Flying From Pittsburgh to Atlanta: What Travelers to ATL Need to Know

Planning flights to Atlanta from Pittsburgh is straightforward, but there are details that can make your trip smoother—especially once you land at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and navigate the city.

This guide focuses on what matters most to someone who lives in Atlanta, is visiting Atlanta, or wants to understand how this Pittsburgh-to-Atlanta route works specifically for Atlanta.

Key Facts About Flights From Pittsburgh to Atlanta

Route basics:

• Departure airport: Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
• Arrival airport: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Typical flight time: About 1.5–2 hours nonstop
• Common flight types:
  • Nonstop flights between PIT and ATL
  • One-stop flights connecting through other hubs

Most travelers heading to Atlanta prefer nonstop flights because of the short distance and the heavy business and leisure traffic between the two cities.

Airlines and Flight Options to Atlanta (ATL)

Several major airlines commonly operate flights from Pittsburgh to Atlanta. Exact offerings vary by season and schedule, but you can usually expect:

• Nonstop flights:

  • Often offered by major carriers that use Atlanta as a hub
  • Best for minimizing travel time and airport hassles

• One-stop flights:

  • May connect through other large airports
  • Sometimes cheaper, but usually increase total travel time

When comparing options, Atlanta-based travelers and visitors usually focus on:

• Departure time from Pittsburgh (early morning vs. evening arrivals in Atlanta)
• Arrival time at ATL to align with MARTA hours, ride-share demand, or connecting travel (like driving to the suburbs)
• Which ATL concourse you’ll arrive in, especially if someone is picking you up

Typical Schedule Patterns for PIT → ATL Flights

While exact times change, you’ll commonly see:

• Morning departures from Pittsburgh landing in Atlanta late morning or midday
• Afternoon and early evening flights arriving in Atlanta before or just after the typical rush-hour period
• Some late-evening options, which can affect ground transportation choices once you land

If you’re based in Atlanta and flying round-trip to Pittsburgh, it’s useful to:

• Take early flights back to ATL to avoid weather delays that can build later in the day
• Plan for buffer time if you need to be back in metro Atlanta for work or events the same day

What to Expect When You Land at ATL

All commercial flights from Pittsburgh arrive at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL):

• Location: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Main phone (airport information): (800) 897-1910

ATL is one of the world’s busiest airports, but it’s designed for fast passenger flow once you know the basics.

Terminals and Concourses

ATL has:

• Domestic Terminal – North & South
• International Terminal (Concourse F)
• Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F, connected by the Plane Train

Flights from Pittsburgh to Atlanta almost always use the Domestic Terminal and arrive at one of the domestic concourses (T, A, B, C, or D).

Key points for arrivals:

• 🧳 Baggage claim: Follow the “Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation” signs from your concourse to the Domestic Terminal via the Plane Train or walkable tunnels.
• 🚇 MARTA access: Located inside the Domestic Terminal, near the West end of the terminal (signs for “Ground Transportation / MARTA”).
• 🚗 Pick-up: Private vehicles, ride-shares, and taxis pick up on the lower level (arrivals) of the Domestic Terminal.

Getting From ATL to Your Destination in Atlanta

Once your flight from Pittsburgh lands, you have several options to reach downtown Atlanta, Midtown, Buckhead, or the suburbs.

1. MARTA (Rail)

For many travelers, MARTA is the simplest and most predictable option.

• Station: Airport Station (directly connected to ATL Domestic Terminal)
• Line:Red and Gold lines go from the Airport north through downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
• Useful stops for visitors:
  • Five Points: central downtown hub
  • Peachtree Center: heart of downtown hotels and offices
  • Midtown: near Piedmont Park, Peachtree St, and arts district
  • Buckhead / Lenox: major shopping and business area

MARTA is especially convenient if you:

• Are staying in a downtown or Midtown hotel
• Want to avoid parking or driving in Atlanta traffic
• Arrive during regular train service hours

2. Ride-Share (Uber, Lyft) and Taxis

Both are widely used from ATL.

• Ride-share pick-up:
  • For Domestic Terminal arrivals, follow signs for “Rideshare” to the designated pick-up area in the North or South economy lots.
• Taxi stand:
  • Located on the lower (arrivals) level outside the Domestic Terminal, clearly signed.

Ride-share or taxi often makes sense if you’re going to:

• Neighborhoods not easily reached by MARTA, such as East Atlanta, West Midtown, Grant Park, Virginia-Highland, or suburban areas
• A late-night arrival when public transit frequency is lower

3. Rental Cars

If your PIT–ATL flight is the start of a road-heavy visit (for example, travel around metro Atlanta, North Georgia, or beyond), renting a car may be better.

Rental cars at ATL are handled through the Rental Car Center (RCC):

• Address: 2200 Rental Car Center Pkwy, College Park, GA 30337
• How to get there:
  • Take the ATL SkyTrain from the Domestic Terminal. Follow signs for “Rental Cars” or “SkyTrain.”

From the RCC, you can quickly reach:

• I-85 for Midtown/downtown Atlanta
• I-285 (the Perimeter) to circle the city
• Main corridors to suburbs like Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Decatur, Marietta, and Jonesboro

Best Times to Book Flights From Pittsburgh to Atlanta

Prices and availability on the PIT → ATL route can be affected by:

• Business travel demand (Atlanta is a major corporate and conference city)
• Sports and events (Falcons, Hawks, Braves, college football, music festivals, conventions)
• Holiday periods when both Pittsburgh and Atlanta see family travel

For Atlanta-based travelers flying back from Pittsburgh:

• Avoid Sunday evening and Monday morning returns if you’re price-sensitive; those windows often see heavier demand.
• If you’re flexible, midweek flights (Tuesday–Thursday) can sometimes offer more manageable fares and less congested flights.

It’s common for travelers heading to Atlanta to:

• Book several weeks in advance for major events or holidays
• Use flexible date searches to find cheaper days to return to Atlanta
• Consider non-peak travel times (midday flights) if early mornings and late nights are expensive or crowded

Packing and Airport Tips With Atlanta in Mind

Even though the flight from Pittsburgh to Atlanta is short, Atlanta’s airport and local climate are worth planning for.

1. Weather Differences

• Atlanta summers are often hot and humid, much warmer than Pittsburgh.
• Winters in Atlanta are generally milder, but Atlanta can still experience occasional cold snaps or winter storms that affect flights.

Packing tips:

• If traveling in summer, have lighter clothing accessible in your carry-on to change or layer down after landing.
• In winter, account for the possibility of delays in either city and keep essentials (medications, a light jacket, phone charger) in your personal item.

2. ATL Security and Re-Entry for Return Trips

If you’re an Atlanta resident returning home from Pittsburgh:

• You’ll re-enter through ATL arrivals and then use ATL security again when you next depart from Atlanta.
• Consider programs like TSA PreCheck or CLEAR (if they align with your travel habits) to help with busy periods at ATL.

Common busy security times at ATL include:

• Early weekday mornings (commuter flights)
• Late Sunday afternoons and evenings (weekend returns)

Navigating ATL Like a Local After Your Pittsburgh Flight

If you’re new to Atlanta or rarely fly into ATL, here are some locally useful details once you arrive:

Where Visitors Commonly Stay

Many travelers from Pittsburgh stay near:

• Downtown Atlanta: close to the Georgia World Congress Center, State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Centennial Olympic Park
• Midtown: central, walkable, near Piedmont Park, the Fox Theatre, and the arts district
• Buckhead: shopping and business, including Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza

All three areas are:

• Reachable by MARTA rail from the airport
• Well-served by ride-share and taxis

Getting Around After You Settle In

Once you’ve arrived from PIT and dropped your bags:

• MARTA is practical for going between Airport, Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead.
• For neighborhoods off rail lines (such as Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, West End, East Atlanta Village), ride-share or bus connections are common.
• Many visitors use a mix: MARTA for main corridors, then ride-share for shorter hops.

Helpful ATL Contacts and Locations

If you’re flying to Atlanta from Pittsburgh and want official local points of reference, these can help:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • Main info line: (800) 897-1910

• MARTA Customer Information Center (for trains/buses from ATL)

  • Phone: (404) 848-5000
  • Main HQ: 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

• City of Atlanta – Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (for events and visitor info context)

  • 233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1700, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone: (404) 546-6815

These offices and lines can provide up-to-date information about transportation, events, and navigating the city after your PIT–ATL flight.

Quick Reference: Pittsburgh to Atlanta Flight Essentials

With these details, you can confidently plan flights from Pittsburgh to Atlanta, choose the right arrival time and airline for your needs, and move through ATL and metro Atlanta with fewer surprises once you land.