Travel to Atlanta
Flying to Atlanta
Airlines operating direct flights from the UK to Atlanta include British Airways, Delta and Virgin Atlantic.
Flight times
From London - 9 hours; New York - 2 hours 30 minutes; Los Angeles - 4 hours 30 minutes; Toronto - 2 hours 10 minutes; Sydney - 20 hours (including stopover).
Travel by road
The USA has a network of sequentially numbered Interstate (I) highways. The roads with numbers ending in 0 cross the country east to west, while those ending in 5 run north to south. Maximum speed limits in the Atlanta metropolitan area range from 88kph (55mph) to 113kph (70mph) on freeways. Locals regularly exceed these limits and pass with impunity on both left and right sides. In business or residential districts, a limit of 48kph (30mph) usually applies. Fines can be issued on the spot for seat-belt or helmet offences, speeding and also throwing litter from the vehicle.
The minimum age for driving in Atlanta is 16 years; however, there are various restrictions for drivers under 18 years. It is best to check the Georgia Department of Driver Services (www.dds.ga.gov). National driving licences are sufficient if in English, otherwise International Driving Permits are required. Rush hours are 0700-0930 and 1600-1900.
Auto Club South (AAA) (tel: +1 800 222 1134; http://autoclubsouth.aaa.com) provides insurance and breakdown recovery for members, and also provides free maps and tourist guides.
Emergency breakdown services
AAA (tel: +1 800 222 4357/AAA HELP).
Routes
Atlanta is intersected by Interstates 20, 75 and 85. I-20 travels west to Birmingham (Alabama) and Dallas (Texas) and east to Augusta and Columbia (South Carolina). I-75 passes through Atlanta on its way north from Florida to Michigan. I-85 heads southwest to Montgomery (Alabama) and northeast to Charlotte (North Carolina) and Virginia. I-285 is a perimeter highway that rings the metropolitan area but the city has expanded northwards to Marietta, Roswell and other suburbs outside the ring. An urban highway, GA400, links the northern suburbs with the city centre and provides easy access to the north Appalachians. GA400 is a toll road; the cost levied depends upon the mileage driven.
Coaches
Greyhound (tel: +1 800 231 2222; www.greyhound.com) has a 24-hour coach station, at 232 Forsyth Street SW, off Peachtree Street SW and near Garnett MARTA station, where baggage and parcel services, tickets and fast food are available. Greyhound operates coaches throughout the USA; some direct destinations include Memphis, Nashville, Savannah, New Orleans and Orlando.
Time to city
From Birmingham - 2 hours 30 minutes; Charlotte - 4 hours; Orlando– 6 hours 30 minutes; New Orleans – 7 hours; Miami – 10 hours; Chicago - 11 hours; Dallas – 12 hours; Houston - 12 hours.
Travel by Rail
Services
Atlanta's Amtrak station is Peachtree Station, 1688 Peachtree Street NW (tel: (404) 881 3063), in Midtown, has basic facilities, such as a ticket office and vending machines.
Operators
Amtrak (tel: +1 800 872 7245; www.amtrak.com) is the national railway service provider. The Crescent service links Atlanta with New Orleans and New York. An evening, overnight departure runs to Washington and New York and a morning departure to New Orleans. Sleepers, restaurant service and various excursion options are available. Reservations are necessary for priority seating and sleeping accommodation.
Journey times
From New Orleans - 11 hour 35 minutes; New York - 18 hours; Washington - 13 hours 45 minutes.
