STL to Atlanta Flights: How to Get from St. Louis to Atlanta Smoothly

If you’re planning a flight from St. Louis (STL) to Atlanta (ATL)—whether you’re coming home to metro Atlanta, visiting for business around Downtown or Midtown, or catching a connection at Hartsfield–Jackson—knowing how this route works can save you time, stress, and money.

This guide walks through airlines, airports, typical schedules, local ground transportation, and practical Atlanta-specific tips so you can move through the city more confidently once you land.

Key Facts About STL to Atlanta Flights

Route basics:

• Departure airport: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), St. Louis, Missouri
• Arrival airport: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia
• Typical nonstop flight time: About 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes in the air
• Common flight types: Nonstop and one-stop options throughout the day

Who uses this route?

Flights from STL to Atlanta are popular with:

• Atlanta residents flying home after a visit to St. Louis
• Visitors coming to Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead for meetings or events
• Travelers connecting through ATL, one of the country’s major hubs, to reach the rest of the U.S. or international destinations

Airlines and Flight Options on the STL–ATL Route

Several major airlines service the St. Louis to Atlanta route, with nonstop and connecting options.

Common patterns you’ll see:

• Nonstop flights: Typically offered multiple times a day, especially in the morning and late afternoon/early evening
• One-stop flights: May connect through another city if nonstop times or prices don’t work for you

When searching, look for:

• “ATL” as destination – Hartsfield–Jackson is the primary commercial airport serving all of metro Atlanta
• Nonstop filters if you want the quickest, most predictable travel time

Typical Flight Times and Best Times to Fly to Atlanta

How long is the flight?

• In the air: Usually under 2 hours
• Gate-to-gate: Plan for around 2–2.5 hours, including taxiing and boarding

Remember that ATL is very busy, so:

• Taxi times can be a bit longer during peak periods
• Getting from your gate to ground transportation can take additional time, especially if you land at a concourse far from baggage claim

Best times of day to fly into Atlanta

Many travelers to Atlanta prefer:

• Morning arrivals (before ~10 a.m.)

  • Easier to get from ATL to Downtown/Midtown before the heaviest rush-hour traffic is fully underway
  • Good if you have same-day meetings or events

• Midday flights

  • Often more relaxed at security and boarding
  • Helpful if you’re connecting from ATL to another flight

• Late evening arrivals

  • Usually lighter traffic from ATL into the city
  • Good if you’re heading directly to a hotel near Downtown, Midtown, or by the Perimeter (I‑285)

If you’re planning to drive from ATL to a suburb like Marietta, Alpharetta, or Stone Mountain, take into account Atlanta rush hours, roughly:

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

Using Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Almost all STL to Atlanta flights land at Hartsfield–Jackson, located about 10 miles south of Downtown Atlanta:

• Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
• Main terminals:Domestic Terminal (North and South) and International Terminal (Concourse F)
• Concourses: T, A, B, C, D, E, F, all connected by the Plane Train (underground people mover)

Where you’ll arrive coming from STL

Flights from St. Louis to Atlanta almost always:

• Arrive at the Domestic Terminal side
• Use one of the T–D concourses (and sometimes others, depending on aircraft and time of day)
• Let you walk or ride the Plane Train to baggage claim

Follow signs for:

• “Baggage Claim” if Atlanta is your final stop
• “Ground Transportation” for MARTA, rideshares, shuttles, or rental cars
• “Connecting Flights” if ATL is just your layover

Ground Transportation from ATL into Atlanta

Once you land from STL, you’ll need to get into the city or surrounding suburbs. From ATL, you have several reliable options.

1. MARTA (Train) – Easiest Option to Downtown & Midtown

The MARTA rail station is directly connected to the airport:

• Location: At the Domestic Terminal, inside the Ground Transportation Center
• Main lines to town:Red and Gold northbound
• Key stops for visitors:
  • College Park – nearby hotels
  • Five Points – Downtown Atlanta, transfer to east–west lines
  • Peachtree Center – central Downtown
  • Civic Center / North Avenue – near Midtown South
  • Midtown – heart of Midtown
  • Arts Center – near museums and cultural spots
  • Buckhead – north Atlanta business and shopping area

MARTA is useful if you’re headed to:

• Downtown hotels (around Peachtree Center, Centennial Olympic Park, State Farm Arena, Georgia World Congress Center)
• Midtown (Georgia Tech area, arts district, restaurants, and bars)
• Buckhead (Lenox, Phipps Plaza, and commercial centers)

👉 Tip: If you’re staying near a MARTA station, taking the train from ATL is often faster than driving during rush hour.

2. Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) and Taxis

Rideshares and taxis are widely used for STL to Atlanta arrivals:

• Domestic Terminal Rideshare pick-up:
  • Follow signs to the Rideshare pick-up area in the North or South Economy parking structures
• Taxi stand:
  • Located outside the Domestic Terminal, follow “Taxi” or “Ground Transportation” signs

Consider rideshare or taxi if:

• You have heavy luggage or a group
• You’re going to neighborhoods not close to MARTA, such as:
  • Virginia-Highland
  • Inman Park
  • West Midtown
  • Old Fourth Ward
  • Suburbs like Smyrna, Marietta, Decatur (beyond central MARTA access), or Duluth

3. Rental Cars

For trips beyond the core city, a rental car from ATL can be very helpful.

• ATL Rental Car Center (RCC):
  • Reached by the SkyTrain from the Domestic Terminal
  • Houses most major rental car companies in one location

Driving times from ATL (in light traffic):

• Downtown Atlanta: ~15–20 minutes
• Midtown Atlanta: ~20–25 minutes
• Buckhead: ~30–35 minutes
• Perimeter Center (Dunwoody/Sandy Springs): ~35–45 minutes

👉 Tip: Add extra time if you’re arriving from STL during weekday rush hours, especially if you’re driving via I‑75/85 through Downtown or I‑285 around the perimeter.

4. Hotel and Regional Shuttles

Some hotels and regional destinations around Atlanta offer shuttles:

• Airport-area hotels (near Airport Blvd, Virginia Ave, or the Airport City complex) often have free shuttles that pick up at the Ground Transportation area.
• Certain universities, corporate campuses, and long-distance bus/van services also operate from ATL; check in advance if you’re connecting onward to Athens, Macon, or other Georgia cities after your STL flight.

Planning Your STL Departure for a Smooth Arrival in Atlanta

When flying St. Louis to Atlanta, what you do at STL affects your day in Atlanta.

How early to arrive at STL

For flights to Atlanta, many travelers plan to be at St. Louis Lambert International Airport:

• About 2 hours before departure for domestic flights
• Earlier if:
  • You’re checking bags
  • You’re traveling during major holidays, Monday mornings, or Sunday evenings
  • You prefer extra time for security and boarding

Choosing flights based on your Atlanta plans

Think about your Atlanta schedule when picking an STL–ATL flight:

• Business meeting in Downtown or Midtown:

  • Aim to land at ATL at least 2–3 hours before your meeting, to account for taxi delays, transportation, and city traffic.

• Event at State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, or Georgia World Congress Center:

  • Consider a morning or early afternoon arrival if the event is in the evening.
  • These venues are near the Dome/GWCC/State Farm Arena/CNN Center and Vine City MARTA stations and Downtown hotels.

• Connection at ATL to another destination:

  • ATL is large, with multiple concourses connected by the Plane Train.
  • A longer layover can reduce stress, especially if your STL flight is later in the day, when delays are more likely.

Navigating ATL Once You Land from STL

Because Atlanta’s airport is so large, it helps to know the basic layout:

Concourses and Terminals

• Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, F – All served by the Plane Train
• Domestic Terminal:
  • South Terminal: Mainly ticketing and check-in counters for several major airlines
  • North Terminal: Ticketing/check-in for other carriers
• International Terminal (Concourse F): For many flights leaving or arriving from overseas

Your flight from St. Louis to Atlanta will almost always use:

• Domestic arrivals at a domestic concourse
• No immigration/customs if you’re coming directly from STL

Baggage claim and exits

Look for large overhead signs:

• “Baggage Claim” – Follow up escalators and through the main corridor from your concourse
• “Ground Transportation” – For MARTA, rental car shuttles, taxis, and rideshares
• “Airport Information” desks – For questions about directions, connecting flights, or accessibility services

👉 Tip: If someone is picking you up by car, they can use Cell Phone Lots near the airport and then pull up to the Arrivals curb once you have your bags.

Where STL–ATL Travelers Commonly Stay in Atlanta

If you’re flying from St. Louis to Atlanta and staying in town, these areas are especially convenient:

Downtown Atlanta

Best if you want:

• Proximity to Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, Centennial Olympic Park
• Easy access to State Farm Arena and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium
• Straightforward MARTA access (Peachtree Center, Five Points, GWCC stations)

Midtown Atlanta

Popular for:

• Arts and culture: High Museum of Art, Atlanta Symphony Hall, Fox Theatre
• Walkable neighborhoods with restaurants, bars, and parks (especially near Piedmont Park)
• Great MARTA connectivity (Midtown and Arts Center stations)

Buckhead

Good for:

• Shopping at Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza
• Business travelers working with companies headquartered in north Atlanta
• Quick MARTA access via Lenox or Buckhead stations, plus major roads like GA‑400

Airport Area

If you have a short trip or early/late flights from STL:

• Staying near the airport along Virginia Ave or Airport Blvd can be practical
• Many hotels offer free shuttles to/from ATL, which is helpful on tight timelines

Simple ATL Arrival Checklist for STL Travelers

Use this quick list to stay organized when flying St. Louis to Atlanta:

Helpful Local Contacts and Resources

For travel issues related to your STL to Atlanta flight or arrival at ATL, the following official contacts can help:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

  • Address: 6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320
  • General information lines and airport customer service desks are located in the terminals.

• MARTA Customer Information Center (for train/bus routes from ATL)

  • Headquarters: 2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
  • Information is posted at the airport MARTA station and on system maps throughout the city.

These resources can help you confirm current schedules, routes, and terminal details when you arrive from St. Louis.

Traveling from STL to Atlanta is a straightforward domestic trip, but Atlanta’s size and busy transportation network make a bit of planning especially valuable. Understanding how ATL, MARTA, and local roads fit together will help you move confidently from the airport to wherever you’re headed in and around Atlanta.