Navigating Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Jackson Airport: A Local Guide to Getting Around with Ease

Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest airports in the world—and it can feel overwhelming if you’re not prepared. Whether you live in metro Atlanta, are flying in for a visit, or are connecting through, understanding how the airport is laid out and how to move through it will save you time, stress, and confusion.

This guide walks you through how to navigate Atlanta Airport step by step: terminals, security, the Plane Train, ground transportation, parking, and tips for smooth connections.

ATL at a Glance: How the Airport Is Laid Out

Hartsfield–Jackson is designed in a straight line layout:

• Domestic Terminal (West side)
  • North and South check-in areas
• Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F (lined up in a row, parallel to each other)
• International Terminal (Concourse F) (East side, separate road entrance)

Think of it like this:

All concourses sit parallel and are connected underground by the Plane Train and pedestrian tunnels. You’ll almost never need to go outside to change concourses.

Domestic vs. International: Which Terminal Do You Use?

Domestic Terminal (North & South)

If you’re flying within the United States or to many Caribbean destinations, you’ll usually use the Domestic Terminal at:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Domestic Terminal
6000 N Terminal Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30320

Domestic is split into:

• North Terminal – home to several airline ticket counters, including Delta
• South Terminal – home to other major carriers

Your airline and your ticket will tell you whether to go to North or South. Both sides feed into the same security area that leads to the concourses.

International Terminal (Concourse F)

If you’re flying to or from another country, especially on long-haul routes, you may use the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal:

International Terminal (Concourse F)
2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd
Atlanta, GA 30354

Key points:

• Separate entrance off I-75 (not the same as the Domestic Terminal off I-85)
• Its own security checkpoints and parking deck
• Houses Concourse F gates, check-in, baggage claim, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Some international flights may also use Concourse E, but your arrival and baggage claim procedures will be clearly signed as you exit the plane.

Getting to Atlanta Airport: From Around the City

By MARTA (Recommended for Many Locals)

The MARTA Airport Station is directly inside the Domestic Terminal, making it one of the easiest ways to reach ATL if you’re near a rail line.

• Take the Red or Gold line to Airport Station (last stop on the south end)
• You’ll arrive inside the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim and check-in

If you’re flying international:

• From Airport Station, follow signs to the Plane Train and ride to Concourse F
• Or take the free International Shuttle Connector from the West Ground Transportation area

By Car

Domestic Terminal Directions

• From I-85, follow signs for Domestic Terminal and then North or South depending on your airline.
• Use 6000 N Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320 as a GPS reference.

International Terminal Directions

• From I-75, follow signs to the International Terminal / Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd.
• Use 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30354 for GPS.

📝 Tip: Double-check whether your airline departs from the domestic or international side; driving to the wrong entrance can add 15–30 minutes to your trip if you need to reroute or take a shuttle.

Parking and Drop-Off Options

On-Site Parking at ATL

ATL offers multiple on-site parking choices (availability and pricing may vary over time):

• Domestic North & South Parking Garages
• Hourly & Daily lots near both terminals
• Economy lots (often cheaper, slightly farther)
• International Terminal Parking Deck next to Concourse F
• Park-Ride lots with shuttle service

If you live in Atlanta and travel often, you may prefer remote or park-ride lots, but the closest options to check-in are the terminal garages.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up

• Curbside Departures: Quick drop-off at Domestic North, Domestic South, or International
• Curbside Arrivals: For pick-up, but lines can get long
• Cell Phone Lots: Free waiting areas near both terminals so drivers can wait until travelers are ready at curbside

📝 Local habit: Many Atlanta residents coordinate via text and have their driver wait in the Cell Phone Lot to avoid circling the airport during busy periods.

Check-In and Security: What to Expect at ATL

Check-In

You can check in:

• Online or via your airline app (often fastest)
• At self-service kiosks in the terminal
• At full-service counters (for luggage check, special assistance, or complex itineraries)

Have ready:

• Government-issued ID
• Boarding pass (digital or printed)
• Checked baggage at your airline’s drop counters

Security Screening

Security at ATL is centralized but split into multiple checkpoints:

• Main Security Checkpoint (between North and South)
• North Checkpoint
• South Checkpoint
• Dedicated lanes for programs like TSA PreCheck (if applicable)

Once through security, you’ll enter the level that leads directly to Concourse T and the Plane Train.

🛫 Tip for locals and frequent travelers: Check typical security wait times before you leave home and consider arriving earlier during holidays, Monday mornings, and Sunday evenings.

Understanding the Concourses and the Plane Train

After security, you’ll need to get from the checkpoint to your boarding gate. ATL uses a hub-and-spoke concourse system:

• Concourse T – attached to the Domestic Terminal
• Concourses A, B, C, D – domestic flights for multiple airlines
• Concourse E and F – primarily international, some domestic or overflow flights

You move between concourses via:

The Plane Train (Underground People Mover)

The Plane Train is an automated underground train that runs back and forth under the concourses.

Order of stops (starting from Domestic):

1. Domestic Terminal (T Gates)
2. Concourse A
3. Concourse B
4. Concourse C
5. Concourse D
6. Concourse E
7. Concourse F / International Terminal

Key points:

• Trains run frequently, generally every couple of minutes.
• Announcements and signage clearly indicate the next stop.
• If you overshoot your concourse, you can simply stay on the train and loop back.

Walking Between Concourses

For those who prefer to walk:

• There are pedestrian tunnels with moving walkways connecting T, A, B, C, D, and E.
• You’ll see art installations and exhibits along the way, including the well-known “rainforest” theme between some concourses.

Walking may be helpful if:

• You have extra time
• You want a break from sitting
• The Plane Train is overcrowded

Connecting Flights at Atlanta Airport

Atlanta is a major connecting hub, especially for domestic-to-domestic and domestic-to-international routes.

Domestic-to-Domestic Connections

• After landing, follow signs to the Plane Train (or walk through tunnels).
• Check your next gate on the airport monitors or your airline app.
• Ride the Plane Train to the concourse listed on your boarding pass.

Even though ATL is large, many people find that connections under an hour are manageable if both flights are on time and gates are not too far apart.

Domestic-to-International (and Vice Versa)

For international connections:

• Follow signs for International Flights / Concourse E or F.
• If you’re departing from Concourse F, you may also see signs to the International Terminal.

For arriving from overseas into Atlanta and then connecting domestically:

• You’ll usually:
  1. Go through passport control and customs (often in Concourse F or E).
  2. Collect checked bags (when required) and then re-check them.
  3. Clear security again if directed.
  4. Use the Plane Train to reach your domestic departure concourse.

Look for clear signage for “Connecting Flights” immediately after leaving your international gate.

📝 Tip: If you’re traveling with someone unfamiliar with airports, let them know that in Atlanta it’s common to ride a train after you land just to reach baggage claim or another gate. It’s normal and part of the layout.

Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation

Domestic Baggage Claim

If you’re arriving on a domestic flight:

• Follow signs to Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation.
• You will usually end up in the Domestic Terminal baggage claim area.
• Screens above the carousels list airline and flight numbers so you can find your assigned belt.

International Baggage Claim and Customs

If you arrive on an international flight:

• You’ll go through passport control.
• You may need to collect your luggage for customs, then either exit or re-check it if you’re connecting.
• Signs direct you to either:
  • International Arrivals hall at Concourse F, or
  • Your next flight connection.

Ground Transportation Options

From the Domestic Terminal Ground Transportation Center, you can access:

• MARTA Airport Station (upstairs from baggage claim)
• Rideshare pick-up locations
• Taxis
• Hotel shuttles
• Shared-ride shuttles to various parts of metro Atlanta
• Rental car center shuttle

From the International Terminal, you also have:

• Taxi and rideshare pick-up zones
• Shuttles to the Rental Car Center and the Domestic Terminal

Rental Cars: Using the Rental Car Center (RCC)

All major rental car companies at ATL are housed in the Rental Car Center:

ATL Rental Car Center
2200 Rental Car Center Parkway
College Park, GA 30337

How to get there:

• From either the Domestic or International Terminal, follow signs for “Rental Cars”.
• Take the free ATL SkyTrain, an elevated train that connects:
  • The Domestic Terminal,
  • The Rental Car Center (RCC), and
  • The Gateway Center (near some hotels and the Georgia International Convention Center).

The RCC is separate from the main terminal, so build in a few extra minutes to drop off your car or pick it up before a flight.

Traveling with Kids, Seniors, or Special Needs

Hartsfield–Jackson has resources that can make the airport easier to navigate:

• Wheelchair assistance: Request in advance through your airline or at check-in.
• Family restrooms: Located throughout terminals and concourses.
• Nursing rooms / lactation pods: Available in several concourses and terminals.
• Children’s areas: Some play spaces and exhibits are scattered throughout the concourses.

If you’re escorting someone who may need extra time:

• Arrive earlier than usual, especially during peak travel times.
• Ask about assistance through security and to the gate if needed.
• Consider parking or drop-off that keeps walking to a minimum (e.g., closest decks, curbside).

Food, Shops, and Amenities While You Wait

Because ATL serves as a hub, it offers a wide range of restaurants, grab-and-go spots, coffee shops, and retail stores in every concourse.

General layout:

• Concourse T and A: Many quick-service spots and sit-down restaurants.
• Concourse B and C: Heavily trafficked, with a wide variety of food choices.
• Concourse D and E: Mix of national chains and local flavors.
• Concourse F: Popular for international travelers, with bars, restaurants, and duty-free shopping.

You’ll also find:

• Business centers and workstations
• Charging stations at many gates
• Airport art and exhibitions
• ATMs and currency exchange (especially near international areas)

If you have a long layover, consider:

• Choosing a concourse with a better selection of restaurants.
• Walking the tunnels for some exercise instead of only riding the Plane Train.

Helpful ATL Navigation Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

To make your time at ATL smoother:

• Check your terminal and concourse before you leave home.
  Your airline app or confirmation email usually lists “Departing from: ATL – Concourse X”.

• Allow for traffic on Atlanta interstates.
  Rush hours around I-285, I-75, I-85, and GA-400 can add significant time, especially on weekday mornings and afternoons.

• Use MARTA when convenient.
  Avoids parking costs and highway congestion, especially if you live near a Red or Gold line station.

• Build buffer time for connections.
  While ATL is designed for fast transfers, delays and gate changes happen. Extra time reduces stress.

• Follow the signs.
  Hartsfield–Jackson has extensive signage for baggage claim, ground transportation, connecting flights, rental cars, and concourses. When in doubt, follow the big colored overhead signs and verify with airport staff.

• Keep your boarding pass handy.
  Gate agents and staff will often ask for this if you need directions, rebooking help, or connection guidance.

Key Contacts and Basic Info

For general airport information and assistance:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30320
Main information line: (800) 897-1910 (commonly used public info number)

For transit to and from the airport:

MARTA Customer Information Center
Phone: (404) 848-5000
Main rail station for airport access: Airport Station (Red/Gold Line)

If you’re an Atlanta-area resident, it can be useful to save these details in your phone, along with your preferred parking option, usual security checkpoint, and airline contact number. That way, navigating Atlanta Airport becomes a routine part of travel rather than a stressful unknown.