Your Guide to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or are planning a trip through the city, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is almost impossible to avoid. Often called simply “Atlanta airport” or “Hartsfield,” it’s one of the busiest air hubs in the world and a major gateway for the Southeast.

This guide walks through how the airport works, what to expect when you fly in or out of Atlanta, and how to navigate ATL smoothly as a local or visitor.

Where Hartsfield–Jackson Is and How It’s Set Up

Official name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Airport code: ATL
Address: 6000 North Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320

ATL is located about 7–10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta along I‑85. It’s directly connected to the city by Interstate 75/85 and the MARTA rail system, which makes it relatively easy to reach from most Atlanta neighborhoods.

North Terminal vs. South Terminal

The airport’s main public side is divided into two large buildings:

• North Terminal

  • Primarily serves most non-Delta airlines (e.g., United, American, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue, international carriers).
  • Houses a large ticketing/check-in area and baggage claim.

• South Terminal

  • Dominated by Delta Air Lines, which has a massive presence in Atlanta.
  • Also includes the Main Security Checkpoint used by many passengers, not just Delta.

Both terminals are connected indoors, and once you pass security, everything feeds into the same Concourse system, so you can reach any gate from any checkpoint.

Understanding the Concourses and Layout

Behind security, ATL is structured like a long spine with ribs:

• Domestic gates:
  • Concourse T (closest to the main terminal)
  • Concourses A, B, C, D, and E
• International gates:
  • Concourse F (International Terminal / Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)
  • Some international flights also use Concourse E

You move between concourses using:

• The Plane Train (underground automated train) – fastest way between concourses.
• Underground pedestrian walkway – walkable, with moving walkways and exhibits.

Quick layout snapshot

Domestic vs. International Sides of ATL

Domestic Terminal (North & South)

Most Atlanta residents mainly use the Domestic Terminal, whether flying for work or heading to places like Florida, New York, Texas, or the West Coast.

Typical experience:

1. Arrive at North or South Terminal depending on your airline.
2. Check in and drop bags.
3. Go through one of the TSA security checkpoints.
4. Take the Plane Train or walk to your concourse and gate.

International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)

The International Terminal (Concourse F) has its own separate entrance on the east side of the airport:

• Address: 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30354
• Contains its own:
  • Ticketing area
  • Dedicated security checkpoint
  • Parking deck
  • Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility for international arrivals

If you’re departing Atlanta on an international flight, your ticket will clearly indicate whether you should go to the Domestic Terminal or International Terminal. Many nonstop international flights depart from Concourse F, but some use E; check your airline’s instructions.

Getting To and From the Airport

MARTA (Best for Many City Residents)

MARTA can be the easiest way to reach ATL from many parts of metro Atlanta:

• Station: Airport Station (Red & Gold Line southern terminus)
• Location: At the Domestic Terminal, near the North Terminal baggage claim.
• Good if you’re coming from:
  • Downtown (Five Points, Peachtree Center)
  • Midtown (Arts Center, Midtown)
  • Buckhead and North Fulton (Lindbergh Center, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs)
  • Doraville/Chamblee and College Park/East Point areas

If you’re departing or arriving at the International Terminal, MARTA doesn’t stop directly there. Instead:

• Take MARTA to Airport Station.
• Use the free shuttle bus between Domestic and International terminals.

Driving and Parking

Major routes to ATL:

• I‑85 – from Midtown/Downtown and points north.
• I‑75 – from East Atlanta, Clayton County, and the south side.
• I‑285 – connects around the perimeter; you’ll exit toward ATL from the south or west sides.

Parking options include:

• Domestic Terminal Parking
  • North and South Economy Lots, Parking Decks, and Park-Ride lots.
• International Terminal Parking
  • International Parking Deck and Park-Ride lots.

For Atlanta residents, off-airport parking lots around Camp Creek Parkway and other nearby roads can be a lower-cost alternative, with shuttle buses to the terminal. Availability and pricing fluctuate, so many locals compare options in advance.

Check-In, Security, and TSA PreCheck at ATL

Check-In Tips

• Arrive earlier than you think, especially for morning rush or Monday/Friday travel.
• For domestic flights, many locals aim for:
  • 2 hours before departure as a comfortable buffer.
• For international flights:
  • Airlines often recommend 3 hours before departure.

You can check in:

• Online or via your airline’s app (common for frequent Atlanta travelers).
• At self-service kiosks in the terminal.
• At full-service airline counters if you have baggage issues, special needs, or paper tickets.

Security Checkpoints

ATL has multiple TSA security checkpoints:

• Main Checkpoint – between North and South Terminals; very busy but efficient.
• North Checkpoint – closer to the North Terminal.
• South Checkpoint – closer to the South Terminal (often used heavily by Delta passengers).
• International Terminal Checkpoint – separate, at Concourse F entrance.

If one checkpoint looks backed up, screeners and airport staff often direct travelers to a less crowded one. Your boarding pass allows you to use any open checkpoint for access to all domestic concourses and most international departures.

TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, and Real ID

Many Atlanta-based travelers use:

• TSA PreCheck – shorter lines, keep shoes and light jackets on.
• CLEAR – available at ATL for expedited ID check (for enrolled travelers).

For ID:

• Standard guidance is to ensure you have a valid government-issued photo ID that meets current TSA requirements.
• Georgia residents can obtain a Real ID–compliant driver’s license or ID through the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), which can make future screening smoother once Real ID rules are fully enforced.

Navigating Inside the Airport

Once you are through security, ATL is structured to be predictable, even if it’s large.

Using the Plane Train

The Plane Train is the primary way most people move between concourses:

• Runs continuously beneath the concourses.
• Stops at:
  • Domestic Terminal
  • Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E
  • International Terminal (F)

Signs are clear, and trains run frequently. For tight connections, the Plane Train is usually faster than walking.

Walking Between Concourses

If you prefer to walk:

• An underground pedestrian corridor with moving walkways connects the Domestic Terminal to all concourses.
• Art displays and exhibits along the walkway (like the rainforest corridor between Concourses A and B) can make the walk more interesting.
• Walking times between adjacent concourses are typically 5–10 minutes.

Food, Shops, and Amenities at ATL

For Atlanta residents, ATL often feels like a familiar shopping mall that happens to have planes. You’ll find:

Dining

Across the concourses and terminals, expect:

• Local and regional restaurant brands alongside national chains.
• Quick service spots for coffee, sandwiches, burgers, and salads.
• Sit-down restaurants and bars in several concourses, especially A, B, and T.

If you’re pressed for time, grab-and-go markets are common near gate clusters.

Shopping

Typical options include:

• Newsstands and bookstores
• Convenience stores for snacks, toiletries, and last-minute travel items
• Apparel, electronics, and souvenir shops

Many Atlanta travelers use ATL to pick up small gifts or local-themed items before visiting family and friends elsewhere.

Lounges

Several airline and independent lounges are spread across the concourses, especially in T, A, B, and F. Access is usually based on:

• Airline status
• Premium cabin tickets
• Credit card benefits
• Day passes (where available)

For frequent Atlanta flyers, choosing flights from concourses with lounges they like can make long layovers much more manageable.

Arriving in Atlanta: What to Expect

Domestic Arrivals

When you land at ATL on a domestic flight:

1. Deplane to your assigned concourse.
2. Follow signs to Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation.
3. Take the Plane Train or walk to the main terminal.
4. Go up to the baggage claim level (North or South, depending on your airline).
5. Collect bags and head to:
   • Rideshare pickup
   • MARTA
   • Rental cars
   • Personal pickup area

If you live in the Atlanta area and park at the airport, shuttle stops and parking deck entrances are clearly marked from baggage claim.

International Arrivals

If you arrive from abroad:

• You’ll go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), usually in Concourse F (sometimes E depending on the airline).
• After immigration and customs:
  • If Atlanta is your final destination, you’ll exit into the International Terminal arrivals area.
  • If you’re connecting to another U.S. city, you’ll recheck bags (if needed) and follow signs for domestic connections.

Ground transportation from the International Terminal includes:

• Shuttles to the Domestic Terminal
• Curbside pickup for private cars, limos, and some shuttles
• Parking at the International Terminal garage

Ground Transportation Options in Atlanta

Once you’re at the airport curb, there are several ways to reach your destination in metro Atlanta.

MARTA Rail

Best for:

• Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and many Intown neighborhoods.
• Avoiding traffic and high parking or rideshare costs.
• Solo travelers or couples with manageable luggage.

From Airport Station you can connect to:

• Red Line – toward Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, North Springs.
• Gold Line – toward Lindbergh Center, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Doraville.
• Easy transfer to Blue and Green lines at Five Points for West/East Atlanta.

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft)

ATL has a well-organized rideshare system:

• For the Domestic Terminal, rideshare pickup is usually in a designated area at the North lower-level (signs point the way from baggage claim).
• For the International Terminal, pickup is near the arrivals curb.

Locals often compare the total cost of rideshare vs. parking when deciding how to get to the airport, especially for longer trips.

Taxis and Shuttles

• Taxis are available at the lower level of the Domestic Terminal and at the International Terminal.
• Hotel shuttles serve many major hotels near the airport (especially around Virginia Avenue and Camp Creek Parkway).
• Regional shuttles can connect you to cities like Macon, Columbus, Athens, and other Georgia destinations.

Rental Cars

The Rental Car Center (RCC) is not directly attached to the main terminal. To get there:

1. From baggage claim, follow signs for Rental Cars.
2. Board the SkyTrain, an automated people-mover that takes you directly to the RCC.
3. All major national rental car brands have counters at the RCC.

For residents of Atlanta’s outer suburbs, renting at ATL can sometimes be cheaper or offer more vehicle choices than smaller local branches.

Accessibility and Special Assistance

ATL is designed to accommodate travelers with a wide range of needs:

• Wheelchair assistance – request through your airline in advance or at the check-in counter.
• Elevators and ramps – present at all major transition points.
• Accessible restrooms – throughout terminals and concourses.
• TDD/TTY phones and visual paging monitors – for travelers with hearing impairments.

If you live in Atlanta and anticipate frequent travel with accessibility needs, it may help to:

• Familiarize yourself with your usual airline’s procedures at ATL.
• Allow extra time for connections between concourses.
• Note the location of MARTA elevators and accessible routes from Airport Station.

Key Contacts and Practical Details

Some useful reference points for Atlanta travelers:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport – General Info
  • Address: 6000 North Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Main switchboard numbers are publicly available and can be found through the City of Atlanta or airport information services.
• International Terminal
  • Address: 2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30354
• MARTA Airport Station
  • Located inside the Domestic Terminal, adjacent to North baggage claim.
• Georgia Department of Driver Services (for Real ID)
  • Headquarters: 2206 Eastview Parkway, Conyers, GA 30013
  • Multiple service centers around metro Atlanta (Decatur, Norcross, Marietta, etc.) for updating IDs used at airport security.

Local Tips for Atlanta Flyers ✈️

• Plan for traffic: Rush hours on I‑75/85, I‑285, and Camp Creek Parkway can be intense. Build in extra drive time if you live in high-congestion areas like Buckhead, East Atlanta, or the northern suburbs.
• Use MARTA when possible: For many Intown residents, MARTA to the airport is often faster and more predictable than driving and parking.
• Know your terminal: Double-check whether your airline uses North vs. South (domestic) or Domestic vs. International terminal to avoid last‑minute sprints.
• Watch connection times: ATL is large; 30 minutes can be tight for changing concourses, especially if you arrive late.
• Follow the signs: The airport is heavily signed. If you’re ever unsure, look for color-coded markers, large overhead signs, or ask airport staff.

Understanding how Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport works makes flying to, from, and through Atlanta far less stressful. Whether you’re an Atlanta resident heading out on business or a visitor connecting through the city, knowing the layout, transportation options, and key procedures at ATL can save time, money, and frustration.