Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Ground Transportation: How to Get In and Out Smoothly

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world, so knowing your ground transportation options can save you time, money, and stress. Whether you live in metro Atlanta, you’re visiting the city, or you’re planning a connection through ATL, this guide walks through everything you need to know about getting to, from, and around the airport.

Key Ways to Get To and From Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL)

At ATL, you can choose from:

• MARTA trains (rail)
• Public buses
• Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)
• Taxis
• Hotel shuttles
• Shared ride / shuttle vans
• Rental cars
• Private car / limo services
• Pick-up and drop-off by friends and family
• Off-airport parking shuttles

Each option has its own cost, convenience level, and ideal use case. The best choice depends on where you’re going in Atlanta, your budget, the time of day, and how much luggage you’re carrying.

Understanding ATL’s Basic Layout for Ground Transportation

Hartsfield-Jackson is organized around two main landside areas:

• Domestic Terminal (North & South)
• International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, Concourse F)

Most ground transportation services are concentrated at:

• The Domestic Terminal: Main hub for MARTA, most shuttles, rental car center SkyTrain, and curbside pickups.
• The International Terminal: Has its own ground transportation center, but no MARTA station; free shuttles connect it to the Domestic Terminal and Rental Car Center.

Knowing which terminal you’re using helps you pick the right pickup zone and plan your route.

Taking MARTA to and from Atlanta Airport

MARTA Airport Station Location

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) is often the fastest and most predictable way to get between ATL and many parts of metro Atlanta.

• MARTA Airport Station is located inside the Domestic Terminal, at the west end of the main terminal, near baggage claim and ground transportation.
• It directly serves:
  • Downtown Atlanta
  • Midtown
  • Buckhead
  • Many neighborhoods along the Red and Gold lines.

If you’re arriving at the International Terminal, you’ll take a free shuttle to the Domestic Terminal to access MARTA.

Using MARTA from the Airport

1. Follow signs for “Ground Transportation” and “MARTA.”
2. Purchase or reload a Breeze Card or Breeze ticket from the vending machines.
3. Ride the Red or Gold line:
   • Both lines start at the airport.
   • They run through Downtown and Midtown; then they split further north.
4. Get off at the station closest to your destination (e.g., Five Points, Peachtree Center, Midtown, Arts Center, Buckhead).

When MARTA Makes Sense

MARTA is especially useful if you:

• Are headed to Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead hotels or offices
• Want to avoid traffic on the connector (I-75/85)
• Are traveling during rush hour
• Prefer a budget-friendly option

If you live in Atlanta near a rail station or can connect by bus, MARTA is often the easiest way to the airport.

Public Buses Serving ATL

MARTA also operates bus routes that serve the airport area, which can connect neighborhoods not directly served by rail.

• Buses generally stop at or near the Domestic Terminal.
• Routes can change over time; check MARTA’s official schedules and maps before relying on a specific bus.

Public buses are usually cheaper but slower and less convenient than the train for most visitors. They tend to be most useful for locals familiar with the system who live near a served route.

Rideshare: Uber, Lyft, and Similar Services

Where to Meet Your Rideshare at ATL

Rideshare pickups are not at the same curb as regular passenger pickup.

• Domestic Terminal: Rideshare pickups are typically in a designated Rideshare Zone in the North or South economy parking areas or a specific marked pickup area. Follow airport signs for “Rideshare” or “App-Based Rides.”
• International Terminal: Rideshare pickups are generally at Arrivals level in the designated area for app-based rides.

Look for posted signs in baggage claim and ground transportation areas that guide you to the correct zone. The app will usually specify the pickup door or zone number.

When Rideshare Works Well

Rideshare is a good option if you:

• Are traveling to areas not easily served by MARTA, like many suburban neighborhoods
• Want a door-to-door ride with your luggage
• Are traveling outside MARTA hours or late at night

💡 Tip: During very busy times (large events, holidays, severe weather), surge pricing can raise fares. In those cases, it may be worth comparing rideshare to MARTA or taxis.

Taxis at Hartsfield-Jackson

Taxi Stands and Zones

Official taxi queues are available at both terminals:

• Domestic Terminal: Follow signs to the Taxi area at ground transportation on the Arrivals level.
• International Terminal: A taxi stand is available just outside the Arrivals level in the ground transportation zone.

Airport taxis are regulated and usually line up at the stands, with dispatchers directing passengers to the next available cab.

Flat Rates to Downtown and Nearby Areas

From ATL, taxis often use flat rates to major city zones such as:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown
• Buckhead

Beyond these zones, the metered rate usually applies. Flat-rate zones and prices can be updated, so check the posted fare information in the taxi area.

When Taxis Are a Good Choice

Taxis may suit you if you:

• Prefer not to set up or use a rideshare app
• Want a regulated, standardized airport pickup
• Are traveling to a central area where flat rates may be competitive
• Need help loading luggage and prefer a direct curbside experience

Hotel Shuttles to and from ATL

Many Atlanta-area hotels offer complimentary airport shuttles, especially:

• Hotels near the airport / Airport Boulevard / Virginia Avenue / Camp Creek Parkway
• Some hotels in Downtown and Midtown

Where to Find Hotel Shuttles

• Domestic Terminal: Hotel shuttles typically pick up in the ground transportation area outside the Arrivals level. Look for “Hotel Shuttle” signs and designated lanes.
• International Terminal: Some shuttles stop directly at this terminal; others may require a transfer from the Domestic Terminal, using the airport’s free shuttle.

Before your trip, check directly with your hotel for:

• Whether they operate an airport shuttle
• Pickup times and frequency
• Exact pickup location and terminal instructions

Hotel shuttles are usually most useful if you’re staying near the airport or at a hotel that clearly advertises an ATL shuttle.

Shared Ride Vans and Shuttle Services

Shared ride services and regional shuttles operate between ATL and:

• Surrounding suburbs and exurbs
• Other Georgia cities (for example, some services run to places like Macon, Columbus, or Athens)
• Large conference centers or campus locations

These are typically:

• Pre-booked or scheduled services
• Pick up at a designated shuttle area in the ground transportation center

If you’re traveling from the airport to a smaller city in Georgia or a university town, checking for a shared shuttle can sometimes be more economical than renting a car.

Rental Cars at ATL: Getting to the Rental Car Center

Rental Car Center (RCC) Location

All major rental car companies at ATL are consolidated at the Rental Car Center (RCC):

• Address (for reference):
  2200 Rental Car Center Parkway, College Park, GA 30337

The RCC is not walkable from the terminals. You access it via the SkyTrain.

Using the SkyTrain to the RCC

1. From the Domestic Terminal, follow signs for SkyTrain and “Rental Cars.”
2. Board the ATL SkyTrain, an elevated automated train.
3. The trip to the RCC takes only a few minutes.

If you’re arriving at the International Terminal, you have two main options:

• Take the free shuttle from the International Terminal directly to the Rental Car Center, or
• Take the shuttle to the Domestic Terminal, then the SkyTrain to the RCC.

When Renting a Car Makes Sense

A rental car is useful if you:

• Are staying or living in areas without reliable transit (most suburbs)
• Plan to explore beyond the urban core (Stone Mountain, North Georgia, outer metro counties)
• Have multiple stops and want flexibility

Factor in tolls, parking fees in Downtown/Midtown, and traffic on major interstates like I-75, I-85, and I-285.

Private Car, Limo, and Pre-Arranged Services

Some travelers prefer pre-arranged black car or limo services, which:

• Typically offer meet-and-greet services inside the terminal or at a curbside point
• Use the ground transportation center at each terminal
• Are reserved in advance, with fixed rates based on distance or time

These can be convenient for business travelers, groups, or special occasions but are generally more expensive than taxis or rideshare.

Being Picked Up or Dropped Off by Friends and Family

If someone is driving you:

Curbside Pickup and Drop-Off

• Domestic Terminal: Separate areas for North and South terminal departures and arrivals. Your airline determines which side to use.
• International Terminal: Single arrivals and departures zones, clearly labeled.

Curbside areas are usually active loading and unloading only, and lingering is often not allowed.

Cell Phone Waiting Lots

ATL offers cell phone waiting lots where drivers can wait in their vehicles until you’re ready for pickup:

• These lots are free for short-term waiting.
• Drivers can then proceed to the curb when you call or text that you’ve collected your luggage.

Cell phone lots help avoid circling the airport and reduce congestion at the curb.

Off-Airport Parking and Park-and-Ride Shuttles

Many drivers from the Atlanta area use off-airport parking lots and park-and-ride services:

• These lots are typically located along Camp Creek Parkway, near I-85, and around College Park and Hapeville.
• They provide shuttle buses directly to the Domestic Terminal, and many also serve the International Terminal or provide transfers.

This can be cost-effective for longer trips. Shuttles usually run frequently, but schedules may vary by time of day and company.

Ground Transportation at the International Terminal (Concourse F)

The Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal has its own separate entrance on the east side of the airport, with its own road access.

Key Differences from the Domestic Terminal

• No MARTA station directly at the International Terminal.
• Ground transportation options still include:
  • Taxis
  • Rideshare
  • Hotel and parking shuttles
  • Private cars
• For MARTA or the Rental Car Center, you must use a free shuttle between the International Terminal and:
  • The Domestic Terminal (for MARTA)
  • The Rental Car Center (for rental cars)

If you are Atlanta-based and flying internationally, check your airline’s instructions—some international flights still use Concourse E but may check in at the Domestic Terminal, and others use Concourse F and its own entry road.

Quick Comparison of Main Ground Transportation Options

Practical Tips for Using Ground Transportation at ATL

• Know your terminal: Domestic vs. International affects where you go for MARTA, shuttles, and rideshare.
• Build in extra time: Atlanta traffic, especially on I-75, I-85, and I-285, can be heavy during rush hours (morning and late afternoon/early evening).
• Traveling light? MARTA can be the quickest way to reach most Downtown and Midtown destinations.
• Traveling with a family or lots of bags? A taxi, rideshare, or hotel shuttle is often more comfortable and straightforward.
• Late-night arrivals: Verify the operating hours of MARTA and hotel shuttles if you land very late; taxis and rideshare usually remain available.
• Returning rental cars: Plan enough time to:
  1. Drive to the Rental Car Center
  2. Return your vehicle
  3. Take the SkyTrain back to the Domestic Terminal
  4. Move through check-in and security

With a clear understanding of ATL’s layout and transportation options, you can choose the combination of speed, cost, and convenience that fits your plans in Atlanta.