Your Guide to the Airport in Atlanta, Georgia: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

When people search for “Airport Atlanta Georgia,” they’re almost always looking for information about Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). As Atlanta’s primary airport—and one of the busiest in the world—ATL is the main gateway for residents, visitors, and anyone connecting through the city.

This guide walks you through how the airport works in Atlanta: where it is, how to get there, what to expect in each terminal, and practical tips for parking, security, and getting around.

Overview of Atlanta’s Main Airport

Official name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Airport code: ATL
Location: About 7–10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta
Address: 6000 N Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320
Main phone (airport information): 404-530-7300

ATL serves:

• Domestic flights all over the United States
• International flights to major cities in Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and beyond
• Business and leisure travelers throughout the Atlanta metro area and the Southeast

Most people in Atlanta, Georgia will use ATL for nearly all commercial air travel.

Airport Layout: Terminals, Concourses, and How ATL Is Organized

ATL can feel big, but it’s actually very logically organized.

Main Areas of the Airport

• Domestic Terminal – North and South

  • Where most U.S. flights check in
  • Two sides:
    • North Terminal: Many domestic airlines
    • South Terminal: Primarily used by Delta Air Lines for check-in

• International Terminal – Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F)

  • Where most international departures and arrivals are processed
  • Separate entrance and parking from the Domestic Terminal
  • Has its own security checkpoint and check-in counters

• Concourses (A–F + T)

  • Concourse T: Closest to the Domestic Terminal
  • Concourses A–E: Mostly domestic and some international flights
  • Concourse F: Dedicated international terminal and gates

All concourses are connected to each other and to both terminals via the Plane Train, an underground people-mover, and walkable tunnels.

Quick Reference: Key Airport Areas

Getting to Atlanta’s Airport

By Car

From most parts of Atlanta, Georgia, you’ll reach ATL using:

• Interstate 85 (I-85) for the Domestic Terminal
• Interstate 75 (I-75) for the International Terminal

Look for clearly marked signs on the interstate:

• “Airport Domestic” for North/South Terminal
• “Airport International” for Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal

Allow extra time during:

• Morning rush (roughly 6:30–9:00 a.m.)
• Evening rush (roughly 3:30–7:00 p.m.)
• Big event days (sports, conventions, concerts in Downtown/Midtown)

By MARTA (Public Transit)

MARTA is often the easiest way to reach the airport from inside Atlanta.

• Airport Station is directly connected to the Domestic Terminal
• Located at the end of the Red and Gold rail lines
• From Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead:
  • Take the Red or Gold train southbound to “Airport”
• From East or West Atlanta:
  • Take the Blue or Green line and transfer to Red/Gold at Five Points

🚆 Good to know:
The MARTA Airport Station drops you inside the Domestic Terminal, just steps from check-in and baggage claim. For the International Terminal, a free shuttle or the Plane Train (once inside security) will connect you.

Rideshare, Taxis, and Shuttles

• Rideshare (Uber, Lyft):
  • There are designated pickup zones at ATL
  • For Domestic Terminal, follow “Rideshare” signs from baggage claim
• Taxis:
  • Taxi stands are available outside baggage claim at the Domestic Terminal
  • Flat rates to certain Atlanta neighborhoods are often posted at the stand
• Hotel and Private Shuttles:
  • Many Atlanta-area hotels offer free or paid shuttle service
  • Look for “Ground Transportation / Hotel Shuttles” signs on arrival

Parking at ATL: Options for Atlanta Travelers

Atlanta’s airport offers multiple parking choices depending on how long you’ll be gone and which terminal you’re using.

Common options include:

• Hourly / Short-Term Parking

  • Closest to the terminals
  • Best for dropping off or picking up someone at the gate area
  • More expensive for overnight stays

• Daily / Long-Term Parking Garages

  • Good for trips of several days
  • Located near Domestic and International terminals
  • Typically more affordable than hourly

• Economy Lots

  • Lower daily rates
  • Require a short shuttle or walk to the terminal

• International Terminal Parking

  • Separate deck/lot at the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal
  • Convenient if your check-in and return are at Concourse F

🅿️ Local Tip for Atlanta Residents:
If you fly frequently, it can be worth comparing airport parking with off-airport parking lots near ATL, many of which offer shuttle service to the terminal. These are widely used by Atlanta locals for longer trips.

Always confirm:

• Which terminal your airline uses
• Whether you’re departing from Domestic or International
• Any parking updates from the airport before you leave home

Inside the Airport: Check-In, Security, and Navigation

Check-In

You can usually check in by:

• Online check-in before you leave home (recommended)
• Kiosks inside the terminal
• Airline counters for baggage drop or special services

Atlanta travelers should arrive:

• At least 2 hours before a domestic flight
• At least 3 hours before an international flight

During holidays, school breaks, or large conventions in the city, it’s wise to add extra time, as lines at ATL can swell quickly.

Security Checkpoints

• Domestic Terminal:
  • Multiple security checkpoints serve both North and South sides
  • All lead to the same concourses once you pass through
• International Terminal:
  • Has its own security checkpoint for travelers departing from Concourse F

You can use:

• Standard TSA lanes
• TSA PreCheck lanes (if enrolled)
• CLEAR lanes (if enrolled, where available)

Once through security, you can access:

• Concourse T by walking
• Concourses A–F via the Plane Train or pedestrian tunnels

The Plane Train and Getting Between Concourses

Inside ATL, the Plane Train is your main way to move between concourses.

• Fully automated underground tram
• Runs continuously between:
  • Domestic Terminal (T gates area)
  • Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E
  • International Terminal / Concourse F

You can also walk between concourses using the underground pedestrian corridor, which some travelers prefer for stretching their legs.

If you have:

• A short layover in Atlanta, use the Plane Train for speed
• A longer layover, walking can be a nice way to see the airport’s art displays and get some light exercise

Food, Shops, and Services at Atlanta’s Airport

Because ATL serves so many travelers, it has a broad range of amenities.

You’ll find:

• Restaurants and fast food
  • National chains plus some local Atlanta flavors
  • Options in every concourse and terminal
• Coffee shops and snack stands
  • Convenient for early-morning flights and late-night arrivals
• Retail stores
  • Travel essentials, electronics, books, magazines, clothing, and gifts
• Services
  • ATMs and currency exchange (mainly in the International Terminal)
  • Nursing rooms and family restrooms
  • Pet relief areas
  • Information desks to help with questions or directions

For Atlanta-area travelers, the variety of food and shops can make longer waits or delays more manageable, especially if you’re traveling with children or coming from farther suburbs and want to arrive early.

International Travel: Using ATL for Flights Abroad

If you’re departing from Atlanta, Georgia to an international destination, you will likely use:

• International Terminal / Concourse F for check-in and departure, or
• Another concourse (such as E) if your airline directs you there

Key points:

• Check your ticket or airline confirmation to see which terminal to use
• At arrival back into Atlanta:
  • You will go through passport control and customs in the International Terminal
  • After collecting your bags and clearing customs, you can:
    • Exit to meet friends/family or ground transportation, or
    • Re-check bags for connecting flights within the U.S.

If you’re connecting in Atlanta from one international flight to another or to a domestic flight, allow enough time to:

• Clear immigration and customs
• Re-check bags (if required)
• Pass through security again (if connecting to the Domestic Terminal or another concourse)

Accessibility and Special Assistance

ATL provides services for travelers who need extra support, including:

• Wheelchair assistance
  • Arrange in advance through your airline
  • Can help from curbside or check-in all the way to the gate
• Accessible restrooms and elevators
  • Available throughout terminals and concourses
• Visual and audio announcements
  • Flight, boarding, and general airport information

If you live in the Atlanta metro area and know you’ll need additional help at the airport, it’s a good idea to:

1. Contact your airline before your travel date
2. Arrive earlier than usual to allow time for support staff to assist you

Car Rentals, Ground Transportation, and Getting Home

Rental Car Center

If you’re visiting Atlanta and need a car, all major rental car companies operate from the Rental Car Center (RCC).

• Connected to the Domestic Terminal by the ATL SkyTrain
• SkyTrain is free and runs frequently
• No need to take a shuttle bus from the terminal

To reach the RCC:

1. Follow signs for “Rental Cars” from baggage claim
2. Board the ATL SkyTrain
3. Ride to the RCC station and walk to your chosen company counter

Other Ground Transportation Options

• Shared shuttles may serve nearby cities and suburbs
• Hotel shuttles serve many Atlanta airport hotels in College Park, East Point, and surrounding areas
• Public transit buses connect to MARTA and other regional services from the airport area

Atlanta residents often:

• Use rideshare or MARTA to avoid parking fees
• Arrange pick-ups from friends/family in cell phone lots or passenger pickup lanes

Helpful Contact and Location Details

Here are some core details Atlanta-area travelers may need:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Parkway
  Atlanta, GA 30320
  Main information: 404-530-7300

• Domestic Terminal (North & South)
  Accessible via I-85, MARTA Airport Station, rideshare, taxi

• Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F)
  2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd.
  Atlanta, GA 30354
  Accessible via I-75 (International Terminal exit), taxi, rideshare, airport shuttle connections

For the most current details on parking lots, security wait times, or terminal changes, Atlanta travelers typically check the airport’s official information channels before leaving home.

By understanding how Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is laid out and how to move between its terminals, concourses, and transportation options, anyone living in or traveling through Atlanta, Georgia can navigate ATL with far less stress and much more confidence.