Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport

Phone : 404-209-1700
Address: 6000 North Terminal Pkwy. Website: www.atlanta-airport.com
Airport Code: ATL
Distance from Downtown Atlanta: 10 miles
Total Airport Area: 4,700 acres
Airline Hubs: Delta Airlines and Southwest
Public Transportation: MARTA

The airport was founded in 1925 after Mayor Walter Sims signed a 5-year, rent-free lease on 287 acres that once held the Atlanta Speedway. The airport was originally named Candler Field for the Coca-Cola Magnate.

Though there were a few flights delivering mail to the airport, Pitcairn Aviation started regular air service in 1928. They later became known as Eastern Airlines. The largest hubs at the Atlanta airport are currently Delta and Southwest.

Take your pick of airlines flying to the Atlanta airport. The variety of options usually means competitive prices and airfare deals.

American Airlines - 800-433-7300
Alaska Airlines - 800-252-7522
Continental Airlines - 800-523-3273
Delta Air Lines - 800-221-1212
Frontier Air Lines - 800-432-1359
GeorgiaSkies - 877-849-4997
Silver Airways - 800-499-7450
Southwest Airlines - 800- 435-9792
Spirit Airlines - 800-772-7117
United Airlines -800-864-8331
US Airways - 800-428-4322
AeroMexico Airlines - 800-237-6639
Air Canada - 888-247-2262
Air France - 800-237-2747
British Airways - 800-247-9297
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines - 800-447-4747
Korean Air - 800-438-5000
Lufthansa German Airlines - 800-645-3880

Casual travelers are sometimes overwhelmed at the site of the airport's "Plane Train" system at the Atlanta airport. The indoor train is easy and straight-forward to use once you know how to get around.

After exiting your plane, follow the baggage claim signs whether you checked your baggage or not. Make your way down the escalator and look for the electronic signs indicating when the next train arrives. Stay on the train until you reach baggage claim and ground transportation.

Travelers can also walk from one terminal to the next on automated walkways, but be prepared for a long hike. If you're up for the walk, enjoy the airport Art Program with commissioned works, rotating exhibits and arts series.

Concourse T at the Atlanta airport has its own baggage claim and does not require getting on the train. If you collect baggage at Concourse T, follow the signs to the airport exit. Travelers needing a taxi or MARTA in Atlanta are advised to follow the signs upstairs to ground transportation. Otherwise, you may exit at the lower level to the parking garage or to meet your ride.

The Atlanta airport offers wheelchair service to disabled travelers. Contact the airlines directly to reserve and coordinate wheelchair assistance for both departure and arrival.

Atlanta's car culture makes renting a car for your next vacation the easiest way to get to and from the airport. Rent a car from the airport's central rental car facility. Ask the rental car company for a map of the area, or download driving directions to the Atlanta airport for your return trip.

Atlanta Airport Rental Car Companies
Advantage Rent A Car - 800-777-5500
Airport Rent a Car of Atlanta - 800-905-4997
Alamo - 800-227-7368
Avis- 404-530-2725
Budget Car Rental - 404-530-3000
Dollar Rent A Car - 866-434-2226
Enterprise - 404-763-5220
EZ Rent a Car - 800-277-5171
Hertz - 404-530-2925
National - 800-227-7368
Payless - 404-768-2401
Sixt Rent a Car Atlanta - 404-698-4787
Thrifty Car Rental - 770-996-2350

Atlanta also offers taxi service throughout the metro area. You may hire a cab at ground transportation at the airport, or call a taxi company to take you from your hotel to airport. Ask what the rate is before you go, and ensure you're hiring a driver from one of the 1,500 licensed taxi cabs in the city.

Atlanta's public transportation system, MARTA, takes travelers to and from the airport to various points throughout downtown and beyond. The current MARTA fare is $2.50 and takes approximately 20 minutes from the airport to downtown Atlanta and major attractions. Read more about Atlanta's public transportation system.

The ATL SkyTrain opened in 2009 and is located outside of the Atlanta airport's security checkpoints. Take the train from the central rental car facility to the airport in five minutes. The skytrain is also convenient for Atlanta business travelers staying at the Gateway Center of the Georgia International Convention Center.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport's "busiest in the world" reputation means plenty of nearby hotels catering to travelers. Area hotels usually offer free shuttle service to and from the airport, but call in advance to ensure any policy changes or reservations needed.

Find a list of 10 hotels near the Atlanta airport within just a few miles of your destination.

Courtyard Atlanta Airport North
3399 International Boulevard
Hapeville, GA 30354
404-559-1043

Hilton Atlanta Airport
1031 Virginia Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30354
404-767-9000

Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel
One Hartsfield Centre Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30354
404-209-9999

Residence Inn Atlanta Airport
3401 International Blvd.
Hapeville, GA 30354
404-761-0511

Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport North
3415 Norman Berry Dr.
East Point, GA 30344
404-768-8484

The Atlanta airport is roughly 15 minutes from downtown Atlanta and neighboring hotels. Airport hotels often offer deeper discounts, but can get pricey during business conventions and during festival season in the city. Look for the best hotel deals in Atlanta before you go.