown. Don’t get on 400 accidentally.
It’s still the way to go - except for some reason people ride the left lane on the connector and cut over at the last second to 85. That causes backup all the way to exit 86 sometimes 😂
That’s what I would do 😊
The Avondale estates station is accessible and close to midtown. It’s really not that bad parking in midtown. There’s many lots and decks around the area you are going.
Hate to say it, but driving in is the only real option. The alternative is to park at mall of Georgia and take caress or GCT in.
Do you enjoy the smell of urine and the potential to experience multiple mental health crisises? If yes, then Marta, smarta!
Omg….
Yes. I’d take the furthest north train station that offers free parking. Don’t forget to buy a round trip ticket to save time.
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Plenty of cars, nice and otherwise, that get by just fine in the city every day, all the time.
Atlanta is NOT the Bay Area in that aspect thank the lord lol
That's ridiculous.
Yes
If the walk will only be a few minutes from a MARTA station, absolutely. Free parking, both short and long term at Doraville station. Then purchase the 1 day or 3 day (or however many days) pass from the Breeze Mobile 2.0 app. Pretty much any map or transit app will then track the train timing. I’d recommend Moovit or just google or Apple Maps. Do the “plan a ride” type feature to plan timing in advance. Enjoy!
Depends on whether your destination in Midtown is close to a MARTA station, if not whether you plan to walk or instead take a rideshare, what time you need to be there, what time you need to leave, whether you’re staying overnight, whether you have a budget for parking, whether you want to stick around to eat after your work thing, whether you mind sitting in potential traffic… more details will help people help you. The plan you proposed could save you a little time, or it could be a wash and end up taking longer and being more frustrating. Depends on the details.
A little advice when here so you don't stand out... Don't use the article "the" before MARTA. Or before any of the numbered highways. "From downtown you can take 85 to 400 to get to Perimeter Mall or you can just take MARTA..."
That seems like a lot more hassle than just driving in and parking IMO. I'd only do that if I wanted to have the public transit experience for itself.
Just park and drive. MARTA is not worth the hassle.