Getting From Orlando (MCO) to Atlanta: Flights, Driving, Buses & Trains

If you’re planning a trip from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Atlanta, Georgia, you have several options for getting into the city and then moving around once you arrive. Whether you’re an Atlanta local returning home, a visitor coming in for business or a game, or someone comparing travel choices, it helps to understand how the MCO to Atlanta route works in real life.

This guide walks through your main travel options, typical routes, what to expect when you land in Atlanta, and how to connect to key neighborhoods and attractions.

Main Ways to Travel From MCO to Atlanta

The most common ways to go from MCO to Atlanta are:

1. Direct flight from Orlando to Atlanta
2. Driving from MCO to Atlanta
3. Intercity bus (Orlando to Atlanta)
4. Train (partial rail + bus/drive)

For most travelers, flying or driving are the most practical options.

1. Flying From Orlando (MCO) to Atlanta

Airlines & Typical Flight Experience

Flights from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) are among the busiest routes in the Southeast. You’ll usually find:

• Multiple nonstop flights daily
• Flight time of roughly 1.5 hours in the air
• Service from major carriers that connect into Atlanta’s large hub system

For Atlanta residents, this route is often part of a connection to other U.S. or international destinations via ATL. For visitors, it’s a straightforward way to get right into the city with plenty of ground transportation options once you land.

What to Know About Hartsfield–Jackson (ATL)

Location: South of downtown at
6000 N Terminal Pkwy
Atlanta, GA 30320

ATL is a very large airport, but it’s designed to move travelers quickly in and out of the city.

Key points for someone arriving from MCO:

• Arrival terminals: Most MCO–ATL flights arrive in Domestic Terminal South or North or one of the concourses (A, B, C, D, T).
• Plane Train: An underground train connects all concourses to the Domestic Terminal and Ground Transportation Center.
• Ground transport: Once you reach the main terminal, follow signs for:
  • MARTA (Atlanta’s rail system)
  • Taxis & rideshare
  • Rental cars at the Rental Car Center

2. Getting From ATL Airport Into Atlanta

Once you arrive from MCO, how you continue into Atlanta depends on your destination, budget, and time of day.

Option A: MARTA (Rail)

For many travelers, MARTA is the easiest, most predictable way into the city.

• Station: Airport MARTA Station (inside the Domestic Terminal, at the end of the main atrium)
• Service type: Heavy rail, direct from the airport into the city
• Lines: Mostly the Red and Gold lines

Common routes from ATL:

• Airport → Downtown Atlanta
  • Take Red or Gold line northbound
  • Key stops: West End, Five Points, Peachtree Center, Civic Center, North Avenue
• Airport → Midtown Atlanta
  • Continue past Five Points to Midtown and Arts Center
• Airport → Buckhead / North Atlanta
  • Ride north on Red or Gold; Buckhead-area stations include Lindbergh Center, Lenox, Buckhead

🔥 Quick tip: If you’re staying at a major hotel downtown or in Midtown, ask if they’re within walking distance of a MARTA station. Many are only a few blocks from Peachtree Center, Civic Center, Midtown, or Arts Center stations.

Option B: Taxi & Rideshare

If you prefer door-to-door service:

• Taxi stands: Clearly marked at Ground Transportation
• Rideshare pickups: Designated areas (follow signs for “Rideshare” or “App-Based Rides”)

Approximate ride times in normal traffic:

• ATL → Downtown: 15–25 minutes
• ATL → Midtown: 20–30 minutes
• ATL → Buckhead: 25–35 minutes
• ATL → Perimeter / Dunwoody: 30–40 minutes

Traffic on the Downtown Connector (I‑75/85) can be heavy during rush hours, so build in extra time if you’re arriving from MCO in the morning or late afternoon.

Option C: Rental Cars

If you’re planning side trips from Atlanta (to the North Georgia mountains, Stone Mountain, or suburban offices), a rental car might be useful.

Rental Car Center (RCC):
2200 Rental Car Center Pkwy
College Park, GA 30337

• Accessible via the ATL SkyTrain from the main terminal
• Houses the major rental agencies in one complex

Once you have your car:

• Use I‑85 North or I‑75 North for most in-town destinations
• Expect congestion near downtown, especially 7–10 a.m. and 3–7 p.m.

3. Driving From Orlando (MCO) to Atlanta

If you’d rather drive the entire way from Orlando to Atlanta:

• Approximate distance: About 440–460 miles, depending on your exact start and end points
• Typical drive time: Around 6.5–7.5 hours in steady traffic

Common Driving Route

A standard route from Orlando (MCO) to Atlanta goes roughly:

1. From MCO, connect to FL-528 (Beachline Expressway) west or north toward I‑4/I‑95 depending on your GPS route.
2. Head to I‑75 North (via Florida routes) toward Gainesville / Lake City.
3. Continue on I‑75 North all the way through south Georgia into Atlanta.

Once you reach the metro area:

• I‑75/I‑85 (Downtown Connector) runs through the heart of Atlanta.
• Exits connect to Downtown, Midtown, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, and major venues like Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena.
• Northern suburbs (Smyrna, Marietta, Kennesaw) are mostly off I‑75 or the I‑285 Perimeter.

🚗 Atlanta driving tip: In-town streets can be confusing with multiple similar names (Peachtree Street, Peachtree Road, West Peachtree, etc.). A GPS app is very helpful if you’re new to the city.

4. Bus Options From Orlando to Atlanta

If you prefer not to drive or fly, long-distance buses run between the Orlando area and Atlanta. These typically:

• Use major highways like I‑75
• Arrive at central bus terminals in or near downtown Atlanta

Common arrival areas in Atlanta can include locations near downtown or Midtown, depending on the carrier and schedule. When booking, look closely at:

• Exact arrival address in Atlanta
• Time of arrival, for connection to MARTA or local rides
• Access to taxis and rideshare from the bus stop or station

Once in Atlanta, you can use:

• MARTA bus or rail from nearby stations
• Rideshare/taxi to hotels in Downtown, Midtown, or Buckhead

🚌 Practical tip: If your bus arrives late at night, check your hotel’s check-in hours and confirm that rideshare/taxi services are active in that area at your arrival time. In central Atlanta, they typically are.

5. Rail: Can You Take a Train From Orlando to Atlanta?

There is no simple, direct train running Orlando–to–Atlanta the way there is between some Northeast cities. Travelers who love trains sometimes combine:

• Amtrak service between certain Florida cities and other hubs, plus
• A bus or car leg into Atlanta from the closest rail stop with a useful schedule

For most people heading specifically from MCO to Atlanta, this approach is:

• Less direct
• Often longer than flying or driving
• More of a specialty or scenic choice than a practical one

If your goal is fast, efficient travel into Atlanta, flying or driving remains the preferred option.

6. Comparing Your MCO-to-Atlanta Options

Here’s a simple side‑by‑side look at the main choices:

7. Navigating Atlanta After You Arrive

Once you’ve made it from MCO to Atlanta, you’ll likely want to get around the city without too much hassle. Your options depend on where you’re staying and what you plan to do.

Using MARTA Inside Atlanta

MARTA rail is especially useful if you’re focused on Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, or the airport.

Some popular stops and nearby areas:

• Five Points: Central connecting station for all rail lines; near downtown government buildings
• Peachtree Center: Walkable to many downtown hotels, restaurants, and offices
• GWCC/CNN Center (via nearby stations): Access to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and Georgia World Congress Center
• Midtown: Close to Piedmont Park, Midtown hotels, museums, and tech offices
• Arts Center: Near major arts venues and some residential neighborhoods
• Lenox / Buckhead / Lindbergh Center: For Buckhead shopping, hotels, and offices

Driving & Parking in Atlanta

If you brought a car from Orlando or rented one at ATL:

• Downtown & Midtown: Expect paid parking, often in garages or surface lots
• Event days: For Falcons, Hawks, United games, or big concerts, parking near stadiums fills early
• Neighborhood trips: Many in-town neighborhoods (Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, West Midtown) combine street parking with paid lots

Taxis, Rideshare, and Local Buses

• Rideshare and taxis are widely available in central Atlanta, major neighborhoods, and near attractions like the Georgia Aquarium or World of Coca-Cola.
• MARTA buses can fill in the gaps where rail doesn’t reach, especially in residential and outer areas.

8. Planning Your Trip: Practical Atlanta Tips

When you’re mapping out your MCO to Atlanta travel, consider:

• Arrival time at ATL:
  • Morning/afternoon: MARTA and rideshare are very active
  • Late night: MARTA runs later, but bus frequency and some services may be reduced
• Where you’re staying:
  • Downtown or Midtown: Flight + MARTA is usually simple and fast
  • Buckhead or Perimeter: Flight + MARTA or taxi/rideshare; driving is straightforward but can be congested
  • Suburbs (Cobb, Gwinnett, South Fulton, etc.): Driving or rideshare from ATL is often most direct
• Purpose of your visit:
  • Business conferences: Many major hotels and the Georgia World Congress Center are MARTA‑friendly
  • Sports and concerts: MARTA stops put you close to large venues, reducing parking stress
  • Family trips: Driving from Orlando can be appealing if you’re carrying gear and planning side trips

Traveling from MCO to Atlanta is generally straightforward, with nonstop flights and direct highway routes connecting the two cities. Once you arrive, Atlanta offers a mix of MARTA rail, buses, rideshare, taxis, and drivable streets that can get you from the airport to downtown offices, Midtown hotels, Buckhead shopping, or surrounding neighborhoods with relative ease.