Flights From Roanoke to Atlanta: How to Get to ATL (and Make the Most of It)

Flying from Roanoke, Virginia (ROA) to Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) is a common route, especially for travelers connecting through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, visiting family in metro Atlanta, or heading into the city for work or events.

If you live in Atlanta, you may be helping someone fly in from Roanoke. If you’re visiting Atlanta from Roanoke, you’ll want to know what to expect when you land and how to reach the city smoothly. This guide walks you through the flight options, timing, airport logistics, and ground transportation, all with an Atlanta-focused perspective.

Overview: What to Expect on Roanoke–Atlanta Flights

Key points about flights from Roanoke (ROA) to Atlanta (ATL):

• Route type: Short regional flight, often used as a connection into the larger Atlanta hub.
• Typical duration: Around 1.5 hours in the air, plus boarding and taxi time.
• Common pattern: Many travelers from Roanoke connect in Atlanta to other destinations, while others end their trip here.
• Arrival airport: All commercial flights on this route land at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), located just south of downtown Atlanta.

For anyone planning time in Atlanta—whether you live here and are coordinating pickups, or you’re arriving from Roanoke—your main focus should be flight timing, which concourse you’ll arrive at, and how to get into the city efficiently.

Timing Your Flight From Roanoke to Atlanta

Typical Flight Length and Schedule Considerations

While specific schedules can change, flights from Roanoke to Atlanta typically:

• Spend about 90 minutes in the air under normal conditions.
• Add roughly 30–60 minutes for boarding, taxiing, and deplaning.

When planning your day in Atlanta:

• Arriving for a same-day event? Aim for a morning or early afternoon arrival to allow for delays and ground travel.
• Connecting through ATL? Build in a buffer of at least 60–90 minutes between flights, especially if changing concourses.

Time Zone and Jet Lag

Roanoke and Atlanta are both in the Eastern Time Zone, so:

• No time change to worry about.
• Easy to schedule business meetings, family pickups, or reservations without adjusting your clock.

Arriving at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

No matter how you fly from Roanoke, you will arrive at:

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

Hartsfield–Jackson is one of the busiest airports in the world and serves as the main air gateway to Atlanta. Understanding its layout makes a big difference in how smoothly you get from plane to city.

Airport Layout: Terminals and Concourses

ATL has:

• Two main terminals:

  • Domestic Terminal (North and South)
  • International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)

• Multiple concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, F) connected by:

  • The Plane Train (underground automated train)
  • Walkable tunnels with moving walkways

Most flights from Roanoke to Atlanta are domestic arrivals, so you will normally:

• Deplane at a domestic concourse (often T, A, B, C, or D).
• Take the Plane Train or walk toward:
  • Baggage Claim at the Domestic Terminal, if Atlanta is your final destination
  • Your next concourse, if you are catching a connecting flight

If Atlanta Is Your Final Destination

Baggage Claim and Exiting the Airport

Once you arrive from Roanoke:

1. Follow the “Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation” signs.
2. Take the Plane Train to the Domestic Terminal if needed.
3. Collect your checked bags at the assigned baggage carousel.
4. Proceed to the Ground Transportation area for MARTA, rideshare, taxis, or rental cars.

Allow:

• 15–30 minutes from gate arrival to reaching baggage claim, depending on gate location and crowds.
• A little extra time if you are unfamiliar with large airports.

Getting From ATL Into Atlanta

For anyone coming from Roanoke and staying in the Atlanta area, the next step is ground transportation. Your best option depends on where you’re going, your budget, and how comfortable you are with public transit.

1. MARTA (Train) – Fast and Budget-Friendly

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) rail system is one of the easiest ways to reach central Atlanta from the airport.

• Airport MARTA Station:
  Located inside the Domestic Terminal, at the west end of the airport, near baggage claim.

• Lines from the airport:

  • Red Line and Gold Line trains run from the Airport Station through Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead, then up into North Atlanta.

• Good for:

  • Hotels in Downtown (Five Points, Peachtree Center)
  • Midtown destinations (Arts Center, Midtown Station, Georgia Tech area)
  • Buckhead business and hotel district
  • Avoiding Atlanta traffic and parking costs

MARTA Headquarters (for general info):
MARTA Headquarters Building
2424 Piedmont Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30324

➡️ Tip: If someone is flying in from Roanoke and staying in central Atlanta, you can often skip a rental car and rely on MARTA plus rideshare or walking.

2. Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) and Taxis

For door-to-door service, rideshare and taxis are widely used.

• Domestic Terminal pickup:

  • Follow signs for “Rideshare” or “Taxi” from baggage claim.
  • There are designated pickup areas with clear signage.

• Good for:

  • Late-night arrivals from Roanoke
  • Traveling with luggage or young children
  • Destinations not close to a MARTA station (certain neighborhoods in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Westside, suburban areas)

3. Rental Cars

If you are coming from Roanoke and plan to visit several locations around Atlanta or the suburbs, a rental car can be practical.

• ATL Rental Car Center (RCC):

  • Connected to the airport by the SkyTrain, an elevated automated train.
  • Follow signs for “Rental Cars” from the terminal.

• Useful if you’ll visit:

  • Cobb County, including areas near Truist Park
  • Gwinnett County, North Fulton, or South Metro suburbs
  • Multiple business sites spread around metro Atlanta

Planning Your Time in Atlanta After Arriving From Roanoke

Common Reasons People Fly from Roanoke to Atlanta

Travelers on this route often:

• Connect in Atlanta to other U.S. or international destinations.
• Visit family or friends living in metro Atlanta.
• Attend business meetings, conferences, or trade events at downtown hotels or the Georgia World Congress Center.
• Explore Atlanta attractions like:
  • Georgia Aquarium (225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
  • World of Coca-Cola
  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • Atlanta BeltLine and Piedmont Park

If you’re hosting someone flying from Roanoke:

• Share clear instructions on:
  • Whether they should use MARTA vs. rideshare
  • Which MARTA station or pickup area to meet you
  • What to do if their flight is delayed into the evening

When You Live in Atlanta and Fly Out of ROA

Some Atlanta-area residents with ties to Virginia occasionally start or end trips in Roanoke (for family visits, college connections, or business in southwest Virginia). In that case:

• You’ll fly Roanoke → Atlanta, then either:
  • End your travel in Atlanta, or
  • Connect onward to another destination.

Plan your return to Atlanta with:

• Enough connection time at ATL if continuing to another city.
• Ground transport from Atlanta back home (MARTA, car pickup, rideshare).

Key Tips for Smooth Roanoke–Atlanta Air Travel

Here’s a quick summary of practical guidance focused on your arrival in Atlanta:

Practical Advice for Visitors From Roanoke

If you’re landing in Atlanta from Roanoke and staying in the city:

• 🎯 Set your destination clearly: Know your hotel’s address and whether it’s near a MARTA station.
• ⏰ Give yourself extra time: Especially during weekday rush hours (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m.) when Atlanta traffic is heavy.
• 🧳 Pack for the airport size: ATL is large; comfortable shoes and a simple carry-on setup can make connections and walking easier.
• 📍 Know where you’re meeting locals:
  • Common meeting spots: MARTA Airport Station platform, baggage claim level, or a specific curbside door number in Ground Transportation.

For Atlanta residents helping someone travel from Roanoke, this route is straightforward: it delivers them right into ATL, where you can guide them easily into Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the suburbs using the options above.

With a bit of planning around timing, airport navigation, and ground transportation, flights from Roanoke to Atlanta fit smoothly into life in and around the city.