Georgia Tech Atlanta Budget Guide

Emergency Numbers: Police: 911 | Medical / Fire: 911 | Local Currency: USD (1 USD ≈ 1USD)

Map of Budget Spots

Cheap Beds & Emergency Accommodation

No budget hostels or emergency shelters found inside this district.

Cheap Groceries & Free Meals

Supermarket Discount Hours: Not common
Best Cheap Eats: Student Center food court options or nearby fast-casual chains on North Ave.

Discount Supermarkets

Supermarket	Best Budget Buys	Address (Google Maps)
Georgia Tech Market (Student Center)	Grab-and-go sandwiches, fruit, and snacks	350 Ferst Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30332

Free Meals & Food Banks

No free meal centers or food pantries located directly in this district.

Free Water & Public Restrooms

Free Drinking Water Points

Location	Address (Google Maps)	Where to Find It
Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons	266 Fourth St NW, Atlanta, GA 30332	Filtered water bottle refill stations located on every floor near elevators.

Free Public Toilets

Location	Address (Google Maps)	Hours & Notes
Price Gilbert Memorial Library	704 Cherry St NW, Atlanta, GA 30332	Publicly accessible restrooms on main floors, clean and well-maintained.

Free Wi-Fi, Workspaces & Showers

Places with Free Wi-Fi & Power Outlets

Place	Address (Google Maps)	Wi-Fi & Desk Details
Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons	266 Fourth St NW, Atlanta, GA 30332	Open 24/7 for students/public, abundant power sockets at study desks, Wi-Fi ‘GTother’.

Note: Public Wi-Fi here is unencrypted. If accessing bank or work portals, keep NordVPN on. Grab the student rate (via Student Beans verification), or lock in the 2-year plan to save the most.

Cheap Showers & Public Baths

Location	Cost	Address (Google Maps)	How to Use
Campus Recreation Center (CRC)	15 USD	750 Ferst Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30332	Day pass required for access to locker room showers; must show ID.

Getting Around Cheaply

Best Way to Move Around: Walking
Standard Fare: 2.5USD
Transit Scams to Avoid: None

SIM Cards & Internet

Best Budget Carrier: Tello / US Mobile / Mint Mobile
How to Keep Data Costs Low: Tello custom eSIM starting at $5/month (no data, 100 mins) or $6 (1GB) for bare-minimum line keeping.

Safety, Scams & Areas to Avoid

Common Local Scams

Scam	How to Avoid It
Panhandling	Politely decline and keep walking; do not engage in conversation.

Areas to Avoid at Night:

Areas immediately bordering the campus to the west/southwest late at night should be approached with caution.