Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport: Your Essential Guide to ATL in Atlanta, GA

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is Atlanta’s primary airport and one of the busiest in the world. Whether you live in the metro area, are flying in to visit Atlanta, or are just connecting through, understanding how Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, GA, United States works can save you time, stress, and confusion.

This guide focuses on what matters most to travelers using ATL from an Atlanta perspective—how to get there, how it’s laid out, where services are located, and how to move between the airport and the city.

Where Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport Is Located

Official name: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Airport code: ATL
Address: 6000 North Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320, United States

ATL sits just south of downtown Atlanta, roughly 10 miles from the city center. It’s directly accessible from Interstate 85 and close to Interstate 285, making it convenient from most parts of the metro area.

For someone living in or visiting Atlanta, ATL is usually the default airport for:

• Domestic flights across the United States
• International connections to Europe, Latin America, Africa, and beyond
• Major airline hubs, especially for large U.S. carriers

Airport Layout: Terminals, Concourses, and How ATL Is Organized

One of the most confusing parts of ATL for first-timers is its layout. Once you understand the structure, it becomes much easier to navigate.

The Two Main Sides of the Airport

ATL has two passenger terminals at ground level:

• Domestic Terminal (on the west side)
  • Split into North and South sections
  • Handles most U.S. domestic flights
• Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal (Concourse F) (on the east side)
  • Handles most international arrivals and departures
  • Has its own entrance, parking, and check-in area separate from the Domestic Terminal

Both terminals are connected airside (past security) by a series of concourses and the underground Plane Train.

Concourses at ATL

After you pass through security, you’ll move through concourses where the gates are located:

• Concourse T – connected directly to the Domestic Terminal
• Concourses A, B, C, D, E, and F – reached by the Plane Train or by walking through the underground passageways
• Concourse F – attached to the International Terminal

All concourses are in a straight line underground, so you can reach any gate from any terminal without exiting security.

Domestic vs. International: Which Side Should You Use?

If you’re flying out of Atlanta:

• Use the Domestic Terminal if:
  • Your flight is within the United States
  • Your airline ticket shows Domestic Terminal or doesn’t list International Terminal
• Use the International Terminal (Concourse F) if:
  • You are flying on an international ticket that departs from Concourse F or E
  • Your airline directs you specifically to the International Terminal

Many Atlanta residents prefer to leave their car at the side they depart from (Domestic or International) to simplify parking and pickup.

Getting To and From ATL from Around Atlanta

By MARTA (Atlanta’s Rail System)

For many locals and visitors, MARTA is one of the easiest ways to reach ATL.

• The Airport Station is located inside the Domestic Terminal, at the west end of the main terminal.
• All MARTA Red and Gold line trains go directly to the Airport Station.
• From Downtown Atlanta:
  • Travel time: typically about 15–20 minutes from Five Points Station
• From Midtown or Buckhead:
  • Typically 25–35 minutes, depending on the station

If you’re flying internationally and arriving at or departing from the International Terminal, you can still use MARTA:

• Take the Airport Station stop at the Domestic Terminal.
• Use the free airport shuttle between the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal on the landside (curb level).

By Car

Key road access points:

• Interstate 85 – the main access highway to the Domestic Terminal
• Interstate 75 and Interstate 285 – commonly used to reach the International Terminal entrance

When driving:

• Follow signs for Domestic Terminal – North or Domestic Terminal – South based on your airline.
• Follow signs for International Terminal if your flight departs there.

By Rideshare, Taxi, and Shuttles

For Atlantans and visitors staying in local hotels, rideshare and taxis are common:

• Rideshare pickup for the Domestic Terminal:
  • Usually at a designated rideshare area near the North and South lower-level curbside (look for posted signs).
• Taxi stands:
  • Located outside the baggage claim areas at the Domestic Terminal and International Terminal.

Many Atlanta-area hotels near the airport (in College Park, East Point, and around Airport Boulevard) offer free hotel shuttles. These typically pick up at clearly marked hotel shuttle zones outside baggage claim.

Parking Options at ATL

Parking at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is spread across both terminals.

Below is a simplified overview:

If you live in the Atlanta area and travel frequently, you may want to:

• Compare on-airport parking with off-airport private park-and-ride lots along Camp Creek Parkway, Sullivan Road, and surrounding areas.
• Allow extra time during weekday mornings and Sunday evenings, when airport traffic is often heaviest.

Check-In, Security, and Timing for Atlanta Travelers

How Early Should You Arrive?

For flights departing Atlanta (ATL):

• Domestic flights: Many travelers aim to arrive 2 hours before departure.
• International flights: Often 3 hours before departure is recommended.

During peak Atlanta travel periods (Monday mornings, Thursday/Friday evenings, holidays, major events), security lines can be significantly longer.

Security Checkpoints

At ATL, security checkpoints are located:

• Inside the Domestic Terminal (North and South sides)
• Inside the International Terminal for Concourse F

Once you’re through security at either terminal, you can reach all concourses using the Plane Train.

Travelers based in Atlanta often use programs like:

• TSA PreCheck – for faster security screening
• CLEAR (where available) – to speed up ID verification

These services can be particularly helpful at a busy hub like ATL.

Inside the Airport: Food, Shops, and Services

Because Hartsfield–Jackson is a major hub, the airport offers an extensive range of:

• Restaurants and quick-service dining (from fast food to sit-down spots)
• Coffee shops and snack bars in almost every concourse
• Retail shops for travel essentials, books, electronics, and gifts
• Duty-free options in international areas (Concourses E and F)

As an Atlanta-focused airport, ATL also features:

• Local and regional restaurant brands that originated or are popular in metro Atlanta
• Artwork and exhibits highlighting Atlanta’s culture and history, especially along the walkways between concourses

If you have a long layover in Atlanta, concourses like A, B, and F often have more dining and shopping choices.

Connecting Flights Through Atlanta

Many travelers pass through ATL on connections rather than starting or ending their journey here.

Domestic-to-Domestic Connections

If you’re connecting between two U.S. flights:

• You usually do not need to leave security.
• Follow the signs to the Plane Train and ride to your next concourse.
• Be sure to check your departure gate, as it can change.

International Arrivals into Atlanta

If you arrive from another country into ATL:

• You’ll go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the International Terminal (usually Concourse F or E arrivals).
• If Atlanta is your final destination, you can exit the terminal, pick up your bags, and head to:
  • The International Terminal curbside for pickup or
  • The free shuttle to the Domestic Terminal or Airport MARTA Station.

If you are connecting onward from Atlanta:

• You’ll clear customs, re-check any checked baggage if required, and follow signs for connecting flights.
• Then, you’ll take the Plane Train to your next concourse.

Getting Between the Domestic and International Terminals

This is a common source of confusion for Atlanta-based travelers picking up arriving family or friends.

There are two main ways to move between terminals:

1. Airside (for ticketed passengers only):

   • Use the Plane Train after clearing security.
   • Travel between Concourse T and F in a few minutes.

2. Landside (for drivers, pickups, and people outside security):

   • Take the free shuttle buses that run between the Domestic Terminal ground transportation area and the International Terminal.
   • Shuttles are clearly marked and typically run continuously.

If you’re driving from one terminal to the other, allow extra time due to traffic patterns and wayfinding around the airport roadways.

Ground Transportation into Atlanta and Nearby Areas

Once you land at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, you have multiple options to reach your destination in and around Atlanta.

Common Destinations from ATL

• Downtown Atlanta (e.g., Georgia State Capitol, State Farm Arena, major hotels)
• Midtown Atlanta (Georgia Tech, arts district, popular neighborhoods)
• Buckhead (commercial and shopping hub)
• Surrounding cities like College Park, East Point, Decatur, and the broader metro region

Options for Leaving the Airport

• MARTA Rail:

  • Ideal for reaching Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and areas near MARTA stations.
  • Airport Station is directly inside the Domestic Terminal.

• Taxis and Rideshare:

  • Suitable for door-to-door service anywhere in the metro area, including suburbs without MARTA service.

• Shuttles and Private Services:

  • Frequently used for group travel, conventions, or service to cities farther from Atlanta.

• Rental Cars:

  • The ATL Rental Car Center is accessible via the SkyTrain (an elevated train) from the Domestic Terminal.
  • From there, major rental car companies operate, serving both local residents and visitors.

Helpful Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors Using ATL

A few practical pointers tailored to people in and around Atlanta, GA:

• Check your terminal before you leave home.
  Airlines sometimes operate from both the Domestic and International terminals. Confirm where your flight departs from to avoid last-minute rushing between sides.

• Use MARTA when traffic is heavy.
  During weekday rush hours and big events in Atlanta, taking MARTA can be more predictable than driving and parking.

• Plan extra time for parking and shuttles.
  On busy days, Atlanta-based travelers often find that reaching the airport grounds is only half the journey; parking and taking a shuttle to the terminal can add 20–30 minutes.

• Keep Atlanta weather in mind.
  Summer thunderstorms and occasional winter weather can affect flight schedules. Local travelers sometimes adjust their airport arrival time accordingly, especially during stormy afternoons.

• Know pickup spots.
  For picking up guests:

  • Use the Cell Phone Lot until they are curbside-ready.
  • Confirm whether they are at the Domestic baggage claim or the International Terminal.

Key Takeaways About Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, GA

• Location: South of downtown Atlanta at 6000 North Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320.
• Function: Main air gateway for Atlanta, Georgia, and much of the Southeast, serving domestic and international routes.
• Terminals:
  • Domestic Terminal (North & South) for most U.S. flights
  • International Terminal (Concourse F) for most international travel
• Access:
  • MARTA rail directly into the Domestic Terminal
  • Highways I‑85, I‑75, and I‑285 for driving
  • Taxis, rideshare, shuttles, and rental cars readily available
• Navigation:
  • Concourses T, A–F connected by the Plane Train
  • Free shuttles link the Domestic and International terminals landside

Understanding how Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, GA, United States is laid out and how it connects with the city makes travel smoother—whether you call Atlanta home, are visiting, or are using ATL as your connection point through Georgia’s capital.