Jazmin Li
When to arrive at the airport is a divisive topic, with travellers falling into two camps: those who arrive early and those who arrive close to their flight departure time. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends arriving at the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. However, if you are travelling from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, which is the world's busiest airport, you may want to consider arriving earlier, especially if you have a bag to check in or if you are travelling during peak season. Atlanta Airport has 170 cafes, bars and restaurants, so you won't be short of options to kill time before your flight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recommended arrival time for domestic flights | 2 hours before departure |
| Recommended arrival time for international flights | 2-3 hours before departure |
| Peak travel time | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Peak travel days | Weekends, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Spring Break, and Summer |
| Transport | MARTA train and bus services |
| Parking | Short and long-term parking options available |
| Terminals | 2 (domestic and international) |
| Gates | 192 |
| Concourses | 7 (T, A, B, C, D, E, and F) |
| Transportation between concourses | Transportation Mall (pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways) or Plane Train |
| Transportation between terminals | Plane Train or shuttle bus |
| Website | atl.com |
| Phone number | 800-897-1910 |
| Number of cafes, bars, and restaurants | 170 |
| Wi-Fi | Free and unlimited |
| Charging stations | Available at each gate |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Peak travel times at the airport
Atlanta Airport is the world's busiest airport, so it's important to be aware of peak travel times to ensure you don't get delayed. The general advice is to arrive at the airport three hours before your flight, especially if you are travelling during the busiest hours. The peak crowd hours at Atlanta Airport are between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. so it is recommended to avoid travelling during these times if possible.
During the holiday season, the TSA will be extra vigilant, scanning presents and unwrapping any that set off alarms. This can cause delays, so it's worth bearing in mind if you're travelling at this time of year. It's also important to be aware of prohibited items, as these can slow down security lines for all travellers.
If you're making a connection at Atlanta Airport, it's a good idea to research in advance which terminal you'll be arriving at and departing from. The airport offers various transportation options to navigate between terminals, including the Plane Train, SkyTrain, and Shuttle Bus Connector. The Plane Train is located on Level 0 and runs a 3-mile loop between the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal, stopping at all concourses. It operates 24 hours a day and departs every 2 minutes, making it a quick and efficient way to transfer between gates. The SkyTrain provides complimentary transportation between the Domestic Terminal and the Rental Car Center, with a 3-minute waiting time and a 10-minute round trip. The Shuttle Bus also connects the International Terminal to the Rental Car Center and operates approximately every 15 minutes. However, users have reported long wait times for the shuttle, especially during peak hours, so it may not be the best option if you're in a hurry.
Overall, to ensure a smooth journey through Atlanta Airport, it's advisable to arrive early, avoid peak crowd hours, be mindful of security procedures and allow enough time for connections by utilising the efficient transportation options available.
Bras for Air Travel: Comfy, Secure, and Airport-Friendly
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Transport to the airport
When to arrive at the airport depends on whether you are taking a domestic or international flight. The TSA recommends arriving at the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Airlines such as United and American also recommend arriving two to three hours before your flight. However, if you only have carry-on luggage and have TSA PreCheck or Clear, you may be able to afford a more relaxed arrival time.
There are numerous transport options available to travellers heading to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The airport is serviced by taxis, shuttles, limousines, Uber, buses, trains, and rental cars.
Limousines
More than 200 companies provide limousine services to and from the airport. Many companies offer stretch limousines and executive car services. All limousine services must be arranged in advance, and the pickup process should be explained when you make your reservation.
Ridesharing
Currently, Uber and Lyft are the only ridesharing companies authorised to pick up travellers from the airport.
Shuttles
Shared shuttle services are available to and from Downtown, Midtown, and Buckhead. Shuttles depart from ATL Airport stalls 3 through 10 every 15 minutes. Low-cost shared-ride shuttles also operate every 15-30 minutes from the Ground Transportation Center to cities in Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties.
Public Transport
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) operates Atlanta's local public transportation system. The SkyTrain connects to the West Parking Deck, GICC, Gateway Center Arena, and several hotels. The International Terminal Shuttle runs between the International Terminal and the Rental Car Center every 15 minutes.
How to Identify Your Airport Extreme Model
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Domestic and international terminal differences
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has two terminals: the Domestic Terminal and the International Terminal. The Domestic Terminal is further divided into Domestic Terminal South and Domestic Terminal North, with an atrium separating the two. Delta Air Lines operates from the Domestic Terminal South, while other domestic airlines like Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue Airways operate from the Domestic Terminal North. The International Terminal has its own separate entrance accessible from Interstate 75 at Exit 239.
Passengers can easily navigate between the Domestic and International Terminals at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport using various transportation options, both pre-security and post-security. The Plane Train, located on Level 0, is a popular option for travelling between the two terminals post-security. It is an automated subway train that runs a 3-mile loop between the Domestic Terminal (baggage claim area) and the International Terminal (Concourse F), stopping at Concourses T, A, B, C, D, and E. The Plane Train operates 24 hours a day and provides easy access to different areas of the airport.
Additionally, passengers can use the presecurity shuttle service to travel between the Domestic and International Terminals without passing through security. The shuttle journey takes approximately 12 minutes, and passengers can pick it up from the arrivals level outside doors A1 and A2 at the International Terminal. However, some reviews mention long wait times for the shuttle, especially during peak hours.
For those arriving from the MARTA station or other entry points on the western side of the Domestic Terminal, specific exit points (W1 or W2) must be used to access the shuttle bus to the International Terminal. The SkyTrain is another option that provides a direct connection between the Domestic Terminal and the Rental Car Center, operating with a 3-minute waiting time and a 10-minute round trip. It is important to note that the SkyTrain does not serve the International Terminal, and passengers travelling to or from the International Terminal may need to use the shuttle bus or Plane Train in conjunction with the SkyTrain.
Villa Dubrovnik's Airport Transfer Service: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Check-in and baggage drop
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is located just 10 miles from downtown Atlanta and is accessible by train, bus, car, and even has a variety of parking options. The airport operates from two terminals: the domestic terminal on the west side and the international terminal on the east side.
When checking in and dropping off baggage, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is recommended to arrive at the airport two to three hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight to account for any potential delays. These delays could include traffic, long lines to check bags, packed security lanes, and more.
If you are travelling during peak season, it is advisable to add some extra time to your arrival. Peak travel times typically include holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, spring break, summer, and weekends. Having extra luggage can also add time to the check-in process, especially if you need to pay for extra or overweight bags.
Passengers travelling internationally can check in at the international terminal, and some airlines may allow check-in at either terminal, so be sure to confirm with your airline. The upper level of the international terminal has ticketing desks, a food market, a café, and access to security checkpoints.
If you are travelling with only carry-on luggage and have TSA PreCheck or Clear, you may be able to arrive closer to your departure time. However, it is always advisable to give yourself a buffer to account for any unexpected delays.
The Atlanta airport offers a range of amenities to make your wait more comfortable, including approximately 170 cafes, bars, and restaurants, as well as free Wi-Fi access throughout the airport.
Connecticut's Airport: Does It Exist?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Airport amenities
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the world's busiest airports, with tens of millions of passengers travelling through its terminals each year. The airport is expansive, covering more than 150 acres and containing a total of 192 gates. With so many passengers and such a large space to navigate, it's recommended that travellers arrive at the airport two to three hours before their flight to ensure they have enough time to get through check-in and security lines, especially when travelling internationally.
Lounges
The airport has several lounges, including The Club at ATL in Concourse F, which offers premium food, snacks, showers, Wi-Fi, drinks, newspapers, magazines, and TV. The Centurion Lounge in Concourse E offers similar amenities and is open from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. Delta Air Lines also operates several lounges, including the Delta Sky Club at Gate A17 in Concourse A, which is open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, and another at Gate B18 in Concourse B. These lounges offer snacks, Wi-Fi, drinks, newspapers, magazines, TV, and in some cases, printers and copiers.
Wi-Fi and Charging
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport, and while there are mobile charging points, these can be hard to find depending on which concourse you are in.
Food and Shopping
The airport offers decent shopping and dining options, although none are open 24/7. There are also duty-free stores available.
Sleep Spots
For those looking for a comfortable place to sleep, Concourse E and F, and the International Terminal have comfortable loveseats and chairs that can be pushed together to make a pseudo-bed. The PlaneTrain level between Concourses A and B also offers a carpeted area for sprawling out. Additionally, there is a micro-hotel inside the terminal on the airside that offers both short-term and overnight rates.
Transportation and Hotels
The ATL SkyTrain provides easy access to several hotels, including the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway, Springhill Suites Atlanta Airport Gateway, and Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel, all located just 2-3 minutes from the airport. The airport also has several parking lots, with rates ranging from $14 per day for park-and-ride options to $36 for hourly lots.
Christchurch Airport: What's the Deal with Lockers?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you arrive at the airport two to three hours before an international flight.
It is recommended that you arrive at the airport two hours before a domestic flight.
Peak travel time at Atlanta Airport is usually around 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and weekends are considered peak travel times as well.
Atlanta Airport is conveniently connected by MARTA train and bus services and has a variety of short and long-term parking options.
Atlanta Airport has approximately 170 cafes, bars, and restaurants, as well as free Wi-Fi access and charging stations at each gate.
