Flying From Birmingham to Atlanta: What Travelers Need to Know

Planning a flight from Birmingham to Atlanta and wondering what to expect when you land in Georgia’s capital? Whether you’re coming in for business, a weekend trip, or to connect through Hartsfield–Jackson, this guide walks you through the route, airports, transportation, and practical tips tailored specifically to Atlanta, GA.

Overview: Birmingham to Atlanta Flights at a Glance

The Birmingham (BHM) to Atlanta (ATL) route is a short, frequently traveled hop between two major Southern cities. Most travelers fly into Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), one of the world’s busiest hubs, located just south of downtown Atlanta.

Key basics:

• Route: Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) → Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Typical flight time (airborne): About 35–50 minutes
• Total trip time (gate to gate): Often around 1.5–2 hours, including taxi and boarding
• Primary purpose of route: Business travel, connections, and regional visits

Because ATL is a major connecting airport, many Birmingham–Atlanta passengers are connecting onward to domestic or international flights. Others are heading directly into Metro Atlanta for work, family, or events.

Airports on This Route

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM)

If you’re starting in Alabama, you’ll depart from:

• Birmingham-Shuttorth International Airport (BHM)
• Location: About 5 miles northeast of downtown Birmingham

BHM is relatively small and easy to navigate. This makes check-in and security straightforward compared with larger hubs.

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

All Birmingham to Atlanta flights land at:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• General info phone: (800) 897-1910

ATL is large and busy, with multiple concourses connected by an underground train. When you land here from Birmingham, your experience will vary depending on whether Atlanta is:

• ✅ Your final destination, or
• ✈️ A connection point to another flight

Airlines and Typical Flight Experience

Most flights from Birmingham to Atlanta are operated by major U.S. carriers using regional or narrow-body jets. Flight offerings can shift over time, but some consistent patterns apply:

• Short flight time: Once in the air, the route is quick—often under an hour.
• Limited onboard service: On such a short leg, expect basic service; snacks and beverages may be abbreviated or skipped depending on timing.
• Frequent schedule changes: Because it’s a short regional route, flight times can adjust more often than long-haul schedules.

For Atlanta-bound travelers, this short hop is often just the first step toward:

• Other U.S. cities (New York, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, etc.)
• International destinations via ATL’s international terminal (Concourse F)

If Atlanta is your final stop, the main thing to plan around is how you’ll get from ATL to your destination in the city or suburbs.

Arrival at ATL: Terminals, Concourses, and Navigation

Terminals and Concourses

Hartsfield–Jackson has:

• Domestic Terminal – North and South
• Concourses T, A, B, C, D, and E (domestic and some international)
• International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal – Concourse F)

Most Birmingham to Atlanta flights arrive at a domestic concourse such as T, A, B, C, or D.

🔹 Key point for Atlanta visitors:
You don’t have to exit security right away. You can ride the Plane Train (the underground tram) between concourses and the Domestic Terminal if you need to connect or reach baggage claim.

Getting from the Gate to Baggage Claim

1. Disembark at your concourse (e.g., Concourse B).
2. Follow signs to the Plane Train.
3. Ride to Domestic Terminal – Baggage Claim.
4. Collect your luggage at the assigned carousel.
5. Exit toward Ground Transportation for MARTA, rideshare, taxis, or rental cars.

If you are connecting through ATL, follow the “Connecting Flights” signs, use the Plane Train to move concourses, and check your gate monitors for updated departure info.

Ground Transportation: Getting From ATL Into Atlanta

Once you arrive from Birmingham and step outside the terminal, you have several options to reach Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and beyond.

MARTA Rail (Public Transit)

For many travelers, MARTA is the most straightforward and budget-friendly choice.

• Station: Airport MARTA Station (attached to Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim)
• Operator: Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority
• Local info line: (404) 848-5000

From the Airport Station, you can typically:

• Take the Red or Gold Line north into the city
• Reach Downtown Atlanta (Five Points) in around 15–20 minutes
• Continue to Midtown, Buckhead, and North Springs/Doraville, depending on the line

MARTA is especially convenient if you’re heading to:

• Downtown hotels around Peachtree Center or Five Points
• Midtown (Georgia Tech area, Arts Center, Piedmont Park)
• Buckhead business and shopping districts

👍 Tip: If you’re traveling light and staying near a MARTA station, this can be faster than driving during rush hour.

Rideshare and Taxis

Rideshare services and metered taxis are widely available at ATL.

• Rideshare pick-up areas are marked and located in designated zones near the terminals.
• Traditional taxis line up at the official taxi stands outside the terminal.

This option may be attractive if:

• You have luggage or children in tow
• You’re going somewhere not well served by MARTA (many suburbs, residential neighborhoods)
• You’re arriving late at night or on a tight schedule

Travel times can vary significantly based on traffic. For example:

• ATL → Downtown Atlanta: Often 15–30 minutes, longer in peak traffic
• ATL → Midtown: Around 20–35 minutes
• ATL → Buckhead: Around 25–45 minutes
• ATL → Perimeter or northern suburbs: 30+ minutes depending on distance

Rental Cars

If you need a car for part or all of your stay in Atlanta, you’ll pick it up at ATL’s Rental Car Center (RCC).

• Access via the SkyTrain, an automated people mover from the Domestic Terminal.
• Follow signs for “Rental Cars” from baggage claim/ground transportation.

A rental car can be useful if:

• You plan to explore multiple suburbs (Alpharetta, Marietta, Decatur, Stone Mountain, etc.)
• Public transit does not conveniently cover your destinations
• You’re in town for a longer stay or work that involves moving across Metro Atlanta

Typical Birmingham–Atlanta Trip Scenarios (From an Atlanta Perspective)

1. Birmingham Resident Visiting Atlanta

If you live in Birmingham and are flying to Atlanta as your destination, you’ll likely be interested in:

• Proximity to downtown attractions:

  • Georgia Aquarium
  • World of Coca-Cola
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • State Farm Arena and Mercedes-Benz Stadium

• Hotel access:
  Staying near a MARTA station often makes transit from the airport simpler.

• Event and game days:
  If you’re coming for a game or concert, plan extra time for travel from the airport to venues in Downtown or Midtown, especially during rush hours or weekend events.

2. Atlanta Resident Returning Home From Birmingham

If you live in or near Atlanta and are flying back from Birmingham:

• ATL arrival is familiar if you’ve used it before, but note:

  • The short flight can still experience delays due to weather or congestion.
  • If you parked at ATL before your trip, plan a few extra minutes to reach your parking lot or deck from the terminal.

• Consider MARTA or rideshare if you prefer to avoid airport parking and traffic on I-85/I-75.

3. Connecting Through Atlanta After a Birmingham Flight

Many travelers flying from Birmingham to Atlanta will:

• Land at a domestic concourse, then
• Connect to another domestic or international flight

If you’re simply connecting:

• Stay airside (do not exit to baggage claim).
• Follow gate information screens to find your next flight.
• Use the Plane Train between concourses (T, A–F).
• Leave adequate time for:
  • gate changes
  • walking between gates
  • potential security checks for international transfer scenarios

This can be particularly important if you’re making a tight connection to international flights from Concourse E or F.

When Driving Might Compete With Flying

For some Atlanta-focused travelers, especially those flexible on time, it can be worth comparing a flight from Birmingham to Atlanta with driving:

• Approximate driving distance: Roughly 145–150 miles
• Typical drive time: Around 2.5–3 hours, depending on traffic and route

When you factor in:

• Arriving early at BHM
• Boarding time
• Flight time
• Taxiing and disembarkation at ATL
• Baggage claim and ground transport

The total door-to-door time for flying versus driving can sometimes be similar. Flying becomes more appealing if:

• You’re connecting onward through ATL to another destination
• You want to avoid long-distance driving
• Weather or road conditions make driving less comfortable

Practical Tips for a Smooth Birmingham–Atlanta Flight

Use these quick pointers to make your trip into Atlanta easier:

• Plan your onward transportation:
  Decide before you arrive whether you’ll use MARTA, rideshare, taxi, or rental car.

• Know your terminal and concourse:
  Check your boarding pass or airline app for your arrival concourse to better estimate how long it will take you to reach baggage claim or a connecting gate.

• Allow extra time in peak hours:
  Morning and late afternoon can be particularly busy for both ATL operations and Atlanta traffic.

• Travel light when possible:
  For such a short route, carry-on only can save you baggage claim time and make connecting easier.

• Check for delays or weather issues:
  Even short flights can be impacted by storms or congestion around ATL, one of the busiest hubs in the country.

Quick Reference: Birmingham → Atlanta Essentials

If you’re planning a Birmingham to Atlanta flight, thinking through your arrival at ATL, your transportation options into the city, and your final destination in the Atlanta area will make the trip far smoother—whether Atlanta is your home base, a brief stop, or a place you’re getting to know for the first time.