Flights from Raleigh to Atlanta: How to Plan Your Trip to Hartsfield–Jackson

Flying from Raleigh to Atlanta is one of the quickest and most convenient ways to reach the city, whether you live in Atlanta, are returning home, or are planning a visit. This route is heavily traveled, connects two major airports, and feeds directly into Atlanta’s extensive transportation network.

Below is a practical guide to help you understand Raleigh–Durham to Atlanta flights, how they work from the Atlanta side, and what to expect once you land at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

Key Facts About Flights from Raleigh to Atlanta

Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) connects frequently to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). This route is commonly used by:

• Atlanta residents returning from the Raleigh–Durham area
• Business travelers heading to Atlanta’s offices and convention centers
• Visitors connecting through ATL to other U.S. or international destinations

Typical basics of the Raleigh → Atlanta route:

• Flight time: About 1–1.5 hours in the air
• Distance: Roughly 350–400 miles
• Airports involved:
  • Departure: Raleigh–Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina
  • Arrival: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), just south of downtown Atlanta

Because ATL is one of the busiest airports in the world, RDU to ATL flights are often scheduled multiple times per day, giving travelers flexibility on timing and connections.

Why Atlanta Travelers Care About the Raleigh–Atlanta Route

If you are based in Atlanta, this route matters to you in a few ways:

• You may be flying home to Atlanta from Raleigh after work, school, or family visits.
• You might be connecting through ATL to another destination after leaving RDU.
• Friends, family, or colleagues coming from Raleigh will usually land at ATL, and you’ll need to know how to meet them or help them navigate Atlanta.

Understanding how Raleigh-to-Atlanta flights operate helps you:

• Choose the best arrival time for Atlanta traffic and transit
• Plan pickups and drop-offs at ATL
• Coordinate connections to MARTA, rideshare, or rental cars once in Atlanta

Arriving in Atlanta: What to Expect at ATL

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the main gateway to the city and the surrounding metro area.

Airport location:

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

Flights from Raleigh will typically arrive at the Domestic Terminal (North or South), depending on the airline and the concourse you use. ATL’s domestic concourses are labeled T, A, B, C, D, E (with F mainly serving international flights).

Getting Around Inside ATL

Once you land from Raleigh:

1. Follow signs for Baggage Claim in the Domestic Terminal.
2. Use the Plane Train (underground people-mover) if you arrive at a concourse that is not directly attached to the main terminal.
3. After collecting bags, choose your onward transport:
   • MARTA train
   • Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
   • Taxi
   • Airport shuttle
   • Rental car

Because ATL is large, it can take 15–30 minutes from gate arrival to reaching ground transportation, especially at peak times.

Ground Transportation in Atlanta After Your Raleigh Flight

Once your flight from Raleigh lands in Atlanta, you have several ways to get into the city or suburbs.

1. Taking MARTA from ATL

For many travelers, MARTA is the simplest way to reach central Atlanta.

• MARTA Airport Station is attached to the Domestic Terminal, near the baggage claim area.
• MARTA operates two main lines from the airport:
  • Red Line: To Buckhead, Sandy Springs, North Springs
  • Gold Line: To Midtown, Lenox, Doraville

Useful Atlanta stops after arriving from Raleigh:

• College Park – Close-by hotels, park-and-ride
• West End / Oakland City – Southwest Atlanta access
• Five Points – Downtown connection hub for buses and both rail lines
• Peachtree Center – Downtown hotels, office towers
• Midtown – Tech Square, arts district, restaurants
• Arts Center – Museums, arts venues, Midtown North

MARTA can be helpful if you:

• Want to avoid Atlanta traffic
• Are staying downtown or in Midtown
• Don’t need a car during your visit

You can purchase Breeze cards or Breeze tickets at machines inside the station.

2. Rideshare and Taxis at ATL

If you prefer door-to-door service from your Raleigh-to-Atlanta flight:

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Pickup point for Domestic Terminal:
  There is a designated Rideshare Pickup Zone in the North Economy Parking area. Follow airport signs for “Rideshare” from the baggage claim area.
• Expect heavier wait times during:
  • Morning rush (about 7–9 a.m.)
  • Evening rush (about 4–7 p.m.)
  • Busy travel weekends and holidays

Rideshare can be convenient if you’re heading to:

• Neighborhoods with limited MARTA access (East Atlanta, Decatur outskirts, parts of Cobb or Gwinnett)
• Hotels, homes, or offices in the suburbs

Taxis

Taxis line up outside the Domestic Terminal. Fares to downtown Atlanta typically follow a standard flat rate structure set by the city, with extra charges for additional passengers or luggage.

If you’re coordinating pickup for someone on a Raleigh flight, it’s helpful to check the ATL signage for the exact taxi stand location on the day of arrival.

3. Rental Cars at ATL

If you’re planning to drive yourself after flying from Raleigh:

• All rental car agencies operate from the ATL Rental Car Center (RCC).
• To get there, follow signs in the Domestic Terminal to the SkyTrain (an elevated train).
• The SkyTrain takes you directly from the airport to the Rental Car Center in a few minutes.

Major road connections from ATL:

• I‑85 North: To downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and northeast suburbs
• I‑75 North: To downtown, Cobb County, and northwest suburbs
• I‑285: The perimeter highway circling Atlanta

Plan for potential rush-hour traffic, especially if you arrive from Raleigh in the early morning or late afternoon.

Best Times to Arrive in Atlanta from Raleigh

Because Atlanta traffic is a frequent concern, many travelers try to time their Raleigh-to-Atlanta flights to avoid the worst congestion.

Typical traffic patterns around ATL and central Atlanta include:

• Morning rush: ~6:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
• Evening rush: ~4:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m.

If you want smoother driving conditions when you leave ATL:

• Aim for midday arrivals (late morning to early afternoon)
• Consider later evening flights from Raleigh if you don’t mind arriving after dark

If you are using MARTA, traffic is less of an issue, though trains can be more crowded during commute hours.

Choosing Flight Times and Connections Through Atlanta

Many RDU → ATL flights are used as connection points to other cities because ATL is a major hub.

If you are:

• Ending your journey in Atlanta:
  • You can safely choose tighter schedules, but still allow time for baggage claim and transport into the city.
• Connecting to another flight:
  • Give yourself sufficient connection time at ATL, especially if you’re switching airlines or concourses.

Inside ATL, you may need:

• 5–15 minutes to move between concourses using the Plane Train
• Extra time if:
  • You have mobility considerations
  • You’re traveling with children
  • You prefer not to rush through the airport

Meeting Someone Flying from Raleigh to Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta and someone is arriving from Raleigh, planning ahead makes pickup easier.

Where to Meet

You have several options, depending on convenience:

1. Curbside Pickup – Domestic Terminal

   • Short-term waiting on the curb is allowed for active loading only.
   • You may need to circle if your passenger isn’t outside yet.

2. Cell Phone Waiting Lot

   • Free waiting area where you can park until the Raleigh flight lands and your passenger is ready.
   • Follow ATL signs to the Cell Phone Lot from the airport entrance roads.

3. Inside the Terminal

   • Meet at baggage claim or at a visible landmark (e.g., near the information desk).
   • This can be more comfortable if your passenger is not familiar with ATL.

Ask your arriving traveler to share:

• Their airline
• Their flight number from RDU
• The concourse and baggage claim area shown on their boarding pass or airport monitors

Using ATL as a Hub: Raleigh → Atlanta → Beyond

Many flights from Raleigh to Atlanta are part of longer itineraries, with ATL serving as the connection point. If you’re based in Atlanta and planning to route through Raleigh in the future, or you’re helping someone else do that, it helps to understand how ATL works as a hub:

• ATL offers connections to most major U.S. cities and a wide range of international destinations.
• Arriving from Raleigh typically puts you on a domestic concourse, where you’ll either:
  • Stay on the same concourse for your connection, or
  • Use the Plane Train to reach a different concourse, including international gates.

When planning itineraries that begin or end in Atlanta but include RDU, consider:

• Time of day for arrival back into ATL (to avoid delays getting home)
• Whether you prefer nonstop RDU ↔ ATL flights to simplify connections

Tips for a Smoother Raleigh-to-Atlanta Flight Experience

To make your trip between Raleigh and Atlanta easier:

• Build in buffer time

  • For evening arrivals into ATL, give yourself extra time for traffic or rideshare waits.

• Consider your final destination in Atlanta

  • Downtown/Midtown: MARTA can be faster and cheaper than driving.
  • Suburbs: A rental car or rideshare may be more practical.

• Communicate clearly if you’re picking someone up

  • Share the cell phone lot option and decide whether you’ll meet curbside or inside the terminal.

• Check terminal and concourse info in advance

  • Knowing whether a Raleigh flight typically uses certain concourses can save time once you’re in ATL.

• Plan for Atlanta weather and events

  • Storms or large events (conventions, sports games, concerts) can affect traffic, rideshare availability, and travel time from the airport.

Quick Reference: Raleigh to Atlanta Flight Essentials

This is the core of what someone in Atlanta, Georgia needs to understand about flights from Raleigh to Atlanta—how the route works, how to navigate ATL once you land, and how to connect smoothly into the city or help others arriving on this busy corridor.