Lindbergh Center MARTA station (Atlanta, Marietta: coupons, how much, costs)

[cgufl]

I am relocating from the New York metro area to Atlana. My new employer is in northwest Atlanta (close to Marietta, right off I-285) and for the next one year or so I will fly frequently from Atlanta to New York on Frdiay afternoons and return the following Tuesday morning. I am looking at the possibility of driving to the Lindbergh Center MARTA station, park in the long-term parking (the Sidney Marcus parking deck, believe, for $8 a day), and ride MARTA to the airport. Could some please share your opinion/experience About?

1. How does this option compare with driving directly from my office (24.4 miles from the ATL airport), along I-285, directly to the airport, parking offsite and then take a ride to the terminal. Does the park-and-ride MARTA option save time (door-to-door)?

2. How long does it to park the car at the long-term parking and walk to the Lindbergh Center MARTA station? is it safe?

3. is it easy to find a spot in the long-term parking for those time of the week?

Really appreciate any input on these!!!

[cqholt]

Long-term parking at MARTA is cheaper than Airport parking. Taking MARTA to the Airport is the best option since the station is in the terminal. I would suggest parking at Dunwoody since the long-term parking rates are lower there than Lindbergh Center. Both garages are safe, patrolled by MARTA police and are located adjacent to the stations.

[cgufl]

Thank you cqholt! The problem with Dunwoody station is that it only has red line while lindbergh center station has both red and gold lines which means a shorter wait time.

The Lindbergh Center long-term parking garage seems to be the furthest of the three parking garages at the station. Does anyone know how long is the walk from the station? Also, is it usually packed or can I usually find a long-term parking spot easily? thanks much!

[ATLTJL]

I can't help you with how exactly to use the Lindbergh MARTA station, but I think you're doing the right thing looking into it.

Afternoon traffic in Atlanta is pretty bad, but Friday is ALWAYS the absolute worst day! Depending on what time you leave, driving to the airport may not be that big of a deal if you can get there by 2:30pm or so, but I wouldn't even attempt it after 3p. I've never gone on 285 at that time, but the connector southbound is a parking lot starting at about 3:30p on Friday, so I assume 285 is as bad or pretty close.

I do have to agree that I think your best bet is to catch the train at Dunwoody. You're right, you only have one line to choose from instead of two, but I think you'll find that any additional wait time is going to be shorter than trying to make your way to Lindbergh from Marietta.

[fzx]

I would suggest you driving directly to the airport, park one of the off campus parking areas (some runs as low as 6-7/day with coupons) and takes a shuttle to the airport. On Friday, the only traffic is around downtown area and I usually budget approx. 30min to pass through it. For Tuesday mornings, depending on how early, you may also runs into traffic and may take one hour (I am not sure). If you count in 45min commute on Marta and then driving to either Lindberg/Downwoody, you might end up spending the same time but more of trouble.

[cgufl]

Thanks much for all the help. I will try both the Dunwoody and Lindburgh stations as well as driving to the airport.

[SmartaMarta]

What would really be cool is more Park/Ride lots that take you directly to the airport, or directly to the closest station, with few (if any) stops. The Cumberland area would be a great place to start. I think that's why most plans call for a transportation hub in that area.

[StAubin]

Originally Posted by cgufl

Thanks much for all the help. I will try both the Dunwoody and Lindburgh stations as well as driving to the airport.

Good Idea. Its best to try the different options that way you can find the one that suits you best.

[seizzerz]

I would have changed my job..I would better go to countryside farming

[cgufl]

I have been using the Park&Ride are Lindbergh Center station for a while. Parking costs $8 a day, and spaces are plentiful. It takes about 5min to park the car and walk to the platform, and the wait time for the train is typically 2-3 minutes (both to and from the airport). Ride to (and from) the airport is 30min, and you are literally right inside the terminal. There are always plenty of seats on the train. My door-to-door time from office to the airport terminal is about 65 min.

The upside is the reliability, predictability, and low stress (you can chill out on the train rather than on the highway). For Friday afternoons, I think this option probably beats the drive-and-park-off-airport option.

The downside is that upon returning to the airport on Tuesday mornings, my door-to-door time back to my office is also 65 min, which is probably longer than the driving option.

Anyone has a good sense of how long it takes to drive and park off the airport on Friday afternoons (6pm flight) and Tuesday mornings (arrival at ATL airport at 8:30am) and how much it costs? my office location is close to

5640 New Northside Drive Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30328

thanks