Can I Leave My Car at Atlanta Airport? Parking Options at Hartsfield–Jackson ATL

Yes, you can leave your car at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and you have several options depending on your budget, how long you’ll be gone, and how close you want to be to your terminal.

This guide explains where you can park at Atlanta Airport, what to expect for short trips vs. long trips, and a few local tips that make coming and going much easier.

Main Ways to Leave Your Car at Atlanta Airport

At ATL, you can generally choose from:

• Terminal (hourly and daily) parking – closest, most convenient
• Economy and Park-Ride lots – better for longer trips
• ATL West Deck & ATL Select parking – newer structured and surface options
• Off-airport parking lots and hotels – often cheaper, with shuttles
• Rideshare, MARTA, or drop-off alternatives – if you decide not to park at all

All of these are commonly used by Atlanta residents, business travelers, and visitors who need to leave a car for a few hours, a few days, or even a couple of weeks.

Understanding the Layout: Domestic vs. International

Hartsfield–Jackson is split into two main sides:

• Domestic Terminal

  • North and South Daily & Hourly parking decks
  • Economy lots
  • Park-Ride lots with shuttle service

• International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)

  • International Hourly & Daily parking deck
  • International Park-Ride lot with shuttle service

If you’re flying on most major U.S. airlines and starting your trip in Atlanta, you’ll likely depart from the Domestic Terminal. Many international flights also check in at the domestic side, but some use the International Terminal. Your airline confirmation usually specifies which side you’ll depart from.

Short-Term Parking: Best for Pickups, Drop-Offs, and 1–2 Day Trips

If you’re asking “Can I leave my car at Atlanta Airport for a quick trip?” the answer is yes—short-term parking is straightforward and right next to the terminals.

Hourly Parking (Domestic & International)

Best for:

• Pickups and drop-offs
• Meeting someone at baggage claim or the gate area
• Very short trips (overnight or 1–2 days if you value convenience)

Where you’ll find it:

• Domestic Terminal Hourly Parking Decks in front of North and South terminals
• International Terminal Hourly Parking directly across from that terminal

These decks are closest to the check-in counters, usually just a short walk or escalator ride from your car to the terminal.

Pros:

• Shortest walk to the terminal
• Great for families, travelers with heavy luggage, or anyone in a rush
• Clearly signed and easy to navigate

Cons:

• Most expensive airport parking option
• Can fill up during peak travel times

If you’re simply dropping someone off, using Hourly Parking instead of the curb allows you to park legally, walk them inside, and avoid having to circle if traffic is heavy.

Daily Parking at Atlanta Airport: Good for Weekend or Week-Long Trips

If you’re going away for a few days and want convenience without the highest hourly rates, Daily Parking is a common pick for Atlanta travelers.

Domestic Terminal Daily Parking Decks

Best for:

• Trips of 2–7 days where you still want to be close to the terminal

Where you’ll find them:

• North Daily Parking and South Daily Parking decks, adjacent to each terminal

These decks are typically a shorter walk than economy lots, but farther than hourly. They offer a good balance of cost and convenience for many travelers.

Why locals use them:

• Easy to remember where you parked (North vs. South deck)
• Simple to get in and out, especially if you already know which side your airline uses

International Terminal Daily Parking

If you are departing from or arriving at the International Terminal, you’ll find:

• International Daily Parking in the same deck as International Hourly
• Connected by walkways and elevators directly to the terminal

This is often the most straightforward option if:

• You’re flying directly into or out of the international side
• You don’t want to take the shuttle between domestic and international

Economy Parking and Park-Ride Lots: Better for Longer Trips

If you’re leaving Atlanta for a longer trip and want to keep costs down, economy and park-ride lots are designed for you.

Economy Parking (Domestic Terminal)

Best for:

• Multi-day and week-long trips when you still want to walk to the terminal or take a short ride

Where they’re located:

• Economy lots are generally a bit farther from the terminal than hourly and daily, but still on airport property and served by walkways and/or shuttles.

Pros:

• Usually less expensive than hourly and daily decks
• Still officially run by the airport, with posted rates and regular monitoring

Cons:

• Longer walk or shuttle ride to the terminal
• Can feel crowded during major travel holidays

Park-Ride Lots (Domestic & International)

Park-Ride lots are off to the side of the main terminal areas and are served by airport-operated shuttles.

Domestic Park-Ride Lots:

• Signed as “Park-Ride” near the domestic terminal access roads
• Shuttles typically loop between the lot and the terminal curbside

International Park-Ride Lot:

• Located near the International Terminal with dedicated shuttle service

Best for:

• Longer trips where you want a lower daily cost
• Travelers comfortable adding a 5–15 minute shuttle ride

Tip:
If you’re traveling with family, some Atlanta locals drop passengers and luggage at the terminal first, then the driver goes to a Park-Ride or economy lot and takes the shuttle back empty-handed.

ATL West Deck and ATL Select Parking

To handle growth and traffic, ATL has added newer parking options that many local travelers now use.

ATL West Parking Deck

• A large, multi-level deck located just west of the Domestic Terminal area
• Connected to the terminal via the SkyTrain, a short automated train ride

Best for:

• Long trips when you want covered parking and don’t mind a brief SkyTrain ride
• Travelers approaching the airport from certain directions where this deck is easiest to access

ATL Select Parking

ATL Select is a newer option that typically offers a mix of:

• Surface parking (uncovered)
• Spaces suitable for larger vehicles in some areas

Shuttle service or routing connects ATL Select to the terminals.

Best for:

• Travelers looking for a potentially lower-cost on-airport option
• Those driving SUVs, trucks, or larger vehicles who want more room than a tight deck space

Off-Airport Parking Near Atlanta Airport

If your main question is “Can I leave my car at Atlanta Airport without paying the highest on-site prices?”, many Atlanta residents turn to off-airport parking.

These are privately operated lots or garages located near the airport, often along:

• Virginia Avenue
• Camp Creek Parkway
• Access roads near I-85 and I-285 close to the airport

Common features include:

• Shuttle service to and from the domestic terminal
• Options for covered vs. uncovered parking
• Online reservations for guaranteed space

Pros:

• Often lower daily rates than on-airport parking
• Some offer extras like car washes or detailing while you’re away

Cons:

• Dependent on shuttle timing and traffic
• You’re not on airport property, so allow extra time

While this is not run by the City of Atlanta or Hartsfield–Jackson, it’s a very common choice for Atlanta-area residents going on longer trips.

Hotel Parking with Shuttle (“Park and Fly”)

Some airport-area hotels near Hartsfield–Jackson offer:

• Long-term parking packages for non-guests or overnight guests
• Shuttle service to the domestic terminal

These hotels are mainly clustered around:

• Virginia Avenue (East Point / College Park area)
• Camp Creek Parkway

If you’re flying early or arriving late, some travelers:

1. Stay one night at a nearby hotel
2. Leave the car parked there
3. Use the hotel’s shuttle to the airport

Check directly with the hotel to confirm:

• Whether they offer long-term parking
• Daily or package rates
• Shuttle hours (important for early morning or late-night flights)

How Long Can You Leave Your Car at ATL?

In general, Hartsfield–Jackson’s lots and decks are designed for both short-term and long-term parking. Many travelers leave vehicles for:

• Weekend trips
• Week-long vacations
• Business travel of 7–14 days or more

Important points:

• There is usually no strict maximum stay, but extremely long stays (several weeks or more) may draw extra attention from staff.
• Vehicles left abandoned for an extended period without payment or movement may eventually be towed under airport and local regulations.

If you expect to be gone for an unusually long time (for example, several months), consider:

• Using an off-airport facility that specifically allows extended storage
• Confirming rules and any maximum stay limits with the airport parking office

For general airport parking information, you can contact:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Parking Information
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
Main Airport Information: (800) 897-1910 (touch-tone menu often includes parking options)

Paying for Parking and Exiting the Airport

Most airport lots and decks at ATL accept:

• Credit and debit cards
• Some accept cash at staffed booths
• Automated machines at deck exits and in walk-up pay stations

Many Atlanta travelers:

• Take a quick photo of their parking space and level (and whether it’s North, South, West, etc.)
• Keep their ticket somewhere easy to reach, not buried in luggage

If you lose your ticket, expect to:

• Provide vehicle details
• Potentially pay a flat “lost ticket” amount based on posted policy

Safety and Security Considerations

ATL’s official parking facilities are:

• Patrolled by airport security and Atlanta Police Department airport units
• Equipped with lighting and, in many areas, surveillance cameras

Still, common-sense precautions apply:

• Do not leave valuables visible in your car
• Consider parking in well-lit areas if you expect to return at night
• Make sure your car is locked and windows fully up

If you return to find a problem with your vehicle while parked on airport property, you can contact Atlanta Police – Airport Precinct via airport information or by visiting on-site police offices.

Alternatives to Leaving Your Car at the Airport

If you decide you’d rather not leave your car at Atlanta Airport at all, locals often use:

MARTA (Rail)

• Take MARTA’s Gold or Red Line to Airport Station, which is directly attached to the Domestic Terminal.
• Good if you live near a MARTA station or can park at a MARTA park-and-ride lot.

MARTA Headquarters (for information):
2424 Piedmont Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Customer Information Center: (404) 848-5000

Rideshare, Taxi, or Private Drop-Off

• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) pickups and drop-offs are signed at the airport.
• Taxis are available at designated stands.

These options are common for:

• People who live in-town and prefer not to deal with parking
• Longer trips where parking costs would add up

Quick Comparison: Main ATL Parking Options

In Atlanta, leaving your car at the airport is not only allowed—it’s something thousands of travelers do every day. Once you decide how long you’ll be gone, which terminal you’re using, and how much convenience vs. savings you want, you can pick the ATL parking option that fits your trip and head out with fewer surprises.