Navigating Atlanta Airport Terminals: A Local Guide to Hartsfield–Jackson ATL

If you live in Atlanta, fly in and out frequently, or you’re visiting for the first time, understanding the Atlanta airport terminals can make your trip a lot smoother. Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is big and busy, but its layout is actually very logical once you know how it’s organized.

This guide walks you through the terminals, concourses, transportation between them, and what to expect when you fly into or out of Atlanta.

The Basics: How ATL Is Laid Out

Hartsfield–Jackson isn’t a cluster of separate buildings like some airports. Instead, it’s laid out in a straight line:

• One Domestic Terminal (with North and South sides)
• One International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)
• Seven concourses in between:
  • Concourse T (closest to Domestic)
  • Concourse A
  • Concourse B
  • Concourse C
  • Concourse D
  • Concourse E
  • Concourse F (connected to the International Terminal)

All concourses are connected by the underground Plane Train (airport train) and pedestrian walkways, so you don’t exit security to move between them.

Key Terminals at Atlanta Airport

Domestic Terminal (North & South)

Location: Western end of the airport campus
Address (general for ATL): 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

The Domestic Terminal is split into two main sides:

• Domestic Terminal North
• Domestic Terminal South

Each side has its own:

• Ticketing/check-in counters
• Baggage claim areas
• Security checkpoints
• Ground transportation options

Once you’re past security, both sides feed into Concourse T, and from there you can reach any other concourse.

Domestic Terminal North

This side is commonly used by several major and smaller airlines. You’ll find:

• Ticketing/check-in areas
• TSA security checkpoint
• Baggage claim carousels
• Access down to the Plane Train and Concourse T

If you’re being dropped off by a friend or rideshare and your airline uses North, they’ll follow signs to “North Terminal” and “Departures”.

Domestic Terminal South

Domestic Terminal South is heavily associated with Delta Air Lines check-in, along with some partner carriers. Here you’ll find:

• Delta ticketing/check-in
• TSA security
• Baggage claim
• Plane Train access

Locals who fly Delta frequently often head straight to South for check-in, then use the train to reach their departing concourse.

International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)

Location: Eastern end of the airport, separate access road from I-75
Address: 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30354

The International Terminal serves:

• International departures
• Most international arrivals (especially non–U.S. carriers and many Delta international flights)
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for entering the United States

It’s directly connected to Concourse F, and via the Plane Train to all other concourses.

You’ll find at the International Terminal:

• Airline counters for international flights
• TSA security for departing international passengers
• Customs and immigration facilities
• International baggage claim
• Ground transportation center and parking

If your ticket says your flight leaves from Concourse F, you can check in and clear security directly at the International Terminal.

Concourse-by-Concourse Overview

After you clear security (at Domestic or International), you’ll move into the concourse system. Every concourse has:

• Departure gates
• Seating areas
• Restrooms
• Food and shops
• Connections to the Plane Train and walkable tunnels

Here’s a simple snapshot:

Note: Airlines can shift gates, so always check your boarding pass and airport screens on the day of travel.

How to Get Between Terminals and Concourses

The Plane Train (Underground People-Mover)

The Plane Train is the fastest way to move between:

• Domestic Terminal (T gates)
• Concourses A–F
• International Terminal

Key points:

• Runs underground with clear announcements and signage
• Trains arrive frequently, usually every few minutes
• Each stop is labeled, for example: “Concourse B. B as in Bravo.”
• Inside, digital signs show upcoming stops in order

If you’re catching a tight connection, follow signs to the Plane Train as soon as you exit your first flight’s gate.

Walking Between Concourses

ATL also has pedestrian walkways between concourses:

• Located one level below the T gates and Domestic Terminal security
• Marked with signs like “Walk to Concourses”
• There are moving walkways and art exhibits along the way

Walking can be useful when:

• You prefer to stretch your legs
• You want to avoid crowded trains
• You have time before your next flight

Between adjacent concourses (like A to B), walking is realistic. For distant ones (like T to F), most travelers still use the Plane Train.

Checking In: Which Terminal Should You Use?

Domestic Flights (Within the U.S.)

If you’re flying to or from another U.S. city:

• Use the Domestic Terminal
• Go to North or South based on your airline’s instructions
• After security, proceed to:
  • Concourse T if your gate starts with T
  • Or take the Plane Train to your specific concourse

Tip: If you’re a regular Delta flyer living in Atlanta, you’ll usually start in Domestic Terminal South, then head to A, B, C, D, or T gates.

International Flights (From or To Atlanta)

If you’re departing Atlanta on an international flight:

• Check your ticketed departure concourse:
  • If it shows F gates, you can go directly to the International Terminal
  • If it shows E gates (or sometimes other concourses), you may start at the Domestic side, depending on your airline’s directions
• Follow airline guidance for check-in location on your itinerary or app

If you’re arriving internationally into Atlanta:

• Many international flights arrive at Concourse F or E
• You’ll go through:
  • Immigration (Passport Control)
  • Baggage Claim (international)
  • Customs
• After customs, you can connect to a domestic flight or exit the airport

If you have a domestic connection after arriving from abroad, follow the airport signs for “Connecting Flights” after customs. This usually takes you back into the secure area toward the Plane Train and concourses.

Ground Transportation at Each Terminal

Domestic Terminal Ground Access

Outside Domestic North and South, you’ll find:

• Passenger pick-up and drop-off lanes
• Rideshare pick-up zones (marked by signs)
• Taxi stands
• Shuttle stops for:
  • ATL SkyTrain (to the Rental Car Center)
  • Off-site parking lots and some hotels
• MARTA access (via the airport station)

If you live in Atlanta, you may use:

• MARTA from Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead
• Local rideshare services
• Long-term parking if you’re away for several days

International Terminal Ground Access

At the International Terminal:

• Passenger pick-up/drop-off
• Taxi and rideshare areas
• Dedicated parking deck adjacent to the terminal
• Shuttle service to:
  • Rental Car Center
  • Domestic Terminal (for some connections or local pickups)

Note: MARTA rail does not directly serve the International Terminal. If you want to use MARTA, you’ll generally travel via the Domestic Terminal and then transfer by shuttle if needed.

Parking Around Atlanta Airport Terminals

Parking options depend on which side you use:

Domestic Terminal Parking

Common options include:

• Hourly/Short-Term Parking
  Closest to the terminal, best for drop-offs, pick-ups, and very short trips.

• Daily/Long-Term Parking
  A bit farther, but still walkable or served by shuttles.

• Park-Ride Lots
  Lower cost, shuttle service to the terminal.

International Terminal Parking

• International Park-Ride and international parking decks are located near the International Terminal, connected by shuttles or walkways.
• Look for signs to “International Terminal Parking” as you approach from I-75 or the east side.

For Atlanta residents, it’s helpful to decide in advance:

• Which terminal you’re using
• How long you’ll be gone
  So you can choose between short-term, long-term, or off-airport private lots.

Security Checkpoints and TSA

Each terminal has its own TSA security checkpoints:

• Domestic Terminal North security
• Domestic Terminal South security
• International Terminal security

After passing through any of these, you can access all concourses A–F via the Plane Train or walkways, without re-clearing security.

Tips to move faster:

• Arrive early, especially during:
  • Early morning (commuter rush)
  • Holidays and major events in Atlanta
• Use TSA PreCheck or other trusted traveler lanes if you’re enrolled
• Keep ID and boarding pass ready at the checkpoint

Locals often learn when their preferred checkpoints are busiest; if one side looks long, the other Domestic checkpoint may sometimes be shorter, and you can still reach your gate after security.

Special Situations: Families, Accessibility, and Assistance

Traveling with Children

Atlanta airport terminals are generally family-friendly. Within the concourses you’ll find:

• Family restrooms
• Nursing rooms or designated areas in certain terminals
• Kid-friendly food options

Arrive with extra time so:

• Kids can use restrooms and stretch before boarding
• You can handle stroller check-ins and seat assignments without rushing

Accessibility and Mobility

For travelers with mobility needs:

• Wheelchair assistance can be requested through your airline in advance
• Moving walkways and elevators exist in every concourse and terminal
• The Plane Train and shuttles are designed to accommodate mobility devices

If you’re picking up someone who needs assistance, you can coordinate directly with their airline and meet them at the arrivals area of the Domestic or International Terminal, depending on where they arrive.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Travelers

Here are some quick, locally relevant pointers:

• 🕐 Build in connection time. ATL is large; even with the Plane Train, plan enough time if you’re changing concourses.
• 🧾 Check your gate often. Gates can change, especially when weather affects flights in and out of Atlanta.
• 🚉 Use MARTA if you’re staying in-town. From the Domestic Terminal, MARTA is convenient if you’re going to Downtown, Midtown, or near the Perimeter.
• 📍 Know which side your ride is on. Tell anyone picking you up whether you’re coming out of Domestic North, Domestic South, or the International Terminal, so they follow the right roadway signs.
• 🧳 Watch for baggage claim signs. Domestic and international baggage claims are in different parts of the airport; follow the overhead signs as soon as you leave your gate area.

Understanding how Atlanta airport terminals connect—Domestic North and South, the International Terminal, and concourses T through F—will make your time at Hartsfield–Jackson much easier. Whether you’re an Atlanta local catching a quick hop to another city, or a visitor connecting through one of the busiest airports in the world, a bit of familiarity with the layout goes a long way.