Showers at Atlanta Airport: Where to Freshen Up at ATL

If you’re flying through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and searching for a place to shower, you’re not alone. Long layovers, red-eye flights, summer humidity, and tight connections make a shower feel like a necessity, not a luxury.

Atlanta’s airport does not have a general public pay-per-use shower facility in every concourse, but there are ways to get a shower depending on your airline, terminal, and budget. This guide breaks it down clearly for anyone flying into, out of, or through Atlanta.

Quick Overview: Shower Options at ATL

ATL changes over time, so always confirm current offerings with the airport, your airline, or the specific lounge/hotel before you travel.

1. Airline Lounges with Showers at Atlanta Airport

For many travelers, lounges are the most practical way to shower at ATL. These are usually located airside, meaning you must have a boarding pass and be inside security.

a. International Terminal (Concourse F)

If you’re arriving on or departing from an international flight, Concourse F is your best bet for showers.

Typical pattern at international lounges in ATL:

• What you’ll usually find:
  • Individual shower suites with lockable doors
  • Towels, basic toiletries, and hairdryers
  • Space to change and repack
• Who can get in:
  • Premium cabin passengers (business/first) on certain airlines
  • Elite frequent flyers
  • Travelers with certain paid lounge memberships or credit cards
  • Some lounges may allow day passes, subject to capacity

If your flight uses the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Terminal F), check with your airline ahead of time to confirm:

• Whether its lounge at ATL includes showers
• What access rules apply to your ticket type or status

Tip: If you have a long daytime layover between international flights, routing yourself through Concourse F instead of domestic concourses often makes shower access easier.

2. Domestic Airline Lounges at ATL

On the domestic side, ATL is a major hub. Several airline-branded lounges operate throughout the concourses. However, not every lounge has showers, and amenities can differ by concourse.

Common setup at domestic lounges:

• More likely to have showers:
  • Larger or recently renovated lounges
  • Lounges that handle many long-haul or transcontinental flights
• Less likely:
  • Smaller concourse lounges focused on short regional flights

If you’re flying from Atlanta to another US city and want a shower:

1. Check your airline’s ATL lounge page or mobile app for the specific concourse you’ll use.
2. Look for phrases like “shower facilities”, “shower suites”, or “restrooms with showers.”
3. Confirm opening hours; some lounges open early, others late, and overnight access is rare.

If you live in Atlanta and fly often, it may be worth:

• Considering an annual lounge membership or
• Using credit cards that include lounge access, if that fits your overall travel pattern and budget.

3. Minute Suites and Rest Pods Inside ATL

ATL has rest pod–style services inside the terminals (often branded as private “suites” or mini-rooms). These facilities generally focus on:

• Quiet space to nap, work, or relax
• A daybed or couch
• Desk, power outlets, and sometimes a TV

Some locations may offer access to a shower as an add-on or at selected suites, but this is not guaranteed at every concourse or at every unit.

What to know:

• Access is usually by the hour or in timed blocks.
• Reservations can sometimes be made ahead of time through an app or website, which is useful if your layover is short.
• If shower access is available, there may be:
  • An extra fee
  • A time limit on shower use

Because these details change, always:

• Check the service’s ATL location page or call ahead, and
• Confirm specifically: “Does this ATL location have showers, and how do I reserve one?”

4. Using Airport Hotels Near ATL for a Shower

If you don’t have lounge access, airport-area hotels are often the most straightforward way to get a shower near Atlanta Airport.

a. Hotels Connected by Shuttle

The ATL area has many hotels clustered around:

• Virginia Avenue (East Point / College Park area)
• Camp Creek Parkway
• The airport’s domestic and international terminals

Many of these hotels offer:

• Free airport shuttles from the domestic terminal
• Shuttle pickup from the Ground Transportation area, usually on the lower level

Ask hotels in advance about:

• Day-use rooms (sometimes called “day rooms”) that allow you to:
  • Check in for several hours during the day
  • Use the bed, shower, and Wi‑Fi
  • Check out before evening
• Typical hours: often something like 9 a.m.–5 p.m., but this varies.

b. How to Use an ATL Airport Hotel for a Shower

1. Identify nearby hotels (within 1–3 miles of ATL).
2. Call the front desk and ask:
   • “Do you offer day-use rooms near Hartsfield–Jackson? I just need a shower during a layover.”
3. Compare:
   • Rate
   • Shuttle frequency
   • Time needed to leave and re-clear airport security

This option is ideal if you have a long layover (5+ hours) or an overnight stay in Atlanta.

5. Shower Options in the City of Atlanta (If You Have More Time)

If your schedule allows you to leave the airport and you prefer to clean up closer to downtown or Midtown, you can consider gyms or fitness centers.

a. Using a Gym for a Shower

Many larger fitness chains and some independent gyms in the Atlanta area:

• Offer day passes that include:
  • Locker rooms
  • Showers
  • Basic toiletries (varies by location)
• Are located near MARTA rail stations, making it easier if you don’t want to rely on rideshares.

For example, if you ride MARTA from the airport to central Atlanta:

• Airport Station → Five Points / Peachtree Center / Midtown / Arts Center:
  You’ll find multiple gyms and fitness centers within walking or short rideshare distance.

Always call ahead and confirm:

• Day-pass availability and price
• Towel policies (some require you to bring your own)
• Whether you need to bring a lock for the locker

This can work well if:

• You’ve landed in Atlanta early and your hotel check-in is hours away
• You want to explore the city a bit before or after your flight and clean up first or afterward

6. What ATL Does Not Currently Offer (As of Recent Patterns)

Travelers sometimes expect ATL to have:

• Public coin-operated or pay-per-use shower stalls in regular restrooms
• A central “airport spa” with showers open to all passengers without lounge access

Historically, Atlanta Airport has not had these features in the same way that a few other large international hubs do. Most shower access is tied to lounges, private suites, or hotels.

Because facilities can change with terminal renovations, it’s still smart to:

• Check the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport official information line or website for any newly added services.
• Confirm with your airline for the most up-to-date lounge information.

7. Practical Tips for Showering at ATL

A few simple strategies can make your experience smoother:

a. If You’re Still Planning Your Trip

• Choose flights through Concourse F when possible if shower access is essential, especially on long international routes.
• Check whether your:
  • Ticket class,
  • Frequent flyer status, or
  • Credit card
    gives you lounge access that includes showers at ATL.

b. If You’re Already at the Airport

1. Ask your airline’s gate agent or service desk:
   • “Where is your nearest lounge at ATL, and does it have showers?”
2. Visit an information desk in the terminal and ask generally:
   • “Are there any facilities in this concourse where I can take a shower?”
3. If no showers are available airside and your layover is long:
   • Consider leaving the secure area, taking an airport hotel shuttle, and returning later through security.

c. What to Pack

Having a small “shower kit” in your carry-on helps when you’re using lounges, suites, or gyms:

• Travel-size body wash/shampoo
• Flip-flops or shower sandals
• Lightweight microfiber towel (helpful if towels aren’t guaranteed)
• Spare t-shirt, socks, and undergarments
• Small plastic bag for damp items

8. Time and Security Considerations at ATL

Hartsfield–Jackson is one of the busiest airports in the world, so always factor in:

• Security re-check time if you leave the secure area
• Terminal transfer time between concourses on the Plane Train
• Boarding time: many flights from ATL begin boarding 30–45 minutes before departure

General guidelines:

• For in-terminal showers (lounges or suites), allow at least:
  • 60–90 minutes total between flights, depending on how far your gates are from the facility.
• For airport hotel or city gym showers, you’ll typically want:
  • At least 4–5 hours of layover time to avoid stress.

9. If You’re an Atlanta Resident Hosting Visitors

If you live in Atlanta and family or friends are passing through ATL on long connections:

• Let them know in advance about:
  • Lounge options tied to their airline
  • The possibility of booking an airport hotel day room
  • Gyms or fitness centers near MARTA stations if they want to come into the city
• If you’re picking them up:
  • You can time your arrival so they can shower at your home before sightseeing, especially if they’re arriving early in the morning or after an overnight flight.

This often ends up being simpler and more comfortable than arranging a shower inside the airport itself.

In Atlanta, getting a shower at the airport usually means using an airline lounge, a private in-terminal suite, or a nearby hotel rather than a public pay-per-use facility. With a bit of planning—especially if you’re using Concourse F or have a longer layover—you can usually find a way to freshen up before you continue your journey or head into the city.