Should I rent a car in Atlanta?

There is a MARTA stop at the airport, so no, you should not need a car. If you’ll be working in the downtown area, you can walk to most of the interesting places. You might want a car if you decide to take in some of the local tourist attractions, like Stone Mountain, but I’d skip it. If you change your mind, you can always rent one downtown.

I got around on the busses and trains there just fine. Atlanta is a nice town, lots of trees. This is a good time of year to go there.

MARTA is like, trains are okay, busses were horrible (2006)! If you want to get out towards the Emory or Heights/Highlands(???) it’s awful. No real schedules at the stops, and you’re really at their mercy. Some lines only drive in the morning and afternoon with nothing in between.

The stuff around Peachtree Street is all touristy blah, and when you drive out to Buckhead there’s mile after mile along the same street.

I’d prolly take a car for half of the time. Try getting one at the downtown hotels, Georgia allows for horrible Airport Concession fees that may drive your price up by over 28%

[Update]: The office and hotel I’ll be visiting appear to be around Peachtree.

if you’re around the southern part, I’d definitely get a car. The only thing around there is a tacky Hard Rock with really bad sound, and the “Underground” which is nice for lunch, but that’s about it. Downtown Atlanta is D.E.A.D after 8:00 or so.

You don’t want to walk around there after dark either. Nothing dangerous really, but bum after bum after bum asking you for change. Not that I’m not benevolent or anything, but it’s really annoying. Too many, and everywhere.

I love MARTA- I spent a week in Atlanta in January and took it everywhere I needed to go.

I get to Atlanta a couple times a year and have never rented a car. I always stay downtown at the westin, and work across the street. There’s not much to do or see downtown by foot, but you can easily walk around and explore for a few hours. My advice would be not to get a car if you don’t need one. I tend to have less free time than I expect on business trips. Tag along with someone you work with who lives there if you want to get out of town.

you do not need a car if you stay inside of Fulton / DeCalb counties. if your job requires you to go anywhere outside of there get a car. check out zipcars rather than rental.