ARRIVING & DEPARTING

By Air Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport (tel. 404/530-6600), off I-85 and I-285, 13 miles south of downtown, is now one of the biggest and busiest airports in the country. CARRIERS In the U.S. Airlines serving Atlanta include Air South (tel. 800/247-7688); America West (tel. 800/235-9292); American (tel. 800/433-7300); Continental (tel. 800/525-0280); Delta (tel. 800/221-1212); Markair (tel. 800/627-5247); Midwest Express (tel. 800/452-2022); National (tel. 800/949-9400); Northwest (tel. 800/225-2525); TWA (tel. 800/221-2000); United (tel. 800/241-6522); USAir (tel. 800/428-4322); and ValuJet (tel. 800/825-8538). From the U.K. Major airlines serving Atlanta from the U.K. include American (tel. 0345/789-789); British Airways (tel. 020/8897-4000 or 0345/222-111 outside London); Continental (tel. 0800/776-464); Delta (tel. 0800/414-767); and TWA (tel. 0800/222-222). BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND TOWN By Shuttle Atlanta Airport Shuttle (tel. 404/766-5312) operates vans every half hour between 7 AM and 11 PM daily. The downtown trip ($8 one-way, $14 round-trip) takes about 20 minutes and stops at major hotels. Vans also go to Emory University and the Lenox area ($12 one-way, $20 round-trip). By Taxi Between the airport and downtown, the taxi fare is $25 for one person, $26 for two, and $30 for three or more, including tax. From the airport to Buckhead, the fare is $35 for one, and $36 for two and $39 for three or more. With a reasonable advance reservation, Carey-Executive Limousine (tel. 404/223-2000) normally can provide 24-hour service. Checker Cab (tel. 404/351-1111) and Buckhead Safety Cab (tel. 404/233-1152) offer 24-hour service. By Train If your luggage is light, take MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, tel. 404/848-4711) high-speed trains between the airport and downtown and other locations. Trains operate 5:30 AM-1:17 AM (weekdays) and 5:30 AM-1:30 AM (weekends). The trip from the airport to the Five Points station takes about 15 minutes, and the fare is $1.50.

By Bus Greyhound Bus Lines (232 Forsyth St., tel. 404/584-1728 or 800/231-2222) provides transport to downtown Atlanta from around the nation.

By Car The city is encircled by I-285. Three interstates--I-85, running northeast-southwest from Virginia to Alabama; I-75, north-south from Michigan to Florida; and I-20, east-west from South Carolina to Texas--also crisscross Atlanta.

By Train Amtrak Crescent (tel. 404/881-3060 or 800/872-7245) operates daily to Atlanta from New York; Philadelphia; Washington, DC; Baltimore; Charlotte; and Greenville, arriving at Atlanta's Brookwood Station (1688 Peachtree St.). It also travels four days a week (Sat., Sun., Mon., Thurs.) between New Orleans and Atlanta.

GETTING AROUND

By Car Some refer to Atlanta as the Los Angeles of the South, because travel by car is virtually the only way to get to most parts of the city. Although the congestion isn't comparable to L.A.'s yet, Atlantans have grown accustomed to frequent delays at rush hour. Beware: The South as a whole may be laid back, but Atlanta drivers are not; they tend to drive faster than drivers in other Southern cities. Visiting drivers should be vigilant. REQUIREMENTS In the United States you must be 21 to rent a car; rates may be higher if you're under 25. You'll pay extra for child seats (about $3 per day), compulsory for children under three, and for additional drivers (about $2 per day). To pick up your reserved car you will need the reservation voucher, a passport, a driver's license, and a travel policy that covers each driver. CAR RENTAL The major car-rental companies represented in Atlanta are Alamo (tel. 800/327-9633 or 0800/272-2000 in the U.K.); Avis (tel. 800/331-1212 or 800/879-2847 in Canada); Budget (tel. 800/527-0700 or 0800/181181 in the U.K.); Dollar (tel. 800/800-4000 or 0990/565656 in the U.K., where it is known as Eurodollar); Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131, 800/263-0600 in Canada, or 0345/555888 in the U.K.); and National InterRent (tel. 800/227-7368 or 01345/222525 in the U.K., where National is known as Europcar InterRent). RULES OF THE ROAD Drive on the right in the United States. The speed limit is usually 30 mph (50 kph) on urban roads, and 55 mph (90 kph) or 65 mph (105 kph) on highways. Distances are always measured in miles. Georgia requires seat-belt use by passengers in the front seat and by all children regardless of where they're sitting; children under age 3 must ride in child-safety seats. At traffic lights, it's legal to make a right turn even when the light is red, provided you first make a full stop and no traffic is coming. Signs indicate when such a turn is not permitted. If in doubt, wait until the light turns green to make a right turn. At four-way intersections controlled by red stop signs, it's first-come first-go; when in doubt, yield to the right. Gas stations are open late or 24 hours. Many are self-service, meaning that you have to pump the gas yourself. The price of gas (petrol) in the United States is far cheaper than in almost any other country; expect to pay about $1.30 a gallon. The U.S. gallon is slightly smaller than the Imperial gallon. Approximately four liters equals a gallon.

By Mass Transit BUS The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA; tel. 404/848-4711), with a fleet of 667 buses, operates 150 routes covering 1,500 miles. The fare is $1.50, and exact change is required. Weekly and monthly TransCards, giving you a slight ride discount, are available. Outside the perimeter set by I-285, except for a few important areas of Clayton, DeKalb, and Fulton counties, service is very limited. SUBWAY MARTA's clean and safe rapid-rail subway trains have somewhat limited routes, but do link downtown with many major landmarks. The rail system's two main lines cross at the Five Points Station downtown, where TransCards and information on public transportation are available at the Ride Store, open weekdays 7-7 and Saturday 8:30-5. Other Ride Store locations are at the airport, the headquarters building by the Lindbergh Station, and the Lenox Station. Trains run 5:30 AM-1:17 AM, and large parking lots (free) are at most stations beyond downtown. Tokens, which cost $1.50 each, are required to enter the stations, and can be bought from machines outside the station entrance or at the Ride Store. Free transfers, needed for some bus routes, are available by pressing a button on the subway turnstile or requesting one from the bus driver.

By Taxi Taxi service in Atlanta can be a mixed experience. All too often, drivers do not have correct change even for a small bill, so be prepared either to charge your fare (many accept credit cards) or insist that the driver obtain change. Frequently, too, drivers appear as befuddled as visitors by Atlanta's notoriously winding and hilly streets, so if your destination is something other than a major hotel or popular sight, come armed with directions. Taxi fares start at $1.60 for the first mile and 20 cents for each additional 1/7 mile; 50 cents per extra passenger and $12 per hour waiting time. Each additional person is charged another $1. Within the Downtown Convention Zone a flat rate of $5 for one person or $1 for each additional passenger will be charged for any destination. If you have any trouble with or have left an article in a taxi governed by the City of Atlanta (their four-digit number starts 0001), call 404/658-7600, provide the number of the cab, the name of the company, the date and time, and the name of the driver. Checker Cab (tel. 404/351-1111) and Buckhead Safety Cab (tel. 404/233-1152) offer 24-hour service.