Where to Stay Near Atlanta Airport

Plus Options Along the MARTA Line

By Mary Welch

Published August 13, 2025

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Your flight was delayed, and you missed your Atlanta connection. Extreme weather caused your flight to be canceled. You want to make sure you take the first plane out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, but you live a couple of hours away. 

Don’t fret. Well, you can fret, but it’s really not necessary. There are plenty of hotel rooms in Atlanta that, on a moment’s notice, will make your anxiety go away, promise a good night’s sleep and allow you to easily catch your flight the next day. We don’t want to go cliché and say something about lemons and lemonade, but if you have, shall we say, an “unscheduled” layover in Atlanta, the city’s hotels are here to help.

Near the Airport 

The most obvious choice is to book a hotel near the airport. There are dozens of them — at all price points — and the majority provide free shuttles from the airport. One of the closest to the airport — and Interstate 85, 75 and 285 if you’re driving — is the Westin Airport. Enjoy the signature Westin Heavenly Bed and,if you’re bringing your support animal, that’s fine. The hotel welcomes furry friends. 

Situated one ATL SkyTrain stop from the airport, the Springhill Suites Atlanta Airport Gateway is an ideal choice, offering a complimentary breakfast buffet.  

The Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel is two minutes from the airport on the free 24-hour ATL SkyTrain.  

With 214 guest rooms, the Kimpton Overland Hotel is perfect for an unexpected stay. Of course, considering the circumstances, you probably aren’t that interested in the fact that it has views of the Porsche Driving Experience. Maybe another time. 

Easy Ride from the Airport 

Of course, hundreds of other stressed passengers are also calling the airport hotels, so you may not succeed on the first try to get a room. Definitely, don’t give up and call your sister, saying your family needs to spend the night over — as my brother did recently. NO! There are other options. Plan B, shall we say. 

One of the many reasons why Atlantans love MARTA (Atlanta’s public transportation – in this case, the train specifically) is that it goes directly to the airport, leaving you just steps away from security checkpoints and baggage claim. The other good news is that you are also a few stops away from hotel rooms outside of the airport area.

Don’t be intimidated. It really is not complicated at all. Check out our guide to ride it like a local.

For our recommendations below, we chose hotels only on the Red Line because you don’t have to get off and transfer to the east-west line, where, of course, there are also a number of hotel options.  So we’re focusing on hotels that are a short walk from these MARTA stations: Peachtree Center, Civic Center, North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center and Buckhead.

Downtown

Peachtree Center Station  

The closest MARTA station with plenty of hotel rooms nearby is Peachtree Center in Downtown, which is about 11 miles from the airport and a 20-minute MARTA ride. There are two entrances — John Portman Boulevard and Peachtree Street, and two entrances at Forsyth and Peachtree streets. Get off at the Peachtree Center station and you have the choice of several hotels. 

The Hotel Indigo Atlanta Downtown is literally a few steps from the station’s escalator. Add a few more steps and you’re at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel and the American Hotel Atlanta Downtown, both on the west side of Peachtree Street.  

Across the street are the Hyatt Regency Atlanta (shown in photo), the Marriott Marquis and the Hilton Atlanta. 

Take the Forsyth entrance and you’ll be near the Ritz-Carlton Atlanta, the Candler Hotel and the Ellis Hotel. 

Civic Center Station 

The Civic Center station is next on the MARTA line and TWELVE Midtown is right at the top of the escalator. Hopefully, you’ll settle in and enjoy the chic one-bedroom, apartment-style suite. Around the corner is the W Atlanta Downtown. 

Check out the Ultimate Downtown Itinerary to know where to go and what to do while here.

Midtown 

North Avenue Station  

Midtown is the heart of Atlanta’s arts district, but at 11 p.m., after a delayed flight, trying to get a room, that is not really top of mind. Booking a room is, and you’re in luck if you get off at the North Avenue station. Up a block from the station on Peachtree Street are the Hotel Indigo Midtown, the historic Georgian Terrace and Element Atlanta Midtown.  

On the other side of the station is the Crowne Plaza Atlanta-Midtown, where, if you’re a resident of Georgia, Florida or Alabama, you can enjoy 20% off its best rates. 

Between the Midtown Station (10th Street) and Arts Center (16th Street) are a number of hotels within walking distance, such as the Loews Atlanta (shown in photo), Hilton Garden Inn Midtown, Starling, Hyatt Centric, Four Seasons, Epicurean, Embassy Suites, Canopy by Hilton Midtown and AC Midtown.  

If you have some time, don’t miss the opportunity to take a little walk to Piedmont Park, snap some pictures at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, walk and grab a bite on the Atlanta Beltline, check out the art scene at the High Museum of Art or SCAD FASH, and so much more. You will be steps from all these, and many more, Atlanta landmarks.

Midtown Station  

The closest to the Midtown station is the Home2 Suites by Hilton.  

Art Center Station  

Step out onto West Peachtree Street and you’ll find the Hotel Granada and Kimpton Shane (shown in photo) awaiting your arrival. 

Check out the Ultimate Midtown Itinerary to hit some spots while you are there.

Buckhead 

Buckhead Station 

There are two stops in the popular Buckhead area, but they are on two different lines — Red and Gold. If you are going for easy peasy in your quest for a Buckhead hotel room, stick with the Red Line.  

Within a short walk are the Embassy Suites Buckhead, the Grand Hyatt Atlanta, Hotel Colee, InterContinental Hotel, Spring Hill Suites by Marriott, The Westin Buckhead, the Wyndham Atlanta, Hilton Garden Inn and the Courtyard Atlanta Buckhead. 

Have some extra time? Take some fun landmarks off your list while in Buckhead.

Lenox Station 

To get to the Lenox Station, take the Gold line from the airport, but note that after 9 p.m., MARTA often single-tracks, meaning that passengers going to or from the airport to Lenox Station will have to board the Red line train and then might need to transfer to the Yellow Line at Lindberg Station.  

If you are willing to transfer, you will find great hotels at your disposal, including the JW Marriott, which is literally across the street from the station.  

On the other side of the station is the Hyatt Centric Buckhead Atlanta. Up the hill (about 2,400 feet, actually) are the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead (shown in photo), The Whitley, AC Hotel and Nobu. 

If there is time for a bit of shopping therapy, any of these hotels is perfect, leaving you within walking distance of Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza.

So when an unfortunate scenario throws a wrench into your travel plans, or when you have a nice layover in Atlanta, remember that it really isn’t all that bad. There are plenty of hotel rooms that are a quick and easy MARTA ride or hotel shuttle away, offering a great stay.  

So book a room, take MARTA, get a good glimpse of the City in the Forest and sleep in a comfortable room.

Food is always part of the experience in Atlanta, so consider making your hotel selection based on our Guide to Hotel Dining.

Have time for some more fun? Check out the 50 Fun Things to Do in Atlanta. Download the app and see how many you can cross off your list.

Mary Welch is an award-winning writer who has reported on the maturity off Atlanta’s culinary and hospitality scene as well as its growth as a sophisticated international city. Her byline has been seen in local and national outlets such as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Travelgirl, Global Atlanta, and American Lawyer covering topics such as travel, business, cars, law, hospitality and education. She co-authored a book with Chuck Leavell, the keyboardist for the Rolling Stones and a Georgia tree farmer, on the future of the American forest.