Showers at Atlanta Airport: Where to Find Them and How to Use Them

If you are facing a long layover or arriving from a red-eye flight, it is natural to wonder: are there showers in Atlanta’s Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)? The short answer is yes—but they are not scattered openly throughout the terminals. Most showers are inside airport lounges or connected hotel facilities, with a few practical alternatives nearby.

This guide breaks down where you can shower at ATL, what it typically costs, and what to expect whether you are a local Atlantan flying out or a visitor passing through.

Quick Overview: Shower Options at Atlanta Airport

Here is a simple snapshot of the main ways to access showers at ATL:

For many travelers, lounge showers and hotel day rooms are the most realistic options.

Are There Public, Free Showers in ATL Terminals?

In most cases, no. Hartsfield‑Jackson does not typically offer freestanding public shower stalls in the general concourses the way some large international hubs do.

You will not generally find:

• Coin‑operated or pay‑per‑use shower rooms in the main restrooms
• Free public showers in domestic concourses
• City- or airport-run shower facilities inside the public (landside) area

If you need a shower inside ATL, you will almost always be using:

• An airline lounge
• An independent lounge
• A hotel connected to the airport

Airline Lounges With Showers at ATL

Several major airlines operating at ATL offer showers in their premium lounges, usually inside the secured area of specific concourses. Access rules depend on your ticket type, frequent flyer status, or a paid day pass.

While specific lounge policies and locations can change, here is how it generally works in Atlanta:

Who Can Use Airline Lounge Showers?

You may be able to access an airline lounge shower if:

• You are flying in business or first class on that airline or a qualifying partner
• You hold elite status in the airline’s frequent flyer program
• You have a same‑day ticket and purchase a lounge day pass, when allowed
• You access the lounge through an eligible credit card or membership program

It is always a good idea to check your airline’s Atlanta lounge page or call customer service before your trip, especially if you are planning your layover around a shower.

What to Expect Inside Airline Lounge Showers

Most airline lounge showers at ATL are designed for quick, practical use:

• Private shower suites, typically with locking doors
• Basic toiletries such as soap and shampoo, often supplied
• Towels usually provided
• Time limits during busy periods

Many travelers use these showers to freshen up during long connections, especially on international itineraries that route through Atlanta.

Independent Airport Lounges With Showers

In addition to airline-branded lounges, ATL often has independent lounges that may include shower facilities. These lounges are typically accessible by:

• Paying a single-visit fee or day pass
• Using select credit cards that include lounge access
• Holding a third‑party lounge membership

Some independent lounges at major U.S. airports provide showers, and Atlanta is generally similar—though exact facilities can vary by concourse and over time.

If you are not loyal to one airline or flying economy, an independent lounge can be your easiest path to a shower inside ATL.

Tips:

• 🕒 Check operating hours carefully—some lounges do not open early enough for first‑wave flights or may close before late‑night arrivals.
• 🚻 Ask at the front desk whether showers are available and if there is a waitlist.

Using Airport‑Adjacent Hotels for Showers

If you are okay leaving the secure area—or if you are starting/ending your trip in Atlanta—airport-area hotels can be an excellent way to get a real shower and some privacy.

Hartsfield‑Jackson is connected to several hotels by SkyTrain or short shuttle ride, and many offer:

• Day rooms (rooms rented for several hours rather than overnight)
• Early check‑in options for early arrivals
• Full private bathrooms with showers, sometimes bathtubs

Examples of How Locals and Visitors Use ATL‑Area Hotels

• Local Atlantan with a very early flight: Some people drive to ATL the night before, stay at an airport hotel, and shower before the morning departure instead of trying to shower at home at 3 a.m.
• Visitor with a long daytime layover: Book a day room, shower, change clothes, maybe nap, then return to the terminal.
• International arrival with several hours before a connecting flight: If you have enough time to clear security twice, a quick trip to an airport hotel can be more relaxing than crowding into busy concourse restrooms.

Look for hotels:

• In or near the Airport / Hartsfield‑Jackson area
• Along Virginia Avenue in College Park or near Camp Creek Parkway, which often host numerous airport‑focused hotels with frequent shuttles

Check directly with the hotel about day use availability and current policies, since these can vary.

Showers Near ATL: Local Gym and Fitness Options

If you are comfortable leaving the airport and you have a longer break in your schedule—especially if you are an Atlanta local—another option is to use a gym or fitness center near the airport.

In the Atlanta area, many larger gyms:

• Offer day passes or guest access
• Include full locker rooms with showers
• Are located within a 10–20 minute drive of ATL, particularly around Camp Creek Marketplace, College Park, and parts of East Point

You would generally:

1. Exit the airport (and clear security again later).
2. Take a rideshare, taxi, or MARTA plus a short rideshare to the gym.
3. Use a day pass if your membership does not already include that location.

This option works best if:

• You already belong to a national gym chain with locations around Atlanta.
• You have several hours between flights or meetings.
• You prefer a full workout and shower rather than just washing up quickly in the terminal.

What If You’re Stuck Airside Without Lounge Access?

If you are inside security at Atlanta airport and do not have lounge access, your options to truly shower are limited. However, you can still freshen up:

Use Larger Restrooms Strategically

• Some concourses have spacious restrooms with large sinks and counters.
• Look for restrooms slightly away from central food courts—they are often less crowded.

Pack a “Mini Refresh Kit”

Many Atlantans who fly frequently keep a small kit ready:

• Travel‑size wipes
• Travel toothbrush and toothpaste
• Small comb or brush
• Lightweight change of clothes

While this is not the same as a full shower, it can be surprisingly effective on shorter layovers.

Practical Tips for Planning a Shower at ATL

Whether you live in Atlanta or are just passing through, these tips can make things smoother:

1. Check your ticket and status before you book anything.

   • You might already qualify for lounge access—and therefore showers—through your cabin class or frequent flyer status.

2. Factor security lines into your plan.

   • If you leave the secure area (for a hotel or off‑airport shower), you will need to re‑clear TSA, which can be time‑consuming at Hartsfield‑Jackson, especially during busy morning and evening waves.

3. Choose your concourse wisely.

   • ATL is large, with concourses A–F and the domestic terminal T, plus the International Terminal. If your shower access is in a specific concourse lounge, build in extra walking time or use the Plane Train between concourses.

4. Ask about waitlists.

   • Lounge showers can get busy at peak times, such as evenings before international departures. If you arrive at the lounge and want a shower, add your name to the list immediately.

5. Keep it efficient.

   • For a tight layover, aim for a 10–15 minute shower and change, then grab a meal closer to your departure gate.

How This Works Specifically for People in Atlanta

Because this is Atlanta‑specific, here is how different travelers typically use shower options at ATL:

• Atlanta residents flying out early:
  Often prefer to shower at home, but if they live far from the airport or face a red‑eye connection, they might use airline lounges or airport hotels to feel fresh before or between flights.

• Visitors connecting through ATL:
  If coming off a long flight into Atlanta and heading straight to meetings, many people try to schedule enough time to use a lounge shower, or they book an airport‑area hotel day room.

• Business travelers ending their trip in Atlanta:
  Some arrive early, shower at a nearby hotel before checking into a downtown office or Buckhead hotel later in the day.

In all of these cases, planning ahead of time—knowing whether you’ll rely on a lounge, hotel, or off‑airport option—avoids scrambling once you are already in the terminal.

Key Takeaways

• There are showers at Atlanta Airport, but they are mainly located inside airline and independent lounges, plus airport‑area hotels.
• Free, public showers in the general terminals are not a standard feature at ATL.
• For the most reliable access, plan on:
  • Using a lounge with showers if you qualify or can buy a pass.
  • Booking an airport hotel for a day room or early check‑in if you have a long layover or need true rest.
  • Considering nearby gyms if you are comfortable leaving the airport and re‑clearing security.

With a bit of planning around your flight times, concourse, and access options, you can absolutely get a proper shower during your time at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport.