Flights from Orlando to Atlanta: How to Plan Your Trip into Hartsfield-Jackson

Flying from Orlando to Atlanta is one of the most common short routes into the city, whether you’re coming home, visiting family, heading to a conference downtown, or connecting to another flight. Understanding your options, timing, and what happens once you land at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) can make the trip smoother from start to finish.

Overview: What to Expect on Orlando–Atlanta Flights

The route from Orlando (MCO) to Atlanta (ATL) is a busy, short-haul flight that typically takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes in the air.

Typical features of this route:

• Nonstop flights all day: Early morning through late evening in most cases.
• High frequency: Flights often run every 1–2 hours during peak times.
• Popular for connections: Many travelers flying to other U.S. or international destinations connect through Atlanta.
• Short but busy: Even though the flight is quick, ATL is large and can be crowded, so plan enough time for connections, ground transportation, or meetings in the city.

If your final destination is Atlanta, your main planning questions are usually:

• Which airport terminal will I arrive in?
• How long will it take to get from ATL into Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the suburbs?
• What’s the best way to get from ATL to where I’m staying or working?

Orlando to Atlanta Flight Times and Frequency

Typical flight duration

• In the air: About 1–1.5 hours.
• Total trip time door-to-door to Atlanta: Once you add boarding, taxiing, deplaning, and ground transportation, many travelers experience 3–4 hours from leaving MCO to reaching a destination in Metro Atlanta.

When flights usually depart

Flight schedules vary, but you can usually find:

• Early morning flights: Helpful if you need to be in Atlanta for a morning meeting or event.
• Midday flights: Good for more relaxed travel, with easier commutes into Atlanta after landing.
• Evening flights: Popular for returning home to Atlanta after a day or weekend in Orlando.

If you’re connecting from Orlando through Atlanta to another city, consider:

• Leaving extra layover time at ATL because of its large size.
• Factoring in potential delays common to short-haul routes, especially in busy travel seasons.

Arriving in Atlanta: Getting Oriented at Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320
General Information: (800) 897-1910

ATL is one of the busiest airports in the world and a major hub for domestic and international travel. For flights from Orlando to Atlanta, you will almost always arrive at:

• The Domestic Terminal, then
• One of the Concourses A–D, T, or sometimes E for certain operations (even if still domestic).

Domestic Terminal basics

• North Terminal: Home to several airlines and ticketing/check-in areas.
• South Terminal: Often used by major carriers with a large presence in Atlanta.
• Plane Train (underground tram): Connects the Domestic Terminal to all concourses and the International Terminal (Concourse F).

You’ll follow “Baggage Claim” signs after landing. Once you have your baggage, you can head to:

• Ground Transportation Center for MARTA, shuttles, rideshares, and taxis.
• Rental Car Center via the ATL SkyTrain.

Getting from ATL to Atlanta Neighborhoods

Once your flight from Orlando touches down, your next step is getting into the city. Your best option depends on whether you’re heading to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the suburbs.

1. MARTA: Train into the City 🚆

MARTA Airport Station is directly connected to the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim.

Good for:

• Travelers going to Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and areas near MARTA stations.
• Avoiding traffic and parking costs.

How it works:

• Follow signs for “Ground Transportation” and “MARTA” from baggage claim.
• The station is at the end of the Domestic Terminal, easy to reach without going outside.
• Board the Red or Gold Line northbound:
  • Downtown: Five Points, Peachtree Center, or Garnett stations.
  • Midtown: North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center.
  • Buckhead: Buckhead (Red Line), Lenox (Gold Line), or Brookhaven/Oglethorpe (Gold).

You can transfer to buses or walk/ride a short distance from many stations to hotels, offices, and attractions.

2. Rideshare & Taxi from ATL

If you prefer door-to-door service after your Orlando–Atlanta flight:

• Rideshare pick-up (such as app-based services) is usually in a designated area of the Domestic Terminal Ground Transportation Center.
• Taxi stands are clearly marked, with taxis lined up outside the terminal.

Better for:

• Late-night arrivals when MARTA frequency is lower.
• Destinations not close to a MARTA station, such as certain suburbs or residential neighborhoods.
• Groups or families with multiple bags.

3. Rental Cars at ATL

If you plan to explore Metro Atlanta or need flexibility:

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

To reach the RCC:

• Follow signs for “Rental Cars” from baggage claim.
• Take the ATL SkyTrain, an automated people-mover, from the Domestic Terminal to the RCC.

From there, you can drive to:

• Downtown Atlanta: Roughly 15–30 minutes, depending on traffic.
• Midtown/Buckhead: Often 25–45 minutes at busier times.
• Suburbs: Time varies widely; plan for heavy traffic during weekday rush hours.

Best Times to Fly from Orlando to Atlanta

Managing timing can make a big difference in your experience once you arrive in Atlanta.

Consider Atlanta traffic patterns

If you’re landing at ATL and heading into the city, think about:

• Weekday morning rush: Roughly 7:00–9:30 a.m.
• Weekday evening rush: Roughly 4:00–7:00 p.m.

If possible, you may want your Orlando departure timed so you arrive outside peak traffic, unless you plan to take MARTA, which can be more predictable than driving.

Business vs. leisure travel periods

• Weekdays: Often busier with business travelers on the Orlando–Atlanta route.
• Weekends and holidays: More families and leisure travelers; airports and security lines can still be crowded.

If you have a same-day event in Atlanta (conference, concert, game, or meeting), many locals prefer:

• Morning flights from Orlando for afternoon events.
• Day-before arrivals for early-morning commitments in Atlanta, to avoid unexpected delays.

Using Atlanta as a Connection from Orlando

Many travelers flying Orlando to Atlanta are connecting to another destination. Because ATL is large, planning your connection matters.

Common connection tips at ATL

• Allow more time than the bare minimum suggested connection when possible, especially if:
  • You’re unfamiliar with ATL.
  • You need to change concourses (A, B, C, D, T, E, or F).
• Use the Plane Train to move between concourses efficiently.
• If connecting to an international flight, know that:
  • International departures often leave from Concourse E or F (International Terminal).
  • Depending on your airline and ticket, you may not need to re-clear security when connecting, but you may need to walk or ride the Plane Train a longer distance.

If your final destination is Atlanta, you can relax knowing you only need to navigate from your arrival gate to baggage claim and into the city.

What Orlando–Atlanta Travelers Commonly Want Near ATL

If you’re coming to Atlanta from Orlando for a short stay, you might be planning your time around specific parts of the city.

Popular areas reachable quickly from ATL

1. Downtown Atlanta

• Good for: Conventions, State Capitol, major attractions like Centennial Olympic Park and nearby museums.
• Access: Easily reached by MARTA (Five Points or Peachtree Center) or a short drive/taxi.

2. Midtown Atlanta

• Good for: Arts, dining, tech offices, Georgia Tech, Piedmont Park.
• Access: MARTA (Midtown, North Avenue, Arts Center) or rideshare from the airport.

3. Buckhead

• Good for: Shopping districts, some corporate offices, and hotels.
• Access: MARTA (Buckhead, Lenox, Brookhaven/Oglethorpe) or by car.

If you’re flying Orlando to Atlanta with limited time, staying along MARTA’s Red or Gold Line can make it easier to move between the airport, hotel, and city activities.

Quick Reference: Orlando to Atlanta Flight & Arrival Guide

At-a-glance summary for travelers

Practical Tips for a Smoother Orlando–Atlanta Trip

A few simple habits can help your flight and arrival go more smoothly:

• Plan your ground transportation before you land. Decide whether you’ll use MARTA, a rideshare, taxi, or rental car, especially if you’re on a tight schedule in Atlanta.
• Check your arrival concourse. Knowing where you land helps you estimate how long it will take to reach baggage claim and transportation.
• Account for airport size. ATL is large; walking between gates and taking the Plane Train can take extra time.
• Match flight time to your plans in Atlanta. If you have a fixed commitment, choose an Orlando departure that gives you a safety buffer for delays, long lines, or traffic.

For anyone traveling from Orlando to Atlanta, understanding how ATL operates and how to move into the city quickly will make your trip less stressful and give you more time to focus on why you’re here—whether that’s business, visiting friends and family, or exploring everything Atlanta has to offer.