Navigating the Atlanta Airport Domestic Terminal: A Local’s Guide to Hartsfield‑Jackson

Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is huge, but if you’re flying within the United States, you’ll most likely be using the Domestic Terminal. Understanding how this side of the airport is laid out can save you time, stress, and missed connections—especially if you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting the city and flying on to somewhere else.

This guide is focused on the Domestic Terminal at ATL in Atlanta, Georgia: where it is, how to get there, how it connects to the rest of the airport, and what to expect once you’re inside.

Domestic vs. International at ATL: What’s the Difference?

ATL is divided into two main landside areas:

• Domestic Terminal – For most U.S. flights (Delta, Southwest, and other domestic carriers).
• Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F) – For most international departures and arrivals.

Even though ATL is officially “Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport,” your experience is very different depending on which side you use.

Key point for Atlanta travelers:
If your boarding pass shows Concourse T, A, B, C, D, or E and a U.S. destination, you’ll generally use the Domestic Terminal entrance. If it shows Concourse F (or sometimes E for international), you may use the International Terminal instead.

Where the Domestic Terminal Is Located

Address (general ATL airport address):
Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

The Domestic Terminal sits on the western side of the airport, directly off I‑85. It is divided into two main areas:

• North Terminal – Home to Delta Air Lines ticketing and check-in.
• South Terminal – Home to most other domestic airlines, such as Southwest, Spirit, American, United, and others.

You can walk between North and South inside the building once you’re there, but parking, drop-off, and signage are separated, so it helps to know which half you need before you arrive.

Which Airlines Use the Domestic Terminal?

Below is a simplified look at where major airlines typically check in on the Domestic side. Always check your ticket or airline app to confirm, since airlines occasionally adjust counters.

*This is a general guide; some airlines or special flights can be reassigned.

If you’re an Atlanta resident who flies Delta often, you’ll almost always start in the North Terminal. If you’re visiting and flying low‑cost or non‑Delta airlines, you’ll likely head to the South Terminal.

Getting to the Domestic Terminal from Around Atlanta

By Car

Most Atlantans and many visitors arrive at ATL Domestic Terminal by car.

Main routes:

• From Downtown / Midtown Atlanta: Take I‑85 South, follow signs for Domestic Terminal, then choose North or South depending on your airline.
• From South Atlanta / College Park / East Point: Usually I‑85 North to the airport exit.
• From I‑285: Connect to I‑85 and follow airport signs.

Look for large overhead signs marked “Domestic North” or “Domestic South” as you approach. These will direct you toward the correct curbside and parking decks.

Parking at the Domestic Terminal

Near the Domestic Terminal, you’ll find:

• North and South Parking Decks – Directly across from each side of the terminal, usually the most convenient for quick trips or anyone with lots of luggage.
• Economy and Park-Ride (remote) lots – Lower daily rates, connected by shuttle to the Domestic Terminal.
• Cell Phone Lot – For people waiting to pick up arriving passengers, located near the airport entrance, allowing free short-term waiting until your traveler is curbside.

For Atlanta residents who use ATL frequently, it’s common to compare daily rates between the main decks, economy, and off-airport private lots before choosing where to park.

Rideshare, Taxis, and Shuttles

• Rideshare (Uber, Lyft): Pick-up areas for Domestic are in a designated Rideshare Zone, typically reached by following overhead signs from baggage claim down to the lower levels or ground transportation area.
• Taxi services: Official taxis queue outside the baggage claim level of the Domestic Terminal.
• Hotel and off-site parking shuttles: Many Atlanta hotels and off-airport parking companies run shuttles directly to the Domestic Terminal Ground Transportation Center.

If you’re landing in Atlanta and heading into the city (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, etc.), factor in Atlanta traffic, especially during morning and evening rush hours.

MARTA: Train to the Domestic Terminal

The MARTA Airport Station is located directly inside the Domestic Terminal, at the west end of the main terminal.

• Trains on the Red and Gold lines run to the Airport Station.
• From Downtown Atlanta (Five Points Station), MARTA is often one of the simplest and most predictable ways to get to the airport, especially during peak traffic hours.
• Once you get off the train, you’ll walk straight into the Domestic Terminal main level, near baggage claim and check-in areas.

If you’re a visitor staying near a MARTA rail station, taking the train to ATL is often easier than driving.

Layout of the Domestic Terminal: What’s Where

Think of the Domestic side of ATL in two layers:

1. Terminal building (landside) – Ticket counters, check-in, security checkpoints, baggage claim, ground transportation.
2. Concourses (airside) – Gates and boarding areas: T, A, B, C, D, and E (though E also handles some international flights).

Landside: North vs. South

North Terminal:

• Delta ticketing/check-in
• Delta baggage drop and customer service
• North Security Checkpoint

South Terminal:

• Check-in for non-Delta domestic airlines
• Airline ticket counters for Southwest, American, United, Spirit, Frontier, and others
• South Security Checkpoint

You can walk indoors between North and South once you’re past the front doors. If you’re dropped off at the wrong side, you don’t have to go back outside—just follow the overhead signs connecting the two halves.

Security Checkpoints

The Domestic Terminal has multiple security options:

• North Checkpoint – Convenient for Delta travelers.
• South Checkpoint – Convenient for most other airlines.
• Main / Central Checkpoint (when available) – Sometimes used to balance wait times.

If you have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR, those options are usually available at selected checkpoints. Locals who fly frequently often time their arrival to use PreCheck and avoid longer lines.

💡 Tip: No matter which checkpoint you use on the Domestic side, once you’re past security, you can reach all domestic concourses (T–D, and usually E) via the Plane Train or walkways.

Getting from the Domestic Terminal to Your Concourse

After security, you’ll enter the airside area leading to:

• Concourse T – Directly connected to the main Domestic Terminal, no train necessary.
• Plane Train (automated people mover) – Underground tram that runs between:
  • Domestic Terminal / Concourse T
  • Concourse A
  • Concourse B
  • Concourse C
  • Concourse D
  • Concourse E
  • International Terminal / Concourse F

If you’re connecting in Atlanta:

• Domestic to Domestic – You’ll stay airside. Just follow signs to your next concourse via the Plane Train or the underground walkway.
• Domestic to International (Concourse F) – You do not need to exit security. Take the Plane Train to Concourse F from your domestic gate.

Baggage Claim, Ground Transportation, and Pick-Up

When you arrive at ATL on a domestic flight, most flights will park at concourses T through E. After deplaning:

1. Follow signs for Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation.
2. Take the Plane Train to the Domestic Terminal / T Gates stop, if you are not already at T.
3. Go up the escalators to the main Domestic Terminal and follow signs to Baggage Claim.

In the main baggage claim area, you’ll see:

• Carousels for Delta (typically closer to the North side).
• Carousels for Southwest and other airlines (typically closer to the South side).
• Overhead screens listing your flight number and assigned carousel.

From baggage claim you can access:

• Curbside pick-up (North or South, depending on your airline).
• Rideshare zone (usually by going down to the designated pickups).
• Taxi stands, hotel shuttles, and rental car shuttles via Ground Transportation.

If you’re an Atlanta resident picking someone up, ask which airline and follow signs for Arrivals – North or Arrivals – South, then coordinate a specific door number with your passenger.

Domestic Terminal Services and Amenities

Inside the Domestic Terminal and concourses, you’ll find:

• Food and drink – Quick-service restaurants, coffee shops, casual dining, and grab-and-go spots, especially near security and throughout concourses T–D.
• Shops and newsstands – Convenience items, snacks, travel essentials, and souvenirs.
• Restrooms and family restrooms – Located throughout terminal and concourses.
• ATMs and currency services – Though most currency exchange is concentrated on the international side, some basic services are accessible from Domestic.
• Lounges – Airline lounges (especially for Delta) are located in various concourses connected to the Domestic side.
• Special assistance services – Wheelchair assistance, accessibility support, and airline help desks are available through your airline and ATL staff.

If you’re connecting through ATL with a longer layover, concourses A and B (accessed from the Domestic Terminal) usually offer many dining and seating options.

Domestic Terminal and the Rental Car Center

If you’re flying into Atlanta and plan to rent a car, you will not pick up vehicles directly at the Domestic Terminal.

Instead:

1. After arriving and collecting your bags at the Domestic Baggage Claim, follow signs for the ATL SkyTrain.
2. Ride the SkyTrain to the Rental Car Center.
3. All major rental car agencies serving ATL are grouped in this facility.

The SkyTrain runs continuously and is separate from the underground Plane Train that serves the concourses.

Domestic Terminal to International Terminal: How to Transfer

If you’re flying through Atlanta and connecting between Domestic and International, you have two main options:

1. Airside (within security) – If you are already checked in and properly ticketed:

   • From a Domestic gate (T–E), take the Plane Train to Concourse F for international flights.
   • You stay inside security and do not use the public roads between terminals.

2. Landside (outside security) – If you need to move between terminal buildings:

   • There is a shuttle service between the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal (Concourse F) on the public side of the airport.
   • This is useful if you arrived by car or MARTA at the Domestic Terminal but your flight actually departs from the International Terminal, or vice versa.

For most passengers starting in Atlanta on an international ticket, it’s important to double-check which terminal your airline uses for check-in so you show up at the correct building.

Practical Tips for Atlanta Travelers Using the Domestic Terminal

• Arrive early: Atlanta traffic plus a busy national hub can mean delays. Many local travelers aim for:
  • About 2 hours before a domestic flight,
  • More if traveling during holidays or peak morning/evening times.
• Know your airline and concourse: Check your boarding pass or app so you know:
  • North vs. South Terminal for drop-off,
  • Which concourse you need after security (T–D or E).
• Use MARTA to avoid traffic: From Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, the Gold and Red lines go directly to the Airport Station at the Domestic Terminal, often faster than driving at rush hour.
• Plan for walking: Even with the Plane Train, concourses at ATL are long. Wear comfortable shoes if you have a tight connection.
• Coordinate pick-ups: For arrivals, specify:
  • North or South curbside, and
  • A door number or sign (e.g., “South Terminal, Door S3 by baggage claim”).

Helpful ATL Domestic Terminal Contacts

While details can change, these contacts are generally stable and useful if you need assistance or clarification:

• General Airport Information (ATL)
  Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport
  Main Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  Main Information Line: Often available through the City of Atlanta Airport customer service (check for current phone number before calling).

• Lost and Found (Domestic Terminal / ATL Airport)
  The airport and individual airlines each manage lost items. If you lost something:

  • At security or common areas: Contact ATL’s central Lost and Found office.
  • On the plane or at a gate: Contact your airline’s lost and found office directly.

• MARTA Airport Station (Domestic Terminal)
  Located inside the Domestic Terminal near baggage claim.
  For schedules and fares, check with MARTA Customer Service or the MARTA website before your trip.

Understanding how the Atlanta Airport Domestic Terminal works makes flying in and out of ATL much smoother. Whether you’re an Atlanta resident catching a quick business flight or a visitor connecting through the city, knowing the difference between North and South, how to use MARTA and the Plane Train, and where to go for check-in, baggage, and rentals can turn a potentially confusing mega-hub into a predictable part of your travel routine.