Short-Term Parking at Atlanta Airport: What to Know Before You Go

If you’re flying in or out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and only need to park for a few hours or a day, understanding your short-term parking options can save you money, stress, and time. This guide breaks down how short-term parking works at Atlanta Airport, where to park, approximate costs, and tips locals actually use.

The Basics: How Short-Term Parking Works at ATL

At ATL, short-term parking generally means:

• You’re parking for a few hours up to a day or two
• You want to be as close as possible to the terminal
• You’re picking up or dropping off a traveler, or taking a quick trip

You’ll find different options depending on whether you’re using the:

• Domestic Terminal (North and South)
• International Terminal (Concourse F)

ATL offers several on-airport options that work for short stays:

• Hourly parking decks (closest to the terminals)
• Daily parking decks
• Economy lots
• Park-Ride lots (more common for longer stays but still usable short-term)
• Cell phone lots for free waiting when picking someone up

For the shortest visits—like walking someone to security or greeting an arriving family member—the Hourly lots are typically the best fit.

Short-Term Parking at the Domestic Terminal

The Domestic Terminal is split into North and South sides, but parking options and pricing are similar on both. Signs on I-85, I-75, and Camp Creek Parkway will direct you toward North or South depending on your airline.

1. Hourly Parking (Closest to the Terminal)

These are the closest decks to the terminal and the most convenient for genuine short-term parking.

• Located directly in front of Domestic North and Domestic South terminals
• Best for:
  • Walking someone inside
  • Meeting arriving passengers at baggage claim
  • Business trips under 24 hours
• You pay by the hour, with a maximum daily cap

Pros:

• Very short walk to check-in counters and security
• Covered parking
• Easiest for people with mobility concerns who still prefer to park themselves

Cons:

• Higher daily cost than Economy or Park-Ride
• Can fill up during peak holiday or travel times

2. Daily Parking Decks

Domestic Daily decks are a step back from Hourly: still close, but usually accessed via a short walk or shuttle, depending on where you park.

• Good for overnight stays of 1–3 days
• Less expensive per day than Hourly parking
• More availability during busy travel periods

Best for:

• Weekend trips
• Travelers who prefer to walk to the terminal instead of taking a shuttle
• People who want a balance between cost and convenience

3. Economy Parking

Economy lots at the Domestic Terminal are surface lots located farther from the building than the decks.

• Generally a lower daily rate than Hourly or Daily decks
• Often used for multi-day trips, but you can still park there short-term if you want to save money
• Typically requires a short shuttle ride to the terminal

Use this if:

• You’re cost-conscious
• You don’t mind taking a quick airport shuttle
• You’re staying at least a full day

For just a couple of hours, though, Economy parking isn’t usually worth the extra transit time.

Short-Term Parking at the International Terminal (Concourse F)

If you’re flying in or out of the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal, you have dedicated parking on the east side of the airport.

The International Terminal has:

• Hourly/Short-Term parking deck located directly in front of the terminal
• Long-term/Daily parking areas nearby
• Access to Park-Ride International lots

1. International Hourly / Short-Term Parking

• Directly in front of the International Terminal
• Very short walk to check-in and arrivals
• Best for:
  • Pickups and drop-offs
  • Escorting international travelers
  • Short international business trips (24 hours or less)

Because international arrivals can sometimes take longer to clear customs, many locals prefer parking in the deck and walking inside rather than circling the roadway.

2. Park-Ride International

• Surface lot with shuttle service to the International Terminal
• Lower daily cost than the terminal deck
• Still usable for short stays, but generally more appealing for trips of several days or more

If you’re just picking someone up, you’ll usually be better off in Hourly or using a cell phone lot and then pulling up to the curb.

Using the Cell Phone Lots for Free Pick-Up Waiting

ATL has cell phone waiting lots where drivers can park for free while they wait for arriving passengers to call or text when they’re ready at the curb.

• No charge
• Must remain with your vehicle (no leaving the car and going inside)
• Ideal for:
  • Avoiding looping around the terminal
  • Reducing time in paid parking
  • Coordinating pick-ups for flights that may be delayed

There are typically cell phone lots serving both the:

• Domestic Terminal
• International Terminal

Watch overhead signs as you approach the airport; they’ll direct you to the correct lot. Once your passenger grabs their bags, you drive from the lot to the Arrivals curb.

At-a-Glance: Short-Term Parking Options at ATL

Prices change over time; consider this a general layout, not exact rates.

*Cost Level: $ = lowest, $$$ = highest

Where Exactly Is Atlanta Airport?

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
Main Airport Information (commonly listed): (800) 897-1910 (check current info before calling)

For the International Terminal, GPS or map apps often recognize:

Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal
2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd
Atlanta, GA 30354

Knowing which terminal your airline uses will help you choose the right parking side and avoid unnecessary driving around the airport.

How to Decide: Which Short-Term Option Should You Use?

Use this quick decision guide based on your situation:

You’re Dropping Someone Off for a Flight

• Quick curb drop-off only:

  • Use the Departures level at Domestic or International
  • No need to park if you’re just unloading and leaving

• You want to walk them in, help with bags, or stay for a bit:

  • Domestic flights: Use Domestic Hourly Parking (North or South, based on airline)
  • International flights: Use International Hourly Parking deck

You’re Picking Someone Up

• You don’t want to pay for parking:

  • Go to the cell phone lot and wait for a call
  • Once they have bags, drive to Arrivals curb

• You want to greet them inside or expect delays:

  • Park in the Hourly deck (Domestic or International)
  • Go to baggage claim or the arrivals area and meet them inside

You’re Going on a Short Trip (1–3 Days)

• Want absolute convenience:

  • Park in Hourly (higher cost, shortest walk)

• Want a balance of cost + convenience:

  • Choose a Daily deck at either Domestic or International

• Want to save and don’t mind a shuttle:

  • Consider Economy or Park-Ride lots
  • Better value if you’re closer to 2–3 days

Tips for Stress-Free Short-Term Parking at ATL

Here are practical, Atlanta-specific tips travelers and locals use:

1. Check Your Terminal Before You Leave Home

• Many big domestic carriers operate from the Domestic Terminal.
• Most nonstop international flights check in at the International Terminal (Concourse F).
• Some international airlines may arrive at or depart from different concourses, so checking your airline’s terminal beforehand prevents parking on the wrong side and dealing with extra time or shuttle rides.

2. Follow Overhead Signs Closely

As you approach ATL, overhead signs break down lanes by:

• Domestic North / Domestic South
• International Terminal
• Hourly / Daily / Economy / Park-Ride
• Arrivals / Departures

Traffic can be heavy, especially during rush hours and holidays. Get in the correct lane early and move slowly enough to read the signs comfortably.

3. Have a Plan for Delays

Flights into ATL often encounter delays during:

• Thunderstorms
• Peak holiday periods
• Busy evening arrival banks

If you’re picking someone up and see that their flight is delayed:

• Use the cell phone lot if they are landing soon
• If the delay is significant and you’re already there, consider:
  • Grabbing short-term Hourly parking and waiting inside
  • Running an errand in nearby areas (like Camp Creek Marketplace), then returning closer to their new arrival time

4. Allow Extra Time for Parking During Rush Hours

Traffic around ATL can be intense:

• Weekday mornings: 6:00–9:00 a.m.
• Weekday evenings: 4:00–7:00 p.m.
• Holiday travel periods and major events in Atlanta

If you need short-term parking during these times, add at least 20–30 minutes to what you think you need:

• Time to find a spot
• Time to walk or shuttle to your terminal
• Time for traffic at the terminal curbs

5. Remember Your Location in the Deck

The large decks at ATL can feel similar from level to level.

To avoid wandering when you return:

• Take a quick photo of the level and row sign
• Note if you’re on North vs. South at the Domestic Terminal
• In the International deck, note the color or zone markers

A minute spent here can save 15–20 minutes later.

6. Consider Mobility and Accessibility

All on-airport parking at ATL is designed with accessible spaces and routes:

• Hourly decks offer some of the shortest, flattest walks to the terminal
• If you or your passenger has mobility limitations, this is often the most practical choice despite the higher cost
• Shuttle-connected lots (Economy, Park-Ride) usually have wheelchair-accessible shuttles, but it’s worth giving yourself extra time in case you need to wait for one

If You’re Using Rideshare or Taxis Instead of Parking

Even if you’re not driving yourself, understanding the layout helps:

• Rideshare (like Uber or Lyft) pickups for the Domestic Terminal are usually in designated areas separate from personal vehicle pickup.
• Taxis and shuttles have marked lanes at Arrivals.

If you’re only briefly at the airport to meet someone and plan to leave together by rideshare, it often makes sense to:

• Skip paid parking
• Coordinate a meeting point at the Arrivals curb or a known door number
• Call the rideshare once you’re both outside and ready

Key Takeaways for Short-Term Parking at Atlanta Airport

• For quick visits under 24 hours, the Hourly decks at both Domestic and International are the closest and simplest option.
• To wait for arrivals for free, use the cell phone lots until your passenger is curbside.
• For short trips of 1–3 days, Daily decks strike the best balance between price and proximity.
• If cost is the priority and you don’t mind a shuttle, Economy or Park-Ride lots are available, though they’re more commonly used for multi-day trips.
• Always confirm your airline’s terminal (Domestic vs. International) and build in extra time during Atlanta’s rush hours or holiday travel periods.

With a clear idea of how short-term parking works at ATL, you can choose the option that best fits your schedule, budget, and how close you want to be to the terminal doors.