Atlanta Airport Storage Lockers: How to Store Your Bags at Hartsfield-Jackson

If you’re flying through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and need a place to leave your luggage, you’ll quickly discover an important detail: Atlanta Airport does not currently offer traditional self-service storage lockers inside the terminals.

That doesn’t mean you’re out of options, but it does change how you plan. This guide walks through what’s available in and around ATL, how locals and visitors typically handle storage, and what to consider depending on your layover length, security needs, and where you’re heading in metro Atlanta.

Does Atlanta Airport Have Storage Lockers?

No – ATL does not have public, coin-operated, or self-service storage lockers inside the airport.

After security rule changes over the years, many U.S. airports either removed or never installed public lockers. Hartsfield-Jackson falls into that category. You will not find:

• Locker banks in the Domestic Terminal (North or South)
• Lockers in the International Terminal (Concourse F / Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)
• Lockers in concourses A–E or T

Airport information desks and the general information line (404-530-7300) typically confirm that traditional baggage lockers are not available.

Instead, travelers rely on a combination of:

• Nearby luggage storage services around College Park, East Point, and downtown Atlanta
• Hotel bell desks (even if they’re not staying the night, in some cases)
• Transportation solutions (keeping bags in a vehicle or rental car)
• Self-storage facilities for longer-term needs

What Are Your Realistic Options for Luggage Storage Near ATL?

Since lockers aren’t inside the airport, your main choices are off-site storage or arrangements through lodging and transportation.

1. Off-Site Luggage Storage Services

Several third-party services and local businesses near Atlanta Airport and in central Atlanta offer short-term luggage storage. These are typically:

• Lockable back-room or secure area storage
• Charged by the bag per hour or per day
• Located in areas like College Park, East Point, Downtown, and Midtown

Common patterns:

• You reserve online or by phone
• Drop off your bags at a partner location (often a hotel, shop, or office)
• Pick them up later the same day or within a defined time window

Since availability and partners can change, it’s wise to:

• Check the exact address and hours before booking
• Confirm what ID is required to drop off and pick up
• Ask about late pick-up policies and fees

📝 Tip: If you’re on a layover and planning to ride MARTA into the city, it’s often easiest to store your bag near Peachtree Center, Five Points, or Midtown so you can explore without backtracking to the airport too early.

2. Hotels Near Atlanta Airport

Many airport-area hotels around Hartsfield-Jackson (along Virginia Avenue, Old National Highway, and Best Road in College Park and East Point) are accustomed to travelers with time gaps between flights.

Common practices:

• Guests often leave luggage with the bell desk before check-in or after checkout.
• Some hotels may, at their discretion, allow non-guests to store luggage for a fee or as a courtesy, but this is not guaranteed and depends on hotel policy and staffing.

If you’re considering this route:

1. Call the hotel directly (front desk or bell services).
2. Ask if they accept day storage for luggage.
3. Confirm:
   • Cost (if any)
   • Time limits
   • Whether they tag each bag and issue a claim ticket

Popular hotel clusters near ATL include:

• Domestic Terminal area (Camp Creek Parkway, Virginia Avenue, Best Road)
• International Terminal area (Bobby Brown Parkway and surrounding)

📝 Tip: If you already plan to book a room for even part of the day (for a shower or nap), using your hotel’s luggage storage is often the simplest and most secure route.

3. Downtown and Midtown Atlanta Storage for City Visits

If you’re leaving the airport to see the city but don’t want to drag your suitcase around:

• Look for luggage storage services near:
  • Peachtree Center (good for walking to attractions like the SkyView Ferris wheel, Centennial Olympic Park, World of Coca-Cola, Georgia Aquarium)
  • Midtown (near the Fox Theatre, Atlanta Botanical Garden, Piedmont Park)
• These locations work well if you’re using MARTA:
  • From ATL, take the Red or Gold line north directly to stations like Five Points, Peachtree Center, or Midtown.

This is particularly useful if:

• You have a 6–10 hour layover and want to explore
• You’re checking out of an Atlanta hotel but have a late flight out of ATL

4. Rental Cars and Rides

If you’re renting a car from ATL’s Rental Car Center:

• You can generally leave bags locked in the trunk while you move around the city, as long as it’s consistent with your rental agreement and you’re comfortable with the security risk.
• The Rental Car Center is accessible from the terminals by the ATL SkyTrain (free).

For rideshares or taxis:

• There is no standard baggage storage through Uber, Lyft, or taxi companies, but:
  • Longer trips with a driver waiting (e.g., booked private car) may allow bags to remain in the vehicle during your stops.
  • This tends to be more expensive than other options, but may be worth it if you value door-to-door convenience.

Comparing Your Storage Options Around Atlanta Airport

Below is a simple overview of the most common luggage storage approaches for ATL travelers:

How Long Is Your Layover? Storage Strategies by Time Window

The length of your layover or gap between flights strongly influences what makes sense.

Short Layover: Under 4 Hours

If you have under 4 hours total between flights, by the time you:

• Deplane
• Potentially pass through immigration/customs (for some international flights)
• Change concourses
• Go back through security

…there is usually not enough time to leave the airport, store your bags off-site, and come back without stress.

For short layovers at ATL:

• Keep your luggage with you.
• Use seating areas and gate zones with good lines of sight.
• If you want to relax, consider airport restaurants or seating near your departure gate.

Medium Layover: 4–8 Hours

Here’s where off-site storage can start to make sense.

Common approaches:

• Take MARTA from the airport to downtown Atlanta (about 20 minutes), store your bag near Peachtree Center or Five Points, then explore nearby attractions.
• Use a luggage storage service close to ATL if you plan to stay around College Park or eat and work near the airport.
• If you booked a day room at an airport hotel, leave your bags at the hotel while you rest or work.

Remember to leave enough time for:

• Transit back to ATL (MARTA train or rideshare/taxi)
• Security screening (which can be busy at peak times)
• Walking or taking the Plane Train to your departure concourse

Many travelers aim to be back at ATL at least 2 hours before a domestic flight and earlier for international departures.

Long Layover: 8+ Hours or Overnight

With more time:

• Consider heading further into Midtown, Buckhead, or Old Fourth Ward and storing luggage near MARTA stations or your hotel.
• If your itinerary includes an overnight but your lodging is not near the airport, storing your luggage at the hotel where you’re staying is usually the most straightforward choice.
• For multi-day gaps (e.g., flying out of ATL much later in your trip), a self-storage facility in Atlanta or in the suburb where you’re staying may be more cost-effective than per-bag, per-day luggage services.

Safety and Security Considerations

Because ATL doesn’t provide official lockers, you’ll want to be thoughtful about where and how you store your luggage.

Key points:

• Use reputable, established locations. Prioritize businesses or hotels that clearly label and organize stored items.
• Avoid storing valuables (passports, laptops, expensive electronics) in any external storage if possible. Keep critical items on your person in a small daypack.
• Label your bags with your name and a U.S. phone number (or email), especially if you’re flying in and out of Atlanta multiple times.
• Know the closing time. Some downtown or neighborhood locations close in the early evening; you don’t want your bag locked in overnight unintentionally.

Getting Around: ATL to Storage and Back

Understanding your transportation options can help make storage choices smoother.

From ATL to Central Atlanta

• MARTA Rail

  • Direct service from the Airport Station (inside the Domestic Terminal) on the Red and Gold lines.
  • Serves downtown (Five Points, Peachtree Center), Midtown, Buckhead, and beyond.
  • Often the most predictable option during rush hours, avoiding I-75/85 traffic.

• Rideshare / Taxi

  • Designated pickup zones at both Domestic and International terminals.
  • Convenient if you’re heading to a specific address or hotel that isn’t close to MARTA.

Within the Airport

• Plane Train: An automated train inside the secure area connecting Concourse T, A, B, C, D, E, and the Domestic Terminal.
• ATL SkyTrain: Connects the Domestic Terminal to the Rental Car Center and nearby Gateway Center hotels and offices (Westin, Marriott, etc.).

Understanding this layout can help you estimate how long it will take to:

• Return from storage
• Clear security (if you left the secure area)
• Ride the Plane Train to your departure gate

Tips for Locals vs. Visitors

If You Live in Atlanta

You may be:

• Flying out of ATL after moving, renovating, or shifting between leases
• Hosting visitors who need to stash bags between checkout and their flight

Helpful strategies:

• Consider a self-storage unit near your home or job if you regularly need storage before or after trips.
• For friends or family visiting, see if your apartment building, office, or home can serve as the drop spot, then plan their transit to the airport via MARTA or rideshare.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta

Common scenarios:

• Early hotel checkout but evening flight from ATL
• Morning arrival with evening check-in at another location in the city
• Same-day round-trip through ATL with a few free hours in town

In these cases:

• Ask your hotel about luggage storage policies—they often help even outside strict check-in times.
• Consider booking accommodation that’s close to MARTA so you can easily move between the airport, storage, and your sightseeing plans.
• For layovers, calculate how much time you truly have after immigration, customs (if applicable), and security lines before committing to an off-site storage plan.

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Airport Storage Lockers

• There are no traditional storage lockers inside Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• You can still store bags by using:
  • Off-site luggage storage services near ATL or in central Atlanta
  • Hotel bell desks (especially if you’re a guest)
  • Rental cars or self-storage for longer stays
• Your layover length, comfort with transit, and security preferences should guide your choice.
• Plan ahead: verify addresses, opening hours, costs, and the time you’ll need to return to the airport and clear security.

With realistic expectations and a bit of planning, you can navigate Atlanta’s lack of in-airport lockers and still enjoy the city—or a stress-free layover—without dragging your bags everywhere.