Navigating Atlanta

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When traveling internationally, it’s always best to plan ahead. The information below will help international visitors ensure their trip to Atlanta is as smooth as possible. 

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Language

English is the most common language spoken in the United States.

Transportation

Atlanta’s variety of public transportation options makes getting around the city simple and convenient.

MARTA

MARTA’s trains, buses and para-transit vehicles provide more than 500,000 passenger trips within the city of Atlanta every weekday. Accessible directly from the airport, MARTA offers quick service to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead and beyond.

Atlanta Streetcar

Atlanta Streetcar offers an easy way to move through the city’s core. The Streetcar’s route runs between Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park on the east end and Centennial Park District on the west, with 12 stops along the way.

Ridshare

Atlanta has several rideshare options, including Uber and Lyft. These services are readily available throughout the city and at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Wait times and fares may vary depending on the time of day and local demand.

Currency

The U.S. dollar is the official currency of the United States of America. You can exchange money before traveling at airports or various locations across the United States, such as banks. For safety, it is not recommended to carry large sums of cash while traveling. 

Cash

There are approximately 450,000 automated teller machines (ATMs) across the United States. However, international travelers may be charged a variety of fees including a non-bank ATM usage (up to $3 per transaction), an ATM operator access fee and international transaction fee. Check with your bank and credit card providers before traveling to understand any potential charges. ATMs often offer the most competitive rates for currency conversion. Verify the currency conversion rate before withdrawing money to ensure you’re getting a fair exchange rate. 

Credit Cards

• Credit cards are widely accepted throughout the U.S. for purchases including hotels, dining, entertainment and even public transportation. Depending on your credit card, you may be charged currency conversion and international transaction fees. To avoid unexpected charges, check with your credit card company before you travel. It’s also a good idea to keep a photocopy of your cards and a list of international customer service numbers in a separate location in case your cards are lost, stolen or stop working. 
• International visitors should notify their bank about travel plans before departing to ensure credit and debit cards work properly upon arrival in the U.S. While credit cards are widely accepted, some independent merchants may only take cash. 

Traveler’s Checks

• Traveler’s checks offer an important advantage over cash: If they are lost or stolen, they can usually be replaced free of charge with a single phone call. The most common denominations of traveler’s checks include $20, $50 and $100. Traveler’s checks can be purchased at banks and other companies like American Express. Keep in mind that not all businesses or banks accept traveler’s checks, so be sure to research where you can cash them before you travel. 

Time

Atlanta, Georgia operates under Eastern Standard Time (EST). In the U.S., time is read on a 12-hour clock with a.m. (before noon) and p.m. (after noon). If you are told 8 o’clock, it could mean 08:00 or 20:00. Make sure to ask Americans to specify a.m. or p.m., as most of them are not accustomed to a 24-hour clock. 

Taxes

Navigating taxes in the U.S. can be tricky, especially for international visitors who are accustomed to seeing tax included in listed prices. In the United States, sales tax is typically not included in the displayed price of goods and services. This can come as a surprise to international visitors, but it’s because sales tax rates vary significantly across the country. 

Sales Tax

• Sales tax on goods and services varies by state, with rates typically ranging from around 3 to 7.5 percent nationally. In addition to state tax, many counties and cities also impose their own local taxes which can increase the total rate. If you’re planning a significant purchase, it’s a good idea to ask about the sales tax in advance. The final amount, including the sales tax, will be printed on your receipt. 

• The minimum combined sales tax rate for Atlanta, Georgia in 2025 is 8.9 percent. This total includes a 5 percent state sales tax, a 3 percent county tax and a 1.5 percent city tax. Additionally, there is a 0.4 percent special sales tax specific to Atlanta.  

• In addition to goods, many services may also be subject to tax. Services such as hotel stays and rental cars are typically taxed at higher rates than retail purchases. In Atlanta, lodging accommodations are subject to an 8 percent bed tax plus a $5 per night hotel fee. 

Tax Refunds

• The U.S. government does not offer refunds for sales tax to international visitors. In the U.S., sales tax is administered at the state level. If you’re planning to make a significant purchase that you intend to export, you should contact the taxation authority in the state where the purchase is made. The state tax authority will be able to inform you of any eligibility requirements or procedures for obtaining a sales tax refund if one is available.

Measurements and Electricity

Units of Measurement

• The U.S. uses the Fahrenheit scale (°F),rather than Centigrade scale (°C) to measure temperature. For weights and measures, the U.S. uses the customary measurement system. The following are a few helpful conversions from metric to the U.S. measurement system:  

• 1 mile = 1.6 kilometers  
• 1 yard (3 feet) = 0.91 meter 
• 1 foot = 0.3 meter 
• 1 inch = 25.4 millimeters  
• 1 pound = 0.45 kilograms 
• 1 ounce = 28.3 grams 
• 1 gallon = 3.79 liters 
• 32°Fahrenheit = 0°Celsius 
• 75°Fahrenheit = 24°Celsius 

Electricity

• Currents and electric outlets are standardized and operate on 110/120 volts in the United States, so international visitors may need a voltage converter to operate their appliances if they operate on 220/240 volts. 

• Using the right converter will protect your electrical appliances from damage. Hair dryers and curling irons generally use a more powerful converter, but many hotels have hair dryers available to use. Laptop computers, razors, cameras and other electronic devices usually have built-in converters. If you are planning an extended stay, consider purchasing an inexpensive appliance to use.  

• Adapter plugs allow you to connect your devices to U.S. outlets. Converters and sets of adapter plugs are available at most travel/luggage stores, large retailers like Walmart and Target, and electronic stores. Many hotels and other lodging options are also adding USB ports for charging devices which is a convenient way to power many of your devices without an adapter or converter. 

Telephone Services and Useful Phone Numbers

U.S. residents use both mobile phones and landline phones. All telephone numbers begin with a three-digit area code which indicates the area where the call originates, followed by a seven-digit telephone number. 

Mobile Phones

• Before traveling to the United States, international visitors should check with their mobile carrier to ensure their phone is compatible with U.S. networks. The country operates on 4G LTE and 5G networks, with electrical outlets providing 110–120 volts at 60 Hz. Most modern smartphones from abroad will work without issue, but you may need to enable international roaming or purchase a local SIM card or eSIM. 

• International roaming charges can be costly. To avoid high fees, consider adding a temporary international plan through your carrier or rely on messaging apps such as WhatsApp. You can also keep your phone on airplane mode and connect to Wi-Fi networks when available to access the internet.

Telephones

• Pay phones are still available in the U.S., though they are rare since the advent of mobile phones. There are less than 100,000 pay phones throughout the U.S. and each typically costs 50 cents for a local call. 

• Most accommodations, whether hotels, motels or bed-and-breakfasts, have telephones in guest rooms but often charge a fee for use, regardless of if the call is local, long distance or toll free.

Prepaid Calling Cards

• You can also purchase a prepaid calling card which allows you to make long-distance telephone calls for a flat fee. They can be used at pay phones or hotel phones to help manage costs.  

Emergency Calls

• All emergency calls are free of charge at pay phones and hotel phones. Emergency calls include 911 calls to police and calls made to Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) — a service that enables people with hearing or speech disabilities to communicate with standard telephone users. Toll-free calls including those billed to calling cards or credit cards also do not require coins at pay phones. 

Postal Service

Travelers who would like to send a postcard or gifts from their trip have plenty of options. The U.S. government operates the United States Postal Service (USPS) which is likely the most affordable option for sending mail. You can buy stamps in person at any post office or retailer such as a grocery store or pharmacy or online at usps.com or Amazon.com. You may send letters via a mailbox or at the post office.

You can also ship items using the following three services: 

• DHL
• FedEx
• United Parcel Service (UPS)

Internet Service

Wi-Fi is readily available throughout the United States. Free Wi-Fi is available at many coffee shops, restaurants and public libraries. 

Many lodging options offer Wi-Fi for laptops, tablets and smartphones. Luxury hotels often charge for the service while less expensive ones often offer it for free. Some hotels only offer Wi-Fi access in their lobbies or provide computers there for guest use. If free Wi-Fi access is important to you, check the hotel’s offerings before making a reservation. 

Wi-Fi usually is available on trains, buses and airplanes. On U.S. domestic flights, passengers are allowed to use their computers, tablets, reading devices and smartphones as long as they are set to airplane mode. Check your transportation provider’s website in advance of traveling to see if Wi-Fi is provided and if there is an access fee. 

Business Hours

Business hours vary greatly throughout Atlanta. It is always helpful to check operating hours by calling the particular business in advance. 

Listed below are general business hours in the city:

• Banks
  • Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 
  • Friday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9 a.m.-noon
  • Sunday: closed
  • ATM open 24 hours 

• Post Offices
  • Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 
  • Saturday: 9 a.m.-noon 
  • Sunday: closed

• Shopping Malls
  • Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 
  • Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.  

• Supermarkets
  • Daily: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. 
  • Some open 24 hours 

• Convenience Stores
  • Open: 24 hours or until midnight; sells food, drinks, toiletries and other necessities 

• Beauty Salons
  • Tuesday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 
  • Sunday-Monday: usually closed  

• Bars
  • Daily: 5 p.m.-2 a.m., depending on location