Atlanta Airport Pickup: How to Meet Rides, Guests, and Shuttles at Hartsfield–Jackson

Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world, which means airport pickup can feel confusing—especially if you’re not used to the terminals, traffic patterns, and rideshare rules.

This guide breaks down exactly how Atlanta airport pickup works for:

• Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)
• Taxis and shuttles
• Friends and family pickups
• Rental car shuttles
• International arrivals
• Accessibility needs

All tips are specific to ATL in Atlanta, Georgia so you can plan your pickup without stress.

Key Things to Know About Atlanta Airport Pickup

ATL has two main sides:

• Domestic Terminal – split into North and South sides
• International Terminal – Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, often called International or Terminal F

Where you meet your ride depends on:

• Whether you’re arriving domestic or international
• Whether you’re using rideshare, taxi, shuttle, or a private pickup
• Whether you’re getting picked up at curbside or a designated lot

Here is a quick overview:

Domestic Terminal Pickups (North & South)

Most flights within the U.S. arrive at the Domestic Terminal, then travelers ride the Plane Train to baggage claim.

Where Domestic Passengers Come Out

After baggage claim, passengers exit into one of two sides:

• North Terminal (Delta usually uses South, but always check your ticket)
• South Terminal

Both have Arrivals / Baggage Claim on the lower level with curbside lanes outside.

Friends & Family Pickup at ATL Domestic

If you’re picking someone up yourself (not using rideshare):

1. Use Cell Phone Lots First

There are free Cell Phone Lots where drivers wait until the traveler is ready:

• Follow signs for Cell Phone Lot near the Domestic Terminal entrances.
• Your passenger calls or texts when:
  • They have their bags
  • They’re standing at curbside
• You then drive up to the correct North or South Arrivals curb.

This helps avoid circling the terminal and reduces the chance of being told to move along by airport staff.

2. Curbside Pickup at Domestic Arrivals

Once your passenger is ready:

• Follow signage for Arrivals / Baggage Claim
• Choose North or South depending on your traveler’s airline
• Pull into the outer curb lane if possible; the inner lanes can be busier

🚦 Important:
Curb space is meant for active loading only. Airport officers often ask drivers to move if:

• The passenger is not already at the curb
• You park and leave your vehicle unattended

Tip: Have your passenger tell you:

• Which terminal (North or South)
• A nearby door number or sign (e.g., “South terminal, Door S3”)

Rideshare Pickup at Atlanta Airport (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

Rideshare works differently at Domestic vs. International.

Domestic Terminal Rideshare

Rideshare pickups at the Domestic Terminal are not at curbside. They are in designated Economy Lots:

• Open your rideshare app after getting your bags.
• Select Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport as your pickup.
• Follow the in-app directions—usually something like:
  • “Proceed to the North Economy Pickup Lot” or
  • “Proceed to the South Economy Pickup Lot”

There are signs inside the airport pointing to “Rideshare” or “App-Based Rides.” You may walk through covered walkways or across crosswalks to reach the lot.

For drivers:

• Follow airport signs for Rideshare / App-Based Rides and Economy Pickup Lots.
• The app will indicate which lot and zone you’re assigned to.

Why it matters:
Trying to do rideshare pickup at curbside domestic arrivals can lead to confusion and sometimes enforcement issues. The airport expects app-based rides to use the Economy/Rideshare areas.

International Terminal Rideshare

The International Terminal (F) is smaller and operates differently:

• Many rideshare pickups here are allowed closer to curbside than at Domestic.
• Use your app and choose International Terminal / Terminal F as your pickup.
• Follow signs for Passenger Pickup / Rideshare outside the Arrivals level.

Both passengers and drivers should:

• Confirm the pickup point in the app
• Double-check the license plate, make, and driver name before getting in

Taxi Pickup at Atlanta Airport

If you prefer a traditional taxi, ATL has official taxi queues.

Domestic Terminal Taxi Stands

• After baggage claim, follow signs for Taxi or Ground Transportation.
• There are taxi stands outside both:
  • North Terminal baggage claim
  • South Terminal baggage claim
• Airport-approved taxis line up there, and attendants may help direct you.

International Terminal Taxi Stand

• After arriving at Terminal F, collect baggage and exit to Arrivals.
• Follow signs to the Taxi area just outside the terminal.

Payment & Tips:

• Many taxis accept credit/debit cards, but it can be wise to confirm before the ride.
• Flat-rate zones from the airport to certain areas of Atlanta are common, especially to Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead; ask the driver to clarify the expected fare before you leave.

Hotel, Shared, and Private Shuttle Pickups

Many Atlanta hotels, parking services, and shared-ride shuttles run transport to and from ATL.

Where to Find Shuttles – Domestic Terminal

At the Domestic Terminal:

• Look for Ground Transportation signage after baggage claim.
• Designated zones outside may be labeled for:
  • Hotel / Motel Shuttles
  • Off-Airport Parking Shuttles
  • Shared Ride / Charter Buses

Your hotel or shuttle provider often tells you:

• Which terminal side (North or South)
• Which island or lane to stand at

International Terminal Shuttles

At Terminal F:

• After customs and baggage, follow signs for Ground Transportation.
• There are external zones for:
  • Hotel and parking shuttles
  • Charter or pre-arranged buses

If your service mainly operates from the Domestic Terminal, they may direct you to:

• Take the free airport shuttle between the International and Domestic Terminals, then
• Meet them in the designated domestic shuttle area

Rental Car Pickup at ATL

The Rental Car Center (RCC) serves almost all major rental companies in Atlanta.

Getting to the Rental Car Center

From the Domestic Terminal:

• Follow signs for SkyTrain / Rental Cars.
• Board the ATL SkyTrain (an automated people mover).
• The SkyTrain takes you directly to the RCC in just a few minutes.

From the International Terminal (F):

• Many travelers take a shuttle from Terminal F to the Rental Car Center, or
• Use a shuttle to the Domestic Terminal and then board the SkyTrain.

The RCC houses counters, parking, and pickup zones for multiple agencies. When you arrive:

• Follow signs for your specific rental company
• Pick up your vehicle from the indicated area

International Arrivals & Pickup (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Terminal)

If you’re picking up someone arriving from outside the U.S., they may:

• Land directly at Terminal F (International Terminal) or
• Arrive at a domestic concourse and clear customs at a different area, depending on the flight routing

Meeting Someone at the International Terminal

For Terminal F:

• Use the International Terminal entrance, located off I-75 (separate from the main Domestic entrance off I-85).
• Park in the International Terminal parking deck or wait in a cell phone lot if available.
• Your passenger will:
  • Go through passport control and customs
  • Collect checked bags
  • Exit into the International Arrivals area
• You can meet them:
  • At Arrivals inside (if you’ve parked)
  • Or at curbside Arrivals if you’re doing an active pickup

Make sure your passenger confirms:

• That they are indeed at Terminal F
• Which door or location they are near at curbside

Parking Options for Airport Pickup

If you want to meet your guest inside the terminal instead of driving curbside:

Short-Term & Hourly Parking

• Located directly in front of the Domestic North and South Terminals and at the International Terminal.
• Best for:
  • Meeting elderly family members
  • Helping with luggage
  • Greeting someone you haven’t seen in a while

You’ll take the walkway or elevator from the deck into the terminal, then:

• Meet your guest near baggage claim, or
• Pick a simple, visible landmark (e.g., a specific baggage carousel sign)

Economy & Long-Term Parking

These lots are a bit farther away and better suited if you plan to stay longer. For quick pickups, hourly / short-term is usually easiest, even if the per-hour cost is higher.

Accessibility and Special Assistance Pickup

For travelers with mobility issues, wheelchairs, or medical conditions, ATL and the airlines offer assistance:

• When booking the flight, travelers can request wheelchair or mobility assistance.
• Airline staff or wheelchair assistants typically escort the traveler:
  • From the aircraft,
  • Onto the Plane Train if needed,
  • All the way to baggage claim and curbside.

As the person picking them up:

• Plan extra time, especially at busy hours.
• Coordinate a specific meeting point:
  • At baggage claim, or
  • At a particular curbside door (e.g., “North Terminal Arrivals, Door N4”)

Curbside areas at both the Domestic and International Terminals include spaces where wheelchair users can load safely, but still under active loading rules.

Tips to Make Atlanta Airport Pickup Smoother

A few practical habits can save time and stress:

1. Confirm the exact terminal and side.

   • Domestic: North vs. South
   • International: Terminal F

2. Share location by phone

   • Travelers can send a map pin or share their live location once they’re at the curb or a known indoor spot.

3. Use the Cell Phone Lot

   • Avoid circling the terminal and risking being waved along by officers.

4. Check traffic before you leave

   • Atlanta interstates (I-75, I-85, I-285) can back up, especially during rush hours and major events.

5. Follow airport signs closely

   • Ground transportation, rideshare, rental car, and parking areas are clearly signed, but you need to pay attention early to take the correct split.

6. Give yourself a time buffer

   • Baggage claim, customs (for international), and busy security periods can all slow your traveler down.

When You’re Not Sure Where to Go

If you get turned around once you’re near ATL:

• Look for information desks inside the terminal.
• Follow the overhead roadway signs for:
  • Arrivals or Passenger Pickup
  • Rideshare / App-Based Rides
  • Taxis, Shuttles, or Rental Cars
• If needed, your passenger can ask airport staff inside for the best exit for their type of pickup.

Understanding the difference between Domestic North, Domestic South, and the International Terminal—and knowing that rideshare has its own pickup areas—will handle most Atlanta airport pickup situations smoothly.