Atlanta Airport Guide: What to Know Before You Fly (2025)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the world's busiest airports, with tens of millions of passengers traveling through its terminals every year. Located south of downtown Atlanta, Georgia, the airport offers flights to 150 domestic and 75 international destinations, with an average of 2,700 arrivals and departures every day. The airport is expansive — the terminal complex covers more than 150 acres and has a total of 192 gates — so it can be overwhelming for both seasoned and first-time fliers. Because it's one of the world's busiest hubs, you'll want to arrive early to get through check-in and security lines and allow plenty of time for your layover (especially if you are traveling internationally). Whether you're at ATL for a layover or starting your journey here, we've rounded up the most important information to know before visiting the Atlanta airport, starting with an Atlanta airport map.

Atlanta Airport Guide: What to Know Before You Fly (1)

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Atlanta Airport Map

Atlanta Airport Guide: What to Know Before You Fly (2)

Atlanta Airport Terminals

At either end of the airport, you'll find the domestic terminal and the international terminal; between those are concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F. The Plane Train connects all the terminals and concourses so travelers can easily transfer between sections. Throughout the airport, there are hundreds of shops, restaurants, and services, with everything from local eateries to duty-free stores.

The domestic terminal has a number of places to grab food and shop, including national chains like Starbucks, TGI Fridays, Popeyes, and more, plus newsstands, a USO lounge, an interfaith chapel, and a pet relief area.

Concourse T has three airline lounges (for American, Delta, and United), several dining locations including Bojangles, Papi's Cuban & Caribbean Cafe, and Subway, a nursing station, service animal relief area, a Minute Suites, newsstands, and more.

Concourse A has over 20 eateries and bars, including P.F. Chang's, SweetWater Brewing Co., Dunkin', and more, and there is a Delta Sky Club. Services include a service animal relief area and currency exchange, plus there are shops like Tumi, MAC Cosmetics, and a CVS Pharmacy kiosk, just to name a few.

Concourse B similarly has plenty of shopping and dining outlets to choose from, including Blue Moon Brewhouse, Asian Chao, Peet's Coffee, Kiehl's, Sunglass Icon, and more. There is a Delta Sky Club, and other services include a nursing station, a service animal relief area, and a Minute Suites.

Concourse C has Starbucks, Jersey Mike's Subs, Chick-fil-A, and LongHorn Steakhouse, among other eateries, plus shops like InMotion Entertainment. There is no airline lounge in this concourse, and other services include a service animal relief area and a smoking lounge.

Concourse D restaurants include the Atlanta Braves All Star Grill, Chipotle, Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, and more; the concourse also has stores like Brookstone, The Market by Food & Wine, and Johnston & Murphy. There is also a Delta Sky Club. A nursing station, service animal relief area, and currency exchange are available in this concourse, too.

Concourse E dining and shopping locations include The Bar, Best Buy Express, Headphone Hub, and more. There is no airline lounge in this concourse, and there is a nursing station, service animal relief area, and interfaith chapel.

The international terminal and Concourse F offer duty-free shopping plus stores like Tumi and Brookstone. Dining options include Pei Wei Asian Diner and Starbucks, and there are two lounges: a Delta Sky Club and The Club at ATL (which offers entry to Priority Pass holders and paying customers). This area also has an interfaith chapel, a nursing station, and a service animal relief area.

Atlanta Airport Guide: What to Know Before You Fly (3)

ATL Airlines

Domestic airlines servicing the airport include Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Boutique Air, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, which claims the airport as a major hub. International airlines serving ATL include Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.

Atlanta Airport Parking and Ground Transportation

There are several parking lots at the Atlanta airport, with rates per day ranging from $10 for park and ride to $36 for hourly lots. You can find the current status of the parking lots and see which have availability on the ATL website. There are several off-site, privately owned airport parking providers, too, for those who don't mind parking a bit farther away — a full list is available on the airport's website.

If you're not driving, taxis, Uber, and Lyft can take you to or from the airport, or you can opt for a shared ride shuttle. ATL Airport Shuttle, Airport Perimeter Connection, Atlanta Hotels Connection, Galleria Direct, Inc., Greater Atlanta Shuttle, Inc., North Express Airport Shuttle, and Train Xpress offer transportation to and from Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead. There are also shuttle services for nearby counties and states within the region.

You can also take MARTA (the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) to the airport's domestic terminal via the Red and Gold lines. If you're departing from the international terminal, you can either check in from the domestic terminal (if your airline allows), or take the free shuttle to the international terminal. You can also take a Greyhound to the airport from some cities.

The Rental Car Center, which has several car rental companies, is connected to the airport via SkyTrain. The SkyTrain also links a parking deck, the Georgia International Convention Center, Gateway Center Arena, and several airport gateway hotels.

Atlanta Airport Hotels

There are 30 Atlanta airport hotels, including the Atlanta Airport Marriott, The Westin Atlanta Airport, Kimpton Overland Hotel, and more. Many of these hotels also offer complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.

Atlanta Airport Guide: What to Know Before You Fly (2025)

FAQs

How long does it take to get through security at ATL? ›

Busiest Days/Times: Mondays before 9:00 AM and Fridays 3:00-5:00 pm. TSA screening times vary, depending on departure times. Mid-day; they range from 20-30 minutes, but you can do a same-day check of screening line times at: http://www.atlanta-airport.com/Passenger/Waittimes/Default.aspx.

How early should I arrive for a flight at Atlanta airport? ›

Passengers should plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to scheduled domestic departures and three hours prior to international departures. Wait times at the screening checkpoint vary throughout the day.

What are the rules for bags at Atlanta airport? ›

No liquids, gels and/or aerosols are permitted EXCEPT for those in one transparent quart-sized bag. These items are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. The bag must be completely closed/sealed and subjected to X-ray inspection separate from other carry-on baggage.

Is it difficult to navigate Atlanta airport? ›

Overall, ATL's functional layout and clear signage mean it's a relatively easy airport to navigate. As long as you're aware of which terminal you're departing from or that you have the ability to pass through the alternative terminal, navigating ATL can be a breeze.

Can you take food through TSA? ›

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.

What time do I need to be at the airport if I have checked in online? ›

If you check in online in advance and don't have to check any luggage, you can be at the airport t 90 minutes for domestic flights. In general, most airlines recommend being at the airport at least two hours before departure.

What time should I get to the airport for a 6 am flight? ›

Within the U.S. and in many other countries, most airlines recommend passengers arrive at the airport two hours before a domestic flight. This accounts for everything from check-in and baggage drop to security lines and boarding cutoff times.

How early can you check bags for a flight Delta? ›

Bags may be added to your reservation at the time of check-in. However, checked bags will not be accepted at the airport more than 6 hours prior to scheduled departure time.

How early can you check a bag for a flight? ›

The earliest you can check your bags vary based on the airline and airport policies. But in general, the earliest time you can check your bags is 2-4 hours before flight time. Some may allow up to 6 hours, but most international flights won't accept check-in earlier than that.

Do I have to empty my purse at airport security? ›

In Standard Screening Lane

Ensure pockets are empty (keys, tissues, currency, wallets, cell phones, etc.) and remove bulky jewelry (valuable items can be placed in carry-on). Remove your shoes and place them directly on the X-ray belt.

Can I bring a backpack and a purse to the airport? ›

Most airlines allow passengers to bring on both a carry-on and a personal item like a backpack, laptop bag, purse, briefcase, shopping bag, etc. The general rule of thumb is that your personal item is smaller in dimension than your carry-on bag and it can fit underneath the seat in front of you.

What do you need to take out of your bag at airport security? ›

Whilst you're queueing, it's also worth making sure you know what you need to remove from your bag, including small liquids bags and large electrical items such as laptops, and where those items are packed. Remember to check your trouser, skirt or shirt pockets and put any items into your bag or tray.

How long does it take to get through Atlanta airport security? ›

It's important to note that wait times at security checkpoints can fluctuate depending on the volume of travelers. It is strongly suggested that passengers arrive at Hartsfield International Airport at least 3 hours before departure time for a smooth pre-check process.

How to get through Atlanta airport quickly? ›

Utilize the Plane Train

ATL's Plane Train, an automated people mover, is a lifesaver. It quickly shuttles passengers between the terminals, making it easy to get around. The trains run every two minutes, so you won't have to wait long.

Can I get through Atlanta airport in an hour? ›

Less than 60 minutes is always risky. Everything in your flight should go flawless for it to be enough but that's rarely the case. It depends a lot on the airline you're flying and also the airports you're flying to/from. If it's an international flight then give yourself at least 2 hours (and that's already tight).

How long does it take to check in at Atlanta airport? ›

Exceptions Minimum Check-In Times by Airport
AIRPORTDOMESTIC WITH CHECKED BAGSDOMESTIC W/OUT CHECKED BAGS
Atlanta, GA (ATL)45 minutes30 minutes
Aspen, CO (ASE)45 minutes45 minutes
Austin, TX (AUS)45 minutes30 minutes
Baltimore, MD (BWI)45 minutes30 minutes
46 more rows

How long does it usually take to get through airport security? ›

Travelers should allow about 20 minutes to clear security during non-peak times and 45 minutes during peak times. Certain items are not allowed beyond security checkpoints or on an aircraft.

How long does it take to get through security slc? ›

Current Average TSA Wait Time at SLC

Please expect to wait up to at least (6 mins) on average to go through secuirity checkpoints at SLC.

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