Flying From Cleveland to Atlanta: How to Make the Trip Easy to and Through ATL

Planning a flight from Cleveland to Atlanta and want to know what to expect when you land in Atlanta, Georgia? Whether you live in metro Atlanta, are returning home, or are visiting the city, it helps to understand how this route works, how to use Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and how to get from the airport to your final destination smoothly.

This guide walks through the Cleveland–Atlanta flight itself and then focuses on what really matters once you’re on the ground in Atlanta.

Key Things to Know About Flights From Cleveland to Atlanta

Most travelers flying from Cleveland, Ohio (CLE) to Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) will experience:

• Nonstop flights available most days
• A typical flight time of about 1.5–2 hours
• Arrival at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), a major hub with extensive connections
• Multiple options for getting from ATL to downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the suburbs

Here’s a quick overview of what to expect:

Booking Your Flight From Cleveland to Atlanta

When you’re Atlanta‑based but flying from Cleveland

Many Atlanta residents travel to Cleveland for business, family visits, or events and then return home on this route. When booking:

• Choose ATL (Atlanta) as your destination.
• Look for nonstop options if you want to get home as quickly as possible.
• Consider early morning or late evening flights if you’re trying to avoid Atlanta’s heavier ground traffic once you land.

Timing your flight with Atlanta traffic in mind

Because Atlanta is known for serious rush-hour congestion, it’s useful to coordinate your flight with local traffic patterns:

• Morning rush: roughly 7:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
• Evening rush: roughly 4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

If you’re planning to drive or take a rideshare from ATL to areas like Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or Perimeter, arriving outside typical rush hours can save time and stress.

What to Expect at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

If your flight from Cleveland ends in Atlanta, you’ll be arriving at ATL, one of the world’s busiest airports.

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

Domestic arrival process

For a typical Cleveland–Atlanta flight:

1. Disembark at a domestic concourse (often A, B, C, D, or T).
2. Follow signs for Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation.
3. Take the plane train (underground people mover) if you need to move between concourses and the Domestic Terminal / Baggage Claim.
4. Collect luggage at the carousel shown on the monitors.
5. Decide how you’ll get into the city: MARTA, rideshare, taxi, shuttle, or rental car.

No customs or immigration is required on this route because it’s a domestic U.S. flight.

Domestic Terminal vs. International Terminal

Even if you’re connecting in Atlanta to an international flight later, your Cleveland–Atlanta leg normally uses:

• The Domestic Terminal (North or South) and
• Concourse T, A, B, C, or D

Know that Atlanta has two main terminal areas:

• Domestic Terminal (N & S) – used for most U.S. flights
• Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F) – used for international departures/arrivals

A free shuttle bus connects these areas. If your final stop is Atlanta and you’re coming from Cleveland only, you will typically remain on the domestic side.

Getting From ATL Airport Into Atlanta

Once your flight from Cleveland lands, your next priority is getting from ATL to your destination in or around Atlanta. The main choices:

• MARTA rail (public transit)
• Rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.)
• Taxi
• Hotel or private shuttle
• Rental car

1. Taking MARTA From ATL

For many travelers, MARTA is the most straightforward and cost‑effective option, especially if you’re heading to:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown
• Buckhead
• Areas along the Red or Gold train lines

Where to catch MARTA at ATL

• From Domestic Arrivals/Baggage Claim, follow signs for Ground Transportation / MARTA.
• The MARTA Airport Station is directly attached to the Domestic Terminal.

MARTA Airport Station Address:
ATL Airport MARTA Station
6000 S Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30337

Basic rail directions from ATL:

• To Downtown (Five Points, Peachtree Center, etc.):
  Take the Red or Gold northbound. Stay on until you reach your chosen downtown station.

• To Midtown (Arts Center, Midtown, North Avenue):
  Stay on the Red or Gold northbound past downtown.

• To Buckhead / Lenox / Brookhaven:
  Take the Red northbound toward North Springs for Buckhead-area stops like Buckhead, Lenox, Brookhaven/Oglethorpe.

📝 Tip: MARTA can be much faster than driving during Atlanta’s rush hours, especially between ATL and Downtown/Midtown.

2. Using Rideshare in Atlanta

Rideshare pick‑up at ATL is organized but can be busy during peak times.

• From Domestic Baggage Claim, follow signs for Rideshare / App-Based Rides.
• You’ll usually be directed to a designated pickup area in the parking structure.

When you open your rideshare app:

• Set your pickup location to the official ATL rideshare zone it suggests.
• Confirm the door/zone number shown on airport signs with what the app displays.

Rideshare is often convenient if you’re going to areas not directly served by MARTA, such as:

• Westside (West Midtown, Atlantic Station area)
• East Atlanta, Kirkwood, Decatur neighborhoods
• Outer suburbs like Marietta, Alpharetta, or Fayetteville

3. Taxi Service From ATL

Taxis are available at the Ground Transportation area outside the Domestic Terminal.

Taxis can be a simple choice if you:

• Prefer not to use apps
• Want a fixed rate to certain in-city zones (Atlanta often has standard flat fares from ATL to major neighborhoods)

Look for posted signage near the taxi stands indicating typical fares to downtown and nearby districts.

4. Hotel and Private Shuttles

Many hotels in and around the airport area—especially on Virginia Avenue, Camp Creek Parkway, and around the Airport Boulevard area—operate complimentary shuttles:

• After landing, check your hotel reservation details for shuttle instructions.
• Most hotel shuttles pick up at a clearly marked hotel shuttle zone in the Ground Transportation area.

If you’re staying in Downtown or Midtown, some event-related groups or conferences may also arrange private shuttles from ATL; in that case, follow the instructions from your event organizer.

5. Renting a Car at ATL

If you’re planning to explore metro Atlanta or drive to farther suburbs, a rental car may be practical.

Rental Car Center (RCC) Location:
2200 Rental Car Center Pkwy
College Park, GA 30337

To get there from your Cleveland flight arrival:

1. From Baggage Claim, follow signs for Rental Cars.
2. Take the SkyTrain (an elevated people mover) from the airport to the Rental Car Center.
3. Once there, follow posted directions for your chosen rental agency.

A car is helpful if you’re traveling to:

• Suburban counties (Cobb, Gwinnett, Cherokee, Henry, Fayette, etc.)
• Areas with limited MARTA coverage
• Multiple dispersed destinations around the region

Connecting in Atlanta After Flying From Cleveland

If Atlanta is not your final stop and you’re connecting to another flight:

Domestic-to-domestic connections

• Your Cleveland–Atlanta flight will arrive at a domestic concourse.
• Check connection info on the monitors or your boarding pass.
• Use the plane train to move quickly between concourses T, A, B, C, D, E.
• Allow enough time to:
  • Deplane
  • Change concourses if necessary
  • Board your next flight prior to departure

Domestic-to-international connections

If you’re arriving from Cleveland and catching an international flight from ATL:

• You may connect through Concourse E or F (International Terminal).
• Follow the signs for International Flights / Concourse F.
• Again, the plane train is the main way to move between concourses inside security.

If you’re returning to Atlanta on an international leg after a multi-city trip, your arrival and customs process will be different from your Cleveland flight, so always review your airline’s instructions for those segments.

Tips for Atlanta Residents Flying Out of Cleveland Back Home

If you live in the Atlanta area and are planning your return flight from Cleveland to Atlanta, these points can help:

• Check your arrival time in ATL against MARTA’s operating hours if you plan to take the train home.
• If you’re parking at the airport for your overall trip, note which side of the terminal your airline uses (Domestic North vs. Domestic South) before you leave Atlanta.
• For late-night arrivals from Cleveland, pre-plan whether you’ll use rideshare, family pickup, or overnight near the airport.

Making the Cleveland–Atlanta Route Work for Your Trip

For someone focused on Atlanta, the key to a smooth flight from Cleveland to Atlanta is understanding what happens after you land at ATL:

• Expect a short, domestic flight that feeds into one of the most connected airports in the country.
• Plan your ground transportation in Atlanta ahead of time—MARTA for convenience and cost, rideshare or taxi for door-to-door travel, and rental cars for suburban or regional trips.
• Keep Atlanta traffic patterns in mind when choosing your arrival time and onward travel.

With this in place, your Cleveland–Atlanta flight becomes just one well-managed leg in a larger, easy-to-navigate trip centered on Atlanta.