Navigating Between Concourses at Atlanta Airport: A Local’s Guide to Hartsfield‑Jackson

Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is big, busy, and famously spread out. The good news: getting between concourses at Atlanta Airport is straightforward once you know your options.

This guide walks you through every way to move between concourses, how long it typically takes, and what Atlanta travelers should know to make tight connections easier.

The Basics: How ATL’s Concourses Are Laid Out

Atlanta’s airport is organized like a straight line:

• Domestic Terminal South (Terminal South / Delta)
• Domestic Terminal North (Terminal North / other airlines)
• Concourse T (connected to the Domestic Terminal)
• Concourse A
• Concourse B
• Concourse C
• Concourse D
• Concourse E
• Concourse F and International Terminal

All concourses are connected airside, which means:

• Once you’re through TSA security, you can move between all domestic concourses (T–E) and Concourse Fwithout re-clearing security.
• You will only need security again if you exit the secure area (for example, to meet someone at baggage claim or go outside).

Main Ways to Get Between Concourses at Atlanta Airport

1. Plane Train (Airport Automated People Mover)

The Plane Train is the fastest and easiest way to move between concourses at ATL.

What it is:
An underground train that runs beneath the terminals and concourses.

Stops (in order):

1. Domestic Terminal (MARTA / Ground Transportation station)
2. Concourse T
3. Concourse A
4. Concourse B
5. Concourse C
6. Concourse D
7. Concourse E
8. Concourse F / International Terminal

You can ride any direction, get off at your concourse, and follow signs up to your gate.

How to find it:

• Look for signs marked “Plane Train” or “Underground Transportation Mall.”
• Escalators, stairs, and elevators lead down to the train platforms from all concourses and terminals.

Typical travel times (on the train itself):

*Plan extra time for walking, escalators, and crowds.

When to use the Plane Train:

• You have a tight connection.
• You’re traveling with kids, luggage, or mobility challenges.
• You’re moving more than one concourse away (e.g., T to D, B to F).

2. Underground Walkway (The Transportation Mall)

If you’d rather walk between concourses, Atlanta Airport has a long, underground pedestrian corridor that runs parallel to the Plane Train.

What it is:

• A moving-walkway-equipped tunnel connecting:
  • Domestic Terminal / Concourse T
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
• You can also walk between E and F, though many travelers still choose the train for that stretch.

Look for signs for “Transportation Mall” or “Walk to All Concourses.”

Why choose walking:

• You prefer exercise or want to stretch your legs between flights.
• You’re not in a rush and want to avoid crowded train cars.
• You enjoy the art installations and Atlanta-themed exhibits placed along the corridors, including local history and changing displays.

Approximate walking times (not including moving walkways):

• Between neighboring concourses (A ↔ B, B ↔ C, etc.): 5–10 minutes
• From T to C: about 15–20 minutes
• From T to E: 25–30 minutes or more, depending on your pace

If you have less than 45 minutes between flights and your gates are several concourses apart, the Plane Train is usually the better choice.

3. Moving Between Domestic and International (Concourse F)

Many travelers in or through Atlanta want to know how to get between the domestic side (T–E) and the international side (F).

If You’re Already Through Security

Once you’re airside:

• Use the Plane Train to ride from T/A/B/C/D/E to F.
• Or use the Underground Walkway to walk from E to F (follow signage for Concourse F / International Terminal).

You do not need to go outside, change terminals, or go back through TSA when you stay within the secure zone.

If You’re Arriving Internationally and Connecting Domestically

If you’re flying into Atlanta from abroad and connecting to a domestic flight:

• You’ll normally arrive at Concourse E or F.
• You must go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection and collect your checked bags.
• After clearing customs:
  • Follow signs for Connecting Flights.
  • Drop your checked bag at the designated re-check area (if applicable).
  • Go through TSA security again for your domestic connection.
  • Then use the Plane Train or walkways to your next concourse (T–E).

Pay attention to signs and airline staff guidance, especially at Concourse F, where there are clearly marked paths for Atlanta-bound passengers vs. connecting passengers.

Do You Need to Go Through Security Again Between Concourses?

Inside Hartsfield‑Jackson, all concourses are connected airside. That means:

• No additional security checks when going from T to A, B, C, D, E, or F, as long as you don’t exit to the public areas.
• Yes, you must clear security again if you:
  • Go to Baggage Claim.
  • Leave the secure area to meet family or friends.
  • Exit to Ground Transportation, MARTA, parking, rideshare, or hotel shuttles.

For Atlanta residents picking someone up, this is important: if they have a connecting flight and don’t leave security, you cannot meet them at their gate or concourse. You can meet only at:

• Domestic Terminal North or South Arrivals/Baggage Claim
• International Terminal (Concourse F) Arrivals/Baggage Claim

How Much Time Do You Need to Change Concourses?

Connection comfort in ATL depends on distance, time of day, and your pace. Use these as general guidelines:

For Domestic-to-Domestic Connections (T–E)

If both flights are in T, A, B, C, D, or E:

• Same concourse:
  • 30 minutes can be enough, but more is better during busy times.
• One concourse apart (e.g., A → B, C → D):
  • 45–60 minutes is usually comfortable.
• Two or more concourses apart (e.g., T → D, B → F):
  • Aim for 60–90 minutes, especially if:
    • You like to use the restroom, fill water, or grab food.
    • You’re traveling with children or anyone who moves more slowly.
    • Your arriving flight may be delayed.

For International Connections

• International → Domestic (arriving at E or F, then flying out of T–E):

  • Build in 2 hours or more, allowing time for:
    • Immigration
    • Customs
    • Baggage claim and re-check
    • TSA security
    • Plane Train to your domestic concourse

• Domestic → International (T–E to F):

  • 90 minutes is a safer cushion, more during heavy travel seasons.

Airlines at ATL commonly adjust their minimum connection times, but planning above the bare minimum is wise.

Accessibility and Mobility Between Concourses

Hartsfield‑Jackson is heavily used by travelers of all ages and mobility levels. If you or someone you’re traveling with needs extra help:

• Wheelchairs & Assistance:
  Request assistance through your airline before you arrive. Airline staff can:

  • Push wheelchairs between concourses.
  • Help with train access and boarding.
  • Make sure you reach your gate on time.

• Elevators & Escalators:
  Every concourse and Plane Train platform has:

  • Elevators for strollers, wheelchairs, and heavy bags.
  • Escalators and stairs for faster movement.

• Distance Considerations:
  Walking from, say, Concourse T to Concourse D through the underground hallways can be a long trek. If distance is a concern, use the Plane Train instead of walking.

If you have questions on-site, ask any airport employee or visit an information desk in the terminals or near major intersections in the concourses.

Helpful ATL Navigation Tips for Locals and Visitors

1. Learn Your Gate and Concourse Early

Once you have your booking:

• Check your boarding pass or ask your airline for:
  • Departure concourse and gate
  • Arrival concourse and gate (if connecting)

Gate numbers at ATL usually look like:

• A17 → Concourse A, Gate 17
• T5 → Concourse T, Gate 5
• F3 → Concourse F, Gate 3

This tells you exactly which concourse you need to reach.

2. Follow the Overhead Signs

ATL has abundant signage:

• Color-coded signs overhead show:
  • Plane Train directions
  • Concourse letters (T, A, B, C, D, E, F)
  • Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation
• Digital displays show current gate information and flight status.
• If your gate changes to a different concourse, adjust early and head for the Plane Train.

3. Factor in Atlanta Rush Hours

If you’re starting or ending your trip from within the Atlanta metro area, your airport experience is affected by:

• Morning rush (roughly 6:30–9:00 a.m.)
• Evening rush (roughly 3:30–7:00 p.m.)

These times can increase:

• Time to reach the airport from places like Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, or the northern suburbs.
• Time to get through security, especially in peak travel seasons.

Arriving at the airport earlier means you have more flexibility to move between concourses without stress.

Where to Ask for Help at Hartsfield‑Jackson

If you’re unsure how to get between concourses or worried about a tight connection once you’re at ATL, you have options:

• Airport Information Desks
  Located in:

  • Domestic Terminal North and South
  • International Terminal (Concourse F)
  • Selected concourses and central atrium areas

• General Airport Information (Phone)
  Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  Main information line: (800) 897‑1910 (widely shared general info number)

• Airline Customer Service Counters
  Each airline has counters in:

  • The Domestic Terminal (North or South, depending on carrier)
  • Some concourses near gate clusters

Staff can:

• Confirm your gate and concourse.
• Estimate whether you can make a tight connection.
• Advise on whether to stay on the Plane Train or walk.

Quick Reference: Best Option by Situation

You’re running late for a connection in another concourse:
→ Take the Plane Train and head directly to your gate.

You have a long layover and want to move a bit:
→ Walk the Underground Transportation Mall between concourses (use moving walkways as needed).

You’re connecting from a domestic flight to an international flight in Concourse F:
→ Stay in the secure area and use the Plane Train to Concourse F.

You’re arriving internationally and then flying on to another U.S. city:
→ Follow signs for Immigration / Customs → Connecting Flights, re-check bags, clear TSA, then use the Plane Train to your domestic concourse.

You’re meeting someone who has a layover in ATL:
→ You cannot access the secure concourses without a boarding pass. Plan to meet only if they exit to:

• Domestic Terminal North or South Arrivals/Baggage Claim, or
• International Terminal (Concourse F) Arrivals/Baggage Claim.

Knowing how the Plane Train, underground walkways, and concourse layout fit together makes moving around Hartsfield‑Jackson much simpler. Whether you’re an Atlanta local hopping to another city or a visitor connecting through, you can confidently get between concourses and make the most of your time at the airport.