Atlanta International Airport: Your Practical Guide to Hartsfield-Jackson ATL

If you fly into or out of Atlanta, you’re almost always dealing with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)—often simply called Atlanta International Airport. It’s one of the world’s busiest hubs and a major gateway for both local residents and visitors.

This guide focuses on how Atlanta’s airport actually works for you: getting there from different parts of the metro area, navigating the terminals, parking, security, ground transportation, and what to expect once you’re inside.

Where Atlanta International Airport Is and How It’s Laid Out

Official name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Location: About 7 miles south of downtown Atlanta, in Clayton and Fulton counties.

Terminals and Concourses

ATL has two main terminal areas on opposite sides of the airport:

• Domestic Terminal (West side)
  • North Terminal – many domestic airlines
  • South Terminal – home to Delta’s main domestic check-in area
• International Terminal (East side)
  • Also called Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal
  • Houses Concourse F and customs/immigration

After security, the concourses are connected in a straight line:

T – A – B – C – D – E – F

You move between them using the underground Plane Train or pedestrian walkways. You do not need to re-clear security to move between concourses once you’re inside.

Getting to ATL from Around Atlanta

Driving Directions

• From Downtown / Midtown Atlanta

  • Take I-75/I-85 South and follow signs to:
    • Domestic Terminal (exit for Camp Creek Pkwy / Airport / Domestic)
    • International Terminal (follow signs for International Terminal; separate exit on I-75)

• From Buckhead / North Atlanta

  • Take GA-400 South → I-85 South, then follow airport signs.

• From the East (Decatur, Stone Mountain, etc.)

  • Use I-285 South/West or I-20 West → I-75/85 South, then follow airport signage.

• From the West (Douglasville, Lithia Springs, etc.)

  • Take I-20 East → I-285 South → I-85 North briefly, then follow airport exits.

If you’re flying international but checking bags and parking on the Domestic side, you can still access Concourse E/F from inside via the Plane Train after security.

Using MARTA to Get to Atlanta International Airport

For many Atlantans and visitors staying in-town, MARTA is the simplest way to reach ATL—no parking, no traffic worries.

• Rail Line:MARTA Gold and Red lines
• Stop:Airport Station (attached to the Domestic Terminal)

The station connects directly into the main Domestic Terminal near the South baggage claim and Delta ticketing area.

If You’re Flying International but Taking MARTA

• Get off at Airport Station (Domestic side).
• Go upstairs to the Domestic Terminal and check for:
  • Whether your airline allows check-in on the Domestic side for international flights, or
  • Whether you should take the Free International Shuttle:
    • Look for signs for the International Terminal Shuttle outside baggage claim.
    • The shuttle takes you to the International Terminal / Concourse F.

Parking at Atlanta International Airport

ATL offers multiple parking options on both the Domestic and International sides. Rates and availability change, but the main categories stay similar.

Quick Parking Overview

📝 Tip: During busy travel periods (holidays, big events), ATL parking lots—especially close-in garages—can fill quickly. Many locals either:

• Arrive earlier,
• Use MARTA, or
• Use off-site parking with a reservation.

Drop-Off, Pick-Up, and Cell Phone Lots

Passenger Drop-Off

• Domestic Terminal
  • Upper roadway: typically Departures
  • Separate sides for North and South check-in
• International Terminal
  • Follow signs to the International Terminal on the east side of the airport.

Passenger Pick-Up

• Domestic Terminal
  • Lower roadway: typically Arrivals / Baggage Claim
  • Pay close attention to signs: North Arrivals vs South Arrivals.
• International Terminal
  • Follow signs to the arrivals curb outside Concourse F.

Cell Phone Lot

If you’re picking someone up and don’t want to circle, ATL has cell phone lots near the terminals where you can wait in your vehicle for a call or text from your arriving passenger. This helps avoid parking charges and congestion at the curb.

Security Checkpoints and TSA at ATL

As a major hub, security lines at Atlanta International Airport can be long at peak times, especially early morning and late afternoon.

Domestic Terminal Security

• Multiple TSA checkpoints serve the Domestic North and South sides.
• You can typically use any main checkpoint and still reach your gate, regardless of airline, since all concourses connect after security.

International Terminal Security

• A separate TSA checkpoint is located in the International Terminal (Concourse F) for passengers departing from that side.

Trusted Traveler Programs

If you live in or near Atlanta and fly often, it may be worth looking into:

• TSA PreCheck – Expedited security screening at participating lanes.
• Global Entry – Expedited re-entry into the U.S. plus TSA PreCheck eligibility (if approved).

For interviews and enrollment, there is a Global Entry Enrollment Center at the airport itself, typically near the International Terminal area. Appointment availability can vary, so many Atlantans schedule far in advance.

🕒 Timing Tip: Locals often plan to arrive:

• 2 hours before domestic flights
• 3 hours before international flights
  More time may be needed during holidays or big travel weekends.

Navigating the Concourses and Plane Train

Once you’re through security, all concourses map out in a straight line. You’ll find:

• Plane Train (underground automated train) running continuously:
  • Stops at: Domestic Terminal (T), A, B, C, D, E, F (International)
• Walkways:
  • Long underground corridors with moving walkways and artwork for those who prefer to walk.

You can:

• Land domestically at Concourse B,
• Take the Plane Train to Concourse E,
• Then board your international flight, all without exiting security.

Domestic vs. International Flights at ATL

Domestic Flights

Most domestic flights operate out of:

• Concourse T
• Concourse A
• Concourse B
• Concourse C
• Concourse D

You’ll usually check in at the Domestic Terminal (North or South) depending on your airline, then proceed to security and use the Plane Train to reach your concourse.

International Flights

International flights typically use:

• Concourse E
• Concourse F (International Terminal)

For departures:

• Many airlines use the International Terminal check-in.
• Some may allow or require check-in on the Domestic side, then you transfer to your international concourse inside security.

For arrivals into Atlanta:

• You’ll go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Concourse E or F, then:
  • Connecting passengers re-check bags and continue through security.
  • Passengers ending travel in Atlanta exit to the public arrivals area.

Ground Transportation: Taxis, Rideshare, Shuttles, and Rental Cars

Taxis

Designated taxi stands are outside the arrivals levels. Fares to different parts of Atlanta may follow flat-rate zones or meter-based pricing, depending on your destination.

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

ATL has specific rideshare pick-up zones:

• For the Domestic Terminal, rideshare pickup is typically in a designated area separated from regular passenger drop-off and taxis. Follow signs for “Rideshare” or check the app’s map instructions.
• For the International Terminal, rideshare pick-up is usually closer to the arrivals curb.

Hotel and Regional Shuttles

Many Atlanta-area hotels and some regional services operate courtesy shuttles from the airport. Look for:

• Signage for Hotel Shuttles or Ground Transportation outside baggage claim.

Rental Cars: ATL’s Rental Car Center

All major rental companies serving Atlanta Airport are grouped at the Rental Car Center (RCC), a short ride away.

• Access:
  Take the SkyTrain, an elevated train that runs from the Domestic Terminal and nearby parking/office areas to the Rental Car Center.
• If you arrive at the International Terminal, you may:
  • Take a shuttle or internal transit to reach the SkyTrain or RCC, depending on current routing.

Food, Shopping, and Amenities at ATL

Because Atlanta International Airport is such a busy hub, it offers a wide variety of:

• Restaurants and quick-service options
  • Spread across concourses T through F, from fast food to sit-down dining.
• Coffee shops and snack kiosks
• Retail stores
  • Travel essentials, books, clothing, electronics, and Atlanta-themed souvenirs.
• Service amenities
  • ATMs, currency exchange (primarily near the International Terminal)
  • Business centers and charging stations
  • Nursing rooms and family restrooms in selected areas

If you live in Atlanta and fly often, you may find it helpful to learn where your favorite spots are on the concourses you most frequently use (for example, a reliable coffee spot on your usual morning route).

Accessibility and Special Assistance

ATL accommodates travelers who need extra assistance, including:

• Wheelchair assistance
  • Request this ahead of time through your airline.
• Accessible restrooms and elevators
  • Available in all terminals and concourses.
• Visual and audio wayfinding
  • Flight information displays and public address announcements throughout.

If you or a family member needs additional support, contacting your airline in advance and arriving earlier than usual can make the process smoother.

Atlanta Residents: When to Use ATL vs. Regional Options

Most metro Atlanta residents will use Hartsfield-Jackson for almost all air travel, given its:

• Large number of nonstop domestic routes
• Wide international connectivity
• Frequent daily flights

Some Atlantans living far outside the Perimeter sometimes compare flights from regional airports in neighboring states, but for anyone in the metro area, ATL is typically the most practical and flexible option, especially for:

• Same-day business trips
• International travel
• Trips requiring multiple time options per day

Key Takeaways for Using Atlanta International Airport

• Name & Code: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, ATL
• Two main sides:Domestic Terminal (West) and International Terminal (East)
• All concourses connected: T, A, B, C, D, E, F via the Plane Train
• Easiest in-town access:MARTA Gold/Red lines to Airport Station for the Domestic side
• Driving? Follow clear signage for Domestic vs. International, and allow extra time for parking
• Security: Plan for 2–3 hours before flight time, more during peak travel periods
• Ground transport: Taxis, rideshare, MARTA, hotel shuttles, and the Rental Car Center via SkyTrain

Understanding how ATL is laid out and how to move between its terminals, concourses, and transportation options makes air travel in and out of Atlanta, Georgia noticeably less stressful, whether you’re a local or just passing through.