Frequently Asked Questions about Atlanta Airport (ATL)

Via MARTA trains. The station is inside the Domestic Terminal, between the north and south baggage claim areas. The Red and Gold Lines take you downtown in about 15-20 minutes for $2.50. As of March 2026, you can pay directly with your bank card or mobile wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay) by tapping the fare gate — no need to buy any special card. The old silver Breeze cards no longer work. It's the fastest and most economical option, although travelers note that cleanliness and safety can be an issue during nighttime hours. SEE MORE.

At the Domestic Terminal, pickup is at the North Economy Parking Lot. Take the escalators near doors N2 and N3 and follow the orange signs. The walk from baggage claim can take 10-15 minutes. At the International Terminal it's simpler: the outer curb of the arrivals level, doors A1 and A2. Only request your car when you have physically arrived at the designated area to avoid cancellations. If you've just returned a rental car at the RCC, rideshare is not available there — you must return to the airport via SkyTrain first. MORE INFORMATION.

To move between boarding gates post-security, use the Plane Train — underground, free, frequent (~2 min), and covers Concourses T, A, B, C, D, E, and F. To get to the Rental Car Center and Gateway Center hotels, use the free SkyTrain from the Domestic Terminal (~5 min). To move between the Domestic and International Terminals without going through security, there is a free external shuttle (12-15 min trip, with variable wait times). Between 1am and 5am, the Plane Train operates in reduced mode; the only full closure is Wednesdays at 1am for maintenance. MORE INFORMATION.

Yes, the Park and Wait Lot (at 1920 Autoport Drive) is a free lot where you can wait in your car until the passenger you're picking up lets you know they're coming out to the curb. Vehicles cannot be left unattended. For long stays, private off-site parking (from $7.95/day with free shuttle) is the most recommended alternative by frequent travelers compared to official lots, which start at $15/day and are frequently full. MORE INFORMATION.

By taking the SkyTrain from the Domestic Terminal. It's a free elevated train that operates 24/7 and takes you directly to the Rental Car Center in about 5 minutes. Remember that Uber and Lyft do not have pickup availability at the RCC — if you need a rideshare after returning a car, return to the airport via SkyTrain and head to the North Economy Parking Lot. MORE INFORMATION.

Yes, in case of disruptions the airport activates a bus service to connect the concourses. However, this service is considerably slower. You can also use the pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways that runs parallel to the Plane Train, covering Concourses T through E. Check with the green-vested volunteers about the service status — they are the most reliable resource for orienting you during service disruptions.

The real recommended minimum is 3 hours, and during peak season or delayed flights, more margin is advisable. The process involves: landing at Concourse F (International Terminal) → going through Immigration (CBP) → picking up baggage → going through Customs → re-checking baggage at the recheck counters → taking the external shuttle to the Domestic Terminal (12-15 min + wait) → going through TSA security again → taking the Plane Train to your next concourse → reaching your gate. Each of these steps can have a line. If you have less than 3 hours of connection time when booking your ticket, the risk of missing your domestic flight is real. MORE INFORMATION ON ARRIVALS.

For domestic connections within the same airline (especially Delta), 45-60 minutes can be sufficient thanks to the Plane Train, which connects all concourses in under 10 minutes. However, if the connection involves changing airlines, going through security again, or your flight arrives late, the recommended minimum increases to 90 minutes. For flights with gates at opposite ends of the airport (e.g., from Concourse T to E), add 15-20 minutes of walking from the Plane Train station to the gate. During peak season or events in Atlanta, always add extra margin. MORE INFORMATION.

It depends on the type of connection. Domestic connection with the same airline or alliance: baggage is automatically transferred to your final destination — you don't have to do anything. International-to-domestic connection: you must pick up your baggage at Customs (Concourse F), go through CBP control, and then re-check it at the recheck counters located just outside Customs — even if your domestic flight is with the same airline. This process is one of the factors that makes an intl-domestic connection require a minimum of 3 hours. If you have questions about your specific itinerary, check with your airline before traveling.

Requirements depend on your country of origin, but generally you need: a valid passport (with at least 6 months of validity from the date of entry), a US visa or ESTA authorization if you're from a Visa Waiver Program country, and the Customs declaration form (CBP Form 6059B, handed out on the flight). Citizens of ESTA-eligible countries must apply online before traveling at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. If you have Global Entry, you can use the automated kiosks at Immigration to speed up the process. CBP staff at ATL receive frequent criticism for their attitude — have all your documents organized and answer concisely to expedite the process. MORE INFORMATION ON ARRIVALS.

First, activate your airline's mobile notifications — they usually notify before the airport screens. If the flight is canceled, you have three simultaneous options to rebook as quickly as possible: call your airline's helpline, use the app (generally faster than the counter line), or go to the in-person counter at the concourse. For Delta at ATL, counter agents have more authority to solve problems than at other airports since it's their main hub. If the cancellation is the airline's responsibility (not weather-related), you are entitled to rebooking on the next available flight and, in some cases, meals and accommodation according to the company's policy. For weather-related cancellations, check your airline's policy — rights vary. SEE AIRLINES.

Yes. As of May 2025, REAL ID is mandatory for domestic flights in the US. Your driver's license must have a star at the top to be valid at TSA checkpoints. If it doesn't, you need a passport or another federally accepted document. Verify your documentation the night before traveling — discovering the problem at the airport has no quick solution. A passport is always a valid alternative if you have doubts about your license. MORE INFORMATION ON DEPARTURES.

Signing up for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR can help significantly, but at ATL it's not a guarantee of speed — during peak hours these lines also get congested. Check real-time wait times at atl.com/times/ or on the MyTSA app before leaving home. If you have special needs, call TSA Cares (1-855-787-2227) at least 72 hours before your flight. The safest recommendation at ATL is always to arrive with more time than you think you'll need, especially during peak hours (5-9am and 4-7pm) and on high-demand days.

If you lost something in the terminal or at security, report it to the lost and found office managed by AATC (ticketing level, North Terminal, position #55). Items are kept for 15 days. Contact: [email protected] or aatc.org/lost-found. For items lost at TSA checkpoints, the period is 30 days — contact 404-530-9758. For checked baggage, contact your airline directly before leaving the airport and request a reference number for tracking.

No, the airport does not offer a passenger locating service. You must coordinate a meeting point in advance. In case of emergency, the airport's general line is +1 404 530 7300. The public arrivals area (after the baggage claim exits) is the official meeting point for those waiting for arriving passengers.

Yes, the airport offers free, high-quality Wi-Fi in all areas including the underground tunnel. Connect to the "ATL Free Wi-Fi" network. It's one of the most highly rated services by travelers — fast and reliable during the day, although it may slow down during peak congestion. MORE INFORMATION.

Very few. Most restaurants close between 9 and 10pm. The options with extended or 24-hour hours are: Century Bar & Bites, Einstein Brothers Bagels, Grindhouse Burgers, and Wolfgang Puck Express in Concourse D; Buffalo Wild Wings in Concourse B; and McDonald's and Old Fourth Distillery in Concourse E. The Starbucks in the NE Atrium of the Domestic Terminal also operates 24 hours. If you're traveling at night, it's highly recommended to bring your own snacks. SEE MORE.

The currency exchange operator at ATL is ICE Currency Exchange, with locations in Concourses E (gates E11 and E27, 24 hours) and F (gate F6, 24 hours). However, traveler reviews are unanimously negative: the rates applied can result in losses of up to 25% of the real value, with additional fees not always well disclosed. The recommendation is to avoid currency exchange at the airport whenever possible. Alternatives: use an international bank card directly, withdraw cash from bank network ATMs inside the airport (Truist in the Domestic Terminal, Monday-Friday 9am-3pm), or exchange at your bank before traveling. If there's no other option, exchange only the minimum necessary. MORE INFORMATION.

Not for everyone. Access depends on memberships (such as Priority Pass or Capital One Venture X), premium credit cards (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve), or Business or First Class tickets. The Club at ATL (Concourse F) and Escape Lounge (Concourse A) accept Priority Pass, although the former can have waitlists of up to 2 hours during high demand. The highest-rated lounge is the Centurion Lounge (Concourse E, access with Amex Platinum) and the largest is the new Delta Sky Club D (500+ seats). All lounges at ATL — without exception — receive complaints of overcrowding during peak hours. SEE MORE.

At InMotion Entertainment stores, located in several concourses, they usually offer SIM cards for travelers. However, prices are considerably higher than regular retail and customer service receives frequent criticism. The best option, if your phone is compatible, is to purchase an eSIM before traveling — high-speed international data available in seconds without the need for a physical card. If you're traveling from Atlanta to another country, you can see other destinations here.

Request assistance from your airline at least 48 hours in advance and confirm the request multiple times before traveling and again upon arrival at the counter. The wheelchair service at ATL is the lowest rated of all airport services — assistance frequently doesn't show up or arrives very late. For nighttime assistance (9pm-5am), contact the operating companies directly: Prime Flight (Air Canada, Alaska, American, Contour, Spirit, Turkish) at 404-530-7049; Prospect (JetBlue, Southwest, United) at 404-209-0503. For security screening, use TSA Cares (1-855-787-2227) at least 72 hours in advance. MORE INFORMATION.

Yes. The airport has Mamava pods (private nursing rooms) in all concourses: T3, T13, A10, A34, B2, B25, C Centerpoint, D Centerpoint, E Centerpoint, F5, and F Arrival. There is also a multisensory room for passengers with autism in Concourse F — highly praised by families. To access it, obtain the code before going through security at any Delta check-in counter. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program (sunflower lanyard for non-visible disabilities) is also available at information counters without requiring medical documentation. MORE INFORMATION.

There are designated areas within each concourse, near gates T7, A10, B33, C17, E15, F7 and at D Centerpoint. There is also a 1,000-square-foot outdoor park at the Ground Transportation Center, Domestic Terminal South (doors W1 and W2), with biodegradable bags and benches. These facilities are consistently praised for their cleanliness. MORE INFORMATION.

Inconsistency and bad attitude. It's the most reported problem across all areas: from airline counters and TSA to restaurants and shops. You can find incredibly friendly staff or extremely rude ones in the same concourse on the same day. The recommendation is to be self-sufficient and look for the green-vested volunteers for reliable help — they are the only human resource valued almost universally in ATL reviews. SEE MORE.

It's one of the most universal and documented frustrations at ATL. Although there are thousands of outlets and USB ports distributed throughout the concourses, a very high percentage of them are broken or out of service. Don't rely on finding a functional one and always bring a fully charged portable battery (power bank). It's the most repeated advice by frequent ATL travelers. SEE MORE.

Reviews agree on three positive surprises: the efficiency of the Plane Train (which allows you to travel across the entire airport in minutes), the culinary quality of some restaurants (especially One Flew South in Concourse E and Varasano's Pizzeria with live piano in Concourse A — far above the airport standard), and the art installation in the tunnel between Concourses A and B ("Flight Paths"), which many travelers describe as an unexpected and pleasant experience. The fast free Wi-Fi also frequently appears as a pleasant surprise compared to other US airports.