ccolor

I've read all over the MARTA site and even sent them an e-mail with my request for help but unfortunately they sent me right back to the website - so much for their customer service. Anyway, I could really use step by step instructions for using MARTA. We're going from the airport to the Avondale station and back but I don't know anything about purchasing either plastic or paper, how to do the transfer at Five Points, nothin' folks, nothin'!
It would really be good for me if I can pull this off with as little hassle as possible since DH has major misgivings about the whole thing while I'm, "Meh...it'll be a piece of cake".

Thanks, everybody.

starrs

Okay. I'll give it a shot. Hopefully someone else will sign on too.

MARTA is really easy. There are really only two lines/routes - north/south and east/west. Well, the line splits at the north, but you don't have to worry about that.

So, when you arrive in the airport, head toward baggage claim and find the MARTA station which is right there (just before the exit doors) across from baggage claim.

http://www.itsmarta.com/fares-passes.aspx#ridestore

There's a ride store in that MARTA station and should have real people to ask if you need to. Otherwise, just use a machine to buy a BreezeCard or a BreezeTicket with cash or debit/credit card. The system used to use tokens but they've changed to BreezeCards. The fare is $2 for each of you per ride (transfers available but you won't need them). If you are only riding back and forth to the airport, it would make sense to buy the BreezeTicket for each trip, rather than loading up a BreezeCard.

http://www.breezecard.com/htm/ticket_card.html
http://www.breezecard.com/htm/how_breeze_works.html
There's a video on the home page showing the "Tap and Go" with the Breeze card. http://www.breezecard.com/index.html
So, if you've bought a Metro card in NYC, etc. this sould be "Meh...a piece of cake".

Get on the train. It's only going in one direction = north.

Get off at the Five Points station. That's where the two lines cross. Follow the signs to get on the Blue line going east. (You should probably call Enterprise here if you get cell reception).

Here's a map showing the (limited) routes of MARTA
http://www.itsmarta.com/rail-schedules-or-route.aspx

Get off at the Avondale Station -
http://www.itsmarta.com/ew-avo-overview.aspx

If you are hungry, there's a really good pizza place a 1/2 mile away - Fellini's pizza at 333 Commerce Street.
http://www.fellinisatlanta.com/

I thought about you last weekend as I was leaving a party and driving past the Avondale station.

The original Waffle House (now a museum) if not far away either. I've not been but I just saw that they are open for free to the public this weekend -
http://www.wafflehouse.com/welcome/w...tory/wh-museum

Avondale Estates is the first planned city in the SE. It was created in the 20s inspired by a trip to Stratford-on-Avon. It's a lovely place to live.

If you are hungry, there are other places in and around Avondale Estates and Decatur we can recommend. Decatur's downtown is delightful - lots of restaurants and interesting shop arranged around the small town courthouse square.

Brian_in_Charlotte

Agree with the above, it's very easy. To the above I'll add that the MARTA station is at one of the ends of the long terminal. When you come up the big escalators after riding the underground train from your gate, you can go left or right and then continue walking in the same direction that you were facing on the the escalators (i.e. you don't actually enter the bagage claim areas). As mentioned above, the MARTA station is right before you get to the exit doors.

At 5 points, to get to the train line to Avondale, you'll need to either go up or down one level, but it should be easy to identify. Just follow the crowd up or down (the tracks are right on top of each other).

Brian_in_Charlotte

Oh, forgot that you need to make sure to follow the signs for Eastbound at 5-Points.

ccolor

Awww, you people are the best! Thanks so much for the fantastic directions - even I should be able to get through this one with all the help you gave me. I've used cut and paste for my cheat sheet - do you think the locals will have us pegged as tourists?!?

starrs - I'll wave at you on the 28th when we get to Avondale *wink*!

starrs

I'll wave back.

Are you staying in the area for a while or headed out somewhere? There are some good/unique places to eat nearby if you plan to eat lunch before heading on your way. Let us know if you need/want suggestions/directions.

ccolor

One more query - should we just purchase tickets once, at the airport, for both trips in and out or plan on getting the return ticket at Avondale?

Lordy - I'm sure this will be so much easier than I'm making it, but I'll certainly be glad when it's done!

ccolor

Starrs - looks like we posted at about the same time. We're visiting DD and brand new addition to her family - The cutest grandson ever will be a month old while we're there. We always stay at an "ok" hotel off of Church Street and I found Kroger around the corner so our oh, so tasty beverages will be on hand in the evenings for our relaxation. All day with a five person family is a lot for old folks used to cats being the only noise in the house......

starrs

ccolor, if you are going to be where I think you are...why not get off in Decatur and walk to the hotel? Have them bring the car to hotel. I think I can guess which hotel you're going to be at. Since DD lives there, you probably already know this but the cemetary next to the Kroger is a GREAT place to walk. Every afternoon there are walkers, runners, babies in strollers, lots of pups, etc. getting their exercise and enjoying the sunshine. Some famous folks are there too.

You may already know about Leon's Full Service on the corner, but if you don't it has good food and great frittes with all kinds of interesting sauces. A lot of other nice restaurants on the square.

Really, if my guess is right I'd just get off in Decatur and walk the 3-4 blocks to the hotel (less than .5 mile) instead of waiting for a pickup at the MARTA station. Have them bring the car to you at the hotel.

My unsolicited .02

starrs

Oh, about your question. You'll need 2 tickets each at $2 each. I think a BreezeCard is $1 to buy it and $5 is the minimum purchase. So, the BreezeTicket would be all you need (and you can buy it at the station)... BUT the website said it may be harder to "tap and go" with the ticket vs the card. So, since you'll probably be back again and using it again, I'd just buy a BreezeCard for each of you and use it on your trip. You may go home with $1 on it (each) but then again you could use it to get around Atlanta while you are here - or when you come back.

starrs

Hey ccolor,
I was thinking about you today as I was driving through the state. We are having GORGEOUS weather, although there may be rain this weekend. Not sure how long you are here, but something you may enjoy doing with your DD and GS -
http://www.preserveatlanta.com/walkingtours.htm

Low-key tours of neighborhoods in the city, most near where you are going to be. You could drive or take MARTA and stroll with the stroller - and it's the kind of thing you could just walk away and leave if the baby is fussy. $10/ adult given by the preservation center.

Another idea in Decatur - enjoy an afternoon tea, but in a relaxed atmosphere where a baby would be welcomed -
http://www.watershedrestaurant.com/
A southern twist on the afternoon tea for $15/person. I did this a few weeks ago and it was wonderful. We had an Atlanta GTG at this restaurant last year and it's a great space - bright, casual, friendly vibe. Chef Scott Peacock isn't there any more and there have been some mixed reviews, but it's been very good when I've been there.

Another idea - Mary Mac's Tea Room - but for lunch (or dinner). Good southern cooking in an Atlanta institution.
http://www.marymacs.com/

Oh, yeah. Krispy Kreme would be on your way back to Decatur

http://www.krispykreme.com/about-us/history

My parents stopped by there on dates after leaving the Fox Theater - and before walking back to the street car at Five Points. Mom recently told me she was scandalized when a dozen of glazed donuts went up to 35 cents from a quarter

Enjoy your visit with your new grandson. We're having a gorgeous spring in Atlanta - even though there's yellow "snow" everywhere