Roberta Aguirre
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the world's busiest airport, transporting over 93 million passengers in 2022. The airport has a straightforward and functional layout that is easy to navigate. ATL provides multiple transportation options to help passengers get between terminals and concourses, including the Plane Train, the ATL Skytrain, the MARTA train, and shuttle services. The Plane Train is an automated people mover system that connects all terminals and concourses at ATL, with departures every 2 minutes. The ATL Skytrain provides complimentary transportation between the airport and the Gateway Center and the Rental Car Center. The MARTA train connects the airport to the rest of Greater Atlanta. Shuttle services are also available for transportation between terminals and to and from the airport.
What You'll Learn
The Plane Train
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the world's busiest airport, transporting over 93 million passengers in 2022. The airport is laid out a bit like a fishbone, with the Domestic Terminal as the head and the International Terminal as the tail. Connecting the two is an underground transportation system known as The Plane Train.
In addition to the Plane Train, passengers can also walk between the concourses on Level 0. This area, known as the Transportation Mall, features moving sidewalks and art exhibits. However, walking from Concourse A to F can take approximately 35 minutes, while the Plane Train takes just a few minutes.
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ATL Skytrain
The ATL Skytrain is an automated people mover (APM) at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). It is an elevated train that runs 24/7 between the domestic terminal and the rental car center, with a stop at the Gateway Center of the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC). The Skytrain is free of charge and easily accessible from the domestic baggage claim area of the airport. It arrives every two minutes and takes passengers on a swift five-minute loop.
The system was opened on December 8, 2009, to connect the airport's domestic terminal with the newly opened rental car center and Gateway Center. Unlike The Plane Train, which is underground inside the secure zone of the airport, the ATL SkyTrain is located outside the secure zone and crosses I-85. The Skytrain station at the terminal is located on the west end of the Domestic Terminal, adjacent to the MARTA Airport Station.
The Skytrain uses Mitsubishi Crystal Mover vehicles, with a capacity of 8 seated and 85 standing passengers per car. The vehicles are stored and maintained near the rental car center. The system operates with six two-car trains, with a top speed of 40 miles per hour.
The Skytrain provides easy access to the Gateway Center, where passengers can find the Georgia International Convention Center, the Gateway Center Arena, and a variety of hotels and dining options. It also connects to the Rental Car Center (RCC), making it convenient for passengers who need to rent or return a car.
The ATL Skytrain, along with The Plane Train, makes navigating Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport efficient and straightforward, even for passengers with mobility concerns or disabilities.
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MARTA public transport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the world's busiest airport, transporting over 93 million passengers in 2022. The airport has a straightforward and functional layout that is easy to navigate. It consists of two terminals: the Domestic Terminal (further divided into Domestic Terminal North and South) and the International Terminal. There are also seven concourses that are airside areas with shops, restaurants, and gates for flight departures.
The Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal are connected by the Plane Train, an automated people mover system. The Plane Train operates in the secure area of the airport, connecting the two landside terminals with its seven airside concourses. It runs 24/7 with departures every 2 minutes, making transfers quick and easy for passengers. The train operates within the airport's Transportation Mall, which consists of three underground tunnels running through the center of the airport. The trains use the two outer tunnels, while the middle tunnel contains a pedestrian walkway with moving sidewalks.
For passengers arriving at the International Terminal, the Plane Train cannot be used to access facilities outside the secure area, such as the car rental center or the MARTA station. Instead, they must take a lengthy ground transportation detour around the perimeter of the airport. However, departing international passengers entering the International Terminal may use the Plane Train to access Concourse E or the other concourses.
MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) provides public transportation in Atlanta and is easily accessible from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It offers train and bus services that are convenient, safe, and clean. A single trip on MARTA costs $2.50, and passengers can use the Breeze Card or the Breeze Mobile 2 app to pay for their fare. The trains depart frequently from the airport, located next to Baggage Claim, and deliver visitors to downtown Atlanta in 15-30 minutes. MARTA's rail stations and bus routes are conveniently located near most hotels in popular areas such as Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and Perimeter. It also provides transportation to Atlanta's conventions, sports events, concerts, and tourist destinations.
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Shared-ride shuttles
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers a variety of shared-ride shuttle services to its passengers. These shuttle services are a convenient and cost-effective way to travel to and from the airport, especially for solo travellers or those who want to avoid driving in Atlanta traffic.
Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead
Shared vans provide shuttle services to and from Atlanta's central business districts: Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead. These shuttles depart every 15 minutes from stands 1 through 8 in the Domestic Terminal, on the west end, and from outside the Arrivals level of the International Terminal, to the right of Gate A3. The fares for these shuttle services are USD 16.50, USD 18.50, and USD 30.00 per person, respectively.
Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties
There are also shared van services that serve the cities in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties. These shuttles depart approximately every 15 minutes and are known for their reliable and professional drivers. Most buses pick up passengers at the Green Bus corridor, located outside the ground transportation area between the north and south sectors of the Domestic Terminal.
Regional Shared-Ride Shuttles
Regional shared-ride shuttles provide transportation to areas outside the five metro Atlanta counties and states bordering Georgia. These shuttles depart every 30 minutes to an hour and are a great option for those travelling beyond the city. Services like Groome Transportation and EconoRides are known for their reliability and comfort.
Hotel Shuttle Services
Several hotels surrounding Atlanta Airport offer free shuttle services to and from the terminals. These shuttles are a convenient option, especially for late-night arrivals or travellers with heavy luggage. Most hotel shuttles can be boarded at the west curbside of the Domestic Terminal, between the north and south sectors, exiting through gates W1 or W2, or to the right of Gate A3 in the International Terminal.
Overall, the shared-ride shuttle services at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport provide a range of options for travellers, making it easy and affordable to get to and from the airport and surrounding areas.
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Hotel shuttles
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport offers a range of hotel shuttle services for arriving and departing passengers. The shuttle pick-up location for the Domestic Terminal is the Ground Transportation Center/West Curb area, which is located outside between the Domestic North and Domestic South Terminals and is accessible via the W-1 or W-2 door.
For the International Terminal, the shuttle pick-up location is to the right of the A3 door on the arrival level. It is important to note that hotel shuttle services to the International Terminal may be limited, so passengers are advised to confirm with their hotel if service is provided to this terminal.
- Atlanta Airport Marriott
- Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel
- Hilton Atlanta Airport
- Drury Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport
- Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport-North
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Airport
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Atlanta Airport North
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Atlanta Airport Gateway
- Sheraton Atlanta Airport Hotel
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Frequently asked questions
ATL airport has a variety of transport options available, including the Plane Train, the SkyTrain, the MARTA train, shared-ride shuttles, hotel shuttles, taxis, limousines, and rideshare services.
The Plane Train is an automated people mover system that connects all terminals and concourses at ATL airport. The system operates in two outer tunnels, with trains running bi-directionally, while the middle tunnel is a pedestrian pathway with moving walkways. The Plane Train runs 24/7 with departures every 2 minutes.
To access the SkyTrain from the Domestic Terminal, exit through the glass double-doors and look for overhead signs directing you to the SkyTrain building. If you're coming from the South terminal baggage claim, exit through the W2 doors, and from the North terminal baggage claim, exit through the W1 doors. For the International Terminal, exit the airport with your luggage and take the complimentary shuttle to the West end of the Domestic Terminal, where you'll find the SkyTrain entrance.
