Flights to Atlanta From Charleston, SC: What Travelers to Atlanta Need to Know

Flying from Charleston, South Carolina to Atlanta, Georgia is one of the quickest and most convenient ways to reach the city, whether you’re coming for business downtown, a convention at the Georgia World Congress Center, a game at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, or a visit with family in metro Atlanta.

This guide explains how flights from Charleston (CHS) to Atlanta (ATL) work, what to expect at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and how to plan your trip so your arrival in Atlanta goes smoothly.

Overview of Flights From Charleston, SC to Atlanta, GA

The Charleston–Atlanta route is a short regional flight that typically takes about 1 hour in the air. With boarding, taxiing, and deplaning, you’ll usually want to plan on about 2–2.5 hours total from gate to gate.

Key basics:

• Departure airport: Charleston International Airport (CHS), North Charleston, SC
• Arrival airport: Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, GA
• Typical flight length: Around 1 hour of flight time
• Type of route: High‑frequency, year‑round, business and leisure

Because Atlanta is a major hub, travelers often fly CHS → ATL either:

• As a nonstop trip to Atlanta itself, or
• As the first leg of a connecting itinerary to other U.S. or international destinations.

If your final destination is the Atlanta metro area, you’ll land at ATL, which sits just south of downtown and connects easily to most city neighborhoods and suburbs.

Why Fly From Charleston to Atlanta Instead of Driving?

The drive from Charleston to Atlanta can take 5–6 hours, depending on traffic, especially as you approach the I‑20 and I‑75/I‑85 corridors that feed into the heart of Atlanta.

Flying may make more sense if:

• You have business in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead and want to avoid a long interstate drive.
• You’re connecting to another flight at Hartsfield‑Jackson, one of the world’s busiest airports.
• You prefer not to drive through heavy metro Atlanta traffic or to pay for multiple days of parking.
• You’re making a short weekend trip and want to maximize your time in the city.

If you live in Atlanta and are returning from Charleston, flying back into ATL can also shave hours off your return time and drop you right into the city’s main transportation network.

Understanding Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Anyone flying into Atlanta from Charleston will arrive at Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport, commonly called simply “Atlanta airport” or “ATL.”

Location:
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

Layout: Terminals and Concourses

ATL is large but logically organized:

• Two main terminals:

  • Domestic Terminal (North & South) – used for most U.S. flights, including from Charleston.
  • International Terminal (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal) – for many arriving and departing international flights.

• Concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, F):

  • Your flight from Charleston will typically arrive at a domestic concourse (often T, A, B, C, or D).
  • Concourses are connected by the Plane Train, an underground automated train system.

Once you land, follow signs for Baggage Claim, Ground Transportation, or Connecting Flights, depending on your plans in Atlanta.

Arriving in Atlanta: What to Expect Coming From Charleston

When your flight lands in Atlanta from Charleston:

1. Taxi and deplane

   • You’ll pull up to a domestic gate. Deplaning is standard: grab your carry‑ons, follow the crowd into the concourse.

2. Connections vs. final destination

   • If ATL is your final stop, follow signs for Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation.
   • If you’re connecting onward, look for the monitors listing your next gate and hop on the Plane Train if needed.

3. Baggage claim

   • Domestic baggage claim is located at the Domestic Terminal.
   • Overhead screens will show which carousel handles baggage from Charleston.

4. Ground transportation

   • Once you exit baggage claim, you’ll see signage for:
     • MARTA (metro rail)
     • Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
     • Taxis
     • Rental cars
     • Airport shuttles and hotel shuttles

From landing to reaching central Atlanta, many travelers estimate 30–60 additional minutes, depending on ground transport and traffic.

Best Ways to Get From ATL Into Atlanta After Your Flight

1. MARTA (Airport Station) 🚇

MARTA is one of the easiest and most cost‑effective ways to reach popular Atlanta neighborhoods.

• Station: Airport MARTA Station is directly inside the Domestic Terminal, near baggage claim.
• Lines:
  • Red Line – runs toward Buckhead, Medical Center, and North Springs
  • Gold Line – runs toward Midtown, Doraville, and Chamblee

Common stops for visitors and residents:

• Five Points: Downtown core, access to government buildings and transfer between lines
• Peachtree Center: For many downtown hotels, offices, and attractions
• Midtown Station: For Midtown business district, arts, and dining
• Lenox/Buckhead: For Buckhead business centers and shopping areas

If you’re flying in from Charleston for downtown meetings, MARTA can be faster than driving during rush hour.

MARTA HQ (for planning help):
MARTA Headquarters
2424 Piedmont Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Customer Information Center: 404‑848‑5000

2. Rideshare and Taxis 🚗

If you prefer door‑to‑door service from ATL:

• Rideshare:

  • Follow signs for “Rideshare” in the Domestic Terminal ground transportation area.
  • You’ll be directed to a designated pickup zone where you can meet your driver.

• Taxis:

  • Taxi stands are located outside the baggage claim area at the Domestic Terminal.
  • Fares to Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead often follow standardized zone rates, so many travelers find the costs predictable.

For someone flying in from Charleston to attend an event at State Farm Arena or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, taxis and rideshares can be especially convenient.

3. Rental Cars 🚙

If you plan to visit multiple locations in the metro region—such as Cobb County, Gwinnett County, or the Southside—a rental car may be practical.

• Rental Car Center (RCC)
  • Address: 2200 Rental Car Center Pkwy, College Park, GA 30337
  • Connected to the terminals by the SkyTrain, an automated people mover.

From the RCC, you can easily reach:

• Downtown Atlanta via I‑85/I‑75 north
• Buckhead via GA‑400 or surface streets from Midtown
• Suburban destinations via I‑285, I‑20, I‑75, and I‑85

Parking costs can add up, especially in denser areas like Downtown and Midtown, so consider whether you truly need a car for your time in Atlanta.

Typical Schedule Patterns: When Flights Often Operate

While specific schedules change, the Charleston–Atlanta route usually offers:

• Morning flights – popular with business travelers heading into Atlanta for full‑day meetings.
• Midday flights – convenient for more flexible travel.
• Afternoon or early evening flights – often used by people returning to Atlanta after a day or weekend in Charleston.

Because ATL is a major hub, flights can be timed to connect with evening departures to other cities. If you live in Atlanta and you’re flying home from Charleston, those afternoon and evening arrivals bring you back in time for MARTA or standard rideshare availability.

To plan effectively from the Atlanta side—especially if you’re picking someone up—allow for:

• Potential minor delays due to air traffic around ATL
• Busy arrival periods in late afternoon and early evening

Using real‑time flight status tools can help you avoid long waits at the airport.

Planning Your Trip: Tips for Charleston → Atlanta Flights

Whether you’re an Atlanta resident returning home or a visitor heading into the city, a few planning steps can make the trip smoother.

Timing and Airport Arrival

For flights departing from Charleston (CHS):

• Arrive at least 1.5–2 hours before a domestic departure.
• Security lines at CHS are generally manageable, but morning business peaks can be busier.

For your arrival in Atlanta:

• Build in extra time if you’re heading straight to:
  • Downtown court or government appointments (e.g., Fulton County Government Center)
  • Time‑sensitive events (concerts, sports games, conferences)
• Factor in:
  • 15–20 minutes deplaning and reaching baggage claim
  • 10–30 minutes for baggage and ground transportation setup
  • 20–45 minutes travel into central Atlanta, depending on mode and traffic

Packing and Baggage

Because the flight is short, many travelers choose to fly with carry‑on only from Charleston to Atlanta to speed up:

• Boarding and deplaning
• Moving through concourses at ATL
• Getting straight to MARTA or rideshare without stopping at baggage claim

If you’re attending business meetings in Downtown or Midtown, carrying your bag onto the plane may help you go directly from the airport to your appointment with minimal delay.

Using Atlanta as a Connection Point After Flying From Charleston

Many travelers who start in Charleston use Atlanta as a major connecting hub. Once you land at ATL:

• Check the overhead monitors in your arrival concourse for your connecting gate.
• Use the Plane Train to move between concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, F).
• If your connection is international and you’re ultimately staying in Atlanta after returning, you’ll re‑enter the city through ATL again and then follow the same ground transportation steps.

For Atlanta residents, this means that flights from Charleston can fit easily into broader itineraries, while still dropping you back into familiar transportation options at ATL when you return.

Where Flights From Charleston Bring You Within the Atlanta Area

Even though all commercial flights from Charleston land at ATL, the airport is the gateway to almost every part of the metro region:

• Downtown Atlanta: Government offices, courts, major hotels, tourist attractions like the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca‑Cola.
• Midtown: Arts and business district, including the Fox Theatre, High Museum area, and multiple corporate offices.
• Buckhead: Financial hub and high‑end shopping/dining, accessible via MARTA or GA‑400.
• Decatur and Eastside neighborhoods: Connected via MARTA’s East Line from Downtown.
• Suburbs (e.g., Marietta, Sandy Springs, Duluth, College Park): Accessible by a mix of MARTA, rideshare, and highways like I‑285, I‑75, I‑85, and I‑20.

Your arrival from Charleston sets you up to access all of these areas, so it’s smart to plan:

• Where you’re staying or meeting people in Atlanta
• Which ground transportation option best matches that neighborhood

Quick Reference: Key Details for Flights From Charleston, SC to Atlanta, GA

If you’re planning flights to Atlanta from Charleston, SC, you’ll be using a short, well‑traveled route that feeds directly into Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport. With a bit of planning for how you’ll connect from ATL into Atlanta’s neighborhoods—by MARTA, car, taxi, or rideshare—you can move smoothly from the plane to wherever you need to be in the city.