Owais Crawford
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, located 10 miles from downtown Atlanta, is the busiest airport in the world, serving over 93 million passengers in 2022. The airport boasts an impressive array of transportation options for travellers, including an elevated train system known as the ATL SkyTrain and an underground train system called The Plane Train. The Plane Train, operated by Alstom, connects all terminals and concourses within the airport, running 24/7 with departures every 2 minutes. On the other hand, the ATL SkyTrain provides a complimentary service connecting the Domestic Terminal with the Rental Car Centre and the Georgia International Convention Centre. With such efficient and accessible transportation options, navigating the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is made significantly easier for travellers from all around the globe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport |
| Tram Name | ATL SkyTrain |
| Tram Type | Elevated Train |
| Location | Outside the Domestic Terminals |
| Frequency | Every 2 minutes (every 10 minutes between 11:00 pm and 4:00 am) |
| Route | Domestic Terminals, Gateway Center, and Rental Car Center |
| Cost | Free |
| Stops | 3 (Airport, Gateway Center, and Rental Car Center) |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible |
What You'll Learn
The Plane Train
Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport features an automated people mover system known as The Plane Train. The system, built by Westinghouse Electric Corporation and currently operated and maintained by Alstom, is the world's most heavily travelled airport people mover, carrying over 200,000 passengers per day. The Plane Train operates within the secure area of the airport, connecting the two landside terminals with its seven airside concourses.
The audio and visual announcements on the Plane Train have evolved over the years, with the current announcements provided by voice actress Sharon Feingold. The announcements are available in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese. The displays provide information about dining and shopping options within the concourses, as well as system information and arrival times.
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ATL Skytrain
The ATL Skytrain is an elevated train service that operates at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The Skytrain runs from the domestic baggage claim area of the airport to the Gateway Center and the Rental Car Center (RCC) free of charge, with no ticket or pass required. The train arrives every two minutes during the day and every ten minutes between 11:00 pm and 4:00 am. The Skytrain is accessible from both the North and South terminal baggage claims.
The Skytrain is particularly useful for those who are not collecting luggage, as it connects the airport with the Rental Car Center, which houses 12 rental car brands. The Skytrain also stops at the airport's MARTA station, which connects the airport to the rest of Greater Atlanta.
The Skytrain is one of two people mover systems at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the other being the Plane Train, which connects all of the airport's terminals and concourses.
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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
The Plane Train
The Plane Train is an automated people mover system that connects all terminals and concourses within the airport's Transportation Mall. It operates in two outer tunnels, with a pedestrian walkway in the middle tunnel. The system has eight stations, including one at each concourse and two in the Domestic Terminal. It runs 24/7, with departures every two minutes, making transfers quick and convenient for passengers.
The ATL SkyTrain
The ATL SkyTrain is a complimentary service that operates outside the secure area of the airport. It runs from the Domestic Terminal baggage claim area to the Gateway Center and the Rental Car Center (RCC). The SkyTrain arrives every two minutes and takes passengers on a swift five-minute loop. The SkyTrain provides easy access to nearby hotels, dining options, and the Airport Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Station, connecting the airport to the rest of Atlanta.
Other Ground Transportation Options
The airport provides a range of parking options for both the Domestic and International Terminals, including covered, uncovered, and designated parking for disabled passengers and EV charging. Shuttle bus services are also available for door-to-door transportation to metro Atlanta and the surrounding areas.
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The Airport Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Station
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has a dedicated station for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), which is the principal public transport operator in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The MARTA station is located right next to the doors leading to the ATL SkyTrain station at the baggage terminal. This makes it very convenient for passengers to transition from the airport to the city.
MARTA operates a network of bus routes linked to a rapid transit system consisting of 48 miles (77 km) of rail track with 38 subway stations. MARTA's rapid transit system is the eighth-largest in the United States by ridership. In 2023, the entire system had 64,306,800 rides, or about 204,200 per weekday in the third quarter of 2024.
MARTA's first bus rapid transit (BRT) line is currently under construction and is scheduled to be completed in 2025. The 5-mile line will run from downtown Atlanta, through Summerhill, and end at the Atlanta Beltline.
MARTA trains, buses, and paratransit vehicles provide more than 500,000 passenger trips within the city of Atlanta and Fulton and DeKalb counties every weekday. A single trip costs $2.50 and allows passengers to travel to popular Atlanta neighbourhoods for shopping, dining, and special events. MARTA also offers special service hours during major events, with trains running later or more frequently.
The MARTA system is safe and clean, with a strong police presence. The trains operate from approximately 4:45 am to 1:00 am on weekdays and 6:00 am to 1:00 am on weekends and most holidays. During certain events, such as New Year's Eve, the trains may run until 2:00 am.
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The Rental Car Center (RCC)
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport provides a Rental Car Center (RCC) that houses 12 rental car brands and vehicles, including Alamo, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Dollar, and Budget. The RCC is easily accessible from the airport via the ATL SkyTrain, an electric-powered automated people mover system. This free service operates 24/7, connecting the RCC to the main terminals. The SkyTrain arrives every 2-3 minutes and takes passengers on a swift 5-minute loop to the RCC.
To access the RCC from the Domestic Terminal, follow the signs to the SkyTrain station at the west end of the terminal. The SkyTrain station is located just outside the glass double doors from the domestic baggage claim area. The SkyTrain will then take you directly to the RCC.
If you are arriving at the International Terminal and have no checked luggage, you can take the inter-airport Plane Train to the Domestic Terminal and follow the directions for the SkyTrain as mentioned above. However, if you have checked luggage, you must exit the airport to access the SkyTrain. A complimentary shuttle is available outside the international terminal that will drop you off at the west end of the domestic terminal, near the SkyTrain entrance.
The RCC offers a seamless rental car experience with clear signage and staff to assist with pickup and return. It is recommended to arrive early, especially during peak travel times, and have your driver's license, credit card, and booking confirmation ready to streamline the process. When returning your rental car, follow the posted signs to your rental company's designated area and confirm your vehicle return time to avoid delays due to Atlanta's unpredictable traffic.
The RCC at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport provides a convenient and accessible location for travellers looking to rent a car, with a variety of options to suit different needs and budgets.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Atlanta Airport has a tram system called the ATL SkyTrain, which connects the Domestic Terminal with the Rental Car Center and the Georgia International Convention Center.
The ATL SkyTrain arrives every two minutes during the day and every 10 minutes between 11:00 pm and 4:00 am.
The ATL SkyTrain is free of charge and does not require a ticket or pass.
The SkyTrain can be accessed from the domestic baggage claim area of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Look for overhead signs directing you to the SkyTrain building just outside the glass double doors.
Yes, Atlanta Airport also has an underground train system called The Plane Train, which connects all concourses with the Domestic and International Terminals.
