Flying from Detroit to Atlanta: What Travelers to Atlanta Need to Know

If you’re planning to fly from Detroit to Atlanta, chances are Atlanta is your final destination—whether you’re coming home, visiting family, attending a conference downtown, or catching a game at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium. This guide explains how the Detroit–Atlanta route works, what to expect when you land at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), and how to get smoothly from the plane to your destination in metro Atlanta.

Overview: The Detroit–Atlanta Flight Route

The flight from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Atlanta (ATL) is one of the busier routes in the eastern U.S. It’s popular with:

• Atlanta residents returning home
• Business travelers heading to downtown or Midtown clients
• Tourists visiting Atlanta’s attractions in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the BeltLine areas
• Travelers using Atlanta as a major connection point

Typical nonstop flight time is around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on weather and air traffic. This makes it an easy same‑day trip in either direction.

You’ll usually find:

• Multiple nonstop flights per day
• Morning, midday, and evening options, helpful for coordinating with hotel check‑in or work schedules in Atlanta
• Flights arriving at different concourses within ATL, so it’s useful to understand the airport layout before you land.

Departing from Detroit: Things to Decide Before You Land in Atlanta

Even though the focus is Atlanta, some decisions you make in Detroit affect how easy your arrival in Atlanta will be.

1. Nonstop vs. Connecting Flights

For most people headed to Atlanta, nonstop is the most convenient option. Benefits include:

• Less risk of delay or missed connections
• More predictable arrival time to coordinate ground transportation in Atlanta
• Less stress if you’re meeting someone at ATL

Connecting flights might be cheaper at certain times, but if your plans in Atlanta are time‑sensitive (meetings, events, game times), nonstop usually makes local logistics easier.

2. Arrival Time in Atlanta: Best Times to Land

Think about what you need to do after landing:

• Morning arrivals (7–10 a.m.)

  • Good if you’re going straight to a business meeting downtown or Midtown.
  • You’ll likely hit rush hour traffic on the roads, so MARTA rail is often faster.

• Midday arrivals (11 a.m.–3 p.m.)

  • Often smoother for getting to hotels in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or near Perimeter Center.
  • Road traffic is typically lighter than during rush hours.

• Evening arrivals (after 5 p.m.)

  • Better if you’re heading straight to a hotel or home and don’t need same‑day appointments.
  • You may hit afternoon/evening rush hour; again, MARTA can be a good choice.

Align your landing time with what works best for transportation and check‑in in Atlanta.

Arriving at ATL: Understanding the Airport Layout

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is very large but surprisingly straightforward once you know the basics.

Two Main Sides of the Airport

• Domestic Terminal (North and South) – Where almost all Detroit–Atlanta flights arrive
• International Terminal (Concourse F) – Used for flights to/from other countries

From Detroit, you’ll almost always arrive into one of the domestic concourses: T, A, B, C, D, or sometimes E.

Concourses and the Plane Train

ATL is built around parallel concourses connected by:

• The Plane Train – an underground automated train that runs constantly
• Walkways – underground pedestrian tunnels with clear signage

After exiting your plane:

1. Follow the “Baggage Claim / Ground Transportation” signs.
2. Take the Plane Train toward Domestic Baggage Claim.
3. Exit at the Domestic Terminal stop, then follow signs for North or South baggage claim (either side works for MARTA and rideshare access; your airline may direct you to one or the other).

Getting from ATL to Your Destination in Atlanta

Your experience in Atlanta really starts when you leave the airport. You have multiple options depending on budget, luggage, and destination.

1. MARTA Rail (Public Transit)

For many Detroit–Atlanta travelers, MARTA is the most efficient way into the city.

• MARTA Airport Station is directly inside the Domestic Terminal, at the end of the main atrium.
• Follow signs for “MARTA” after baggage claim.
• No shuttle or bus is needed—just walk into the station.

MARTA’s Red and Gold lines both run through the airport and go to major Atlanta areas:

• Downtown Atlanta
  • Peachtree Center Station
  • Five Points Station (main transfer hub)
• Midtown Atlanta
  • North Avenue, Midtown, and Arts Center stations
• Buckhead Area
  • Buckhead, Lenox, and Lindbergh Center stations (Red/Gold combinations)
• North Atlanta / Perimeter
  • Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, North Springs (Red Line)

MARTA is especially useful if:

• You’re staying at a hotel near a MARTA station (many Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead hotels are walkable from stations).
• You’re attending an event at the Georgia World Congress Center, State Farm Arena, or Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (all accessible from Five Points / GWCC area).
• You want to avoid renting a car or paying for long‑term parking.

Tip: If you expect to use MARTA during your stay (for example, to go from Midtown to Downtown), factor that into your decision about whether to rent a car at all.

2. Rideshares and Taxis

If you have heavy luggage, are traveling with a group, or are headed somewhere not well served by MARTA (like certain residential neighborhoods), rideshares and taxis are common options.

Rideshare Pickup Area (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

• Follow airport signs for “Rideshare” from baggage claim.
• The designated rideshare pickup is in a specific area of the North and South Economy parking decks for the Domestic Terminal.
• The app you’re using will guide you to the exact zone.

Taxi Pickup

• Official taxis line up outside baggage claim at the Domestic Terminal.
• There are clear signs indicating taxi stands and airport staff who manage queues during busy times.

Rideshares and taxis are often preferred for:

• Late‑night arrivals when train frequency is lower
• Direct trips to suburbs like Decatur, Smyrna, Marietta, College Park, East Point, or Stone Mountain
• Families or groups who want door‑to‑door service

3. Rental Cars

If you’re planning to explore beyond central Atlanta—such as suburban offices, film studios, or relatives in outer counties—a rental car may be helpful.

ATL Rental Car Center (RCC):

• Address: 2200 Rental Car Center Parkway, College Park, GA 30337
• Connected to the main terminals by the ATL SkyTrain, a free automated train.

Steps:

1. After baggage claim, follow signs to “Rental Cars” and the ATL SkyTrain.
2. Ride the SkyTrain to the Rental Car Center.
3. At the RCC, you’ll find most major rental companies in one complex.

Consider traffic in and around Atlanta, especially on I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, and I‑285, when deciding if you really need a car. Many central areas (Downtown, Midtown, some Buckhead locations) are walkable or MARTA‑friendly.

Typical Detroit–Atlanta Itinerary: What It Looks Like in Practice

Here’s a simple example of how a typical trip from Detroit to Atlanta might unfold if your destination is a central Atlanta neighborhood.

Choosing Where to Stay in Atlanta After Flying from Detroit

If you’re coming in from Detroit and staying overnight in Atlanta, your neighborhood choice affects your transportation needs.

Downtown Atlanta

Good for:

• Conferences at Georgia World Congress Center
• Events near Mercedes‑Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena
• Visitors who want to be near Centennial Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, and World of Coca‑Cola

Pros:

• Directly accessible via MARTA from the airport (Peachtree Center, Five Points)
• Walkable to many major attractions and venues

Midtown Atlanta

Good for:

• Business trips around Tech Square, Georgia Tech, Midtown offices
• Visitors who want restaurants, nightlife, and cultural spots (Fox Theatre, High Museum)

Pros:

• Easy MARTA access (North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center)
• Walkable and relatively central

Buckhead

Good for:

• Business travelers visiting Buckhead offices
• Shoppers headed to Lenox Square or Phipps Plaza

Pros:

• Accessible by MARTA (Lindbergh, Buckhead, Lenox)
• Mix of hotels, dining, and shopping

Suburbs and Outlying Areas

If you’re heading to places such as Marietta, Alpharetta, Peachtree City, or Stone Mountain, you’ll likely be more comfortable with a rental car or pre-arranged ride from the airport.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Detroit–Atlanta Trip

Here are some Atlanta-focused considerations to keep your Detroit–Atlanta flight as easy as possible:

• Plan for traffic from ATL into the city.

  • Morning and evening rush hours can significantly affect drive times.
  • MARTA can bypass much of this if your destination is near a station.

• Check your arrival concourse before landing.

  • Some airlines allow you to see your likely concourse in their app.
  • Knowing this helps you mentally map your route to baggage claim and transport options.

• Have a transportation plan before you land.

  • Decide: MARTA, rideshare, taxi, or rental car.
  • If using MARTA, know which station is closest to your hotel or meeting location.

• Save key addresses and directions in advance.

  • Example: hotel address, office address, or friend’s home in Atlanta.
  • Having this handy makes it easier to direct a taxi or confirm rideshare details.

• Give extra time if connecting through ATL to another Atlanta-adjacent airport or city.

  • If you’re flying Detroit → Atlanta → smaller regional airports in Georgia or nearby states, the size of ATL can make short connections tight.

Helpful Atlanta Airport & Transit Details

While you should always verify up-to-date information before you travel, here are some core details that tend to remain stable and useful for Atlanta visitors and residents:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • Location: Just south of Atlanta, off I‑85
  • Serves as Atlanta’s primary airport and a major U.S. hub

• MARTA Airport Station

  • Located inside the Domestic Terminal, adjacent to baggage claim
  • Serves both Red and Gold rail lines into the city

• Rental Car Center (RCC)

  • Address: 2200 Rental Car Center Parkway, College Park, GA 30337
  • Accessed via the ATL SkyTrain from the main terminals

If you’re flying from Detroit to Atlanta, thinking through these Atlanta‑specific details—how you’ll move through ATL, how you’ll reach your final destination, and how your arrival time lines up with the city’s transit and traffic patterns—will make your trip smoother and more predictable once you touch down in Georgia.