How to Visit the Georgia Aquarium on a Budget Using Points and Miles
Planning a trip to the Georgia Aquarium can feel expensive once you add up flights, hotels, tickets, and transportation, especially if you’re traveling as a family. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
This guide breaks down how to visit the Georgia Aquarium on a budget by using points and miles, focusing on the biggest costs: getting to Atlanta and staying nearby. I’ll walk you through booking award flights, choosing walkable hotels you can reserve with points, and planning a trip that keeps both costs and stress low.
Some links and maps in this post are affiliate tools from partners like Stay22. I may earn a commission if you book through them, which helps support this site at no extra cost to you.
This guide lives inside my Trip Planning & Redemptions series, where I share practical ways to plan smoother family travel days. You can explore all of our aquarium posts in the Aquarium Travel hub once you finish this guide.
Before You Dive In: Who This Guide Is For
This post is written primarily for travelers who use points and miles (or want to) to offset major trip expenses like flights and hotels.
This guide is best for:
- Families traveling to Atlanta from out of state
- Travelers using airline miles or hotel points
- Readers planning an overnight or multi-day trip centered around the Georgia Aquarium
If you’re brand new to points and miles, you may want to start here first:
- How to Use Credit Card Points for Travel: A Beginner’s Guide to Flexible Rewards
- How Smart Travelers Turn Everyday Spending Into Real Trips
You can still read on without that background, but those posts explain how people earn the points used throughout this guide.
Why the Georgia Aquarium Is Worth Building a Trip Around
Located in downtown Atlanta, the Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world and an easy anchor for a short family getaway. For my family, the standout feature is Ocean Voyager, one of the world’s largest aquatic exhibits, where a whale shark swam right over our heads.
What makes it especially appealing for families is its location. You can stay nearby, walk to multiple attractions, and avoid renting a car entirely, which matters when you’re trying to keep costs predictable.
Georgia Aquarium ticket prices
Ticket prices vary depending on date and demand, but here are the main options you will see:
- Anytime General Admission: The most flexible option and usually the most expensive at (currently) $67.99 per person
- Plan-Ahead Admission: Discounted tickets if you choose a specific date Starting at $43.99 per person
- Aqua Pass: Get unlimited visits for 2026 for the price of one general admission: $67.99
If you are visiting multiple Atlanta attractions, a CityPASS can reduce overall costs:
Visit the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and Zoo Atlanta plus two more attractions for a discount. Choose between the following other Atlanta Attractions:
- Fernbank Museum of Natural History
- College Football Hall of Fame
- National Center for Civil and Human Rights
Tickets are usually the one part of this trip you will pay for in cash. The real savings come from using points and miles for flights and hotels.
Aquarium Food Choices: Check out the Coastline Cafe menu before you go to decide if you want to plan to eat here or elsewhere.
How to Get to Atlanta Using Points and Miles
Most visitors fly into Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), about 12 miles from downtown.
To get to the downtown area, you have the following options:
- Rent a car
- Get a rideshare
- Take the MARTA train Red or Gold line toward downtown stations
Atlanta is one of the easiest cities in the U.S. to reach using points and miles. It is a major airline hub, which means more nonstop routes, more competition, and often better award availability than smaller airports.
All award examples below are one-way rates and meant to show what is possible, not guaranteed. Award pricing changes frequently and depends on your dates and flexibility.
Delta Award Flights to Atlanta
Delta is Atlanta’s primary hub, which makes it one of the most reliable options for booking award flights to ATL. You can book Delta flights using:
- Delta SkyMiles
- American Express Membership Rewards transferred to Delta (note the excise tax fee for transfers)
- Miles earned from Delta co-branded American Express cards
Nonstop Delta flights to Atlanta are widely available from cities across the country, including major East Coast, Midwest, Mountain, and West Coast airports. This makes Delta especially helpful if you are flying from a smaller airport and want predictable routing.
Examples of Delta award pricing I have found:
- New York City (JFK) to ATL from around 11,000 SkyMiles
- Houston (HOU) to ATL from around 10,000 SkyMiles
- Denver (DEN) to ATL from around 11,500 SkyMiles
- San Francisco (SFO) to ATL from around 17,500 SkyMiles
If your dates are flexible, Delta’s monthly price calendar can help you spot lower-mileage days. This flexibility matters even more when traveling as a family.
If you travel with a companion regularly, understanding how Delta’s benefits work can help stretch value further. I break that down in How Does the Delta Companion Pass Work?
Southwest Award Flights to Atlanta
Southwest is another strong option for families flying to Atlanta, particularly if you value flexibility.
You can book Southwest flights using:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards points
- Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt points transferred to Southwest
- Miles earned from Southwest co-branded Chase cards
Examples of Southwest award pricing I have seen on direct flights:
- Washington, D.C. (DCA) to ATL from around 9,500 points
- Nashville (BNA) to ATL from around 8,300 points
- Phoenix (PHX) to ATL from around 17,000 points
Southwest’s Low Fare Calendar is especially useful if your travel dates are flexible, since award prices directly track cash fares.
Other ways to get to Atlanta on Points and Miles
JetBlue Award Flights to Atlanta
JetBlue is worth checking if you live on the East Coast or near one of its focus cities.
You can book JetBlue flights using:
- JetBlue TrueBlue points
- Transfers from American Express, Chase, or Citi
JetBlue offers nonstop flights to Atlanta from cities like Boston and New York, with connecting options from other regions. While JetBlue does not always offer the lowest award rates, it can be a comfortable option for families, especially on longer flights.
American Airlines Award Flights to Atlanta
You can book American Airlines flights using:
- AAvantage points
- Citi ThankYou points transferred to American Airlines
- Miles earned from AAdvantage co-branded cards
American Airlines operates nonstop flights to ATL from cities such as:
- Charlotte
- Washington, D.C.
- Philadelphia
- Los Angeles
I have frequently seen one-way award pricing under 10,000 miles on some of these routes, which can make American a strong option if it works from your home airport.
Alaska Airlines Award Flights to Atlanta
Alaska Airlines is often overlooked for trips to Atlanta, but it can be a great value in certain situations.
You can book Alaska flights using:
- Alaska Mileage Plan miles
- Bilt Rewards points transferred to Alaska
Alaska offers nonstop flights to ATL from select cities, including parts of the East Coast and West Coast. I have seen award pricing as low as 4,500 miles one way from some East Coast routes, with higher but still reasonable pricing from cities like Seattle and San Diego.
Choosing the Best Airline for Your Trip
There is no single “best” airline for visiting the Georgia Aquarium using points and miles. The right option depends on:
- Your home airport
- Which points you already have
- How flexible your travel dates are
If you are traveling with kids, nonstop routes and flexible change policies often matter more than squeezing out the absolute lowest mileage cost.
Where to Stay Near the Georgia Aquarium Using Points
Staying within walking distance of the Georgia Aquarium is one of the easiest ways to keep this trip affordable and low stress, especially when traveling with kids. Downtown Atlanta has several solid hotels you can book with points, which means you can skip a rental car and avoid daily transportation costs.
Points prices below are based on real searches for standard rooms and give you a realistic range, not a guaranteed rate. Award pricing changes by date, season, and availability, so always double-check your specific travel dates before booking.
Affiliate note: Some links and maps in this section are affiliate tools from partners like Stay22. I may earn a commission if you book through them, which helps support this site at no extra cost to you.
If you’re working with a mix of points across programs, Stack Smart: No-Fee Cards + Portals = Transferable Travel Points explains how families earn flexible points that work well for hotel stays like these.
Find Walkable Hotels Near the Georgia Aquarium (Map View)
If location matters most to you, the map below makes it easy to see which hotels are truly walkable to the Georgia Aquarium and nearby attractions. You can compare cash rates and, in many cases, check reward-night availability before deciding where to stay.
Best Overall Value on Points: Hyatt Place Atlanta/Downtown
Hyatt Place Atlanta/Downtown is consistently one of the best value options for families using points. It’s an easy walk to the aquarium and includes free breakfast, which can add up quickly when traveling with kids.
Rooms are straightforward and comfortable, and the included breakfast makes mornings much easier before heading out. This is often my top recommendation if you want a balance of cost, location, and simplicity.
Why families like it
- Free breakfast
- Walkable location
- Low Hyatt award category
Typical points range: about 6,500 to 9,500 points per night
Hotel program: World of Hyatt
How to book with points: World of Hyatt points, Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers, or Bilt Rewards transfers
Walk time to the Georgia Aquarium: about 8 to 10 minutes
👉 Check availability and pricing for your dates here.
Closest Hotel on Points: Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Downtown
If proximity is your top priority, Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta Downtown is hard to beat. It is just a few minutes from the Georgia Aquarium and Centennial Olympic Park, which is especially helpful if you plan to take breaks during the day with kids.
This hotel typically costs more points than nearby Hyatt options, but many families find the convenience worth it.
Why families like it
- Very short walk to the aquarium
- On-site dining options
- Indoor and outdoor pools
Typical points range: about 43,000 to 70,000 points per night (Check out the Find the Best Price tool on Hilton’s website)
Hotel program: Hilton Honors
How to book with points: Hilton Honors points or American Express Membership Rewards transfers to Hilton
Walk time to the Georgia Aquarium: about 5 minutes
👉 Check points pricing on Hilton’s site here.
Luxury Hotel on Points: The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta
If you want to turn your aquarium trip into something extra special, The Ritz-Carlton Atlanta can be a strong luxury redemption. While it is a slightly longer walk, it is still manageable and works well if you plan to explore downtown on foot.
This option makes the most sense when cash rates are high and you want to maximize the value of your points.
Why families like it
- High-end service and amenities
- Ritz Kids program
- Strong value when using points instead of cash
Typical points range: about 44,000 to 76,000 points per night
Hotel program: Marriott Bonvoy
How to book with points: Marriott Bonvoy points, American Express or Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers to Marriott
Walk time to the Georgia Aquarium: about 15 to 16 minutes
👉 Check reward-night availability here.
Other close attractions In Atlanta
If you’re flying in or staying more than one night, these nearby attractions pair easily with a Georgia Aquarium visit and help make the trip feel more complete.
- World of Coca-Cola
- State Farm Arena home of the Atlanta Hawks and venue for live concerts
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC
- National Center for Civil and Human Rights
- Centennial Olympic Park complete with a 20 foot Ferris Wheel
- College Football Hall of Fame
- Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Packing It Up
Planning a Georgia Aquarium trip on a budget is much more realistic when you use points and miles for the biggest expenses. Flights and hotels usually make or break the cost of a family trip, and Atlanta is one of the easiest cities to tackle with points.
By staying within walking distance and using award flights strategically, you can keep costs predictable and focus on the experience instead of the logistics.
This same approach works for aquarium trips across the country, not just Atlanta.
Ready to Dive In?
With the right points strategy, visiting the Georgia Aquarium doesn’t have to feel like a splurge. Focus first on flights and hotels, use the points and miles you already have, and let the experience be the highlight, not the stress point.
Your Next Read
How to Visit Shedd Aquarium on Points & Miles (Flights + Hotels in Chicago)
Top Aquariums in the US: Our Family Favorites and Future Must Visits
How to Use Credit Card Points for Travel: A Beginner’s Guide to Flexible Rewards
