Orlando Airport to Atlanta: How to Get From MCO to Metro Atlanta Smoothly

Traveling from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Atlanta, Georgia is a common route for both residents and visitors. Whether you live in Atlanta and are flying back from a trip to Orlando, or you’re planning how to get from Orlando Airport to your hotel, home, or business in the Atlanta area, there are several options to consider.

This guide walks through all the main ways to travel from Orlando Airport to Atlanta, with a focus on what those choices actually look like once you arrive in Atlanta—including local airports, transit, driving routes, and practical tips.

Main Ways to Travel From Orlando Airport to Atlanta

The distance from Orlando International Airport to Atlanta is roughly 440–460 miles, depending on your route and final destination in the metro area. The most common options are:

• Direct flight: Orlando (MCO) → Atlanta (ATL)
• Drive: I‑75 northbound from Orlando to Atlanta
• Bus: Long-distance coach (Orlando to Atlanta)
• Combination: Flight or bus into Atlanta + MARTA, rideshare, or car rental inside the city

Each option has different trade-offs in time, cost, and convenience, especially once you factor in how you’ll get from the arrival point to your specific neighborhood in metro Atlanta.

Option 1: Flying From Orlando (MCO) to Atlanta (ATL)

For most people, the fastest and most straightforward way from Orlando Airport to Atlanta is a direct flight.

What to Expect on the Flight

• Route: Orlando International Airport (MCO) → Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Flight time: Typically about 1–1.5 hours in the air
• Total time door-to-door: Often 3–5 hours, after including boarding, taxiing, and travel from/to each airport

This is especially convenient if your final destination is near:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown
• Buckhead
• College Park, East Point, or other south-side neighborhoods near the airport

Arriving at Atlanta’s Airport (ATL)

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

ATL is one of the busiest airports in the world, but it’s also well integrated with the MARTA rail system, local roads, and major interstates.

Key areas once you land:

• Domestic Terminal (North & South): Most MCO→ATL flights arrive here.
• MARTA Station: Located at the Domestic Terminal, easily reached from baggage claim.
• Ground Transportation Center: For rideshare, taxis, and shuttles.
• Rental Car Center (RCC): Accessed by the free SkyTrain.

Getting From ATL Airport to Your Destination in Atlanta

Once you’ve made it from Orlando Airport to Atlanta Airport, you still need to reach your final stop. In Atlanta, your main choices are:

• MARTA rail
• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or taxi
• Rental car
• Hotel/airport shuttles

1. Using MARTA From ATL

MARTA is usually the simplest and most affordable way into central Atlanta.

• MARTA Airport Station: At the north end of the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim.
• Lines serving the airport:
  • Red Line: Northbound toward Buckhead, Sandy Springs, North Springs
  • Gold Line: Northbound toward Midtown, Doraville

Common travel times from ATL via MARTA:

MARTA works well if you’re heading to:

• Hotels and offices near Peachtree Center, Five Points, Midtown, or Arts Center
• Major institutions like Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, or Emory Midtown (with a short transfer by bus or rideshare)

2. Rideshare and Taxi at ATL

If you want a direct door-to-door trip after flying in from Orlando:

• Rideshare Pick-Up:
  • For the Domestic Terminal, rideshare pickups are in a designated area of the parking decks (signs will direct you).
• Taxis:
  • Taxi stands are located outside the North and South Domestic Terminals.

Approximate driving time from ATL (without heavy traffic):

• To Downtown: 15–25 minutes
• To Midtown: 20–30 minutes
• To Buckhead: 25–40 minutes
• To Perimeter Center/Sandy Springs: 30–45 minutes
• To Marietta / Cobb County: 35–55 minutes
• To Decatur: 25–40 minutes

Traffic in Atlanta can be heavy during morning (7–9 a.m.) and evening (4–7 p.m.) rush hours, so build in extra time if you’re coming from the airport to an important meeting or event.

3. Renting a Car at ATL

If you prefer to drive yourself around metro Atlanta after landing:

• ATL Rental Car Center (RCC)
  2200 Rental Car Center Pkwy
  College Park, GA 30337

Access it by:

• Taking the free ATL SkyTrain from the Domestic Terminal.
• Following signs in baggage claim for Rental Cars / SkyTrain.

A rental car may be useful if you’re staying outside the MARTA service area, such as:

• Suburban counties (Cobb, Gwinnett, Cherokee, Henry, Fayette)
• Outlying cities like Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Peachtree City, or Kennesaw

Option 2: Driving From Orlando Airport to Atlanta

If you prefer not to fly, you can drive from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to the Atlanta metro area.

Basic Driving Route

A common route from MCO to Atlanta:

1. From Orlando Airport, connect to FL-528 or local roads leading to I‑4 or Florida’s Turnpike.
2. Head north to join I‑75 North.
3. Follow I‑75 North all the way into Atlanta.

Key details:

• Driving distance: Around 440–460 miles
• Typical drive time:6.5–8 hours, depending on stops and traffic

As you approach Atlanta from the south on I‑75 North, you’ll pass through or near:

• McDonough
• Stockbridge
• Morrow
• Then into the Atlanta perimeter (I‑285), and toward Downtown or other areas

Entering Atlanta by Car

Your final route depends on where you’re going:

• Downtown Atlanta: Follow signs for I‑75/85 North (the “Downtown Connector”).
• Midtown: Continue on I‑75/85 North, take exits toward 14th St/10th St or 17th St.
• Buckhead / North Atlanta: Continue onto I‑85 North or GA‑400 North.
• Decatur / East Atlanta: You may use I‑20 East or surface streets after exiting the Connector.
• Cobb / Marietta: Use I‑285 West/North, then connect to I‑75 North.

💡 Tip: Atlanta interstates (I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, I‑285, GA‑400) can back up quickly. If you’re arriving from Orlando in the late afternoon or early evening, expect slowdowns near the city and allow extra time.

Option 3: Bus or Coach From Orlando to Atlanta

Another way from Orlando Airport to Atlanta is by long-distance bus, sometimes combined with a short local transfer.

Typical Pattern

• You travel from Orlando International Airport into a central Orlando bus terminal.
• Then you board a long-distance bus heading to Atlanta.
• In Atlanta, buses usually arrive near Downtown or a major central location.

From the Atlanta bus arrival point, you would then:

• Walk, use MARTA, or take a rideshare to your final destination, depending on distance and your luggage.

How It Feels Once You Arrive in Atlanta

Buses that serve the Atlanta area generally stop near:

• The downtown core, within a short distance of MARTA rail stations such as:
  • Garnett Station
  • Five Points Station
  • Peachtree Center Station

From there, you can fan out across the city:

• To Midtown or Buckhead: Take MARTA northbound (Red or Gold Line).
• To Decatur: MARTA eastbound from Five Points.
• To Hartsfield–Jackson Airport: MARTA southbound to Airport Station if you need to transfer to a flight.

The bus option typically:

• Takes longer than flying.
• Is often less expensive than last-minute airfare.
• Requires planning for local transportation in both Orlando and Atlanta.

Local Atlanta Considerations When Coming From Orlando

Whether you fly or drive from Orlando Airport to Atlanta, it helps to know some local Atlanta patterns that can affect your arrival.

1. Peak Traffic Times

Atlanta is known for heavy commuter traffic, especially:

• Weekdays: Roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.
• Major events: Games, concerts, or conventions near Downtown, Midtown, or Cobb (The Battery area)

If you’re:

• Driving in from Orlando: Try to time your arrival to avoid peak hours, especially around I‑75/85 (Downtown Connector) and I‑285.
• Landing at ATL: Add extra time for the final leg if you’re heading into central or north metro Atlanta during rush hour.

2. Using MARTA Smartly

For many people coming from Orlando, MARTA will be their first time using Atlanta’s transit. A few practical notes:

• The airport station is at the end of both Red and Gold lines—you can’t go the wrong “direction” leaving ATL; trains only go north.
• Transfers between Red and Gold happen at multiple shared stations (Lindbergh Center, Midtown, Five Points).
• Many popular areas—Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead—are directly on MARTA rail lines, so you may not need a car if you’re staying central.

3. Hotel Areas Popular With Orlando–Atlanta Travelers

Travelers going between Orlando and Atlanta often stay in:

• Downtown Atlanta: Good for conferences, sports events, and attractions like the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca‑Cola.
• Midtown: Central and walkable, near arts venues and Piedmont Park.
• Buckhead: Known for shopping and business hotels.
• Airport Area (College Park/East Point): Convenient for late arrivals from Orlando or early flights back.

All of these are reachable from ATL by MARTA, rideshare, or both.

Quick Comparison: Ways to Get From Orlando Airport to Atlanta

When Each Choice Makes Sense for Atlanta Travelers

• You live in Atlanta and just need to get home from Orlando:

  • Flying into ATL is usually quickest.
  • Then use MARTA or a rideshare from the airport to your neighborhood.

• You’re visiting Atlanta from Orlando and staying downtown or Midtown:

  • Fly MCO → ATL, then take MARTA directly from the Airport Station to Peachtree Center, Midtown, or nearby stations.

• You’re heading to a suburb (Alpharetta, Marietta, Lawrenceville, etc.):

  • Flying into ATL, then renting a car or using rideshare, is usually most efficient.
  • If you drive all the way from Orlando, consider arrival time to avoid the worst of metro traffic.

• You’re on a tight budget and time is flexible:

  • A bus from Orlando to Atlanta can be workable, especially if you’re comfortable navigating MARTA or rideshares from a downtown arrival point.

Traveling from Orlando Airport to Atlanta is straightforward once you understand how Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, MARTA, and the regional highways fit together. Choose the option that best matches your time, budget, and where you need to be in the Atlanta metro area, and plan the final leg—from airport, bus stop, or highway exit—to your specific neighborhood in advance.