Atlanta Airport North Hourly & Daily Parking: How It Works and How To Use It

If you’re flying in or out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and want to park close to the terminals, the North Hourly and Daily Parking options are some of the most convenient choices—especially for the North Terminal (Delta and many domestic airlines).

This guide breaks down what “North Hourly” and “North Daily” parking actually mean, how much to expect to pay, where to enter, and how to decide which ATL parking option fits your trip.

North Side Parking at ATL: The Basics

When people talk about Atlanta Airport North Hourly and Daily Parking, they’re usually referring to the large parking decks directly connected to the North Terminal:

• North Hourly Parking Deck
• North Daily Parking Deck

Both are airport-operated facilities, located on airport property and connected to the terminal via short walks and covered walkways.

These decks are best for:

• Travelers departing from the North Terminal
• People picking up or dropping off passengers and wanting to park and go inside
• Those who value proximity and convenience over the lowest possible price

North Hourly vs. North Daily Parking: What’s the Difference?

Both decks are close to the North Terminal, but they’re designed for different types of trips.

North Hourly Parking

Best for:

• Quick drop-offs and pickups
• Short visits (meeting an arriving passenger at baggage claim, walking them to security, etc.)
• Situations where time and proximity matter more than cost

Key features:

• Closest parking to the North Terminal entrances
• Designed for very short stays, typically up to a few hours
• The rate structure usually favors hourly billing, not overnight

You can usually walk from your car to the terminal in a few minutes using covered walkways or direct deck-to-terminal access.

North Daily Parking

Best for:

• Overnight or multi-day trips
• Travelers flying out of the North Terminal
• People who want a balance of convenience and cost

Key features:

• Still very close to the terminal—long-term but convenient
• Designed for overnight and longer stays
• Rate is typically daily, with a cap per 24 hours

Walking time from North Daily to the terminal is typically only a few extra minutes compared with North Hourly, but the daily rate is usually more favorable if you’re leaving your car for more than a few hours.

Quick Comparison: North Hourly vs. North Daily

Use this simple table to help decide which option makes more sense for your situation.

Rule of thumb:

• If you’ll be there only an hour or two, North Hourly can be worth it.
• If you’ll be there longer than a few hours or overnight, North Daily is usually the smarter choice.

Where the North Parking Decks Are Located

Both North decks sit on the North Terminal Parkway side of the airport, serving:

• Delta Air Lines
• Several other domestic carriers based on the North side (subject to airline assignments)

Driving to North Parking from Metro Atlanta

Most Atlanta-area drivers reach the airport from I-85 or I-75:

1. Head toward “Airport / Domestic Terminal.”
2. Follow signs for Domestic Terminal – North (not South).
3. As you approach, watch for overhead signs for:
   • North Hourly Parking
   • North Daily Parking
4. Take the appropriate ramp into the multi-level parking deck.

Signage is usually clear, but traffic near the terminal can be busy, especially during:

• Early morning departures (5–8 a.m.)
• Late afternoon/evening return waves
• Holidays and school breaks

Leaving a little extra time to navigate to the correct deck is a wise move.

How Much Does North Hourly & Daily Parking Cost?

ATL’s official rates can change, but the general cost pattern is:

• North Hourly:

  • Charged by the hour
  • Higher per-hour cost, not intended for multi-day trips

• North Daily:

  • Charged per 24-hour period
  • Usually more economical for overnight and extended stays than Hourly

Because ATL adjusts pricing periodically, it’s sensible to:

• Check the airport’s parking page or automated parking info before leaving home
• Look at the posted rates when you enter the deck (usually on signs near the entrance)

If you’re an Atlanta resident who flies often, it can be helpful to memorize or note the current daily rate to quickly compare against other options like Economy, Park-Ride, or off-airport lots.

How Long Can You Park in North Hourly or Daily?

In North Hourly

• Intended for short-term parking
• Many travelers park here for:
  • 30–90 minutes while picking someone up
  • A couple of hours to accompany family members to or from the terminal
• While you may be able to leave your car longer, the cost adds up quickly, and it’s not designed for multi-day use

In North Daily

• Commonly used for:
  • Weekend trips
  • Week-long vacations
  • Business travel of several days
• There is typically no very short maximum stay, but if you’re leaving a car for an extended period (for example, two weeks), it can be worth:
  • Checking the most recent ATL parking policies
  • Comparing against Economy or Park-Ride pricing

Comparing North Parking to Other ATL Options

If you’re deciding between North Hourly/Daily and other ATL parking, here’s how they usually stack up:

North Hourly & Daily

• Closest to the North Terminal
• Walkable—no shuttle required
• Best for:
  • Business travelers who want minimal connection time
  • Families with lots of luggage or small kids
  • Anyone wanting a simple, quick walk from car to check-in

Economy & Park-Ride Lots

• Generally cheaper per day
• Require a shuttle ride or longer walk
• Good for:
  • Week-long or longer trips
  • Budget-conscious travelers
  • People who don’t mind adding shuttle time

Cell Phone Lot (for pickups)

• Located near the airport, signed as Cell Phone Lot
• Free, short-term waiting area
• Designed for:
  • Drivers waiting for arriving passengers to call/text when they’re ready at curbside
• You cannot leave your car or wait for long periods inside the terminal

Picking Up or Dropping Off at the North Terminal: Best Parking Moves

If You’re Dropping Someone Off

You have a few options:

1. Curbside drop-off (North Terminal Departures):

   • Pull up, unload bags, say a quick goodbye
   • Airport staff often ask you not to linger
   • No parking fee, but you can’t leave your vehicle unattended

2. North Hourly Parking:

   • Park and walk them inside
   • Ideal if:
     • You want to help with check-in or bags
     • You’re seeing off an elderly traveler or children
   • Expect to pay for at least 1–2 hours even for a short visit

3. North Daily Parking (less common for quick drop-offs):

   • Generally used for true trips, not short visits
   • Could make sense if you’re combining airport drop-off with other errands and expect to stay longer

If You’re Picking Someone Up

You can choose based on timing and how close you want to get:

• Cell Phone Lot + Curbside Pickup

  • Wait until they have their luggage
  • Drive to curbside once they’re ready
  • No parking charges if you don’t enter the deck

• North Hourly Parking

  • Park and meet them at:
    • Baggage claim
    • A designated meeting point in the terminal
  • Good for out-of-town guests, elderly relatives, or VIP visitors where you want to personally escort them

If your arriving passenger is uncertain about timing or prone to delays, you may want to start in the Cell Phone Lot and move to North Hourly only once they’re on the ground and moving.

Step-by-Step: Using North Daily Parking for a Trip

For many Atlanta residents, North Daily is a go-to option for North Terminal flights. Here’s what the process typically looks like:

1. Plan Your Timing

   • Add extra time beyond your usual airport arrival for:
     • Potential traffic on I-75 / I-85
     • Navigating to the correct deck
     • Finding a parking space
   • Many travelers aim to arrive 2 hours before domestic flights, 3 hours before international, plus an extra 20–30 minutes if parking on-site.

2. Follow Signs to North Daily Parking

   • As you near ATL, follow:
     • “Domestic Terminal – North”
     • Then “Daily Parking – North”
   • Enter the deck through the signed entrance lanes.

3. Take a Ticket or Use Payment Method

   • Most airport decks use:
     • A ticket on entry (pay at exit), or
     • A credit card-in / credit card-out system
   • Keep your ticket or remember which card you used.

4. Park and Note Your Location

   • Decks are large and multi-level—write down or take a photo of:
     • Level letter/number
     • Row marker
     • Nearby signs or elevator bank

5. Walk to the Terminal

   • Use elevators/stairs to reach the terminal-connected level
   • Follow indoor signs to the North Terminal check-in area

6. Returning From Your Trip

   • Once you land:
     • Claim your luggage
     • Follow signs back to North Daily Parking
   • Use your ticket or payment method at the exit gate to pay your balance.

Tips for Atlanta Travelers Using North Hourly & Daily Parking

A few practical pointers especially useful for Atlanta-area drivers:

• Rush hour can double your drive time. Morning and afternoon rush periods on the Downtown Connector and I-285 can cause heavy delays. Always cushion your schedule.
• Avoid last-minute deck changes. Know ahead of time whether you’re using North Hourly or North Daily so you can:
  • Track costs accurately
  • Follow the correct signs without looped reroutes
• Check your terminal and airline. Some airlines move between North and South terminals over time. Confirm on your booking or with your airline to ensure you park on the correct side.
• Traveling often? If you regularly use ATL for business, it can be useful to:
  • Keep a running idea of current daily rates
  • Decide when you’ll favor North Daily vs. Economy or Park-Ride for longer trips
• Consider accessibility needs. North decks usually offer:
  • Accessible parking spaces near elevators and walkways
  • Elevator access between levels
    If you or your passenger have mobility concerns, parking on these levels and using the closest elevator/elevated walk can make the journey smoother.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Airport North Hourly & Daily Parking

• North Hourly Parking is ideal for short visits, drop-offs, and pickups when you want to park and go inside the terminal.
• North Daily Parking is designed for overnight and multi-day trips, offering close-in parking that’s still walkable.
• Both decks serve the North Terminal of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and are accessed via Domestic Terminal – North road signage.
• For Atlanta residents and frequent visitors, choosing between North Hourly, North Daily, Economy, and Park-Ride often comes down to balancing:
  • Cost vs. convenience
  • Trip length
  • How close you need to be to the terminal

By knowing how these North parking options work before you leave home, you can plan your route, budget your parking costs, and make your trip through Atlanta’s airport smoother from the moment you pull into the deck.