Airfare From Orlando to Atlanta: How to Find the Best Flight Deals

Flying from Orlando to Atlanta is one of the most convenient ways to get in and out of the city, whether you live in metro Atlanta, are visiting, or are planning a return trip home. This route connects Orlando International Airport (MCO) with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), one of the busiest hubs in the world and the primary airport for Atlanta travelers.

This guide walks you through how airfare from Orlando to Atlanta typically works, what affects ticket prices, and how to find good deals if Atlanta is your starting point, your home base, or your destination.

Key Things to Know About Orlando–Atlanta Airfare

Route basics:

• Typical flight time: About 1 hour 15 minutes–1 hour 30 minutes in the air
• Airports:
  • Departure: Orlando International Airport (MCO)
  • Arrival: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Flight type: Mostly nonstop, with frequent daily service
• Common airlines: Major U.S. carriers and low-cost airlines often operate on this route

Because Atlanta is a major hub, this flight is popular with:

• Atlanta residents returning home from Orlando business trips or vacations
• Visitors to Atlanta flying in from Orlando theme parks or cruises
• Travelers connecting through ATL to other U.S. or international destinations

The high volume of flights usually means competitive airfare, but prices can still vary a lot depending on timing and demand.

What Affects Airfare From Orlando to Atlanta?

Several factors shape how much you’ll pay for a one-way or round-trip ticket between Orlando and Atlanta.

1. Time of Year

Airfare often rises during:

• Spring break (March–April), when many Atlanta families travel to Orlando
• Summer vacation (June–August)
• Holiday periods (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s)
• Major conventions and events in either city

If you live in Atlanta and are planning an Orlando trip, expect return flights back to ATL to be higher during peak travel seasons. Likewise, if you’re visiting Atlanta from Orlando for major events like large sports games or festivals, flights into ATL may also be more expensive on those dates.

2. Day of the Week and Time of Day

On this short route, common patterns include:

• Midweek flights (Tuesday–Wednesday) often being cheaper than Fridays and Sundays
• Early-morning or late-night flights sometimes offering lower fares
• Sunday evening flights into Atlanta frequently priced higher, since many travelers return home then

If your schedule in Atlanta is flexible, flying midday on weekdays can sometimes reduce your Orlando–Atlanta airfare.

3. Advance Purchase vs. Last-Minute

For a popular business and leisure route like Orlando–Atlanta:

• Buying a few weeks in advance often gives you more reasonable prices and better seat choices
• Last-minute tickets, especially for Monday morning or Sunday evening flights, can be noticeably higher

If you live in Atlanta and know your Orlando travel dates early—such as for a school break or family trip—you’ll usually get better value by locking in your return flight back to ATL early as well.

4. Nonstop vs. Connecting Flights

Nonstop flights are standard between Orlando and Atlanta, but you may occasionally see connecting itineraries through another city. These may appear:

• When nonstop flights are full
• When a specific airline doesn’t offer direct service but can connect you via its own hub

For such a short route, nonstop is usually the most practical choice, and it’s often similar in price to a connection when you factor in time and hassle.

Typical Orlando–Atlanta Flight Experience

For travelers heading into or out of Atlanta, this is usually a straightforward hop.

At Orlando International Airport (MCO)

• You departs from MCO’s main terminals, where most major U.S. airlines operate.
• Security wait times can vary, especially during peak travel hours and holidays, so plan accordingly.

In the Air

• Flight time is around 1.5 hours, making it a “short-haul” trip.
• On many airlines, you’ll get basic in-flight service: water, soft drinks, and light snacks, though offerings can vary.

Arrival at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Once you arrive in Atlanta:

• Domestic flights usually arrive at the North or South domestic terminals or one of the concourses (A–T).
• You can use the Plane Train (airport’s underground train) to move between concourses and the Domestic Terminal.
• To reach central Atlanta, you can:
  • Take MARTA rail from the Airport Station, directly beneath the Domestic Terminal
  • Use taxis, rideshare services, hotel shuttles, or rental cars

MARTA Airport Station

• Location: Inside the Domestic Terminal (near baggage claim)
• Direct access to: Downtown Atlanta, Midtown, and Buckhead via the Red and Gold Lines

How to Find the Best Airfare From Orlando to Atlanta

Here are practical strategies that matter specifically if Atlanta is your focus.

1. Decide How Flexible You Can Be

If your plans in Atlanta are flexible, you can:

• Compare different days of the week for return flights back to ATL
• Consider flying earlier or later in the day to find lower fares
• Avoid high-demand travel windows, such as:
  • Friday evenings Orlando → Atlanta
  • Sunday evenings Orlando → Atlanta
  • Monday early mornings Orlando → Atlanta

This is especially useful if you’re an Atlanta local with some flexibility in work or school schedules.

2. Compare One-Way vs. Round-Trip

On the Orlando–Atlanta route, pricing can vary between:

• Round-trip tickets (Atlanta ↔ Orlando)
• Two one-way tickets, which sometimes allow you to mix airlines or flight times

If you live in Atlanta and are planning a vacation to Orlando, look at:

• Round-trip from ATL to MCO
• Two one-way flights: ATL → MCO and MCO → ATL, which can be cheaper on certain dates

3. Consider Nearby Timing, Not Nearby Airports

For Atlanta travelers, alternative airports are limited for this specific route:

• Orlando area alternatives may include smaller airports, but most Atlanta-bound commercial flights use MCO.
• Atlanta alternatives (like smaller regional airports) typically don’t replace ATL for Orlando traffic.

So instead of looking for a different airport, you’ll usually get farther by:

• Adjusting your travel dates by a day or two
• Shifting your flight time to a less popular hour

4. Factor in Ground Transportation in Atlanta

When comparing cheaper vs. slightly more expensive flights into Atlanta, think about:

• Arrival time vs. MARTA availability
• Whether you’ll need a taxi or rideshare late at night
• How arrival time fits with hotel check-in or meetings in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead

Sometimes a slightly higher airfare that lands at a more convenient time in ATL can save you money and stress on ground transportation and schedule disruptions.

Quick Reference: Orlando–Atlanta Flight Basics

Using Hartsfield-Jackson (ATL) Once You Land

For anyone arriving from Orlando, understanding ATL makes your time in Atlanta smoother.

Getting From the Airport to the City

From ATL, you have several options:

• MARTA Rail

  • Good for: Travelers staying in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or near major stations.
  • Station: Airport MARTA Station, directly connected to the Domestic Terminal.
  • Payment: Breeze cards or single-trip tickets at station kiosks.

• Rideshare and Taxi

  • Designated pickup areas are clearly marked at the airport.
  • Useful if you’re heading to neighborhoods not directly on the MARTA line (such as many parts of Westside, East Atlanta, or suburban areas).

• Rental Cars

  • Accessed via the ATL Rental Car Center, connected by the SkyTrain from the main terminal.
  • Often chosen by families returning from Orlando who need extra space for luggage or theme park bags.

If You’re Connecting Through Atlanta

Because ATL is a major hub, many travelers use the Orlando → Atlanta flight as a connection to another U.S. or international city. In that case:

• Follow signs for Connecting Flights when you arrive.
• Use the Plane Train to move between concourses quickly.
• Check your boarding gate and monitor time between flights, especially during busy travel seasons.

Practical Tips for Atlanta-Based Travelers Flying From Orlando

If you live in metro Atlanta and are returning home from Orlando, these tips can help keep your trip smooth and affordable:

• Plan around Monday and Sunday traffic:
  Return flights Orlando → Atlanta on Sunday evenings or Monday mornings are often busier and can be pricier.

• Watch for weather and delays:
  Both Orlando and Atlanta can experience summer thunderstorms, which occasionally affect short-haul flights. Allow extra time if you have important plans in Atlanta right after landing.

• Consider carry-on only for short trips:
  For quick Orlando getaways from Atlanta, flying with just a carry-on often makes arrival at ATL faster, especially if you plan to jump on MARTA or head straight to work.

• Give yourself buffer time once back in ATL:
  If you’re landing in Atlanta and then driving out to Cobb County, Gwinnett, Clayton, or DeKalb, remember:

  • Rush-hour traffic around Downtown Connector (I-75/85) and I-285 can significantly add to your travel time.

Is Flying Orlando to Atlanta Worth It Compared to Driving?

Many Atlanta residents weigh flying vs. driving between Orlando and Atlanta.

• Driving distance: Roughly 6–7 hours by car, depending on route and stops.
• Flying time (door to door):
  • Airport arrival ahead of time
  • Security
  • Flight (about 1.5 hours)
  • Baggage and ground transit in ATL

Flying can be worthwhile if you:

• Want to save time on a long drive
• Prefer not to deal with traffic on routes between Georgia and Florida
• Are connecting through Atlanta to another destination the same day

Driving may make more sense if:

• You have a larger family or group and airfare is expensive on your dates
• You need a car in Orlando and Atlanta for an extended period
• You prefer flexibility in schedule and routes

For many Atlanta locals, the choice depends on time vs. cost and how often they make this trip.

How People in Atlanta Commonly Use the Orlando–Atlanta Route

The Orlando to Atlanta airfare route commonly serves:

• Atlanta families coming home from theme park vacations
• College students traveling between central Florida and schools in Atlanta
• Business travelers working in both metro Orlando and the Atlanta area
• Visitors to Atlanta heading to city attractions, events, or conferences after time in Orlando

Because of this steady demand, flights are frequent, and with a bit of planning, you can usually find reasonable airfare between Orlando and Atlanta that fits your schedule and budget needs.