Atlanta Airport SkyTrain: How to Use It, Where It Goes, and What to Expect

The Atlanta Airport SkyTrain is one of the easiest ways to move between Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and nearby services without getting in a car. If you’re staying near the airport, renting a car, or connecting to the Georgia International Convention Center, the SkyTrain can save you time, money, and stress.

This guide breaks down exactly what the SkyTrain is, where it goes, how to ride it, and how it fits into getting around Atlanta.

What Is the Atlanta Airport SkyTrain?

The ATL SkyTrain is an elevated, driverless train that connects:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Domestic Terminal)
• The Rental Car Center (RCC)
• The Gateway Center complex in College Park (including hotels and the Georgia International Convention Center)

Key points:

• Always free to ride
• Fully automated (no driver)
• Runs on an elevated track separate from airport roads
• Operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in normal conditions

It’s different from:

• The Plane Train, which runs inside the airport and connects airport concourses
• MARTA, which is Atlanta’s heavy-rail transit system that connects the airport to the rest of the metro area

Think of the SkyTrain as your external connector between the airport and nearby services, and the Plane Train as your internal connector between terminals and concourses.

Where the SkyTrain Goes (Stations & What You’ll Find There)

The Atlanta Airport SkyTrain has three main stops:

1. Airport Station (Domestic Terminal)

The airport SkyTrain station is located at the Domestic Terminal, near the MARTA Airport Station and Ground Transportation Center.

From this stop, you can access:

• Domestic check-in counters (Delta, Southwest, and other airlines)
• Baggage claim
• MARTA Airport Station (for trains to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and beyond)
• Pickup zones for taxis, rideshare, hotel shuttles, and local shuttles

If you’re:

• Arriving at ATL and need a rental car → follow signs to “Rental Car Center / SkyTrain.”
• Arriving and heading to a nearby hotel connected to Gateway Center → follow signs to “SkyTrain / GICC.”
• Departing and returning a rental car → you’ll come back to this station from the RCC on your way into the terminal.

2. Rental Car Center (RCC)

The Rental Car Center is located at:

2200 Rental Car Center Parkway
College Park, GA 30337

The SkyTrain drops you off directly at this multipurpose complex, which houses most major national rental car brands in one location.

At the RCC, you’ll find:

• Rental car counters and customer service desks
• Multi-level parking decks for rental fleets
• Walkways, escalators, elevators, and signage for each company
• Drop-off areas for returning vehicles

The SkyTrain station is built into the facility, so once you step off the train, you walk indoors to reach your rental car company.

3. Gateway Center / GICC Station

The Gateway Center area is connected by SkyTrain and located in College Park. This stop serves:

• Georgia International Convention Center (GICC)
• Gateway Center Arena
• Several airport area hotels (commonly used for overnight stays, conferences, and flight crews)
• Nearby restaurants and parking garages

This stop is especially useful if you:

• Are attending a conference at the GICC
• Are staying near the airport and your hotel advertises SkyTrain access
• Want a hotel that makes it easy to walk or take the train to the airport without a shuttle

How to Ride the Atlanta Airport SkyTrain

Finding the SkyTrain at ATL

At Hartsfield–Jackson, look for overhead signs labeled:

• “SkyTrain”
• “Rental Car Center”
• “GICC / Gateway Center”

From the Domestic Terminal main level:

1. Follow signs toward Ground Transportation / Rental Car Center.
2. Use the elevators, escalators, or walkways to reach the SkyTrain platform.
3. Wait on the platform; trains arrive frequently and doors open automatically.

If you’re at the MARTA Airport Station:

• Exit the fare gates and follow the overhead signs for “SkyTrain / Rental Car Center.”
• It’s a short, indoor walk from MARTA to the SkyTrain station.

Using the SkyTrain Step-by-Step

1. Boarding:

   • When the train arrives, doors open automatically.
   • Let riders exit first, then board.

2. Inside the train:

   • Overhead announcements and screens identify the next stop.
   • Grab a handrail if standing; seating is limited.

3. Stops:

   • From the Airport: first stop is Gateway Center, next is Rental Car Center (or vice versa, depending on direction; check signs onboard).
   • Trains run in a loop, so you’ll arrive at your destination quickly even if you board going the “long way.”

4. Exiting:

   • Doors open automatically at each station.
   • Simply walk off and follow the clearly marked signs to rentals, hotels, or the convention center.

💡 Tip: There is no ticket, no tap card, and no payment—just walk on and off.

Hours, Frequency, and Travel Time

While schedules can be adjusted occasionally, the SkyTrain is generally designed to be:

• 24/7 operation in normal conditions
• Frequent service, typically just a few minutes between trains

Approximate ride times:

• Airport → Rental Car Center: Usually around 5 minutes or less
• Airport → Gateway Center: Even shorter, often 2–3 minutes

Because the ride is so short, even if you just miss a train, your total wait + travel time usually stays under about 10 minutes between any two stations.

SkyTrain vs. Plane Train vs. MARTA: What’s the Difference?

Many Atlanta visitors hear about multiple trains at the airport. Here’s how they compare:

SkyTrain

• Where it runs:
  • Outside the secure area
  • Between Domestic Terminal, Rental Car Center, Gateway Center/GICC
• Use it for:
  • Reaching rental cars
  • Getting to airport-area hotels at Gateway Center
  • Attending events at the GICC or Gateway Center Arena

Plane Train

• Where it runs:
  • Inside the airport’s secure area
  • Connects Domestic Terminal, International Terminal, and all concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, F)
• Use it for:
  • Going from security to your departure gate
  • Making flight connections at ATL

You cannot take the SkyTrain to your concourse gate. That’s the Plane Train’s job inside the airport.

MARTA

• Where it runs:
  • Heavy-rail transit across Atlanta metro area
  • Airport line connects to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Decatur, Doraville, and more
• Use it for:
  • Getting from the airport to Atlanta neighborhoods, hotels, and attractions
  • Avoiding traffic and parking in central Atlanta

You can combine these:

• MARTA → Airport → SkyTrain → Rental Car Center
• MARTA → Airport → SkyTrain → Gateway Center hotel

Using the SkyTrain if You Live in Atlanta

If you’re an Atlanta local, the SkyTrain can still be useful, not just for out-of-town visitors.

Common Local Uses

• Picking up or dropping off a rental car
  • Park in the RCC public parking (paid) or get dropped off, then use the SkyTrain between the RCC and the terminal.
• Attending a convention or event at the GICC or Gateway Center Arena
  • Ride MARTA to the airport, then transfer to the SkyTrain to Gateway Center.
• Meeting friends or family staying at a Gateway Center hotel
  • Avoid driving loops at the terminal by meeting at the Gateway Center stop.

When You Might Skip the SkyTrain as a Local

You may not need the SkyTrain if:

• You’re simply picking someone up curbside at Arrivals or Departures.
• You’re parking in an airport lot/garage right by the terminals and heading straight to check-in.
• You’re not using rental cars, the GICC, or nearby SkyTrain-accessible hotels.

SkyTrain and Accessibility

The Atlanta Airport SkyTrain is designed to be accessible for travelers with mobility needs.

Features typically include:

• Elevators and escalators at each station
• Level boarding between train and platform (no large step up or down)
• Space inside the train for wheelchairs, strollers, and luggage
• Visual and audio announcements for stops

If you or someone you’re traveling with has accessibility needs:

• Allow a couple of extra minutes for transferring between levels.
• Ask airport staff or rental car center staff for directions to elevators and accessible routes.

Safety, Security, and Comfort

The SkyTrain is part of the broader airport infrastructure, so it is typically:

• Well-lit and monitored by security systems and personnel
• Under surveillance as part of airport and facility safety practices
• Indoors or sheltered at stations and along walkways

Common-sense tips:

• Keep your luggage close and zipped.
• Supervise children closely when near train doors and escalators.
• Follow posted instructions and announcements, especially during service changes or unusual conditions.

How the SkyTrain Fits Into Your Overall Atlanta Travel

Here are practical scenarios showing how the SkyTrain integrates with other Atlanta transit options:

1. Flying In, Renting a Car, Driving Into the City

1. Land at ATL, deplane, and go to baggage claim (Domestic or International, depending on your arrival).
2. If arriving internationally and clearing customs at the International Terminal, you may take a shuttle to the Domestic Terminal / Ground Transportation area.
3. Follow signs for “SkyTrain / Rental Car Center.”
4. Ride the SkyTrain to the RCC.
5. Get your rental car and drive via I-85/I-75 or other local routes into Atlanta.

2. Flying In, Using MARTA, and Staying Downtown (No Car)

1. Land at ATL and exit to the Domestic Terminal (or shuttle there from International).
2. Follow signs to the MARTA Airport Station (no need for the SkyTrain in this case).
3. Take MARTA directly to Downtown (Five Points, Peachtree Center), Midtown, or Buckhead.
4. Use your hotel’s directions from the MARTA station.

You don’t need the SkyTrain if you’re going straight from ATL to MARTA and not using rental cars or Gateway Center hotels.

3. Attending a Convention at the Georgia International Convention Center

You have two main options:

• From the Airport (no rental car):

  1. After landing, go to the Domestic Terminal area.
  2. Follow signs for the SkyTrain.
  3. Take it to Gateway Center / GICC.
  4. Walk to the convention center via connected walkways.

• From Downtown Atlanta (no rental car):

  1. Take MARTA to the Airport Station.
  2. Exit and follow signs to SkyTrain.
  3. Ride to Gateway Center / GICC.

This avoids the need to drive or park near the convention center.

Costs and Tickets

One of the biggest advantages of the ATL SkyTrain:

• Cost to ride the SkyTrain: $0 (free)
• No ticket required
• No MARTA fare needed specifically for the SkyTrain itself

You may still pay for:

• MARTA fare if you use MARTA to get to or from the airport
• Rental car fees at the RCC
• Parking at RCC or Gateway Center (if applicable)

Contact and Visitor Information Resources

For questions or issues related to the SkyTrain or connected services, these official resources are helpful:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• Address:
  6000 North Terminal Parkway
  Atlanta, GA 30320
• General information line: Typically available via the airport’s main phone directory
• On-site help:
  • Information desks inside terminals
  • Airport ambassadors and staff throughout the Domestic Terminal

Rental Car Center (RCC)

• Address:
  2200 Rental Car Center Parkway
  College Park, GA 30337
• Each rental company has its own counter and customer service contact number, posted at the RCC and on your reservation.

Georgia International Convention Center (GICC)

• Address:
  2000 Convention Center Concourse
  College Park, GA 30337
• Often provides event-specific transportation details, especially for large conventions or trade shows.

If you are unsure about the SkyTrain’s current operating status, airport information desks and official airport announcements in the terminal are the most direct way to confirm up-to-date conditions.

The Atlanta Airport SkyTrain is a straightforward, no-cost link between the airport, rental cars, and nearby convention and hotel facilities. Once you know where it goes and how to reach it, it quickly becomes one of the easiest parts of navigating ATL and its surrounding area.