Atlanta Airport Plane Train: How to Use ATL’s Underground People Mover Like a Pro

If you’re flying through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), you’ll almost definitely hear about the Plane Train. It’s the underground passenger train that connects all the concourses and the Domestic Terminal, and it’s one of the quickest ways to get around the airport.

Whether you live in Atlanta, are coming home, or just passing through on a connection, knowing how the Atlanta Airport Plane Train works can save you time, stress, and a lot of walking.

What Is the Plane Train at Atlanta Airport?

The Plane Train is an automated, underground train system that runs beneath ATL. It connects:

• Domestic Terminal (T)
• Concourses A, B, C, D, E
• Concourse F and the International Terminal area

You’ll ride it after security to:

• Get from your arrival gate to your connecting flight
• Move between concourses for food, restrooms, or shopping
• Exit to the baggage claim and ground transportation areas

It’s free, runs inside the secure area, and is designed to keep people moving quickly through what is often one of the world’s busiest airports.

Plane Train Route and Stations

The Plane Train runs in a straight line underground with clearly labeled stations. Think of it like a shuttle that keeps stopping at every level.

Here’s a simple way to picture the route:

Key point: All Plane Train stations except the Baggage Claim/exit are inside the secure zone. Once you leave for baggage claim or the public terminal area, you cannot re-board the Plane Train without going back through security.

How to Find and Board the Plane Train

From the Domestic Terminal (Arriving at ATL by Car, MARTA, or Drop-Off)

1. Enter the Domestic Terminal (North or South).
2. Go through main security.
3. Once you clear security, follow signs for “Plane Train” or “Transportation Mall.”
4. Take the escalator or elevator down to the train platform.
5. Look at the overhead signs to see which side of the platform you need:
   • One direction heads toward T, A, B…
   • The other direction heads toward E and F.

You do not need a separate ticket or payment for the Plane Train; it’s part of the airport infrastructure.

From Your Arrival Gate (Connecting Flights)

1. Look at your boarding pass or the departure screens to see which concourse your next flight leaves from.
2. Follow overhead signs for “Plane Train”.
3. Go down to the platform and board the train going in the direction of your concourse:
   • If your gate is at A, B, C, or D, use the track headed toward the middle concourses.
   • If your next flight is at E or F (international), ride in that direction.

📌 Tip: The train announces each station and shows it on digital displays inside the car. If you’re unsure, count the stops or watch the screens.

How Often Does the Plane Train Run?

The Plane Train typically runs:

• 24 hours a day
• With short waits between trains, especially during busy hours

Trains usually come every couple of minutes, so you rarely need to wait long. During late-night or very early-morning hours, you might wait a bit longer, but service still usually feels frequent compared to typical city transit.

If there’s a service disruption, ATL usually posts announcements over the intercom and on screens, and airport staff help redirect passengers along the underground Transportation Mall walking corridors.

How Long Does the Plane Train Take?

Approximate ride times between major points:

• T → A: around 1–2 minutes
• T → B: around 3–4 minutes
• T → C: around 5–6 minutes
• T → D: around 7–8 minutes
• T → E: around 9–10 minutes
• T → F: usually under 12 minutes from T

These are rough travel times on the train itself and don’t include:

• Getting down to the platform
• Waiting for the train
• Walking from the station to your actual gate

If you’re connecting flights at ATL, it’s wise to add at least 10–20 extra minutes on top of the ride for walking, escalators, elevator waits, and crowds.

Using the Plane Train for Domestic vs. International Flights

Domestic Flights (Most Atlanta-Based Travelers)

If you’re flying between U.S. cities, you’ll usually pass through:

• Terminal T for check-in and security (if starting in Atlanta)
• Concourses T, A, B, C, or D for your departure/arrival gate

You might use the Plane Train to:

• Get from security (T) to your gate in A–D
• Move between concourses if your arrival and departure gates differ
• Ride back toward T to reach baggage claim and ground transportation

International Flights (Using Concourses E and F)

ATL handles many international flights through Concourses E and F:

• Departing internationally from Atlanta:

  • Check in at either the Domestic Terminal or the International Terminal (depending on your airline).
  • After security, you can use the Plane Train to go to E or F if you’re in the Domestic Terminal, or walk/ride from the International Terminal area to F.

• Arriving internationally into Atlanta (as your first U.S. stop):

  • You’ll go through passport control, baggage claim, and customs.
  • Depending on your itinerary, you may re-check bags and re-enter the secure area.
  • After that, you can use the Plane Train to connect to another concourse for your next flight or to move toward exit points.

If you’re Atlanta-based and someone is picking you up from an international flight, you’ll typically meet them at the International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, Concourse F), which has its own arrivals area and ground transportation access.

Accessibility and Mobility on the Plane Train

The Plane Train is designed to accommodate travelers with limited mobility, strollers, and luggage.

Features typically include:

• Level boarding between the platform and train floor
• Elevators and escalators down to the platform at each station
• Interior space that fits wheelchairs, mobility devices, and strollers
• Visual and audio announcements of each stop

If you or a family member needs extra help:

• Look for airport assistance desks near check-in counters.
• Travelers can arrange wheelchair or mobility assistance in advance through their airline, which usually includes help navigating to and from the Plane Train.

Plane Train vs. Walking the Transportation Mall

Beneath the concourses, ATL also has the Transportation Mall: long, wide underground corridors with moving walkways and art installations.

You can choose to:

• Ride the Plane Train for speed, or
• Walk the Transportation Mall between some concourses

When the Plane Train Makes More Sense

• Tight connections between farther concourses (e.g., A to E, B to F)
• Traveling with kids, lots of luggage, or mobility challenges
• Peak times when the airport is crowded and long walks can be stressful

When Walking Might Be Better

• Going between adjacent concourses (e.g., A to B, B to C)
• When you want to stretch your legs on a long layover
• If the Plane Train platform looks extremely crowded, and you’re not in a rush

You can access the walking corridors from the same general area as the Plane Train; just follow signs for “Transportation Mall” or “Walk to Gates.”

Using the Plane Train with Kids, Luggage, or Groups

Traveling with Kids

• Hold hands: The platforms can get crowded, and trains arrive quickly.
• Stand behind the safety line: There are usually clear markings on the floor.
• Use strollers: Strollers are allowed; just make sure wheels are locked while the train is moving.

Handling Luggage

• Keep larger bags close and out of the center aisles so people can board and exit quickly.
• Many riders stand and hold onto poles or overhead handholds during the short ride.
• If you have very heavy or wide items, allow extra time to board and secure your belongings.

Moving as a Group

• Choose a meeting spot before getting on, such as:
  • “We’ll meet at the middle of the platform at Concourse B.”
• If the train is crowded, you may need to split up between cars and regroup at your destination station.

Safety and Etiquette on the Plane Train

To keep things smooth and safe:

• Let people off before boarding.
• Move away from the doors once inside to make room for others.
• Hold onto a pole or handrail, especially if you’re standing.
• Keep carry-ons and backpacks out of the way of doorways.
• Follow announcements from the airport regarding delays or alternate routes.

Airport security, police, and staff regularly move through the concourses and can assist if:

• You’re lost
• You’re separated from your group
• You have concerns about safety or medical needs

Getting from the Plane Train to Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation

If Atlanta is your final destination, you’ll want to exit toward:

• Domestic Baggage Claim (Concourses T, A–D, some domestic E/F)
• International Baggage Claim (International Terminal for many flights in F and some in E)

Domestic Side (Most U.S. Flights)

1. Ride the Plane Train toward T / Domestic Terminal.
2. Get off at T.
3. Follow signs for:
   • “Baggage Claim”
   • “Ground Transportation”
   • North or South Terminal (depending on your airline)

From there, you can reach:

• MARTA station (for trains into downtown Atlanta, Midtown, and Buckhead)
• Ride-share pick-up zones
• Rental car center (reached via the separate ATL SkyTrain)
• Hotel shuttles and taxis

International Side (Concourse F / International Terminal)

If your flight ends at Concourse F or certain E gates and Atlanta is your final stop, you’ll:

• Go through passport control and customs
• Collect your bags at the International Terminal baggage claim
• Follow signs to International Arrivals and ground transportation

Family and friends picking you up should typically head to the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal area, not the Domestic Terminal.

Helpful ATL Contacts and On-Site Help

For passengers who want official information or assistance related to airport navigation, including the Plane Train:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy
  Atlanta, GA 30320
  Main airport information (general switchboard): (800) 897-1910 (widely published as the airport’s info line)

At the airport itself, you can look for:

• Information desks in the terminals and concourses
• Uniformed airport customer service representatives
• Wayfinding signs in English and other major languages

They can help you:

• Confirm which concourse your flight uses
• Find the Plane Train platform
• Locate baggage claim, MARTA, rideshare pick-up, and other services

Quick Plane Train Tips for Atlanta Travelers ✈️

• You don’t pay for the Plane Train – it’s free for all ATL passengers.
• Stay post-security if you’re connecting flights; once you exit to baggage claim, you must re-clear security.
• Allow extra time: Add 10–20 minutes for walking and waiting, especially at busy times.
• For tight connections, go straight from your arrival gate to the Plane Train, then to your new concourse – skip browsing until you’re near your departing gate.
• If the Plane Train is temporarily unavailable, follow “Transportation Mall” signs to walk between concourses with moving walkways.

Understanding how the Atlanta Airport Plane Train works makes getting through ATL faster, less confusing, and much easier—whether Atlanta is your home base, a frequent work hub, or just a quick stop on your way somewhere else.