Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport: A Local’s Guide to ATL

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world and a major gateway to the city and the entire Southeast. Whether you live in metro Atlanta, are flying in for business or a weekend trip, or are just connecting through, understanding how Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport works will save you time, stress, and money.

Where the Airport Is and How It’s Laid Out

Address:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

ATL has two main terminals and multiple concourses:

• Domestic Terminal
  • North Terminal: Primarily Delta ticketing and check-in
  • South Terminal: Other domestic airlines
• International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)
  • Located on the east side of the airport
  • Houses Concourse F and connects airside to Concourse E

Behind security, all concourses are connected by:

• The Plane Train (underground people mover)
• A walkable tunnel with moving walkways and art installations

Concourses: T, A, B, C, D, E, F
Most flights within the U.S. use T–D, while E and F handle many international routes.

Getting To and From Hartsfield-Jackson from Around Atlanta

MARTA (Best for Many In-Town Travelers)

The airport is directly connected to MARTA’s Red and Gold rail lines.

• Station name: Airport Station
• Located inside the Domestic Terminal, at the end of the concourse between North and South Terminal baggage claim
• Trains run from:
  • Downtown Atlanta: about 15–20 minutes
  • Midtown/Buckhead: about 25–35 minutes, depending on the stop
• Great if you’re staying near:
  • Downtown (Peachtree Center, Five Points)
  • Midtown (Arts Center, Midtown)
  • Buckhead (Lenox, Buckhead, Brookhaven/Oglethorpe)

Tip: If you’re flying international but arriving by MARTA, you will arrive at the Domestic Terminal and can take the free International Shuttle outside baggage claim if you need to check in at the International Terminal.

Driving and Parking at ATL

The airport sits along I-85, south of downtown Atlanta.

Main Vehicle Access Points

• Domestic Terminal: From I-85, follow signs for Domestic and then North or South Terminal.
• International Terminal: From I-285, follow signs for International Terminal / Maynard H. Jackson Jr. (eastern side of the airport).

On-Site Parking Options

ATL offers many parking choices. Pricing and availability change, but the layout is consistent:

Local tip: For longer trips, many Atlanta residents compare off-airport parking near Camp Creek Parkway or Sullivan Road with on-site options, especially for week-long travel.

Rideshare, Taxis, and Pick-Up Zones

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

• Domestic Terminal pick-up:
  Follow signs for Rideshare or App-Based Rides. It is usually in a designated area of one of the parking decks, depending on current airport configuration.
• International Terminal pick-up:
  Rideshare pick-up zones are near the Arrivals level; follow the overhead signs once you exit customs or baggage claim.

Taxis

• Official taxi stands are located outside baggage claim at both Domestic and International Terminals.
• Taxis line up in designated lanes; airport staff typically assist with queuing.

Personal Pick-Ups

• Use the Cell Phone Lot to wait until your passenger is curbside.
• Communicate in advance which terminal (Domestic vs. International) and door number you’ll meet at; this makes curbside pick-up much smoother.

Airlines and Destinations From Atlanta

ATL is a major hub that connects Atlanta to much of the world.

Major Airline Presence

• Delta Air Lines: The dominant carrier with extensive domestic and international routes.
• Other airlines commonly serving ATL include:
  • American, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, and others
  • Multiple international carriers in Concourses E and F

If you live in Atlanta, this means:

• Multiple nonstop options to most large U.S. cities
• Regular nonstops to major international hubs in Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and some parts of Asia and Africa (varies by season and airline)

Navigating the Terminals and Security

Domestic Terminal: North vs. South

• North Terminal: Many Delta check-in counters and baggage drop
• South Terminal: Most other domestic airlines
• Once you pass security, it doesn’t matter which side you entered; all concourses connect airside.

Security Checkpoints

• Multiple security checkpoints serve the Domestic Terminal.
• The International Terminal has its own security checkpoint.
• Wait times vary by time of day:
  • Mornings and late afternoons are generally busier
  • Midday and late evening can be smoother

Tips for Atlantans:

• If you live nearby and travel frequently, programs like TSA PreCheck or CLEAR (if available at ATL when you fly) can significantly reduce wait times.
• Build extra time into your schedule during:
  • Monday morning and Thursday/Friday afternoon travel
  • Major holidays and school breaks in Georgia

The Plane Train and Walking Between Concourses

Once you’re past security, you’ll likely use the Plane Train:

• An underground shuttle that stops at:
  • Domestic Terminal (T gates)
  • Concourses A, B, C, D, E, and F
• Trains come every few minutes and are fast and intuitive.

If you prefer to walk:

• A tunnel with moving walkways runs parallel to the Plane Train route.
• It’s well-marked and features art and exhibits, which some travelers enjoy between connections.

Connection timing:
Many passengers comfortably make 45–60 minute connections at ATL, but tighter connections can be stressful if you need to switch from far-apart concourses, especially during busy times.

Food, Shopping, and Amenities at Atlanta Airport

Hartsfield-Jackson has a wide range of restaurants, coffee shops, quick-service options, and bars scattered across all concourses.

You can generally expect:

• Grab-and-go food and coffee near almost every gate area
• Sit-down restaurants in larger concourses, especially A, B, C, and F
• Shops and services:
  • Newsstands and bookstores
  • Convenience stores
  • Souvenir and gift shops
  • Electronics and travel accessory stores

Good to know if you’re local:

• If you’re dropping someone off very early or late, food choices before security are limited compared with the options inside the secure area.
• Some travelers use ATL as a place to meet up over a meal if one person is flying in and another lives in metro Atlanta; you’ll just need to coordinate whether you’ll meet pre- or post-security.

International Travel at ATL (Customs, Immigration, and Baggage)

If you’re arriving from abroad:

• Most international arrivals come into Concourses E or F.
• You will go through:
  1. Immigration
  2. Baggage claim
  3. Customs inspection

After customs:

• If Atlanta is your final destination, you exit into the International Arrivals area.
• If you’re connecting to another U.S. flight, you’ll usually:
  • Re-check your bags just after customs, then
  • Take the Plane Train to the concourse for your connecting flight.

If you’re departing internationally:

• Many airlines use the International Terminal F for check-in.
• Atlantans often:
  • Start at the Domestic Terminal if connecting from a domestic flight, then use the Plane Train to E or F, or
  • Go directly to the International Terminal if they’re beginning their trip in Atlanta and flying directly abroad.

Ground Transportation and Car Rentals

Rental Cars

ATL’s rental car operations are centralized at the Rental Car Center (RCC).

• Accessible by the SkyTrain, an elevated train from the airport:
  • Board near the Domestic Terminal.
  • The ride is only a few minutes.
• Most major national rental brands operate here.

For Atlanta residents:

• Returning a rental from a long trip is usually straightforward: follow signs for Rental Car Return on approach roads, then take the SkyTrain back to the terminal.

Hotel Shuttles

Many airport hotels in the College Park and Airport area offer free shuttles:

• Pick-up/drop-off zones are typically near ground transportation outside baggage claim.
• Check with your hotel for shuttle schedule and exact pick-up location.

Accessibility and Special Assistance

Hartsfield-Jackson provides a range of services for passengers needing extra support:

• Wheelchair assistance (arranged through your airline)
• Accessible restrooms throughout all concourses
• Elevators and ramps near all major transitions
• Designated areas for service animals and pet relief

If you live in Atlanta and know you’ll need assistance:

• Contact your airline before your travel date to note mobility or accessibility needs, and plan a bit of extra time at the airport.

Key Phone Numbers and Helpful Contacts

For general airport information or issues like lost items or parking questions, travelers commonly use:

• General Information (Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport):
  Often available through the airport’s main phone line (verify current number via the City of Atlanta or airport’s official information sources, as contact details can occasionally be updated).

• Airlines:
  Each airline serving ATL maintains its own customer service lines and ticket counters at the airport. If you have flight-specific questions (delays, cancellations, seat changes), contact your airline directly.

Local residents often save:

• Their primary airline’s customer service number
• MARTA Customer Information for rail and bus schedules connecting to the airport

Practical Tips for Atlantans and Visitors Using ATL

• Arrive early:
  • Domestic flights: aim for 1.5–2 hours before departure
  • International flights: aim for 2.5–3 hours, especially during peaks
• Know your terminal:
  • Check if you’re flying from Domestic or International, and whether your airline uses North or South check-in.
• Plan your route:
  • In-town: consider MARTA to avoid parking and traffic.
  • Suburbs: driving may be more convenient; compare on-site vs. off-site parking for longer trips.
• Pack for security:
  • Keep electronics and travel documents accessible.
  • Follow standard security rules to move quickly through checkpoints.
• Build buffer time for connections:
  • ATL is big. Give yourself sufficient time to go between concourses, especially if traveling with children, baggage, or mobility limitations.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a major part of daily life in and around Atlanta. With a basic understanding of its layout, transportation options, and procedures, both locals and visitors can move through Atlanta’s primary airport more confidently and efficiently.