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Car hire in Atlanta – Discovering Georgia
Located on the beautiful Piedmont Plateau in the heart of northern Georgia, Atlanta is a vibrant city that has metamorphosed in recent years as one of America's most popular tourist destinations. Nowadays, travellers have countless reasons to visit, from local markets and award-winning eateries to large urban parks, bustling shopping centres, historic sites and a growing number of first-class museums and galleries.
Surrounded by rolling hills, thick forests and sparkling lakes, it is the city that has it all in one of the warmer parts of the USA where the summers are long and mild. Many people go to Atlanta to see its impressive cityscape and enjoy the striking architecture that exists all over the city, from the skyscrapers of Downtown and Midtown to the elegant houses and mansions of Buckhead and Highland Avenue.
Famous for its culture, cuisine and welcoming southern hospitality, Atlanta is also popular for its lush green spaces, walking/biking routes, its diverse community, thriving arts and music scenes and close connection to America's history and civil rights movement. It is also a magnet for the giants of industry with many of the globes largest companies being drawn to its bustling city centre, most notably Coca-Cola, CNN, UPS, Delta and AT&T.
First-time visitors are often overcome by the sheer abundance of the city's attractions and choose to begin their itinerary with a leisurely stroll through the Atlanta Botanical Garden, which tends to become a riot of colour in springtime. Families with young children normally head straight for the Georgia Aquarium, one of the world's largest with more than 100,000 aquatic creatures, including a number of whale sharks.
Besides all the attractions to be found in the city, there's a lot more to see and do with a car hire in Atlanta, such as a visit to the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains just 90 miles away. Other amazing day-trips from Atlanta include an excursion to Stone Mountain a short drive to the north-east of the city and a few fun-filled hours spent in Savannah, a city famous for its well-preserved historic centre.
Auto Europe offers high-quality car rental services in Atlanta and all other major cities in the USA. You can book online quickly and easily through our high-tech search engine or get in touch directly with our award-winning rental specialists for assistance.
With almost 70 years of experience providing the best car hire at the lowest prices worldwide, we currently offer more than 28,000 pick-up/drop-off locations in over 190 popular destinations around the world. Why not visit our Atlanta car hire reviews page to see the user ratings and comments posted by previous customers in the city.
For more information on renting a vehicle in Atlanta, click on the car hire related topics listed below:
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Where to pick up a car hire in Atlanta
The fact that we work with all the world's most important car hire companies means that Auto Europe is able to offers its customers the widest selection of pick-up locations in and around Atlanta. In addition to the many suppliers operating at Atlanta's two airports, several car rental offices are strategically located in central parts of the city in close proximity to many of the top tourist attractions. After making a quick search, you can use our interactive map to choose which location is best suited for your needs.
Atlanta Airport
The world’s busiest airport for two decades, Atlanta Airport serves a staggering 190 destinations in the USA and connects with another 80 major airports around the globe. Situated just 10 miles south of Atlanta, it is an important hub for Delta Air Lines and caters for around 75 million passengers each year. Domestic flights to and from Atlanta Airport (officially known as Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport) operated in one large building separated into the South Terminal (Delta and its partners) and North Terminal (all other airlines) which are connected by a central Atrium where passengers can take advantage of dozens of restaurants, bars, cafés and shops. The car rental facilities are located in the Car Rental Center (RCC) and is in operation 24 hours a day. The RCC can be reached from the airport terminal via the Sky Train.
Atlanta Airport (ATL)
Website: atl.com
Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320, USA
Telephone: +1 800 897 1910
Atlanta Dekalb Peachtree Airport
Located in the town of Chamblee just to the north of downtown Atlanta, Atlanta Dekalb Peachtree Airport is another major air transportation facility situated in the heart of Georgia, one of America's most picturesque states. Although shuttle flights operate from PDK to key destinations such as Cincinnati, Memphis and Destin, Dekalb Peachtree primarily serves as Atlanta's main business jet hub with three runways and three private terminals.
Atlanta Dekalb Peachtree Airport (PDK)
Website: pdkairport.com
Address: 2000 Airport Road, Atlanta GA 30341, USA
Telephone: +1 770 936 5440
Book with the best car hire suppliers in Atlanta
Auto Europe is a leading international car hire company currently offering a vast selection of convenient pick-up and drop-off locations in 190 different destinations around the world. Thanks to our many years of experience dealing with all the global and local car rental companies, we can offer you the best standard of service and cheapest prices on the market.
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Should you require additional information about the car hire companies we work with or their policies, for example out of office pick up or questions regarding age restrictions, our car rental specialists are just a phone call or e-mail away and happy to assist you.
Frequently asked questions about renting a car in Atlanta
This section features the most frequent questions asked by people booking a car hire in Atlanta. Scroll down for important tips relating to a wide range of essential car hire topics, such as credit cards, coverage, tolls, traffic and much more. If you need any more information, please contact our reservations team and they will be happy to help you with your reservation and assist you with your travel itinerary.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car in Atlanta?
Yes. To rent a car in Atlanta, drivers are normally expected to present a valid credit card when they arrive at the pick-up point to collect their vehicle. The reason for this is that the vast majority of rental car companies will need to place a hold on the value of the deductible for the vehicle they rent while driving in and around Atlanta, the amount of which is promptly switched back to the card as and when the car is dropped off undamaged. Please be aware that only a valid high-limit credit card in the name of the main driver and not a pe-paid or debit will be accepted. Take a look at our blog post for more information on why credit cards are so important for hiring a car and picking up your vehicle. Additionally, drivers booking a premium- or luxury-category car might possibly request an additional major credit card such as Visa, Mastercard, Diners or American Express, which must also be in the name of the primary driver.
It’s very easy to check which cards (and card types) will be accepted for your low-cost car rental in Atlanta. All you need to do is make a quick search in the our booking engine and click on the blue and white info icon (i) under the car details where all the necessary credit card information can be found. Please consult our related blog post for more information on credit card and deposit requirements when picking up a car hire in Atlanta and other parts of the USA.
What insurance do I need for my car rental in Atlanta?
Drivers booking a car hire in Atlanta can rest assured that that our excellent Zero Excess product comes as standard with all rentals in the city and includes VAT (value added tax), liability insurance, fire insurance, CDW (collision damage waiver) zero excess and theft protection (TP) zero excess. For total coverage on the roads of Georgia, it's always best to pay a little more for our popular Full Damage & Theft Protection policy which means that if the vehicle is damaged at all during your rental period, then you will not have to pay for anything. If the worst does happen and you need to make a claim, first you need to pay the local car rental supplier before claiming the amount back from Auto Europe. All the information you need regarding coverage for your cheap car rental in Atlanta can easily be found on the Auto Europe website simply by making a quick search in our booking engine. You only need to click on the blue and white info icon (i) and the info relevant to your search will pop up.
Sometimes a member of the local car hire staff might try to sell you their own insurance products on top of what you have already purchased from us. In general, these additional coverage policies are entirely optional and anything you buy directly from them will very probably turn out to be surplus to your requirements in Atlanta. Please consult our dedicated page to find out about all the key points to remember regarding car hire coverage, as well as our blog post offering an overview about all the different types of car hire coverage available.
How is the traffic in Atlanta?
Booking a car hire in Atlanta is definitely the easiest way to get around this true driver's city. It is also quite easy to get your bearings in Atlanta. Interstate 285, known to locals as the Perimeter, surrounds the city, dividing it into two parts: the centre and close suburbs, otherwise known as Inside the Perimeter or ITP, and the farther away suburbs, or the OTP (Outside the Perimeter). The main street, stretching from Buckhead to downtown, is Peachtree Street - but be careful not to confuse it with the other over 70 streets with "Peachtree" in their name! Many of the city's neighbourhoods are within a few miles of the main street.
There are three major motorways that meet in Atlanta, making it a great starting point for a road trip. The motorways are the I-20, and the I-75 and I-85 - the last two make up the Downtown Connector, a busy motorway segment that can become very congested during peak hours. Many great destinations can be reached with a car rental from Atlanta within only about a three-hour drive. If you would like to head to Georgia's coastline, you can reach Savannah within three and a half hours via the I-75 and I-16 E. Nashville, Tennessee, is also about a three-and-a-half-hour drive away when driving along the I-75 and I-24 W. Or in about three hours, you can drive via the I-75 N and get to Huntsville, Alabama. For more information on driving in the USA you may find useful, click here.
Where can I park my car hire in Atlanta?
Parking spaces and car parks in Atlanta, even in the centre, are plentiful, and you will usually be able to find even a free on-street parking space for your car hire. Most of the regulated parking spaces within the city are in the Central Business Disctrict, MidTown, or Buckhead. Take careful note of parking restrictions related to on-street parking, as parking, and when parking is payable, can be limited according to the time of day, specific days of the year, and the kind of zone you are in. Parking pay stations and single space parking meters control metered parking spaces, and payment can either be done using cash, or credit and debit cards at newer stations (though foreign cards may not be accepted). Parking in certain areas requires a special permit for residents, and spaces where the curb is painted yellow can never be parked in.
Do I need to pay tolls when driving my car hire in Atlanta?
Yes. Although there are no specific toll roads in Georgia, there are a few express lanes on the interstate highways where a toll is charged. For instance, the I-85 Express Lanes is a 15 mile corridor that connects Chamblee Tucker Road to Old Peachtree Road in Gwinnett County. Drivers with a Peach Pass account and transponder sticker on their vehicle can electronically pay tolls on Georgia Express Lanes. Georgia Express Lanes are Georgia’s optional toll lanes that run alongside existing interstates in and around Atlanta and the rest of the state. You must have a Peach Pass in order to access Georgia Express Lanes.
Do I need an international driving licence to hire a car in Atlanta?
Not generally, but an International Driver’s Licence (IDL) is strongly recommended (despite not being obligatory) if your driving licence isn't printed in the English language. However, an IDL is mandatory if your driving licence is not printed in the Roman alphabet (such as Japanese, Greek, Russian, Bulgarian, etc.), in which case it must be accompanied by your national driving licence.
Atlanta Travel Guide
Wealthy and very progressive, Atlanta has emerged in recent years as one of the USA's must-visit destinations. This 'City in the Forest' (as it is affectionately known by the local residents) is positively bursting with tourist appeal due to an abundance of attractions and natural features. Its dining scene is as innovative and creative as anywhere on the planet and for those who choose to rent a car in Atlanta, the list of possible day- and road-trips from the city is endless.
Best day trips with my car rental in Atlanta
Atlanta in the southern state of Georgia, is a fantastic place to visit, whether it is your final travel destination or the starting point of your American road-trip. Picking up a car rental in Atlanta allows you to tour this diverse city in its entirety before heading off to discover some of the many attractions in the city's outlying areas. For travellers looking to go even further, it is also possible to undertake a longer trip and return the car rental to another place with a one-way car hire. You can enjoy even more freedom and flexibility by sharing the driving with one of our regular Free Additional Driver offers.
Stone Mountain
Just 20 miles to the north-east of Atlanta lies Stone Mountain, a 863-foot-high granite outcrop popular for its cable-car that ascends to the summit for sweeping views of the Atlanta skyline not far in the distance. The park is also worth exploring where visitors can see a restored antebellum plantation and a museum with an interesting collection of Native American artifacts. A highlight for young kids is the petting zoo and dinosaur park featuring 20 life-size prehistoric creatures that come to life by moving around and roaring!
Savannah
One of the nearest cities to Atlanta is Savannah, a place that must be visited for its lovely Historic District which appears much as it would have looked at the time of the Civil War. The old part of Savannah is also alive with museums, galleries and other places of art and culture. Another part of the city worth exploring is Forsyth Park, an area of verdant parks and squares with lovely old trees offering welcome shade in the summer months.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
A pleasant 90-minute drive due north of Atlanta takes you to the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, one of the most popular visitor attractions in Georgia. Operating from early spring until late autumn, the route takes passengers on a 26-mile stretch of nostalgic railway track along the Toccoa River from Blue Ridge to the surrounding Appalachian Mountains. The lovely town of Blue Ridge itself has a wealth of notable attractions, including the excellent Blue Ridge Arts Center and the Fannin County Heritage Foundation.
Amicalola Falls State Park
A comfortable drive to the north of Atlanta is the enchanting Amicalola Falls State Park, the perfect place to escape from the city after a few days' busy sightseeing. The main feature here is the 729-foot cascading waterfall (Amicalola is Cherokee for 'tumbling waters'), along with the many activities that can be enjoyed in the park such as fishing for freshwater trout and relaxing with a quiet picnic near the base of the falls.
What to do in Atlanta
Atlanta consists of almost 250 different neighbourhoods, including three major districts featuring numerous skyscrapers, giving the city its distinctive shape. In addition to these urban landmarks, Atlanta is also known as a 'city in a forest' because over a third of it is covered with trees, the highest tree coverage percentage of any other major city in the USA. Here are a few suggestions to get you started on your Atlanta sightseeing itinerary;
- Atlanta Botanical Garden: Located in the heart of the city, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is an impressive horticultural attraction comprising over thirty acres of outdoor gardens. There are many interesting things to see in the garden, most notably the Children's Garden, Orchid Display House (located in the Fuqua Orchid Center), the wonderful Winter Garden, Japanese Garden, Conservation Garden and the Desert House.
- Atlanta History Center: Set in 33 acres of gardens, the amazing Atlanta History Center features a large permanent collection as well as a series of rotating exhibits devoted to the city's long and chequered past. The on-site Kenan Research Center features an extensive collection of resources and more than a dozen fascinating exhibits that help visitors delve deep into Atlanta's history, from the Civil War and the plight of the Native communities to the experience of Black citizenship at the time of the Jim Crow laws in the second half of the 19th century.
- Georgia Aquarium: Ranked as one of the biggest attractions of its kind in the world, the incredible Georgia Aquarium is home to a vast selection of aquatic animals, including whales, sharks and alligators. The aquarium operates a range of educational programmes for all ages, as well as extensive research and conservation efforts throughout the year. Visitors can take part in animal encounters, swims and dives, shows, presentations and a whole host of special seasonal activities and experiences.
- High Museum of Art: Designed by architect Richard Meier, this very striking white-coloured building located in the middle of Midtown is widely considered to be one of the best art museums in the southern states. It features a large permanent collection of over 18,000 exhibits (both contemporary and classic) from many top American, African and European artists. The museum holds numerous masterpieces, including Claude Monet’s Autumn of the Seine (1873), Argenteuil (a rare seascape by Frédéric Bazille) and Henri Matisse’s world-famous Woman Seated at the Piano.
- Martin Luther King Jr. Center: One of Atlanta's star attractions is the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park were visitors can learn all about the great man's history on a self-guided tour. Featuring his birth home as well as the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and Freedom Hall, this excellent memorial pays full homage to one of the most prominent leaders of the civil rights movement in the place where his body now rests alongside his wife in an elegant Georgia-marble crypt.