Your Guide to Flights from Raleigh to Atlanta: What Travelers to ATL Need to Know

Flying from Raleigh to Atlanta is one of the most straightforward ways to get into the Atlanta area, whether you’re coming home, visiting family, or planning a work trip that ends in the city. Because Atlanta is a major hub, this route is busy, competitive, and usually offers plenty of daily options.

This guide walks you through what to expect if you’re flying from Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and what it means for you once you land in Atlanta.

Overview: RDU to ATL at a Glance

Flights from Raleigh (RDU) to Atlanta (ATL) are typically:

• Nonstop with multiple departures throughout the day
• Around 1 hour 20 minutes in the air, give or take
• A major feeder route into Atlanta’s massive flight network

Here’s a simple snapshot of the route:

Choosing a Flight from Raleigh to Atlanta

Nonstop vs. Connecting Flights

For most Atlanta-bound travelers, nonstop flights are the most practical. Because ATL is a major hub, nonstop options between Raleigh and Atlanta are common and usually:

• Shorter total travel time
• Less chance of delays due to missed connections
• More predictable for meetings, events, or tight itineraries in Atlanta

Connecting flights may appear if you’re booking through certain airlines or looking at specific fare classes, but if your final destination is Atlanta, nonstop is usually the best value in terms of time and convenience.

Best Time of Day to Fly into Atlanta

Atlanta’s airport is busy nearly all day, but some patterns are fairly consistent:

• Early morning arrivals (before 9 a.m.): Often popular with business travelers; security lines and Atlanta traffic on I-75/I-85 can be heavier during weekday rush hours.
• Midday arrivals (10 a.m.–3 p.m.): Can offer a smoother experience both at ATL and on local roads, especially if you’re headed into Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead.
• Evening arrivals: Useful for weekend trips and after-work departures from Raleigh, but traffic heading into Atlanta can still be heavy in the late afternoon and early evening.

If you’re trying to reach a specific part of Atlanta by a certain time, consider not just the flight schedule from Raleigh but also:

• Time to taxi and deplane
• Time to reach baggage claim or MARTA
• Traffic from ATL to your destination neighborhood

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

If you’re arriving in Atlanta from Raleigh, you’ll be landing at:

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

ATL is one of the busiest airports in the world, but it’s laid out in a way that’s fairly straightforward once you understand the basics.

ATL Terminals and Concourses

• Two main terminals:
  • Domestic Terminal – North and South
  • International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)
• Concourses labeled T, A, B, C, D, E, and F, connected by the underground Plane Train

Most RDU → ATL flights arrive at domestic concourses, often T, A, B, C, or D. You’ll take the Plane Train or walk via underground corridors to reach:

• Baggage claim
• Ground transportation (rideshare, MARTA, shuttles, rental cars)
• The appropriate terminal exit

If Atlanta is your final destination, follow signs for “Baggage Claim” and then “Ground Transportation” once you get off the plane.

Getting from ATL Into Atlanta

Once your flight from Raleigh lands, you have several options to get into the city. The best choice depends on where in Atlanta you’re going and your budget.

1. MARTA (Public Transit)

For many travelers heading to central Atlanta, MARTA rail is one of the most convenient options.

• The MARTA Airport Station is directly attached to the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim.
• Trains run along the Red and Gold lines, which can take you to:
  • Downtown Atlanta (Peachtree Center, Five Points)
  • Midtown (Arts Center, Midtown Station)
  • Buckhead (Lenox, Buckhead Station)
• You can buy Breeze Cards or single-trip fares at vending machines inside the station.

MARTA is especially useful if you’re staying in:

• Major hotels in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead
• Near Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, or along Peachtree Street

It can be faster and more predictable than driving during rush hour.

2. Rideshare and Taxis

If you prefer door-to-door service from ATL after a Raleigh flight:

• Rideshare pickup zones are signed clearly from the Domestic Terminal—follow signs for “Rideshare” or “App-Based Rides.”
• Taxis are lined up at designated taxi stands outside baggage claim.

These are good options if you’re going to:

• Neighborhoods not directly served by MARTA (like Virginia-Highland, Grant Park, West Midtown)
• Suburbs like Sandy Springs, Decatur, or East Point

Be prepared for variable travel times, especially if you’re hitting I-285, I-20, or the Downtown Connector during peak traffic.

3. Rental Cars

If you’re planning to explore beyond central Atlanta—for example, heading to Marietta, Alpharetta, Stone Mountain, or south metro Atlanta—a rental car can be practical.

Rental cars are handled at:

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

• Reach it via the free ATL SkyTrain from the Domestic Terminal.
• All major rental agencies are located in this consolidated facility.

Typical Travel Times from ATL to Key Atlanta Areas

Once your flight from Raleigh lands, allow for:

• 15–30 minutes to deplane and reach ground transportation (longer if you need baggage)
• Transit time into the city, which can vary based on traffic and time of day

Approximate drive or train times from ATL (without major delays):

• Downtown Atlanta: 15–25 minutes by car; about 20 minutes by MARTA
• Midtown: 20–30 minutes by car; 25–30 minutes by MARTA
• Buckhead: 25–40 minutes by car; 35–40 minutes by MARTA
• Decatur (city center): 25–40 minutes by car; around 30–35 minutes by MARTA
• Perimeter Center (Sandy Springs/Dunwoody): 30–45+ minutes by car; around 40–45 minutes by MARTA (with a transfer in some cases)

⏱️ Tip: If you must be at a meeting or event at a specific time in Atlanta, build in a generous buffer after your RDU → ATL arrival, especially during weekday mornings and late afternoons.

Planning Around Atlanta Traffic and Timing

Even though the Raleigh to Atlanta flight is short, the ground portion of your trip can be the longest part of your day.

Key Timing Considerations

• Morning rush hour: Roughly 7 a.m.–9:30 a.m. on weekdays, especially on I‑75/85, I‑20, and I‑285
• Evening rush hour: Roughly 3:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
• Events and game days: Traffic can spike near:
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Falcons, Atlanta United, major concerts)
  • State Farm Arena
  • Georgia World Congress Center
  • Midtown festival areas and major convention venues

If your RDU flight lands during those times, consider MARTA if your destination is close to the rail line, as it can be more predictable than driving.

Making Connections in Atlanta After Flying from Raleigh

For many travelers, Atlanta is not the final destination but a connection point to elsewhere in the U.S. or overseas.

Domestic Connections

If you’re connecting beyond Atlanta:

• Most flights from Raleigh arrive at domestic concourses.
• Follow the signs to your next gate or check the concourse monitors.
• Use the Plane Train to move quickly between concourses.

Common domestic connections from ATL include flights to:

• Other Southeast cities (Birmingham, Jacksonville, New Orleans)
• Major hubs across the U.S. (New York, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles)

The short flight from Raleigh to Atlanta generally makes this a popular connection route.

International Connections

If you’re traveling from Raleigh through Atlanta onward to international destinations, your flight may connect to concourses E or F (and the International Terminal).

• The transfer between domestic and international concourses is all airside, so you’ll stay within security.
• For inbound international flights returning to Atlanta, passport control and customs are handled at the international terminal, but that typically does not apply to the RDU → ATL leg alone unless you’re returning from abroad via Raleigh.

Tips for a Smooth Raleigh to Atlanta Flight Experience

To make this short route as smooth as possible, consider the following:

Before You Leave Raleigh

• Arrive at RDU early: Even for a short flight, aim for the typical domestic guideline of around 2 hours before departure, especially at busy times.
• Check Atlanta weather: Severe thunderstorms in or around Atlanta—especially in summer—can affect operations and cause ground stops or delays.
• Think about ground transportation in advance: Decide if you’ll use MARTA, rideshare, taxi, or a rental car once you land at ATL.

On Board and Arrival

• Keep any Atlanta-specific essentials in your personal item:
  • Hotel or meeting address
  • MARTA directions if you plan to use rail
  • Parking or building access instructions if someone is picking you up
• If you’re in the front half of the plane, deplaning can be faster, which helps if you’re:
  • Catching a connecting flight out of Atlanta
  • Trying to beat a rush on the Plane Train or ground transit

How This Route Fits Into Life in Atlanta

Whether you live in Atlanta or visit the city regularly, the Raleigh to Atlanta flight corridor is:

• A key business route, with frequent weekday departures and arrivals useful for one-day or overnight trips between the Research Triangle and Atlanta’s business centers.
• An easy way for Raleigh-area travelers to access Atlanta’s attractions, from Downtown museums and the aquarium to neighborhoods like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Westside.
• A major link into Atlanta’s national and international flight network, using ATL as a jumping-off point to other cities and countries.

For locals who call Atlanta home, it’s a convenient option for visiting friends, family, universities, or employers in the Raleigh–Durham area, knowing you can usually get back to Hartsfield-Jackson on a short, direct flight and access the city quickly through MARTA, rideshare, or the area’s interstates.

By understanding how flights from Raleigh to Atlanta work—and what happens after you land—you can better plan your time, avoid unnecessary stress, and move through Atlanta’s airport and city with confidence.