Flying From Chicago to Atlanta: What Travelers to ATL Need to Know

A flight from Chicago to Atlanta is one of the most common routes into Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Whether you live in the Atlanta area and you’re flying home from Chicago, or you’re visiting Atlanta and connecting through, it helps to understand how this route works, what to expect on arrival, and how to move around once you land.

How Long Is a Flight From Chicago to Atlanta?

Most nonstop flights from Chicago to Atlanta take about:

• Flying time:1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes
• Total trip time (gate to curb): Often 3+ hours once you include taxiing, deplaning, and getting your bags

The distance between Chicago and Atlanta is roughly 600–750 miles by air, depending on the exact routing.

You’ll typically see flights departing from:

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)

And almost all commercial flights from Chicago land at:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

Airlines That Commonly Fly Chicago to Atlanta

Several major airlines operate this route, often with many flights per day.

You’ll frequently see:

• Delta Air Lines – Major hub carrier at ATL, many daily nonstops from both ORD and MDW (depending on schedule)
• Southwest Airlines – Regular nonstop service, often from Chicago Midway (MDW) to ATL
• Other large U.S. carriers – Often operate multiple daily flights between ORD and ATL, with some offering connections onward through Atlanta

Airline offerings can change, but travelers usually have multiple nonstop options per day, especially on peak days (Monday mornings, Thursday/Friday afternoons, and Sunday evenings).

Typical Prices and How to Find Better Fares

Fares between Chicago and Atlanta can swing widely based on demand, day, and time.

Common patterns:

• Cheaper days:
  • Midweek flights (Tuesday–Wednesday) are often less expensive
  • Very early morning and late-night flights can be cheaper
• More expensive times:
  • Holiday periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s)
  • Big events in Atlanta (major conventions, large sporting events, holiday weekends)
  • Last-minute bookings

To help keep the price down:

• Be flexible with airports:
  • Compare ORD vs MDW departures
• Shift times slightly:
  • Moving your flight a few hours earlier or later can reduce cost
• Avoid cutting it too close:
  • Booking at least a couple of weeks out typically gives better options than last‑minute searches

Flying Into Atlanta: Understanding Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL)

If your flight is Chicago to Atlanta, you’ll almost certainly arrive at ATL, which is one of the busiest airports in the world and a major connection point for travelers coming into the city.

Main Layout in Simple Terms

Think of ATL as a main terminal building with a line of concourses stretching out like a spine:

• Domestic Terminal North & South – Check-in, ticketing, some baggage claim
• Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, F – Gates and boarding areas
• International Terminal (Concourse F) – For flights arriving from or departing to international destinations

Most Chicago–Atlanta flights use the domestic side of the airport and arrive on:

• Concourse T, A, B, C, or D (varies by airline and day)

You can move between concourses by:

• Plane Train – Underground automated train
• Walkways – Underground pedestrian corridors with moving sidewalks

Getting From Your Gate to Ground Transportation

Once your flight from Chicago lands in Atlanta:

1. Deplane at your arrival gate
2. Follow the signs to “Plane Train” or “Baggage Claim”
3. Take the train or walk to the Domestic Terminal
4. Go up to baggage claim if you checked bags
5. Follow signs to your desired option:
   • Ride Share
   • Taxis
   • Rental Cars
   • MARTA (train into the city)
   • Hotel & local shuttles

Ground Transportation Options After a Chicago–Atlanta Flight

How you leave ATL depends on whether you’re:

• Heading to downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead
• Going to the suburbs or another Georgia city
• Connecting to another flight out of Atlanta

1. Taking MARTA (Train) Into Atlanta 🚆

MARTA is Atlanta’s public rail and bus system and one of the simplest ways to get from ATL to downtown.

• Station:Airport MARTA Station (directly inside the Domestic Terminal)
• Lines: Primarily the Red and Gold lines go from the airport into the city
• Typical destinations:
  • Downtown Atlanta (e.g., Five Points, Peachtree Center)
  • Midtown
  • Buckhead and northern suburbs along the rail lines

MARTA works well if:

• You’re traveling light (carry-ons or small bags)
• Your destination is near a MARTA station
• You prefer to avoid traffic and parking costs

2. Taxis and Ride Share Services

Official taxis and ride share pickup areas are well signed at ATL.

• Taxi stands:
  • Designated locations outside the terminal
  • Flat-rate zones may apply for downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead, though details can change over time
• Ride share pickup:
  • Typically in a designated area of the domestic terminal ground transportation zone
  • Follow airport signs for “Rideshare” or similar wording

These options are popular if you:

• Have luggage or traveling with family
• Are arriving late at night or with a tight schedule
• Need to reach neighborhoods not near MARTA, like many residential areas in East Atlanta, Westside, or suburbs

3. Rental Cars

If your Chicago–Atlanta flight is the start of a road trip or you’re staying somewhere not easily accessible by transit:

• Rental Car Center (RCC):
  2200 Rental Car Center Pkwy, College Park, GA 30337
• Access via the SkyTrain, a short automated train from the terminal

Most major national rental companies operate from the RCC. Having a car is convenient if you’re visiting:

• Surrounding metro cities like Marietta, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Stone Mountain
• More rural areas of North Georgia or beyond the MARTA service area

Chicago to Atlanta: Nonstop vs. Connecting Flights

For most travelers, a nonstop flight Chicago to Atlanta is the best choice. But some people may see connecting flights in their search results.

When Nonstop Makes the Most Sense

Nonstop is usually ideal if you:

• Are coming home to Atlanta and want to minimize total travel time
• Have kids or older travelers in your group
• Are heading straight into the city after landing and want to avoid the stress of missed connections

When a Connection Might Appear

Sometimes, you may see itineraries routing Chicago–Atlanta via another city if:

• You’re tied to a specific airline loyalty program
• You’re booking at unusual times of day
• There’s limited availability or schedule adjustments

For travelers focused on Atlanta as the final destination, it’s usually worth checking again for a nonstop option unless price or schedule strongly pushes you toward a connection.

Timing Your Arrival in Atlanta

A Chicago to Atlanta flight can land at very different ATL crowd levels depending on your schedule. That matters for:

• Security lines (if you’re connecting)
• Ground transportation wait times
• Traffic on the highways leaving the airport

Busier Periods

You’ll often see more congestion when you land:

• Weekday morning rush (approx. 7–9 a.m.)
• Late afternoon to early evening (approx. 4–7 p.m.)
• Sunday evenings, when many people are returning from weekend trips

If you’re scheduling a flight and you live in Atlanta:

• Think about I‑75/I‑85 traffic through downtown
• Consider whether a MARTA ride from the airport might be more predictable than driving at rush hour

If You Live in Atlanta and Are Flying to Chicago (Round-Trip Tips)

Many readers in Atlanta search “flight Chicago to Atlanta” while looking at round-trip travel. If you’re based in Atlanta and planning ATL–Chicago–ATL:

• Compare ORD vs MDW:
  • ORD (O’Hare): Large international hub, more airline choices
  • MDW (Midway): Often simpler layout, popular for certain carriers and for travelers headed to certain Chicago neighborhoods
• Consider winter weather in Chicago:
  • Flights back to Atlanta can be affected by snow, ice, and strong winds in the colder months
• Plan your return arrival time in ATL:
  • If you’re heading directly to work or an event in the city, a morning or midday arrival might be less stressful than a late-night return

What to Expect With Baggage and Customs

Since a flight from Chicago to Atlanta is domestic, there is:

• No routine customs checkpoint for passengers flying directly between the two cities
• Standard TSA security before departure in Chicago
• Regular baggage claim at the Domestic Terminal in Atlanta

However, if your trip originated outside the U.S., then connected through Chicago to Atlanta, your customs and immigration process will likely have occurred at your first U.S. entry point (e.g., Chicago), not in Atlanta.

Accessibility and Assistance at ATL

If you or someone in your group needs additional assistance when flying from Chicago to Atlanta:

• Airlines can often arrange:
  • Wheelchair assistance to and from the gate
  • Early boarding when needed
• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers:
  • Elevators and escalators throughout concourses
  • Marked accessible restrooms
  • Support desks where staff can point you to assistance services

If accessibility is a priority, it’s useful to:

• Notify your airline in advance of any mobility needs
• Allow extra time for:
  • Movement between concourses
  • Boarding and deplaning
  • Reaching ground transportation or MARTA

Quick-Reference: Key Details for Chicago → Atlanta Travelers

Tips Specifically for Visitors Planning Time in Atlanta

Once your flight from Chicago lands and you’ve reached your hotel or destination, it helps to have a basic sense of the city’s layout:

• Downtown Atlanta:
  • Close to many major hotels, the State Capitol area, and attractions like the Georgia Aquarium
• Midtown:
  • Arts and culture hub with theaters, restaurants, Piedmont Park, and many offices
• Buckhead:
  • Known for shopping, dining, and some of the city’s higher-end hotels
• Beyond the core:
  • Neighborhoods like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, West Midtown, East Atlanta are popular for dining and nightlife but often require a car, ride share, or a mix of MARTA and walking

If you’re scheduling your Chicago to Atlanta arrival, it can be helpful to:

• Coordinate your landing time with your hotel check-in
• Allow time for Atlanta rush hour if your destination is far from MARTA
• Consider whether MARTA + short ride share works better than a long car ride in traffic

Arriving in Atlanta from Chicago is generally straightforward, and this is a route with frequent flights and familiar routines for airlines and airport staff. With a sense of how long the flight takes, how ATL is laid out, and the best way to exit the airport toward your part of the city, you can plan your Chicago–Atlanta trip with fewer surprises and a smoother arrival in metro Atlanta.