Flying From Savannah to Atlanta: A Practical Guide for ATL Travelers ✈️

A flight from Savannah to Atlanta is one of the quickest ways to move between Georgia’s coastal city and its capital. Whether you live in Atlanta, are returning home to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), or are connecting through Atlanta to another destination, this route is short, busy, and generally straightforward.

This guide focuses on what an Atlanta-based traveler needs to know: airlines, timing, airports, ground transportation in Atlanta, and tips to make the trip smoother.

Key Facts About Flights From Savannah to Atlanta

Route basics

• Origin airport: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
• Destination airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Typical nonstop flight time: About 45 minutes to 1 hour in the air
• Total trip time (door to door): Usually 3–4 hours once you include check-in, security, boarding, taxiing, and ground transportation in Atlanta
• Distance: Roughly 215–230 miles between the cities

Common Reasons Atlanta Travelers Use This Route

• Returning to Atlanta after a coastal getaway in Savannah or Tybee Island
• Flying back to ATL to catch a domestic or international connection
• Making a same-day business trip between Atlanta and Savannah
• Avoiding a long drive on I-16 and I-75

Airlines and Flight Options on the Savannah–Atlanta Route

For most Atlanta travelers, this route is all about convenience and connections, not variety.

Major Carrier on the Route

On this route, the most common setup is:

• Delta Air Lines typically operates multiple daily nonstop flights between SAV and ATL.
• These flights are often used as feeder flights for longer connections out of Atlanta to other US cities or international destinations.

Depending on scheduling and season, you may also see regional partners or other carriers with:

• Nonstop or one-stop options connecting through another hub
• Limited schedules on certain days

Airline schedules change, so it’s best to:

• Check flights by searching from SAV to ATL and choosing “nonstop only” if you want the fastest option.
• If you live in Atlanta and are planning your return flight, look for early morning or late-night departures from Savannah when you need to line up with international or West Coast connections.

Typical Schedule and Best Times to Fly to Atlanta

When Flights Usually Run

Savannah–Atlanta is a high-frequency business and connection route, so:

• Morning flights help travelers arrive in Atlanta early for meetings or connections.
• Midday and evening flights are common for return trips home to Atlanta or late connections out of ATL.

Best Times for Atlanta-Based Travelers

If you live in Atlanta and are flying back from Savannah:

• Early morning flights from SAV are useful when you:

  • Have a tight connection at ATL to another city
  • Need to be back in Atlanta for a morning event or work

• Evening flights from Savannah are practical when you:

  • Spend a full day in Savannah and return home to Atlanta that night
  • Want to avoid paying for an extra hotel night in Savannah

Tip: For connections at ATL, it’s safer to allow at least 1.5–2 hours between your arrival from Savannah and your next departure, especially if you need to change terminals or go through security again.

What to Expect Departing From Savannah (SAV)

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is smaller and generally less stressful than a major hub like ATL.

At Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)

• Location: 400 Airways Ave, Savannah, GA 31408
• Security: Usually shorter lines than Atlanta, but allow at least 60–90 minutes before departure, especially during busy seasons or holidays.
• Parking: On-site parking options are right next to the terminal, often simpler than at ATL.
• Check-in:
  • You can usually check in online and use a mobile boarding pass.
  • Bag drop and check-in counters are straightforward and close to security.

Because this is a short in-state flight, many Atlanta travelers find that getting through SAV is the easy part—ATL is where planning matters more.

Arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

For anyone who lives in or is visiting Atlanta, ATL is the main hub—and your arrival from Savannah will feel just like any other domestic flight into the city.

Arrival Terminals and Concourses

Most Savannah–Atlanta flights arrive at one of the domestic concourses at ATL (such as Concourse A, B, C, or T), depending on your airline and schedule.

• If Atlanta is your final destination:

  • Follow signs to Baggage Claim.
  • You’ll likely ride the Plane Train (underground airport train) to the Domestic Terminal / Ground Transportation area.

• If you are connecting in Atlanta:

  • Check the boarding pass or airport monitors for your next departure gate and concourse.
  • Use the Plane Train to move quickly between concourses.
  • For most domestic-to-domestic connections, you do not need to exit and re-clear security.

Ground Transportation Options in Atlanta

Once you land in Atlanta from Savannah, you have several ways to get into the city or nearby areas.

1. MARTA (Public Transit) 🚆

• MARTA Station at ATL: Located inside the Domestic Terminal, near the baggage claim area.
• Destination examples for Atlanta travelers:
  • Downtown Atlanta: Peachtree Center, Five Points
  • Midtown: Arts Center and Midtown stations
  • Buckhead: Buckhead, Lenox, and Brookhaven/Oglethorpe stations

MARTA is often a good choice if you:

• Are staying at a hotel near a MARTA station
• Want to avoid traffic and parking fees
• Are heading to popular neighborhoods like Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead

2. Rideshare and Taxis 🚖

Rideshare pickup locations at ATL are clearly marked in the Ground Transportation area:

• Follow signs to Rideshare, Uber, Lyft or Taxi.
• Taxis have a flat or metered rate depending on your destination within city limits.

Rideshare/taxi is often easiest if you’re going to:

• Neighborhoods without convenient MARTA access (for example, parts of West Midtown, Grant Park, or East Atlanta)
• Suburbs around Atlanta where a direct train route is not available

3. Rental Cars 🚗

If you’re returning to Atlanta and need a vehicle for the rest of your trip:

• The ATL Rental Car Center (RCC) is reached by the ATL SkyTrain from the terminal.
• From there, you can access major interstates like I-75, I-85, I-285, and I-20 to reach destinations across metro Atlanta.

For Atlanta residents returning from Savannah, it’s common to:

• Pick up a car you left at a long-term parking lot near ATL, or
• Get picked up by family or friends at the North or South terminal curbside.

Typical Costs and How to Find Reasonable Fares

Ticket prices on the Savannah–Atlanta route can vary based on:

• Time of day (early morning or late evening may differ from mid-day)
• Day of the week (weekdays popular for business travel can be higher)
• Season and events (holidays, Savannah festivals, or major Atlanta events can affect demand)

To keep fares manageable:

• Book in advance when your dates are fixed.
• Check prices for different flight times on the same day.
• If you’re connecting through ATL, compare whether:
  • A through-ticket from Savannah to your final destination (via ATL) is cheaper, or
  • Booking separate legs (SAV–ATL and ATL–final city) makes sense.
  • Be cautious with separate tickets, as missed connections are often not protected.

Comparing Flight vs. Driving From Savannah to Atlanta

For Atlanta locals, deciding between flying and driving is common.

Quick Comparison

If you’re:

• Connecting at ATL to another flight:

  • Flying from Savannah to Atlanta usually makes more sense.

• Just going between downtown Savannah and metro Atlanta with no flights involved:

  • Driving can be more flexible, especially for families or groups.

How Long to Allow for Connections at ATL

If you’re using Atlanta as a connection hub after flying from Savannah, build in extra time.

General Connection Guidelines

• Domestic to domestic:

  • Aim for at least 1.5 hours.
  • More if you’re unfamiliar with ATL or traveling with children.

• Domestic (from Savannah) to international:

  • Ideally 2 hours or more, especially during busy seasons.
  • Many international departures leave from the International Terminal (Concourse F), which can require a longer transfer.

If you’re traveling back home to Atlanta and ATL is your final stop, you can usually be:

• At the MARTA station within about 20–40 minutes after landing (depending on gate location and baggage claim time).
• In Downtown or Midtown within about 20–30 minutes more by MARTA, if trains are running regularly.

Tips to Make the Savannah–Atlanta Flight Easier

To keep your trip smooth when flying into or out of Atlanta:

• Use mobile boarding passes:
  Save time at the airport in Savannah and ATL.

• Pack light when possible:
  A carry-on and personal item make tight connections at ATL much easier and reduce waiting at baggage claim.

• Track your flight and gate:
  ATL is large; knowing your arrival and departure concourses in advance helps you plan your route on the Plane Train.

• Plan your ground transportation in Atlanta ahead of time:
  Decide whether you’ll use MARTA, rideshare, taxi, pickup, or parking so you’re not scrambling after you land.

• Consider timing with Atlanta traffic:
  If you’re driving from ATL to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the suburbs, remember that morning and late afternoon rush hours can add significant time.

Helpful ATL Location Details for Arriving Travelers

If you’re landing from Savannah and heading into Atlanta:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Domestic Terminal is used for most Savannah–Atlanta flights.

• MARTA Airport Station

  • Located inside the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim and Ground Transportation.
  • Northbound trains head toward Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead.

• Typical MARTA ride times from ATL:

  • To Downtown (Five Points/Peachtree Center): ~15–20 minutes
  • To Midtown: ~20–25 minutes
  • To Buckhead area stations: ~30–35 minutes

Knowing these basics helps you estimate when you’ll actually arrive at your destination in Atlanta after your flight from Savannah.

A flight from Savannah to Atlanta is short, frequent, and central to many travel plans in and out of Georgia’s capital. With a bit of planning around flight time, ATL connections, and ground transportation, Atlanta residents and visitors can move between the coast and the metro area efficiently and with minimal stress.