Atlanta Airport Directions: How to Get to Hartsfield-Jackson from Anywhere in the City

Finding your way to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is easier when you know your options and which routes locals actually use. Whether you’re coming from Midtown, Buckhead, the suburbs, or another Georgia city, this guide breaks down clear, practical directions to Atlanta’s airport—by car, MARTA, rideshare, shuttle, and more.

Key Facts You Need to Know First

• Airport name: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
• Airport code:ATL
• Address:6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Main phone (airport information):(800) 897-1910
• Located: About 7–10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta, along I-85

ATL has two main sides:

• Domestic Terminal (North & South)
• International Terminal (Concourse F / Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)

Knowing which side your airline uses will shape your directions and where your driver drops you off.

Driving Directions to Atlanta Airport (ATL)

Driving is still one of the most common ways Atlantans get to the airport. Below are simple, local-style directions from major parts of the metro area.

From Downtown Atlanta

Most people take I-85 South directly:

1. Get onto I-85 South (or I-75/85 connector, then keep left for I-85 South).
2. Follow signs for Hartsfield-Jackson / Airport.
3. Stay on I-85 South and take Exit 72 – Camp Creek Pkwy / Airport.
4. Follow the “Domestic Terminal” or “International Terminal” signs:
   • Domestic: follow Airport Blvd / N & S Terminal Pkwy.
   • International: watch for split signage to the International Terminal (F) and follow Maynard Jackson Jr. Intl Terminal signs.

📝 Local tip: In normal traffic, it’s about 15–25 minutes from Downtown, but during rush hour you’ll want to allow 45–60 minutes.

From Midtown or Buckhead

From both Midtown and Buckhead, you’ll typically use I-85 South.

From Midtown:

1. Join I-85 South from 10th St, 14th St, or the Downtown Connector (I-75/85).
2. Continue on I-85 South to Exit 72 – Camp Creek Pkwy / Airport.
3. Follow airport signs to Domestic or International as above.

From Buckhead:

1. Take GA-400 South toward I-85.
2. Merge onto I-85 South.
3. Continue on I-85 South to Exit 72 – Camp Creek Pkwy / Airport.
4. Follow signs to your terminal.

From East Atlanta & Decatur

If you’re starting from Decatur, East Atlanta Village, Kirkwood, or surrounding neighborhoods, you’ll usually enter via I-20 or I-285:

Option 1: Via I-20 → Downtown Connector

1. Take I-20 West toward Downtown Atlanta.
2. Merge onto the Downtown Connector (I-75/85 South).
3. Stay on I-85 South.
4. Take Exit 72 – Camp Creek Pkwy / Airport.
5. Follow signs to your terminal.

Option 2: Via I-285 South (often better during heavy Downtown traffic)

1. Take I-285 South (outer loop) toward the airport.
2. Exit onto I-85 North briefly, then follow signs to Domestic Terminal / International Terminal.
   • Depending on your entry point, signage may direct you to I-85 North then quickly into the airport roadway system.

From Westside, Smyrna, and Marietta

From West Midtown, Smyrna, Vinings, or Marietta, you can reach ATL via I-285 or I-75/85:

Option 1: I-285 South & I-85

1. Take I-285 South around the west side of the city.
2. Approaching the airport area, watch for signs to I-85 North / Airport.
3. Follow the Airport exit and signage to Domestic or International.

Option 2: I-75 South → Downtown Connector → I-85 South

1. From Marietta/Smyrna, take I-75 South.
2. Merge onto the Downtown Connector (I-75/85 South).
3. Stay left for I-85 South when they split.
4. Take Exit 72 – Camp Creek Pkwy / Airport.
5. Follow airport signs.

From Southside (College Park, East Point, Riverdale, Fayetteville)

If you live on the Southside, you’re closer than most:

From College Park / East Point:

• Use Main St, Virginia Ave, or local roads to access the airport perimeter, then follow signs for Airport Blvd / N Terminal Pkwy or International Terminal.

From Riverdale / Fayetteville / Peachtree City:

1. Head toward I-85 North.
2. Take I-85 North toward Atlanta.
3. Watch for airport exits:
   • For Domestic, use the main Airport / Camp Creek Pkwy.
   • For International, follow signage for International Terminal / Maynard Jackson Jr. Intl Terminal.

Domestic vs. International Terminal: Which Way Do You Go?

Most confusion comes from picking the right terminal side. Here’s a quick guide.

Domestic Terminal (North & South)

The Domestic Terminal is for most U.S.-based flights. It’s split into:

• North Terminal – often used by:
  • Delta check-in overflow, some partner airlines, and several other carriers
• South Terminal – often used by:
  • Delta Air Lines (primary) for most domestic flights

🧭 Driving to the Domestic Terminal:

• Follow interstate signs for “Domestic Terminal” or “North / South Terminal Pkwy”.
• Once you enter the airport roadway, choose North or South based on your airline.
• Then follow signs to Departures (upper level) or Arrivals (lower level).

International Terminal (Concourse F)

The International Terminal has its own entrance and parking, separate from the Domestic side.

🧭 Driving directly to the International Terminal:

• From I-75 (north or south), take Exit 239 – International Terminal.
• Follow signs for the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal / Concourse F.
• You’ll arrive at the International Departures / Arrivals area and dedicated parking.

🚨 Important: Many people accidentally drive to the Domestic side for an international flight.
If your airline ticket or boarding pass mentions “Concourse F” or specifically labels International Terminal, it’s safer to use the International entrance off I-75.

Using MARTA to Get to Atlanta Airport

If you want to avoid traffic and parking, MARTA is one of the easiest ways to reach the airport from many parts of Atlanta.

MARTA Rail to the Airport

• Airport Station: Located inside the Domestic Terminal, at the west end of the terminal.
• Served by both:
  • Red Line
  • Gold Line

You don’t have to transfer between these lines if you’re already on Red or Gold—both go directly to Airport Station.

General steps:

1. Go to your nearest MARTA rail station.
2. Purchase a Breeze Card or Breeze ticket and load your fare.
3. Take the Red or Gold Line train in the direction of Airport.
4. Stay on until the final stop: Airport.
5. Exit the train and follow signs for Baggage Claim / Ticketing / Ground Transportation.

From Major Areas by MARTA

From Downtown (Five Points):

• Board the Southbound train (Red or Gold).
• Ride to Airport Station (end of the line).

From Midtown (Arts Center, Midtown, North Ave):

• Take a Southbound Red or Gold Line directly to Airport Station.

From Buckhead (Lindbergh Center, Buckhead, Lenox):

• From Lindbergh Center, take a Southbound Red or Gold to the airport.
• From Buckhead (Red Line): southbound Red directly to the airport.
• From Lenox (Gold Line): southbound Gold directly to the airport.

MARTA and the International Terminal

The MARTA train does not stop directly at the International Terminal. If you’re flying international:

1. Take MARTA to Airport Station (Domestic Terminal).
2. Inside the Domestic side, follow signs for:
   • “International Terminal Shuttle” or
   • Take the Plane Train to Concourse F if you’re already checked in and going airside.
3. For pickups at International Arrivals, use the airport-operated shuttle between Domestic and International ground transportation areas.

Rideshare, Taxis, and Shuttles

If you’d rather not drive, Atlanta offers several ground transportation options that take you straight to ATL.

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

You can be dropped off at either Domestic Departures or the International Terminal, depending on your flight.

• Set your destination as:
  • “Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Domestic Terminal” or
  • “Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – International Terminal”
• The app will guide your driver to the correct drop-off lanes.

🏷 Tip: When being picked up from the airport, follow the airport’s rideshare signage, which often leads to designated pickup zones separate from regular taxis.

Taxis

Taxis operate from many parts of Atlanta and surrounding cities to ATL.

• Official airport taxis queue at:
  • Domestic Terminal, lower-level Ground Transportation.
  • International Terminal, Arrivals level Ground Transportation.
• To go to the airport, you can call a local cab company or find a taxi at major hotels and transportation hubs.

Hotel & Private Shuttles

Many airport-area hotels in College Park, East Point, and along Virginia Avenue provide complimentary shuttles to and from ATL.

• Hotel shuttles usually pick up and drop off at designated Hotel Shuttle areas in Ground Transportation.
• Private shuttles and shared-ride services may require advance booking and will specify where to meet at the terminal.

Parking & Drop-Off Directions

If you’re driving yourself or dropping someone off, knowing your parking choices can save time.

Domestic Terminal Parking Options (High-Level Overview)

• All are accessed via the main airport roadway off I-85 / Camp Creek Pkwy.
• Follow signs for “Parking”, then your specific parking type.

International Terminal Parking

The International Terminal has its own parking garage directly in front of the terminal and additional economy options nearby.

• From I-75, use Exit 239 – International Terminal.
• Follow International Terminal / Parking signs.
• Choose from:
  • International Parking Garage (closest, higher daily rate)
  • International Economy Parking (farther, often served by shuttle or a longer walk)

Getting Between Domestic and International Sides

If you end up at the wrong terminal or need to move between them, ATL provides shuttle connections.

• Landside shuttle: Connects Domestic Terminal Ground Transportation to the International Terminal.
• Airside Plane Train: Once you’re past security, you can ride between all concourses (A–F and T).

This is especially useful if:

• You parked at the Domestic Terminal but are flying internationally, or
• Someone is arriving internationally while you’re coming from the Domestic side.

Directions from Other Georgia Cities to ATL

Many travelers drive in from other cities and towns across Georgia.

From Athens, GA

1. Take GA-316 West toward Atlanta.
2. Merge onto I-85 South near Lawrenceville.
3. Stay on I-85 South through Atlanta.
4. Take Exit 72 – Camp Creek Pkwy / Airport.
5. Follow signs to Domestic or International.

From Macon, GA

1. Take I-75 North toward Atlanta.
2. As you approach the metro area:
   • For International Terminal, stay on I-75 North and use Exit 239 – International Terminal.
   • For Domestic Terminal, continue to the I-75/85 Connector, then follow signage to I-85 South / Airport and Exit 72 – Camp Creek Pkwy / Airport.

From Augusta, GA

1. Take I-20 West toward Atlanta.
2. Near Downtown, merge onto the Downtown Connector (I-75/85 South).
3. Stay on I-85 South.
4. Take Exit 72 – Camp Creek Pkwy / Airport.
5. Follow airport signs.

Helpful Airport Contacts & On-Site Services

For route clarifications or terminal/parking questions, it may help to have official contact details:

• Hartsfield-Jackson General Information
  Phone: (800) 897-1910
  Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

• Atlanta Department of Aviation (administrative offices)
  Physical offices are generally located on the airport campus; callers can be routed via the main airport information line.

For real-time directions, many local drivers use:

• GPS apps (by entering “ATL Domestic Terminal” or “ATL International Terminal”)
• Digital message boards and roadway signs approaching the airport that indicate lane choices and terminal splits.

By focusing on your starting point, terminal (Domestic vs. International), and preferred transportation mode, you can choose the route that fits your schedule and comfort level. With the right directions, getting to Atlanta’s airport becomes one of the simpler parts of your trip.