Your Guide to Atlanta’s Main Airport: What You Need to Know

If you’re flying into or out of Atlanta, you’re almost certainly using Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport — often shortened to Atlanta Airport or ATL. It is the main airport in Atlanta, Georgia, and one of the busiest air travel hubs in the world.

What Is the Main Airport in Atlanta?

The main airport serving Atlanta is:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

• Airport code: ATL
• Type: Major international airport
• Location: About 7 miles south of Downtown Atlanta
• Primary role: Atlanta’s central hub for domestic and international flights

Whether you live in the city, are planning a visit, or just connecting through, ATL is the default airport for almost all commercial air travel in the Atlanta area.

Where Is ATL Located in Relation to the City?

ATL sits just south of Atlanta’s core, with direct highway and transit access:

• Distance from Downtown Atlanta: Around 10–20 minutes by car in light traffic
• Major highways: Directly off I‑85 and close to I‑75
• Nearby areas: College Park, Hapeville, and East Point

This convenient location makes it practical for:

• City residents commuting to flights before or after work
• Visitors heading quickly to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the airport-area hotels
• Business travelers connecting between the airport and major conference venues

Terminals, Concourses, and Layout

Atlanta Airport is large, but it’s laid out in a fairly straightforward way.

Two Main Terminals

ATL has two primary landside terminals:

• Domestic Terminal

  • Split into North and South
  • Handles most U.S. flights
  • Main entry point for many Atlanta-area residents

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

  • Located on the east side of the airport
  • Associated with Concourse F
  • Handles many international departures and arrivals

✈️ Tip: Domestic passengers may still arrive or depart from some international concourses (like E or F), depending on the airline. Your boarding pass and airline app will specify the correct terminal.

Concourses

After security, ATL is arranged in a linear series of concourses:

• Concourse T (closest to Domestic Terminal)
• Concourses A, B, C, D, E, F

They’re all connected by:

• The Plane Train (underground automated train)
• A walkable tunnel with moving walkways

This setup makes it relatively fast to connect between gates, even for tight layovers.

How to Get to and From ATL

Because ATL is the main airport in Atlanta, there are multiple ways to reach it, whether you’re a local or a visitor.

1. MARTA (Public Transit)

The MARTA rail system is one of the easiest ways to reach the airport from the city.

• Station name: Airport Station
• Location: Directly inside the Domestic Terminal, between North and South
• Lines: Served by Red and Gold rail lines

Common starting points:

• Downtown Atlanta: Stations like Five Points, Peachtree Center, and Civic Center
• Midtown: Midtown and Arts Center stations
• Buckhead and North Atlanta: Buckhead, Lenox, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs

🚆 Why locals use MARTA for ATL:

• Avoids parking costs
• Bypasses I‑75/I‑85 traffic
• Drops you directly at the terminal entrance

If you are using the International Terminal, free shuttles run between the Domestic Terminal (MARTA access) and the International Terminal curbside.

2. Driving and Parking

If you drive yourself:

• Follow signs to Domestic Terminal or International Terminal depending on your flight
• Major access roads include Camp Creek Parkway, Riverdale Road, and S. Inner Loop Road

Parking options typically include:

• Hourly parking: Closest to terminals, useful for short drop-offs and pick-ups
• Daily parking: For overnight or multi-day trips
• Economy and Park-Ride lots: More budget-friendly, with shuttle service to terminals

Many Atlanta residents also use off-airport parking lots along Airport Blvd, Sullivan Rd, or the surrounding area, which usually include free shuttles to ATL.

3. Rideshare, Taxis, and Shuttles

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.):

• At the Domestic Terminal, rideshare pick-up is usually in a designated area of the parking decks—follow airport signage for “Rideshare.”
• At the International Terminal, pick-up is generally at curbside in a marked zone.

Taxis:

• Taxi stands are located at both the Domestic Terminal and International Terminal.
• Flat rates are often posted for rides to central areas like Downtown or Midtown.

Hotel and Private Shuttles:

• Many airport-area hotels in College Park and along Virginia Avenue offer free shuttles.
• Long-distance shuttles may serve cities like Macon, Columbus, or Athens from the airport.

Main Airlines and Types of Flights at ATL

Because ATL is the main airport in Atlanta, it serves as a major hub for both domestic and international travel.

Major Carriers

• Delta Air Lines: ATL is Delta’s primary hub, offering extensive national and international routes.
• Many other U.S. carriers operate significant service, typically from the Domestic Terminal.

Types of Flights

From ATL you can typically find:

• Domestic flights to most major U.S. cities
• Regional flights within the Southeast
• International flights to destinations in:
  • Europe
  • Latin America and the Caribbean
  • Some routes to Africa and other regions, depending on season and airline schedules

If you live in Atlanta, ATL often provides nonstop or one-stop options to most major destinations worldwide.

Services and Amenities at Atlanta’s Main Airport

Because ATL is such a large hub, it offers a range of services that are helpful for both locals and visitors.

Food, Shopping, and Lounges

Across the concourses, you’ll find:

• Restaurants and quick-service options (fast food, casual dining, coffee shops)
• Retail shops (travel needs, books, electronics, souvenirs)
• Airline lounges (for eligible passengers or members)

Many passengers plan a meal or coffee stop during layovers, especially between Concourse A/B and the International concourses (E/F), where dining options are more extensive.

Accessibility and Family Services

ATL typically includes:

• Wheelchair assistance (arranged through airlines)
• Family restrooms and changing facilities
• Nursing rooms in certain concourses
• Clearly marked elevators and accessible routes

Travelers with specific accessibility needs are encouraged to coordinate with their airline ahead of time to smooth the airport experience.

Quick Comparison: ATL vs. Other Atlanta-Area Airports

While Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the main airport and primary commercial hub, a few smaller airports exist in the broader metro area. These mainly serve general aviation, charters, or private flights, not standard airline passengers.

For normal airline travel, the answer to “What is the main airport in Atlanta?” is ATL. The other airports are useful only if you’re flying private, charter, or for flight training.

Helpful Tips for Using ATL as an Atlanta Traveler

Whether you live here or you’re visiting, these points help make ATL easier to navigate:

• Arrive early:

  • For domestic flights, many travelers aim for 1.5–2 hours before departure.
  • For international flights, 2–3 hours is common, especially during peak times.

• Check your terminal:

  • Confirm whether you depart from the Domestic or International Terminal before you leave home.
  • This is especially important if someone is dropping you off.

• Use MARTA when possible:

  • From Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, MARTA can be more predictable than driving during rush hour.

• Allow for connection time:

  • If you’re changing planes at ATL, remember you may need to move between concourses, though the Plane Train makes this fairly quick.

• Know your pick-up spot:

  • For locals picking up visitors, confirm whether they arrive at Domestic or International to avoid circling the wrong terminal.

In practical terms, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the main airport in Atlanta and the central point for almost all air travel into and out of the city. If your plans involve flying to or from Atlanta, ATL is where your trip will almost certainly begin or end.