How to Navigate Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for Departure

Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International airport is one of the world's busiest. While relatively simply laid out the first timer can find it confusing. These steps are designed to help an arriving traveler, after they have already gotten to the airport, via drop off or MARTA train.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• government issue ID/passport
• boarding pass or ticket for your flight
• patience

1. At Hartsfield-Jackson there is short-term and long-term parking located near the terminal. Stay in the left lane on approach to the terminal for all airport parking options. The short-term, hourly parking is recommended if the drop off lanes at the terminal are too crowded or if your party would like to escort you into the terminal. The entrance ramps for short-term parking are located directly across from the baggage claim of the North terminal and the ticketing area of the South terminal.

2. To minimize hassle pre-print your boarding pass before you get to the airport. This will allow you to check your baggage at the curb and thereby go straight to the security checkpoint. If you have no baggage to check and already have your boarding pass head straight for the security checkpoint. There is a long maze line that begins at the east end of the main terminal atrium.

3. Many airlines have self-service kiosks located near their ticketing counters where you can check-in without waiting in line. If you purchased your ticket online or have your ticketing/confirmation number try this option. Even if you have bags to check there most likely will be an agent monitoring the kiosks who can help you with this.

4. Hartsfield-Jackson has over twenty lanes at it's security checkpoint, so even if the line in the maze seems too long, it still moves relatively fast. There is also a checkpoint for the T-gate concourse on the North terminal side. Anyone can go through security check here and still access all the other concourses as well.

5. Once through security you will go down a long escalator into the transportation tunnel. Here you will find both moving sidewalks and a shuttle tram to take you to your concourse. Take the tram, especially if you're going past concourse A. It's always faster than the moving sidewalks, even if it seems like you're waiting too long for a train, they arrive every two minutes, usually less.

Tips & Warnings

• If the lines at the main security checkpoint are too long, try the T-gate checkpoint at the North terminal, even if your flight is leaving from another concourse.
• Check the airport website (see below) for security point wait times before you leave.

Resources

• Hartsfield-Jackson website

[pennynickols]

on 9/19/2009 Thanks for sharing, "How to Navigate Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport for Departure." I always find my first experience at an airport confusing, and this article and others like it are a great help!