Helen is about 90 minutes northeast of Atlanta on US-19/GA-75 through the Blue Ridge foothills. There is no public transport to Helen; a car is essential. The nearest airports are Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and, for smaller aircraft, Gainesville Regional Airport (about 45 minutes south).
The mountain roads approaching Helen from Atlanta are scenic but can be slow in leaf-peeper season (October) when traffic backs up considerably. Allow extra time on autumn weekends.