South - MARTA from ATL to Downtown Hotel- thoughts

I have to travel to ATL to visit a frugal client and would like to impress them a bit if possible and use MARTA (sorry not to be Green or save time), as the rest of the charges will not be so inexpensive.

I will have 1 roll aboard, and a briefcase which will have a laptop and other valuables. I have no concerns about public transit and use it all over the world, when appropriate and safe. I grew up riding the NYC subway when Koch was mayor and that system was not great.

Does anyone here have any thoughts on using MARTA during the business day in this fashion with bags and walking to the Marriott (Spring St) to meet them?

I have to travel to ATL to visit a frugal client and would like to impress them a bit if possible and use MARTA (sorry not to be Green or save time), as the rest of the charges will not be so inexpensive.

I will have 1 roll aboard, and a briefcase which will have a laptop and other valuables. I have no concerns about public transit and use it all over the world, when appropriate and safe. I grew up riding the NYC subway when Koch was mayor and that system was not great.

Does anyone here have any thoughts on using MARTA during the business day in this fashion with bags and walking to the Marriott (Spring St) to meet them?

I did Five Points (I think near Spring St.) to ATL last friday at midday.

MARTA was pretty empty, so my bags were not in the way. Dealing with escalators and the gates was manageable. And Atlanta sidewalks are managable with rolling luggage.

It can be a little tough for the novice on Marta to know just where you are when you exit, however. And, unfortunately, if you look lost, one of the local panhandlers will offer you "help" and a "tour" of Atlanta. They are somewhat aggressive and plentiful. And I hate feeling like I am best off not making eye contact with another human being and ignoring their existence, but at times it is pretty rough.

During the day, you should be fine. Are going to be in town for a few days? How do you plan to get around in the evenings? (if you are staying that long)

I have used public transport all over the world and honestly, the one I feel most nervous about it the one in my own city. When I used to live pretty close to one of the MARTA stations on the north side of town, I would take it to the airport and I always sat with my bags right in front of me, hands on them all of the time. If people start begging you for money just ignore them or tell them you don't have anything.

And yes, MARTA can be really empty at times. It's not a heavily used thing in Atlanta but there are certain stations that are really full of people at some times. People getting on and off, yelling in the train and in the station. It always made me nervous as a female carrying a bunch of somewhat valuable things.

I have used MARTA a dozen times both at mid-day and at rush hour and have never had or seen an incident. The usual inner city precautions apply, no better, no worse.

I have used public transport all over the world and honestly, the one I feel most nervous about it the one in my own city.

Ditto. I live here and never use MARTA. My first few experiences were enough to keep me away; however I do have friends that utilize it regularly without problems.

We live 10 minutes from the end of the North Line, North Springs. It is the only way we have gone to the airport in 11 years. It is $1.75 one way.
It takes about an hour, but it takes you right into the Airport. Never have had a problem. Only drawbacks are no bathroom on train, and if you get in after 10PM, it is either no service or very little service. I always try to get in before 7PM. Gives me plenty of time for baggage and not running.
There are two trains one is North Springs, the other is the Doraville. If you need East-West lines, you change at Five Points.
If you get on the wrong train, you can switch at Linbergh Station, not a problem. The other riders will tell you if you are mixed up on which train or ask MARTA personnel, never had a problem. The Airport is the end of the south line.^:-::-: