Where Is Atlanta Airport? A Local Guide to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

If you live in Atlanta, you’ve almost certainly heard of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport—often just called “Atlanta Airport” or “ATL.” But where exactly is it, how is it laid out, and what’s the easiest way to get there from different parts of the metro area?

This guide walks through where Atlanta Airport is located, how it’s organized, and the best ways to access it from around the city.

Exact Location of Atlanta Airport

Official name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Primary address:
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30320
General information phone: (800) 897-1910 (airport information line)

Where it sits in the Atlanta area

Atlanta Airport is located on the south side of the city, roughly:

• About 7–10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta
• Just inside and along the I-285 Perimeter, near the south edge of the city
• Between Interstate 75 (I-75) on the east side and Interstate 85 (I-85) on the west side

It straddles the border of Atlanta and neighboring College Park, with some facilities extending into Clayton County.

If you look at a map of the city:

• Downtown / Five Points: north of the airport
• East Point & College Park: immediately north and west
• Forest Park & Hapeville: just east and southeast
• The airport runs roughly east–west, with runways spanning across the I-285 corridor.

Major Entrances: North Terminal vs. South Terminal

When people ask “Where is Atlanta Airport?” they often really mean, “Where is the main passenger entrance?” For Atlanta, that usually means the Domestic Terminal on the north side of the airport.

Domestic Terminal (North)

Best for: Most Delta, Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, and other domestic U.S. flights (airline assignments can change, so always check your ticket).

Location:

• Off Camp Creek Parkway and Interstate 85
• Address often used for navigation:
  6000 N Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320

This side is what most local residents know as the “main” Atlanta Airport entrance. It’s also where you’ll find:

• North and South Parking decks
• Ground Transportation Center (taxis, shared rides, hotel shuttles, etc.)
• Airport MARTA Station access (via the Domestic Terminal side)

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

Best for: International departures and arrivals (non-U.S. destinations, plus some U.S. connections for international flights).

Location:

• On the eastern side of the airport
• Accessed primarily from Interstate 75 (I-75) via Exit 239 (International Terminal / Charles W. Grant Pkwy)
• Address often used for navigation:
  2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30354

It is not directly connected by road to the Domestic Terminal on the north side, so you can’t just “drive around” the airfield from one to the other. Instead, the airport provides shuttles and an internal train (Plane Train) on the secured side to connect passengers.

Quick Location Snapshot

Here’s a simple reference to understand where the main parts of Atlanta Airport are in relation to major highways:

Getting to Atlanta Airport from Around the City

From Downtown Atlanta

Driving:

• Take I-85 South directly toward the airport.
• Follow signs for Domestic Terminal or International Terminal:
  • For Domestic: stay on I-85 South, use airport exits.
  • For International: from Downtown you can also take I-75 South and use Exit 239.

Drive time can range from 10–30 minutes depending on traffic.

Transit (MARTA):

• Board a southbound MARTA train (Gold or Red line) toward Airport.
• The Airport Station is inside the Domestic Terminal, at the west end, just steps from baggage claim and check-in.

MARTA is often the most predictable way to reach the Domestic Terminal from Downtown and Midtown.

From Midtown and Buckhead

Driving:

• Use I-75/85 South from Midtown or GA-400 South to I-85 South from Buckhead.
• Follow signs for Domestic Terminal via I-85, or switch to I-75 South for the International Terminal if needed.

Transit (MARTA):

• Take a southbound Gold or Red line train directly to Airport Station.
• No transfers needed if you’re on the main north–south line.

From East Atlanta, Decatur, and Stone Mountain Area

Driving:

• From Decatur / East Atlanta: Use I-20 West to I-75/85 South, then follow signs to I-85 South (Domestic) or stay on I-75 South (International).
• From Stone Mountain: Either use US-78 to I-285 South, then connect to I-85 North / I-75 North briefly to meet the airport exits, or cut across surface roads like Memorial Drive to reach I-20.

Key decision:

• Domestic Terminal → plan to approach via I-85
• International Terminal → plan to approach via I-75

From South Atlanta, Riverdale, Jonesboro, and Clayton County

If you’re already south of the airport, it’s closer but can still be confusing if you’re not used to the roads.

Driving:

• From Riverdale / Jonesboro: use GA-85, I-75 North, or local connectors (like Forest Parkway or Upper Riverdale Road) toward I-285 and then follow airport signs.
• For the International Terminal, I-75 North to Exit 239 is usually the most direct.
• For the Domestic Terminal, many drivers use local routes (like S Riverdale Rd / GA-85) to connect to Airport Blvd / Riverdale Rd and follow signage.

From the Western and Northern Suburbs (Smyrna, Marietta, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta)

Driving:

• From Smyrna / Marietta:
  • Take I-285 South around the west side of Atlanta.
  • Connect to I-85 North briefly and immediately follow the airport exits for the Domestic Terminal, or continue to I-75 for the International Terminal.
• From Sandy Springs / Roswell / Alpharetta:
  • Take GA-400 South to I-85 South, then follow signs to the Domestic Terminal.
  • For the International Terminal, some drivers choose to take I-285 East to I-75 South and exit at 239.

Because traffic on I-285 can be heavy, many locals leave extra time, especially during morning and evening rush hours.

Using MARTA to Reach Atlanta Airport

For many Atlanta residents and visitors, the easiest way to get to the airport is MARTA, especially if you’re heading to the Domestic Terminal.

Key details:

• Station name: Airport Station
• Location: At the Domestic Terminal, near the baggage claim level.
• Lines:Red and Gold lines both terminate at the Airport.
• From Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Brookhaven, Doraville, Sandy Springs, and North Springs, you can ride one train directly without changing lines.

🧭 Important: MARTA does not directly serve the International Terminal. If you’re flying internationally:

1. Take MARTA to Airport Station (Domestic Terminal).
2. Once at the airport, follow signs for the International Terminal Shuttle or use the Plane Train (inside security) if you’re connecting from a domestic flight.

Rideshare, Taxi, and Shuttle Pick-Up Areas

Knowing where to meet your ride is part of understanding “where” the airport is in practical terms.

Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

The airport has designated rideshare pick-up zones:

• Typically, these are located in specific areas of the parking decks or ground transportation areas near the Domestic Terminal.
• You’ll follow signage inside baggage claim directing you toward “Rideshare” or “App-Based Ride Services.”

For the International Terminal, rideshare pick-up is usually right outside the arrivals level in clearly marked zones.

Taxis

Licensed taxi stands are located:

• Outside the Domestic Terminal near ground transportation areas.
• Outside the International Terminal arrivals level.

You don’t need to call ahead—just follow “Taxi” signs after you exit baggage claim.

Hotel and Off-Airport Shuttles

Many airport-area hotels and parking lots around College Park, Hapeville, and along Virginia Avenue run free shuttles:

• Pick-up points are usually in the Ground Transportation Center adjacent to the Domestic Terminal or at designated lanes outside the International Terminal.
• Check your hotel or parking reservation for exact directions—they often specify a zone number or lane.

Parking and Rental Car Center Locations

Airport Parking Areas

The airport offers multiple parking options around both terminals:

• Domestic Terminal:
  • North and South Decks (closest to check-in)
  • Economy lots and Park-Ride lots farther out with shuttle service
• International Terminal:
  • International Parking Decks located adjacent to the terminal
  • Additional economy options on the east side

Signs along I-85, I-75, and airport access roads make it relatively clear which parking entrances to use for Domestic vs. International.

Rental Car Center (RCC)

Location:
2200 Rental Car Center Parkway
College Park, GA 30337

The Rental Car Center is separate from both the Domestic and International Terminals, located just west of the main airfield.

To reach it:

• From the Domestic Terminal:
  • Take the SkyTrain, an automated people mover that runs continuously from the terminal to the RCC and nearby hotels.
• From the International Terminal:
  • Use shuttle buses specifically for rental car access or transfer through the Domestic Terminal using airport shuttles/Plane Train, then board the SkyTrain.

If you’re returning a rental car, you’ll follow “Rental Car Return” signs, which will direct you to the RCC—be sure to leave time to ride the SkyTrain back to your terminal.

Key Things Locals and Visitors Should Remember

• Atlanta Airport is on the south side of the city, between I-75 and I-85, just inside the I-285 Perimeter.
• Domestic Terminal (North side) → Best approached via I-85; served directly by MARTA.
• International Terminal (East side) → Best approached via I-75 Exit 239; no direct MARTA, but connected by shuttles and the Plane Train.
• Airport Station (MARTA) is inside the Domestic Terminal, making it an easy choice from most intown neighborhoods.
• Rideshare, taxi, and shuttles have clearly marked pick-up and drop-off points, but they differ by terminal.
• Always double-check your airline and terminal before you go, especially if you’re catching an international flight, to avoid driving to the wrong side of the airport.

With these basics, you’ll know not just where Atlanta Airport is, but also how its layout fits into the rest of the city and how to get there smoothly from wherever you are in the Atlanta area.