Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Atlanta Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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The weirdest part of the night was when a random airport employee came up and threw a blanket at me. It hit me hard enough that it woke me up with a start. – djphob
ATL Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
What to Expect
Atlanta Airport (Code: ATL) is one of the world’s largest travel hubs. This massive and busy airport features two terminals—Domestic (North and South) and International (Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal)—connected by seven concourses (T, A, B, C, D, E, and F), all within a single operational complex. The airport is inter-connected by the underground Plane Train and a pedestrian tunnel with moving walkways.
The airport has a pleasant atrium and decent shopping and dining options, none of which are open 24/7. While unlimited free WiFi is available, mobile charging is said to be hard to find depending on which concourse you are using. For those looking for a little added comfort, there are first-class lounges – one of which has showers – that economy-class passengers can pay to access.
Sleeping in Atlanta Airport
The most comfortable places to sleep at Atlanta Airport seem to be located airside, in Concourses E and F, and the International Terminal. Here, there are comfortable loveseats and chairs that you can push together to make pseudo-beds. Expect a decent amount of seating, though the quality and style vary between the many concourses. For instance, some of Concourse B’s seats have armrests. Here are a few good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- The PlaneTrain level between Concourses A and B is a carpeted area for sprawling out. Grab a spot near the rainforest-themed art installation with ambient wildlife noise and dim lighting, which is quieter and more conducive to sleeping than much of the airport.
- Concourse D’s mezzanine level has chairs that travellers push together for makeshift beds.
- Concourse F’s mezzanine level, near the Club at ATL, is a quiet, private area with some sofas.
The terminals seem to tend to be bright, noisy and cold overnight. It’s best to come prepared with a sleep mask, noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs, and some warm layers. It’s also worth asking airport staff about blanket availability – a few sleepers have scored some in the past. Landside, there are reports of homeless people sleeping in the airport at night.
And if all of this doesn’t sound like an experience you would like to have (and you don’t mind paying for comfort and privacy), Minute Suites rents sleep cabins by the hour in Concourses B, E, and F. There is also a hotel inside the airport and several nearby hotels that provide shuttles. See Airport Hotels in the guide below for more information.
Read the latest traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Atlanta Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
TSA checkpoints typically open at 4:00 AM and close after the last flight (around 1:00 AM), with airline check-in and baggage drop varying by carrier (e.g., Delta opens at 4:00 AM). If you are in the public area (landside), you cannot get through to the secure area (airside) until the morning.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
Atlanta Airport sees more than its fair share of flight cancellations due to bad winter storms and summer hurricanes, which means they are more prepared than other airports. When mass cancellations happen at Atlanta Airport, staff may hand out blankets to stranded travellers, and airlines may set up temporary desks handing out water and other care items. Ask an airline or airport employee or use a courtesy phone to reach someone with access to this information. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels, Sleep Pods & Day Rooms
Quick Facts
- Nearest Hotel: Inside the Airport
- Sleep Cabins & Pods: Yes
- Day Rooms: Yes
- Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes
When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair gives you nightmares, there is good news for those looking to sleep at Atlanta Airport in comfort. If you are on a layover, you may not have to go through security as there is a micro-hotel inside the terminal on the airside that offers both short-term and overnight rates. Most nearby hotels are accessible by ATL SkyTrain or provide free airport shuttles.
Minute Suites – Four locations are available: Concourse B (near gate B16) • Concourse B (near gate 24) • Concourse E (Atrium, at top of escalators) • Concourse F (near Gate F6). Minute Suites provides private suites for travellers needing to relax, work, or sleep during a layover or flight delay. Each suite has a daybed that sleeps two, fresh pillows and blankets, smart TV, free Wi-Fi, and an Amazon Alexa to provide a sound-masking system. Here are the rates as of February 2025: US$ 65 per hour. US$ 215 (overnight – eight hours, after 9:00PM til midnight). Showers are $20 for 30 mins (added on to a minimum 1 hour stay) or $30 for 30 mins without a suite rental. Showers are available at the B24 and E locations only. Discounted rates for military/1st responder, crew, and more.
Hotels near the airport
- Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway – 2-minute ATL SkyTrain ride, 300m from terminal. » Check Rates
- Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel – 2-minute SkyTrain, 400m from the terminal. » Check Rates
- Comfort Inn Atlanta Airport » Check Rates
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Atlanta Airport North » Check Rates
- Drury Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport » Check Rates
- Hilton Atlanta Airport » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport-North, an IHG Hotel » Check Rates
- La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Atlanta Airport North » Check Rates
- Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel » Check Rates
- Sonesta Atlanta Airport South » Check Rates
- Springhill Suites Atlanta Airport Gateway – Access via a free 2-minute ride on the ATL SkyTrain. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near Atlanta Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
- The Club at ATL – Location: Airside, International Terminal, Mezzanine Level, Concourse F. This lounge is available to all travellers no matter what class of service or airline. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- American Airlines Admirals Club – Location: Concourse T, across from gate T11. Lounge Access: Pay at the door with proof of American Airlines ticket • Lounge membership programs.
- United Club – Location: Airside, Concourse T, between Gates T11 and &12. Lounge Access: Pay at the door with proof of United Airlines ticket • United Club Membership.
Airline Lounges
- Delta Sky Club – Multiple Locations – (2) Concourse A, (1) Concourse B, (1) Concourse C, (2) Concourse D, (1) Concourse E, (1) Concourse F, (1) Concourse T.
Military Lounge
- USO Lounge – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: 3rd floor of the airport atrium, between North and South Baggage Claim areas.
Related Pages: Atlanta Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
Free water bottle refill stations are available airside across all concourses, including near Gates A10, B24, C37, D5, E14, and F8, plus restrooms landside in the Domestic Terminal Atrium and International Terminal Arrivals.
Food & Drinks
Food concessions throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. The Central Atrium offers extensive dining options across concourses. The only 24-hour food concession available seems to be a Starbucks located in the Domestic Terminal, Landside. Hopefully, better options will open in the future. Travellers will also find vending machines scattered throughout the concourses.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Lockers are not available. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.
Mobile Charging
Charging stations and outlets are widely available across all concourses at ATL, though density varies. Notable spots include charging tables near Gates A19, B24, C37, D11, E14, and F6, plus power poles in Concourse T.
Showers
Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Locations: inside the Club at ATL and Minute Suites. See Airport Hotels and Airport Lounges.
WiFi / Internet
Free unlimited WiFi is available Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Connect to the “ATL Free WiFi” network. The signal strength can vary by concourse.
Security & Safety
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at Atlanta Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s essential to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Please don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who awoke without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay sharp, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
More Airport Information
[ click here to update any of the information listed below ]
Airport Art Program – The airport offers rotating exhibits of paintings, photographs and sculptures in addition to the permanent art on display. For its music series, musicians perform concerts in the Atrium.
Baggage Carts – Need a hand with your luggage? Baggage carts (Smarte Carte) used to be available for a fee in the following locations: Atrium NE • Atrium SW • T North Terminal • T South Terminal.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-Free Americas offers duty-free shopping in Concourse F.
Family Services
- Baby Care Facilities – The airport has opened private nursing room pods for mothers to breastfeed. The pods include a small bench, a changing table and electrical outlets. Alternatively, Mothers can reserve a 30-minute stay in a
Minute Suites location to nurse their child or pump at no cost. Their suites are cleaned after every guest and are engineered to be a quiet and restful place to retreat away from the airport terminals. Locations: Concourse B16, Concourse B24, Concourse E Atrium at top of escalator, and
Concourse F near Gate F6. - Children’s Play Area – Information not available.
Information Desk – Have any questions? An Information Desk used to be available in the Atrium NW. Hours: 24 hours.
Medical Services – Defibrillators are available throughout the airport, and you can always seek assistance from airport staff.
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside.
- Currency Exchange – Travelex used to offer foreign currency services at several locations in the airport.
Pet Relief Areas – Travelling with a four-legged companion? The airport has pet relief areas on every concourse. The public area has a pet relief area in the International Terminal arrivals area and a 1,000 sq. ft. dog park in the Domestic Terminal South Ground Transportation area, outside doors W1 and W2. An extra pet relief area can be found on the arrivals level of the International Terminal, outside door A1.
Prayer – ATL airport has prayer rooms and an interfaith chapel with Catholic, Christian and Muslim services. Locations: Domestic Terminal Chapel, Atrium, Landside, 3rd Floor • Concourse E Chapel, Airside, behind Martin Luther King Jr. Exhibit • Concourse F Chapel, Airside, International Atrium, 2nd Floor. Hours: 24 hours.
SIM Cards – A reader, Karen P, says, “The InMotion stores landside (Atrium) and airside have SIM cards intermittently. The cheapest one was $60 for 12 GB last I checked. Make sure they don’t charge your card until you know the SIM works on your phone. In my experience, not all clerks know how to activate them. Also, there is a red vending machine with SIM cards near F10. It accepts cards and bills up to $20 but does not make change.”
Smoking – A reader let us know that smoking areas are no longer available past the main security point. The only places you can smoke now are in designated smoking areas at the front of the airport. All smoking areas are located 25 feet from the Terminal.
Spa – XpresSpa offers spa services. Locations: Terminal C, across from gate C 37 • Terminal E.
Related Pages: Things to do on a layover at Atlanta Airport
Bus
MARTA bus 191 is currently the only local bus route serving the airport. For schedules, bus stop locations and fares, go to the MARTA website.
Greyhound Flightlink offers easy transfers between flights and regional bus services. Located on the lower level of the north end of the International Terminal. Visit the Greyhound website for up-to-date information.
Car Rentals
Onsite car rental pickups and returns are handled at the Rental Car Center, a separate facility located on airport property. The Rental Car Center is just minutes away from the terminals via ATL SkyTrain and also accessible via service road for those travelling to the location by vehicle. The following agencies serve the Rental Car Center: Ace Rent a Car • Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Fox Rent a Car • Hertz • National • Payless • Sixt • Thrifty.
Hotel Shuttles
Many hotels near Atlanta Airport provide airport shuttle service: AC Hotel by Marriott Atlanta Airport Gateway • Comfort Inn • Country Inn & Suites By Radisson • Days Inn by Wyndham College Park Airport Best Road • Drury Inn & Suites • Embassy Suites by Hilton • Hampton Inn & Suites • Hilton Hotel • Hilton Garden Inn (North) • Holiday Inn & Suites Atlanta Airport North • Home2 Suites by Hilton • Homewood Suites by Hilton • Hotel Indigo Atlanta Airport – College Park • Howard Johnson by Wyndham • Hyatt Place (South) • La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham (South) • La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham (North) • Radisson Hotel • Sonesta Atlanta Airport (North) • Sonesta Atlanta Airport (South).
These shuttles stop outside on the Purple Aisle at the Ground Transportation area west curb, located between the Domestic Terminal’s north and south sides. Passengers coming from the International Terminal should confirm with their hotel whether they provide a shuttle service to this Terminal. Shuttles stop to the right of the A3 door. At one point, courtesy phones to contact hotels used to be located in the baggage claim area and at the Ground Transportation area.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Inter-Terminal Transportation
The ATL SkyTrain runs 24/7 from the Domestic Terminal to the Gateway Center (hotels and Georgia International Convention Center, 2-minute ride) and Rental Car Center (5-minute ride), departing every 2-3 minutes; free for passengers.
Hotels connected include Gateway Center Arena • Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway • AC Hotel by Marriott Atlanta Airport Gateway • SpringHill Suites Atlanta Airport Gateway • Renaissance Atlanta Airport Gateway Hotel.
For terminal-to-terminal transportation, shuttles connect the terminals and the Rental Car Center. Use Doors W-1 or W-2 to the Ground Transportation Center/West Curb from the Domestic Terminal. From the International Terminal, from the Arrivals Level and Exit Doors A-1 or A-2. From the Rental Car Centre, pickups are from the Lower Level curb.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft pickup from the North Economy Lot (Domestic Terminal) and Arrival Level outer curb (International Terminal). A ride to the city centre will cost you from $20 to $40.
Shared Ride Shuttles
ATL Airport offers several companies that provide door-to-door shared ride service between the airport and local destinations, regional destinations, and out-of-state service. At the time of this update, an estimated fare downtown will cost $16.50.
Taxi
Taxis in the Domestic Terminal are located in the Ground Transportation Centre, between door W1 and W2. Those in the International Terminal are on the arrivals level, outside door A1. Taxis are metered, but offer a special flat rate for rides between the airport and the central business district. At the time of this update, the flat rate for a ride between the airport and Downtown is $36. In addition, there is a flag drop fee of $1.50 and a $2 charge per additional rider.
Train
Passengers can travel between the airport and the city using the MARTA rapid transit commuter rail system. Airport Station, the terminus for both Red and Gold MARTA lines, is located at the end of the Domestic Terminal. For schedules, routes and fare information, go to the MARTA website.
Last updated: 2025-02-24
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.
