How to Find Cheap Flights from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta

If you’re trying to get from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta on a budget, you’re in a good spot. The route between Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busier short-haul trips in the Southeast, which usually means frequent flights and plenty of chances to save.

Whether you live in Atlanta, are flying back home to ATL from South Florida, or are planning a budget-friendly visit to Atlanta, the tips below focus on what works specifically for this route and for travelers using Atlanta’s airport.

Key Things to Know About the Fort Lauderdale–Atlanta Route

This is a short, high-traffic domestic route, and that shapes how prices work.

Typical basics for FLL → ATL flights:

• Flight time: About 1.5–2 hours nonstop
• Airports:
  • Departure: Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
  • Arrival: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Airlines commonly on this route: Usually a mix of full-service and low-cost carriers (often including Delta and at least one budget airline, though options can change over time)
• Type of pricing: Lots of dynamic pricing – fares can move quickly based on demand, events, and how full flights are

For someone focused on Atlanta, this route is especially useful because many flights from FLL arrive in ATL early in the day, giving you nearly a full day in the city, or lining up well with evening connections to other destinations from Atlanta.

Best Times to Find Cheap Flights to Atlanta from Fort Lauderdale

1. Watch Your Travel Days

On this route, day-of-week matters more than many people realize.

Often cheaper:

• Tuesdays and Wednesdays
• Some Saturday flights, especially early morning or late evening

Often more expensive:

• Fridays and Sundays (weekend getaways and people returning home)
• Holiday periods and times around big Atlanta events like:
  • Major games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Conventions at the Georgia World Congress Center
  • Major concerts or festivals in Midtown/Downtown

If you live in Atlanta and are returning from Fort Lauderdale, flying back on a Tuesday or Wednesday rather than Sunday can noticeably cut costs and usually means shorter security lines at ATL when you arrive.

2. Book in a Smart Time Window

For a popular domestic route like Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta:

• Booking 2–6 weeks in advance often hits a sweet spot for basic economy and budget fares
• For holiday travel or big-event weekends in Atlanta, it’s safer to book earlier, sometimes 2–3 months out

Last-minute flights can be cheaper on rare occasions, but on a business-and-leisure-heavy route like this, they’re more likely to be higher.

Choosing the Best Flight Time for Price and Convenience

Early Morning vs. Late Evening

On the FLL → ATL route:

• Early morning flights:
  • Often cheaper and less likely to be heavily delayed
  • Give you a full day in Atlanta, which is ideal if you need to get to work in Downtown or Midtown
• Late evening flights:
  • Sometimes cheaper when demand is low
  • Can be at risk of cascading delays if your plane has flown multiple legs earlier that day

If you’re heading back to your home in Atlanta and don’t mind getting in late, very late arrivals to ATL can be wallet-friendly. Just remember MARTA and buses operate on schedules that may not fully match very late arrivals.

How to Use Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Your Advantage

Because this article is Atlanta-focused, it helps to understand a bit about ATL’s layout and services when you’re planning your FLL → ATL trip.

Navigating ATL for Budget Travelers

Main points about ATL:

• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• It has two primary sides:
  • Domestic Terminal (North and South)
  • International Terminal (Concourse F) – you won’t use this directly for FLL → ATL

Domestic Terminal tips for arriving passengers:

• Most flights from Fort Lauderdale will arrive at a domestic concourse, often A, B, C, or T
• After arrival, the Plane Train (underground train) gets you to Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation quickly
• Budget-conscious travelers can head straight to public transit instead of rideshare or taxis

Getting from ATL to Atlanta on the Cheap

Once you land from Fort Lauderdale, you can keep overall trip costs low with affordable ground transportation:

1. MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority)

• Rail station: Airport MARTA Station (attached to the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim)
• Service into Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and more
• Good option if you’re staying near stations like Peachtree Center, Midtown, Arts Center, or North Avenue

2. Local buses

• Run by MARTA and some regional agencies
• Can be helpful if you’re headed to certain neighborhoods beyond the rail lines

3. Rideshare and taxis

• More expensive than MARTA but can still be economical if you’re splitting costs
• Rideshare pickup is clearly signed from Baggage Claim

If you’re a visitor flying in from Fort Lauderdale, planning your arrival around MARTA’s schedule and station nearest your hotel can save you the cost of a rental car or multiple rideshares.

Tactics for Getting Cheap Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta Flights

1. Be Flexible with Times and Airports (Where Possible)

While the primary and most practical option is FLL → ATL, some travelers also look at:

• Alternative South Florida airports like Miami (MIA) or Palm Beach (PBI), then fly into ATL
• This can sometimes lower the airfare, but you must factor in:
  • Time and cost of travel between airports in South Florida
  • Added logistics if you’re trying to return to Atlanta quickly

If you live in Atlanta and are simply visiting Fort Lauderdale or nearby beaches, using FLL is usually more straightforward than juggling multiple South Florida airports unless the savings are significant.

2. Compare Bare-Bones vs. Standard Economy

On this route, you might see:

• Basic or “Saver” economy fares (cheapest, with restrictions)
• Standard economy (a bit more flexible)
• Premium or business (usually not the cheapest choice for this short flight)

Budget-friendly travelers should focus on:

• What’s included in the cheapest fare:
  • Personal item vs. carry-on
  • Checked bag pricing
  • Change or cancellation rules
• Whether paying slightly more for standard economy saves money overall if you:
  • Need a carry-on or checked bag
  • Want to avoid high change fees

3. Fly Off-Peak Times for Atlanta

Atlanta has busy travel peaks tied to:

• Major sporting events (Falcons, United, college games, major tournaments)
• Conventions, expos, and festivals
• Spring break periods and holiday seasons

If you’re flexible, avoid flying into ATL when:

• There’s a big event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or major convention centers
• Public schools in Metro Atlanta are on break (which can spike fares and crowd airports)

Simple Price-Savvy Checklist for FLL → ATL

Here’s a quick reference you can skim when you’re actually booking:

What Atlanta Travelers Should Plan for at Both Airports

At Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

When flying up to Atlanta:

• Arrive early, especially in peak periods (mornings, holidays, and weekends)
• Security lines can vary, but having TSA PreCheck (if you’re enrolled) can help smooth things out
• Budget carriers might use different terminals or have tighter boarding cutoffs, so double-check your terminal and gate

If you’re a resident returning home to Atlanta, remember that a short flight doesn’t mean a short airport process – leave enough time so you don’t end up paying change fees for a missed flight.

At Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

When you land in Atlanta from Fort Lauderdale:

• Follow signs to Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation
• If you’re minimizing costs:
  • Head straight for the MARTA Airport Station in the Domestic Terminal
  • Use MARTA rail to reach many Atlanta neighborhoods and hotels without renting a car
• If you have a connecting flight from ATL:
  • Know which concourse you’re connecting through (A–E, T, or F)
  • Use the Plane Train to move quickly between concourses

Using Atlanta as a Connection City from Fort Lauderdale

For Atlanta-based travelers, this route also matters if you’re:

• Starting in Fort Lauderdale, flying to Atlanta, and then connecting to another city
• Using ATL as your main hub to reach other domestic or international destinations

If that’s your situation:

• Look for through itineraries that keep all legs on a single ticket, which can:
  • Increase protection if there are delays
  • Sometimes cut overall cost compared to booking separate segments
• Plan for enough layover time at ATL:
  • At least 60–90 minutes for domestic-to-domestic, especially at busy times

Local Atlanta Tips to Keep Your Total Trip Cost Down

The cost of your Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta flight is just one piece. For people living in or visiting Atlanta, how you handle the rest of the trip matters too.

Once in Atlanta:

• Transit from ATL:
  • If you’re staying near a MARTA station (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Perimeter), public transit can be both cheap and predictable
• Rental cars:
  • Use them only if you truly need to drive – Atlanta traffic can be heavy, especially at rush hours on I-75, I-85, I-285, and GA-400

Before heading back to Fort Lauderdale from ATL:

• Give yourself extra time for security and getting to your gate, as ATL is large and busy
• Check which Domestic Terminal side (North or South) your airline uses
• If you’re returning home to Fort Lauderdale, aim for a nonstop flight so you don’t risk delays from connections

Cheap flights from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta are very attainable if you:

• Stay flexible on days and times
• Avoid the busiest Atlanta event dates
• Use ATL’s layout and MARTA to your advantage once you land

With a bit of planning tailored to Atlanta’s airport, transit, and event cycles, you can reliably keep the cost of this short hop under control while still arriving at a convenient time for work, visits, or connections.