Norfolk to Atlanta Flights: How to Plan Your Trip to (or From) Atlanta, GA

Flying between Norfolk, Virginia (ORF) and Atlanta, Georgia (ATL) is a common route, whether you’re an Atlanta resident heading to the Hampton Roads area or a visitor arriving in Atlanta from Norfolk. Understanding your options, timing, and what to expect at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport can make the trip much easier.

This guide focuses on what travelers into and out of Atlanta need to know about Norfolk–Atlanta flights.

Key Basics: Norfolk (ORF) to Atlanta (ATL)

The main route you’ll use is:

• Departure airport: Norfolk International Airport (ORF), Norfolk, VA
• Arrival airport: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, GA

Typical non-stop flight time is about 1.5 hours, not counting boarding, taxiing, or delays.

From an Atlanta perspective, you’ll likely be:

• Returning home to Atlanta from a trip to Norfolk
• Starting in Atlanta and looking for details before your return flight from Norfolk
• Connecting in Atlanta between Norfolk and another destination

Airlines and Flight Types on the Norfolk–Atlanta Route

Several major airlines commonly serve the Norfolk–Atlanta route, often with:

• Non-stop flights between ORF and ATL
• One-stop flights with connections in other East Coast hubs

You will typically see:

• Non-stop flights: Best for speed and simplicity
• Connecting flights: Sometimes cheaper, but usually longer travel time

When searching for Norfolk to Atlanta flights, pay attention to:

• Whether you’re flying non-stop into ATL
• Your total travel time, including layovers
• Whether your itinerary uses ATL as your final destination or as a connection point

Best Times to Fly Into or Out of Atlanta

Because Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, the time you fly matters for convenience.

Busiest & Least Busy Times

From an Atlanta traveler’s viewpoint:

• Morning flights (6 a.m.–9 a.m.)
  • Often more on-time and predictable
  • Can mean early check-ins at ATL or ORF
• Late afternoon and early evening
  • Frequently busier at ATL for arrivals and departures
  • Higher chance of crowds at security and baggage claim
• Midday flights
  • Often a balance between convenience and traffic
  • May work well for same-day business trips between Atlanta and Norfolk

If you’re trying to avoid heavy airport crowds in Atlanta, aim for:

• Late morning or later in the evening (after the main rush)
• Midweek flights (Tuesday–Thursday) instead of peak weekend times

What Atlanta Travelers Should Know About Norfolk International Airport (ORF)

If you live in Atlanta and are planning a trip to Norfolk, it helps to understand ORF as your starting or return point.

Norfolk International Airport (ORF) offers:

• A relatively compact layout, easy to navigate compared to ATL
• Standard security screening and check-in areas
• Car rental, rideshare, and taxi services at arrival

When you’re preparing for your Atlanta-bound flight from Norfolk:

• Arrive 1.5–2 hours before departure for domestic flights
• Double-check which terminal and gate handle flights to Atlanta
• Plan ground transportation in Atlanta ahead of time (especially if arriving in rush hour)

Arriving in Atlanta: What to Expect at Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL)

Whether you’re flying Norfolk to Atlanta non-stop or connecting through another city, your Atlanta experience centers on Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport:

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

Terminals & Layout

ATL has two main sides and multiple concourses:

• Domestic Terminal (North & South)
  • Most Norfolk–Atlanta flights arrive at a domestic concourse (A, B, C, D, or T)
• International Terminal (Concourse F)
  • Used mainly for overseas flights and some international connections

You’ll move between concourses using:

• The Plane Train (underground people mover)
• Walkable tunnels with moving walkways

For most travelers arriving from Norfolk:

• You’ll arrive at a domestic gate
• Follow signs to Baggage Claim and Ground Transportation

Getting From ATL to Your Final Stop in Atlanta

After your flight from Norfolk lands in Atlanta, you have several options to reach your destination in the metro area.

1. MARTA (Public Transit)

MARTA is Atlanta’s main rail and bus transit system.

• Airport MARTA Station is directly inside the Domestic Terminal
• You can ride MARTA trains to:
  • Downtown Atlanta
  • Midtown
  • Buckhead
  • Several other neighborhoods and suburbs along the Red and Gold lines

MARTA Headquarters (for general info)
2424 Piedmont Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Customer service: (404) 848-5000

MARTA is useful if:

• You’re going to a hotel downtown or in Midtown
• You want to avoid driving or paying for airport parking
• You prefer a fixed, predictable fare

2. Rideshare, Taxi, and Shuttles

From ATL, you can also choose:

• Rideshare services (pickup areas are clearly marked with signs)
• Licensed taxis from the airport taxi stand
• Hotel shuttles for certain metro Atlanta hotels

These options work well if you:

• Have luggage and want a direct ride
• Are heading somewhere less connected to MARTA, like parts of the suburbs

3. Rental Cars

If you’ll be driving around metro Atlanta:

• Follow signs at ATL to the Rental Car Center (RCC)
• Ride the SkyTrain (an elevated shuttle) from the Domestic Terminal to the RCC

From there, you can reach:

• Downtown Atlanta (about 10–20 minutes in light traffic)
• Buckhead, Midtown, or Perimeter
• Surrounding cities like Marietta, Decatur, Sandy Springs, or College Park

Typical Flight Duration and Routing

When you’re comparing Norfolk to Atlanta flights, these timing details help:

In total, from leaving Norfolk’s airport to arriving at your final address in Atlanta, expect around 4–5 hours for a typical non-stop trip.

Price Factors for Norfolk–Atlanta Flights

If you live in Atlanta and are trying to budget a trip to Norfolk and back, or you’re arriving in Atlanta from Norfolk, airfare can vary depending on:

• Season and holidays
  • Prices often rise around major holidays, summer vacation season, and major events in Atlanta
• Day of the week
  • Many travelers notice lower fares midweek compared to peak weekends
• Time of day
  • Early-morning or late-night flights sometimes cost less, but not always
• How far in advance you book
  • Booking well ahead usually gives more choices in schedule and price

To keep costs predictable for an Atlanta-based traveler:

• Look at round-trip tickets ATL–ORF–ATL if you’re returning home
• Consider flexible dates when possible
• Compare non-stop vs. one-stop to see whether a connection really saves enough to justify extra time

Tips for Smooth Norfolk–Atlanta Travel

Here are simple, practical suggestions that matter for travelers focused on Atlanta:

• Plan your ground transportation in Atlanta first.
  Decide whether you’re using MARTA, a rental car, or rideshare before you land, especially if you’re arriving at rush hour.

• Allow buffer time for connections in Atlanta.
  If you’re continuing beyond Atlanta, keep in mind:

  • ATL is busy, with long walks between gates
  • A short layover can feel tight, especially if your flight from Norfolk arrives late

• Know your terminal.
  Most domestic flights from Norfolk arrive at a domestic concourse; follow signs closely to reach baggage claim or other concourses.

• Check baggage policies carefully.
  Because Norfolk–Atlanta is a short regional route, some travelers opt for carry-on only to speed up exit from ATL.

Help and Information Resources in Atlanta

If you need in-person or phone assistance once in Atlanta, the following general resources can be useful:

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

• General Information: (800) 897-1910
• Lost & Found (Domestic Terminal): often reachable through the main information line
• Airport Address:
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy
  Atlanta, GA 30320

Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau

For visitors arriving from Norfolk who want city guidance:

Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30303
Main phone: (404) 521-6600

They can help with:

• Neighborhood overviews (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, etc.)
• Visitor information about attractions and events after your flight

When Norfolk–Atlanta Flights Make the Most Sense

For someone based in Atlanta:

• Flights to and from Norfolk (ORF) are practical if you:
  • Have family or military connections in the Hampton Roads area
  • Are traveling for business along the Virginia coast
  • Want a quick hop to the beach regions nearby (e.g., Virginia Beach)

For someone arriving in Atlanta from Norfolk:

• ATL is a natural hub:
  • As a final destination, with abundant ground transportation into the metro area
  • As a connection point if you’re continuing to another U.S. city or overseas

By understanding how Norfolk to Atlanta flights connect with Atlanta’s airport layout, transit options, and typical schedules, you can plan a trip that fits your time, budget, and comfort level—whether Atlanta is your home base or your destination.