Getting to Hartsfield–Jackson: Your Practical Map to the Atlanta Airport

Looking for a clear map to Atlanta airport and how to actually get there from around the city? This guide walks you through where the airport is, how it’s laid out, and the best ways to reach it from different parts of metro Atlanta.

All details below are specific to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Where the Atlanta Airport Is Located

Official name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
General info line: (800) 897-1910

ATL sits on the south side of Atlanta, mainly in Clayton County, directly off I‑85. It’s roughly:

• 8–10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta
• 15–20 minutes from Downtown in light traffic (can be much longer at rush hour)
• Just east of I‑285 and directly on I‑85

If you’re looking at a map of Atlanta, the airport is just below the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85) and slightly west of I‑75.

Terminals and Sides of the Airport (North vs. South)

When you’re mapping a route to ATL, it helps to know which side you actually need.

Main Areas of ATL

• Domestic Terminal – North
  For Delta Air Lines domestic flights
  Address often used:
  North Terminal
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy
  Atlanta, GA 30320

• Domestic Terminal – South
  For most other U.S. airlines (Southwest, American, United, etc.)
  Address often used:
  South Terminal
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy
  Atlanta, GA 30320

• International Terminal – Maynard H. Jackson Jr. (Concourse F)
  For most international departures and arrivals
  Address:
  2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd
  Atlanta, GA 30354

➤ If you don’t know which terminal to use, check your airline and flight confirmation first. Mapping to the wrong side can easily add 15–30 minutes to your trip.

Quick Map Overview: How ATL Is Laid Out

Think of ATL as a straight line running west to east:

• West side: Domestic Terminal (North & South) and Ground Transportation
• Moving east underground: Plane Train and TSA checkpoints
• Then a row of concourses: T, A, B, C, D, E
• Farthest east:International Terminal / Concourse F

You can’t drive between concourses; you drive to a terminal, then use:

• The Plane Train (underground people-mover)
• Or the underground pedestrian walkway

Driving Directions to Atlanta Airport from Key Areas

Use these as a map guide when setting your GPS or reviewing directions.

From Downtown Atlanta (Five Points, Georgia State, State Capitol)

1. Get on the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85 South).
2. Continue on I‑85 South when I‑75 splits.
3. Follow signs for Airport / Hartsfield–Jackson.
4. Take the Domestic or International exit based on your airline.

Approximate time:

• 15–25 minutes in light traffic
• Up to 45+ minutes during rush hour or heavy congestion

From Midtown (Georgia Tech, Atlantic Station, Piedmont Park)

1. Head to I‑75/85 South from 14th St, 10th St, or Spring St.
2. Stay on the interstate south toward the airport.
3. Follow signs to Domestic Terminal or International Terminal.

Drive time: can be similar to Downtown, often 20–35 minutes depending on traffic.

From Buckhead (Lenox, Phipps, Peachtree Rd)

1. Take GA‑400 South or Peachtree Rd toward Midtown.
2. Connect onto I‑85 South (usually via I‑75/85 South).
3. Continue to the airport exits.

Plan at least 30–45 minutes, longer in peak rush-hour.

From East Atlanta / Decatur / Stone Mountain

• From Decatur / East Atlanta:

  1. Get on I‑20 West.
  2. Merge onto I‑75/85 South.
  3. Follow airport signs on I‑85 South.

• From Stone Mountain area:

  1. Use US‑78 West toward Decatur, then I‑285 South.
  2. Connect from I‑285 South to I‑85 North (for Domestic)
     or sometimes follow Airport / International Terminal signs on I‑285.
  3. Follow signs carefully – the International Terminal has its own exit.

From Southside (College Park, East Point, Riverdale, Fayetteville)

• College Park / East Point:
  Often just a short local drive via Camp Creek Pkwy, Virginia Ave, or local roads feeding into Airport Blvd or I‑85.
• Riverdale / Fayetteville:
  Usually use I‑85 North, I‑285, or GA‑routes that feed to the airport depending on your exact location.

For very close-in southside neighborhoods, mapping directly to the correct terminal or parking lot is more important than highway routing.

From the Western Suburbs (Austell, Douglasville, Mableton)

1. Take I‑20 East toward Atlanta.
2. Merge onto I‑285 South.
3. Take I‑85 North to the Domestic Terminal
   or follow International Terminal signage along I‑285 / Maynard Jackson Blvd.

From the Northern Suburbs (Sandy Springs, Roswell, Alpharetta, Marietta)

• Roswell / Alpharetta / Johns Creek:

  1. Use GA‑400 South to I‑85 or I‑285.
  2. Typically connect to I‑85 South toward the airport.

• Marietta / Kennesaw / Cobb County:

  1. Take I‑75 South to the Downtown Connector.
  2. Continue onto I‑85 South toward the airport.

Allow 45–60+ minutes from the northern suburbs, especially during commute times.

Domestic vs. International Terminal: Which Map Destination to Use?

When entering your destination in a GPS or map app, choose the right one:

If your airline mentions Concourse E or F, you will usually check in at the International Terminal, not the Domestic side.

Using MARTA: Map to Atlanta Airport by Train

If you’re in the City of Atlanta or close to a MARTA station, the train is often the most predictable way to get to ATL.

MARTA Airport Station

• Station name: Airport Station (at ATL)
• Located inside the Domestic Terminal, near the baggage claim area.
• You do not need a shuttle between the MARTA station and the Domestic Terminal; it’s directly connected.

How to get there:

• Take any southbound train on the Red or Gold line. Both lines end at Airport Station.
• Common routes:
  • From Midtown Station, North Avenue, Civic Center, Peachtree Center: go southbound.
  • From Lindbergh, Buckhead, Medical Center, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, North Springs: use the Red line south.
  • From Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville: use the Gold line south.

If you’re heading to the International Terminal from MARTA:

• Arrive at Airport Station (Domestic side).
• Follow signs for the International Terminal shuttle or use the Plane Train inside security if you’ve already checked in and cleared TSA.

Rideshare, Taxi, and Shuttle Pick-Up Maps

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

• Domestic Terminal:
  Look for signs to the Rideshare Pick-Up Zone at the North or South Economy lots or designated areas in Ground Transportation. These zones sometimes shift, so follow current airport signage.

• International Terminal:
  Rideshare pick-up is typically in the Arrivals / Ground Transportation area right outside the terminal.

When you request a ride, the app usually shows a map pin and tells you which door or zone to meet your driver.

Taxi

• Official taxi stands are located at Ground Transportation outside the Domestic Terminal and near Arrivals at the International Terminal.
• You do not need to coordinate a pin location; just follow the Taxi signs.

Hotel & Private Shuttles

Many Atlanta hotels offer airport shuttles, especially in College Park and near Camp Creek Parkway. These usually pick up from the Ground Transportation area at the Domestic Terminal.

Parking: How to Map to the Right Lot

ATL has several parking options, each with slightly different map destinations.

Main On-Site Parking Types

• Domestic Terminal Parking

  • Park-Ride lots
  • North and South Economy lots
  • Hourly and daily decks directly in front of each terminal

• International Terminal Parking

  • International Park-Ride lots
  • International hourly/daily deck at Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Terminal (F)

When you search in a map app, look for terms like:

• “ATL Domestic North Parking”
• “ATL Domestic South Parking”
• “ATL International Parking”
• “ATL Park-Ride Lot” (if available in your app)

Arriving early (especially around holidays or major events in Atlanta) gives you more time to navigate crowded parking areas.

Walking Inside the Airport: A Mental “Map” of ATL

Once you’re inside ATL, the layout is very linear, which helps with navigation.

From the Domestic Terminal

1. Check-in & baggage drop at North or South.
2. Go through the security checkpoint.
3. Take the Plane Train or walkway to your concourse:
   • T (closest)
   • Then A, B, C, D, E, F as you move east.

From the International Terminal

1. Check in and clear TSA or customs/immigration (for arrivals).
2. Access Concourse F directly, with the same linear connection to E, D, C, B, A, T via Plane Train or walkway.

If you’re connecting from domestic to international (or vice versa), you often stay inside security and simply use the Plane Train between concourses, without re-checking in.

Tips for Choosing the Best Route to the Airport

Here are a few Atlanta-specific tips to keep in mind:

• Rush-hour traffic is real.
  Morning (about 6:30–9:00 a.m.) and evening (about 3:30–7:00 p.m.) on I‑75/85 and I‑285 can be slow. Add extra time if you’re driving through Downtown or past major interchanges like Midtown, the Connector split, or Camp Creek Parkway.

• Consider MARTA from the city core.
  If you’re near Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or along the Red/Gold line, MARTA can be more predictable than driving and parking.

• Map directly to your terminal or parking area.
  Instead of just “Atlanta Airport,” specify:

  • “Domestic Terminal North”
  • “Domestic Terminal South”
  • “ATL International Terminal”
  • Or the exact parking deck/lot

• Know which side your ride uses.
  If someone is picking you up:

  • Domestic arrivals: North or South Arrivals level
  • International arrivals: International Terminal Arrivals

• Allow buffer time inside the airport.
  ATL is large. Even after you arrive at the curb, you may need 15–30 minutes to navigate check-in, security, and get to your concourse.

With the right map destination and a basic understanding of how Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is laid out, getting to and through ATL becomes much easier. Whether you’re coming from Downtown, Buckhead, the suburbs, or riding MARTA, planning your route to the correct terminal and entrance is the key step.