Flying From Atlanta to Virginia: Routes, Airports, and Time-Saving Tips

Planning flights from Atlanta to Virginia is straightforward, but the best options depend on which part of Virginia you’re visiting, your budget, and how quickly you want to arrive. Living in or visiting Atlanta, Georgia, you’ll almost always be flying out of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), one of the busiest and best-connected airports in the country.

This guide walks you through major Virginia destinations, typical flight options, how long trips take door-to-door from Atlanta, and practical tips to make your travel smoother.

Main Virginia Destinations From Atlanta

Virginia is spread out, and there’s no single “Virginia airport.” When you search “flights from Atlanta to Virginia,” you’ll want to decide which metro area you’re actually going to:

• Northern Virginia / DC area
  • Dulles International Airport (IAD) – west of Washington, D.C.
  • Reagan National Airport (DCA) – closest to downtown D.C.
• Central Virginia
  • Richmond International Airport (RIC) – serves Richmond and central VA
  • Charlottesville–Albemarle Airport (CHO) – for Charlottesville and nearby
• Hampton Roads / Coastal Virginia
  • Norfolk International Airport (ORF) – for Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake
  • Newport News/Williamsburg Airport (PHF) – smaller option near Williamsburg
• Southwest / Western Virginia
  • Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) – for Roanoke and the Blue Ridge area
  • Some travelers also use Tri-Cities (TRI) in Tennessee depending on route

From Atlanta, the most common nonstop destinations in or near Virginia are Richmond, Norfolk, and the DC-area airports. Other cities might require a connecting flight.

At-a-Glance: Typical Flight Options From Atlanta to Virginia

Here’s a general snapshot of common routes and what Atlanta travelers can usually expect:

*Flight times are in-the-air estimates and don’t include boarding, taxiing, or delays.

Where You’ll Fly From in Atlanta

Almost all commercial flights from Atlanta to Virginia depart from:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
Main information line: (800) 897-1910

Key tips for Atlanta travelers:

• Domestic flights (including Virginia) typically use the North or South Terminal.
• Plan at least 90 minutes before departure for domestic trips if you’re comfortable at ATL; 2 hours is safer during busy times or if you’re unfamiliar with the airport.
• Security checkpoints can get busy, especially mornings and late afternoons. Check line status on ATL’s official channels when possible.

If you’re staying downtown or midtown Atlanta, the MARTA rail system connects directly to ATL via the Airport Station, which sits inside the Domestic Terminal. This can be more predictable than driving and parking during rush hour.

Nonstop Routes vs. Connections

When Nonstop Flights Are Likely

If you want a simple, quick trip from Atlanta, focus on larger Virginia or DC-area airports. From ATL, nonstop flights often (though not always) serve:

• Washington, D.C. area
  • Dulles International (IAD)
  • Reagan National (DCA)
• Richmond (RIC)
• Norfolk (ORF)

These flights are usually about 1.5 to 2 hours in the air, making a same-day roundtrip possible for short business visits.

When You’ll Probably Have a Connection

For smaller Virginia airports, Atlanta passengers often connect through another hub. This is common for:

• Charlottesville–Albemarle (CHO)
• Roanoke–Blacksburg (ROA)
• Newport News/Williamsburg (PHF) in many cases

Connections can be through cities like Charlotte, Washington, or another East Coast hub, depending on the airline. This typically turns the trip into 3–5 hours of total travel time from takeoff to final landing.

Choosing the Best Virginia Airport for Your Trip

For Atlanta-based travelers, the “right” Virginia airport often comes down to where you’re ultimately headed and how you’re getting around once you land.

1. Northern Virginia & Washington, D.C.

If your final destination is Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Tyson’s, or downtown D.C., flights from ATL to:

• DCA (Reagan National) can be more convenient for central city access
• IAD (Dulles) may offer more international connections and different schedules

From Atlanta, you’ll want to compare:

• Total travel time (including ground transport on both ends)
• Arrival airport vs. your Virginia destination (DCA is closer to downtown DC; IAD is further out but better for some Northern Virginia suburbs)
• Schedule flexibility if you need early-morning or late-evening flights

2. Central Virginia (Richmond & Charlottesville)

If you’re heading to:

• Richmond or nearby suburbs: target Richmond International Airport (RIC).
• Charlottesville, the University of Virginia area, or wine country: you may choose CHARLOTTESVILLE (CHO) if you prefer to land nearby, or RIC if the schedule or pricing is better and you’re willing to drive.

From Atlanta, RIC often has better nonstop options and more frequent flights, while CHO typically involves a connection.

3. Coastal / Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake)

For beach trips or military base visits in eastern Virginia, Atlanta travelers usually fly into:

• Norfolk International Airport (ORF) – primary choice for Virginia Beach and Norfolk
• Occasionally Newport News/Williamsburg (PHF) – helpful if you’re headed to Williamsburg, Yorktown, or certain parts of the Peninsula

From ATL, ORF is usually the easier, more direct choice. From there, it’s about a 30–45 minute drive to much of Virginia Beach depending on traffic.

4. Southwest & Western Virginia (Roanoke, Blacksburg, Blue Ridge)

For mountain trips, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia Tech, or Roanoke, you’ll likely:

• Fly from ATL to ROA (Roanoke–Blacksburg) with a connection, or
• Fly into another regional airport and drive

In some cases, Atlanta-based travelers compare flying vs. driving to this region, since the door-to-door travel time with a connection can be similar to a long road trip from Metro Atlanta.

Flight Time and Door-to-Door Planning From Atlanta

Even though the in-air time between ATL and most Virginia airports is short, Atlanta travelers should consider the full door-to-door journey:

• To ATL:

  • 🚗 Driving from midtown/downtown: often 20–35 minutes in light traffic, but much longer at rush hour.
  • 🚆 MARTA from Five Points, Peachtree Center, or Arts Center: usually 20–30 minutes plus station access time.

• At ATL:

  • Plan 90–120 minutes before departure for check-in + security, especially during holiday periods or busy weekday mornings.
  • If checking bags, allow more time.

• In Virginia:

  • Ground travel can vary widely:
    • DCA to downtown DC: 10–20 minutes by car or direct Metro access.
    • IAD to Arlington or DC: 30–60+ minutes by car or Metro/silver line connections.
    • RIC to downtown Richmond: around 15–25 minutes by car.
    • ORF to Virginia Beach oceanfront: commonly 30–45 minutes by car.

When you add it all together, an “easy” Atlanta to Virginia trip that shows as a 1.5-hour flight can realistically be 4–6 hours door-to-door once you factor in Atlanta traffic, airport time, and ground transport in Virginia.

When Is Flying From Atlanta to Virginia Better Than Driving?

If you’re based in Atlanta, you might compare flights vs. a road trip, especially for Northern Virginia and Richmond.

• Driving from Atlanta to Richmond: often 8–9 hours without major traffic issues.
• Driving from Atlanta to Northern Virginia/DC area: usually 9–10+ hours, longer with congestion.

Flying from ATL to Virginia typically makes sense if:

• You value time savings and want the trip under a day.
• You’re doing a short business trip or weekend visit.
• You’re traveling with young kids or older adults who may find long drives tiring.
• You want to avoid multi-state traffic along I‑85 and I‑95.

Driving can still make sense if:

• You’re staying for longer and want your own car.
• You’re traveling with a large group and can split costs.
• You’re headed to more rural parts of Virginia that require long drives after landing anyway.

Typical Costs and How Atlanta Travelers Can Save

Prices change frequently, but there are common patterns Atlanta flyers can keep in mind:

• Booking early often helps if you want more choices for nonstop flights to busy airports like DCA, IAD, RIC, or ORF.
• Midweek flights (Tuesday–Thursday) are often more budget-friendly compared with peak Friday–Sunday travel.
• Early morning or late-night flights from ATL can sometimes be less expensive, though they may require planning for MARTA hours or alternate transportation if you’re in the city.

To manage costs from Atlanta:

• Compare different Virginia airports if your final destination allows flexibility (for example, checking both RIC and ORF for certain central/eastern Virginia trips).
• Factor in ground transportation costs – a slightly more expensive ticket to a closer airport may still be cheaper once you include rental cars, rideshares, or parking.

Getting to and From ATL for Your Virginia Flight

Using MARTA

For many Atlanta residents and visitors staying near the city core, MARTA can be the simplest way to catch a flight to Virginia:

• Airport Station is located at the south end of the Domestic Terminal.
• You can ride directly from:
  • Five Points
  • Peachtree Center
  • Midtown
  • Arts Center
  • Buckhead, and other stations on the Red and Gold lines.

Travel time from central city locations is usually under 30 minutes, not including walking time within stations.

Driving and Parking at ATL

If you’re driving to ATL:

• The airport offers hourly, daily, economy, and park-ride lots.
• For short business trips to Virginia, economy or park-and-ride options often balance price and convenience.
• Always allow extra time for:
  • Parking shuttle waits
  • Security lines
  • Possible congestion on I‑75/I‑85 near the airport

If you’re coming from suburbs like Marietta, Alpharetta, or Stone Mountain, consider:

• Checking peak traffic patterns on your planned travel day.
• Leaving earlier than expected for flights during weekday morning or afternoon rush.

Accessibility and Special Travel Needs

If you or someone you’re traveling with from Atlanta has accessibility considerations:

• Hartsfield–Jackson ATL offers services such as:
  • Wheelchair assistance (arranged through your airline)
  • Accessible restrooms
  • TTY phones and visual paging
• Virginia’s larger airports (IAD, DCA, RIC, ORF) generally offer comparable accessibility support.

When booking your flight from Atlanta to Virginia, contact the airline in advance if you:

• Need assistance boarding or deplaning
• Use mobility devices or medical equipment
• Require extra time for connecting flights in a hub city

Allowing more time at ATL is especially helpful, as it’s large and can require significant walking or shuttle time between gates and concourses.

Simple Planning Checklist for Atlanta → Virginia Flights

Use this quick checklist as you plan your trip:

1. Pinpoint your destination city in Virginia.

   • Northern VA/DC, Richmond, Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Charlottesville, Roanoke, etc.

2. Choose the most convenient airport.

   • Example: ATL → DCA for downtown DC, ATL → RIC for Richmond, ATL → ORF for Virginia Beach.

3. Decide on nonstop vs. connection.

   • Nonstop from Atlanta is usually available for DC area, Richmond, and Norfolk.
   • Smaller Virginia cities may involve 1 stop.

4. Plan your Atlanta ground transport to ATL.

   • MARTA vs. driving and parking; leave enough buffer time.

5. Estimate door-to-door time.

   • Add: home/hotel → ATL + airport time + flight + Virginia airport → final destination.

6. Book with your schedule and flexibility in mind.

   • Consider flight time, cost, and how far the Virginia airport is from your actual destination.

By focusing on which part of Virginia you’re visiting and how you’ll move through Atlanta’s airport, you can narrow down the best flight from Atlanta to Virginia for your schedule, comfort, and budget.