What Time Zone Is Atlanta In? A Local’s Guide to Time in the City

Atlanta, Georgia is in the Eastern Time Zone, officially called Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the fall and winter and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) in the spring and summer.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are planning a trip, understanding Atlanta’s time zone helps you coordinate flights, meetings, events, and calls with people in other cities.

Atlanta’s Official Time Zone

Short answer:
Atlanta follows Eastern Time (ET), which includes:

• Eastern Standard Time (EST) – UTC−5
• Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) – UTC−4 (during daylight saving time)

Atlanta does observe daylight saving time, along with the rest of Georgia and most of the eastern United States.

Does Atlanta Observe Daylight Saving Time?

Yes. Atlanta changes clocks twice a year:

• Spring (“spring forward”)

  • Clocks move forward 1 hour
  • Eastern Standard Time (EST) → Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
  • This usually happens in March
  • Sunrise and sunset appear later on the clock

• Fall (“fall back”)

  • Clocks move back 1 hour
  • Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) → Eastern Standard Time (EST)
  • This usually happens in November
  • Sunrise and sunset appear earlier on the clock

Most phones, computers, and smartwatches in Atlanta adjust automatically. Still, it’s smart to double‑check:

• Early-morning flights at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Train and bus departures (MARTA, Greyhound, Amtrak)
• Timed event tickets, such as concerts, games, and tours

Quick Time Zone Comparison for Atlanta

Here’s how Atlanta’s time generally compares to a few major cities:

*Differences can shift by one hour for a few weeks each year when daylight saving time changes don’t occur on the same dates in other countries.

How Atlanta Time Works for Travelers

Flying Into or Out of Atlanta

Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) runs its schedules on local Atlanta time (Eastern Time).

If you’re:

• Arriving in Atlanta: Your arrival time on your ticket is already in Atlanta’s local time.
• Departing from Atlanta: The departure time is also in local Eastern Time.

When you’re flying between time zones, remember:

• Your boarding pass and itinerary always list times in the local time of each airport.
• If you’re connecting through Atlanta, layover times are calculated using Atlanta’s time zone.

☎ You can confirm timing directly with your airline or check your itinerary in your airline’s app, which automatically adjusts to local time zones.

Using MARTA, Amtrak, and Intercity Buses

Public transportation in Atlanta uses local Eastern Time for schedules:

• MARTA buses and trains
• Atlanta Streetcar
• Amtrak (Peachtree Station on Peachtree St. NW)
• Greyhound and other bus services

If you’re coming from a different U.S. time zone, it’s easy to get mixed up, especially with early‑morning or late‑night trips. Setting your phone or watch to Atlanta’s time zone as soon as you arrive—or even before you travel—helps avoid missed departures.

Atlanta and Coordinating With Other Cities

If you live in Atlanta or work remotely with people in other time zones, it helps to know the usual offsets:

• Atlanta vs. West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle)

  • West Coast is 3 hours behind Atlanta
  • A 9:00 a.m. meeting in Atlanta is 6:00 a.m. on the West Coast

• Atlanta vs. Central Time (Nashville, Chicago, Dallas)

  • Central Time is 1 hour behind Atlanta
  • A 2:00 p.m. appointment in Atlanta is 1:00 p.m. in Chicago

• Atlanta vs. Europe (for example, London)

  • London is usually 5 hours ahead of Atlanta
  • 3:00 p.m. in Atlanta is typically 8:00 p.m. in London

When scheduling:

• Use “ET” or “Eastern Time” instead of just “Atlanta time” if you’re coordinating nationally.
• For international calls, confirming the time in both time zones helps avoid confusion, especially around daylight saving time changes.

How to Check the Current Time in Atlanta

If you’re unsure what time it is in Atlanta right now, you can:

• Look at your smartphone – if location or time zone settings are enabled, it should update to Eastern Time (Atlanta) when you’re in the city.
• Set a “World Clock” entry on your phone labeled Atlanta or New York (they share the same time).
• Use a physical clock or watch set to Eastern Time if you frequently travel between time zones.

📌 Tip for visitors: If you’re flying in from a different time zone, switching your phone’s time zone to “Atlanta” or “Eastern Time (US & Canada)” as soon as you land makes it easier to track local reservations, tours, and events.

Atlanta Time Zone and Local Life

Time in Atlanta doesn’t just affect travel—it also shapes daily routines:

• Business hours: Most offices, government buildings, and banks operate on Eastern Time, typically within a 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. window.
• Schools and universities: Atlanta Public Schools, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, and other campuses run entirely on local Eastern Time.
• Events and sports:
  • Atlanta Falcons (NFL), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta United (MLS), and Atlanta Braves (MLB) all schedule home games using Eastern Time.
  • Concerts at venues like State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, and the Fox Theatre list start times in local Atlanta time.

If you see a national broadcast or streaming schedule (for example, “8/7c”), remember:

• “ET” means Atlanta time.
• “CT” is one hour earlier than Atlanta.

Key Takeaways About Atlanta’s Time Zone

• Atlanta is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET).
• In fall and winter, Atlanta uses Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC−5).
• In spring and summer, Atlanta uses Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC−4).
• Atlanta does observe daylight saving time, changing clocks in March and November.
• Airports, public transportation, schools, businesses, and events in Atlanta all operate on local Eastern Time.

Understanding how Atlanta’s time zone works makes it much easier to plan your trip, schedule meetings, and get around the city without missing a beat.