Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport: A Local’s Guide to Navigating ATL

If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or are flying in for the first time, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)—often called Atlanta Hartsfield—is likely to be part of your plans. It’s one of the world’s busiest airports, but once you understand how it’s laid out and how it connects to the city, it becomes much easier to use.

This guide focuses on how Atlanta’s main airport works from a local perspective: getting to and from the airport, moving between terminals, parking, picking up family, and what to expect inside.

Where Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson Airport Is and How It’s Set Up

Official name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Airport code: ATL
Location: Just south of downtown Atlanta, primarily in Clayton County, adjacent to the City of Atlanta.

The Two Main Sides of ATL: Domestic vs. International

ATL is organized around two major “ends”:

• Domestic Terminal
  • Includes North Terminal (T-North) and South Terminal (T-South).
  • Most U.S. airlines and domestic flights use this side.
• Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F)
  • Located on the eastern side of the airport.
  • Handles most international arrivals and departures.

You can reach either side by car from different highway exits, and inside the airport they’re linked by an underground train and walkways.

Getting to Atlanta Hartsfield from Around the City

By Car: Main Highway Access

The airport is surrounded by several major roads, but the most common access points are:

• I-85 South for the Domestic Terminal
• I-75 South for the International Terminal
• I-285 (Perimeter) connects you to both sides depending on your direction of travel

Signs on the interstate clearly mark “Domestic” vs. “International”. If you’re driving someone to the wrong side, you’ll spend extra time circling around, so it’s worth confirming which terminal their airline uses.

Using MARTA (Atlanta’s Rail Transit)

For many Atlanta residents and downtown visitors, MARTA is the simplest option.

• Airport Station is located inside the Domestic Terminal, near the baggage claim area.
• Both the Red Line and Gold Line trains go directly to the airport.
• From Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead, you can ride MARTA without transfers.

Helpful if you:

• Want to avoid parking fees.
• Are staying near Peachtree Center, North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center, Lenox, or Buckhead MARTA stations.
• Work at the airport or travel often and need a predictable commute.

📍 MARTA Airport Station
Located at the west end of the Domestic Terminal, near the Ground Transportation and baggage claim areas.

Rideshare, Taxis, and Shuttles

From most parts of Atlanta—Inman Park, Decatur, Sandy Springs, College Park, or East Point—rideshare is common.

• Rideshare pickup zones:
  • Domestic Terminal: Typically in the North Economy lot/Rideshare area (follow signs to “Rideshare” from baggage claim).
  • International Terminal: Designated rideshare lanes in front of the terminal.
• Taxis line up outside both terminals, and flat-rate pricing to certain in-town zones is common.
• Hotel shuttles serve many major hotels near the airport and in areas like College Park and Hapeville.

Terminals, Concourses, and the Plane Train

Understanding ATL’s internal layout makes connections and navigation much easier.

The Concourses at ATL

After passing security, the airport is arranged in a straight line of concourses:

• Concourse T – Directly connected to the Domestic Terminal
• Concourse A
• Concourse B
• Concourse C
• Concourse D
• Concourse E
• Concourse F – Connected to the International Terminal

All concourses are parallel and located between the runways, connected by tunnels.

The Plane Train (Automated People Mover)

Below the main concourses runs the ATL Plane Train, an underground train that:

• Connects Domestic Terminal (T), Concourses A–F, and the International Terminal.
• Runs frequently, generally every few minutes.
• Is the fastest way to get from one concourse to another.

You can also walk between concourses using the pedestrian tunnels, which have moving walkways and local art installations. This can be more relaxing if you aren’t in a rush.

Domestic vs. International Flights: What Atlanta Travelers Need to Know

Domestic Terminal (North and South)

Most people who live in Atlanta or nearby will frequent the Domestic Terminal:

• North Terminal (T-North): Often used by carriers such as United, Spirit, and others.
• South Terminal (T-South): Heavily used by Delta Air Lines, which has a large presence in Atlanta.

Your ticket or airline app will indicate whether to go to North or South check-in.

Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal

For flights to and from destinations outside the U.S., you’ll usually use the International Terminal (Concourse F):

• Has its own entrance and parking off I-75 (separate from the Domestic Terminal side).
• Handles:
  • Many international departures.
  • International arrivals where passengers clear customs.

You can still connect between domestic and international concourses airside (after security) using the Plane Train. If someone is picking you up from an international arrival, confirm whether you’re coming out at Concourse E or F, but most standard international arrivals come through F.

Parking at Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson

Parking options around ATL range from quick drop-offs to long-term stays.

Main Types of Parking

Here is a simple overview of common parking options on both sides of the airport:

Domestic vs. International Parking

• Domestic Terminal Parking

  • Multiple garages and economy lots accessible from the Airport Blvd exits.
  • Good for domestic travelers or families picking up at North or South.

• International Terminal Parking

  • Separate parking deck and park-ride options.
  • Best if you’re flying in/out of Concourse F or picking up international arrivals.

If you live in Atlanta and travel often, you may want to compare the value of MARTA, rideshare, or long-term off-site parking vs. daily on-site rates, especially for week-long trips.

Picking Up and Dropping Off at ATL

Curbside Drop-Off

Both the Domestic and International terminals have clearly signed upper-level departures areas for dropping off passengers. Stopping is short-term only; vehicles are not allowed to wait for extended periods.

Arrivals and Baggage Claim

• Domestic arrivals:

  • Passengers follow signs to baggage claim on the lower level of the Domestic Terminal.
  • Curbside pickup is just outside baggage claim, with separate lanes for different airline zones.

• International arrivals:

  • Most flyers will exit through the International Terminal arrivals hall.
  • Family and friends can meet them just outside customs in the public arrivals area.

Cell Phone Lot

To avoid circling the airport:

• ATL provides cell phone lots where drivers can wait for free until the arriving passenger is ready for pickup.
• This is useful if you’re coming from neighborhoods like Grant Park, West End, Old Fourth Ward, or East Point and want to avoid garage parking for a quick pickup.

Ground Transportation Options: Getting Into and Around Atlanta

Once you land at Atlanta Hartsfield, you have several options to get into the city or to nearby suburbs.

MARTA from the Airport

MARTA is especially convenient if you’re going to:

• Downtown Atlanta (e.g., hotels near Peachtree Center, Georgia State University, State Farm Arena, or the Georgia World Congress Center).
• Midtown (Tech Square, Piedmont Park area, Midtown business district).
• Buckhead (Lenox Square, Phipps Plaza, corporate offices along Peachtree Road).

From the Airport Station:

• Board a northbound train (Red or Gold).
• Travel time to downtown is often around 15–20 minutes, depending on your stop.

Taxis and Rideshare Into the City

Taxis and rideshare vehicles serve:

• In-town neighborhoods like Virginia-Highland, Little Five Points, Cabbagetown, Kirkwood, West Midtown, and Atlantic Station.
• Suburban areas such as Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Marietta, Stone Mountain, and College Park.

Rideshare can be particularly effective if:

• You’re traveling late at night when train frequency is reduced.
• You have multiple bags or a group.
• You’re headed to areas not directly on the MARTA rail line.

Hotel and Airport Shuttles

Many hotels near:

• Airport Blvd, Virginia Ave, Riverdale Rd, and surrounding areas operate free shuttles to and from ATL.
• Some downtown convention hotels and extended-stay properties may also run scheduled shuttles; check directly with your hotel.

Services and Amenities Inside ATL

ATL is large and busy, but it’s also set up to serve travelers passing through as well as local residents.

Food, Shopping, and Waiting Areas

Across Concourses T–F, you can expect:

• Fast-casual and sit-down restaurants, including recognizable national brands and some regional favorites.
• Grab-and-go markets for snacks and drinks.
• Retail shops selling travel essentials, electronics, books, and local Atlanta-themed items.

Each concourse offers seating, charging stations, and restrooms. If you live in Atlanta and are meeting someone during a longer connection, you can often choose a restaurant in a specific concourse that aligns with their gate area.

Accessibility and Assistance

The airport provides features such as:

• Elevators and escalators throughout terminals and concourses.
• Wheelchair assistance upon request through airlines.
• Visual signage and announcements to guide travelers.

For anyone living in Atlanta who may need mobility support, it’s usually possible to arrange assistance through your airline ahead of time.

Contact and Practical Info for Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson

Here are some key details that are useful for Atlanta residents and visitors alike:

• Airport Name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

• Address (Domestic Terminal):
  6000 N Terminal Parkway
  Atlanta, GA 30320

• Address (International Terminal):
  Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal
  2600 Maynard H. Jackson Jr. Blvd
  Atlanta, GA 30354

• General Information:
  Phone numbers and up-to-date information are available through the airport’s main information line and airline customer service desks within both terminals.

For Atlanta-area travelers, planning your route (MARTA vs. car), choosing the right terminal entrance (Domestic vs. International), and understanding how the concourses connect will make moving through Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport far more predictable and less stressful.